8 Promotion and Marketing Ideas for International Women’s Day

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is not just a day on the calendar (March 8); it’s a celebration of strength, resilience, and determination! A day to celebrate the achievements of women, to fight for gender equality, and to unleash the power of sisterhood.

As a female entrepreneur, I am proud to be part of a community of strong, talented, and empowered women.

From Silke the photographer who captures life’s precious moments, to Pat the designer who brings her artistic visions to life, to Anna the email specialist who helps business owners maximise their digital presence, I am grateful to have these amazing female friends in my life.

Their passion, drive, and hard work inspire me every day, and I am constantly amazed by their talents and abilities.

Whether we’re chatting over tea, bouncing ideas off each other, or supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, I know I can always count on my friends.

This year’s theme, #EmbraceEquity, is a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done. It’s a call to level the playing field, break down barriers, and give every woman the opportunity to reach her full potential.

So, here’s to all the amazing women who are making their mark and changing the world one step at a time. Keep on shining, ladies!

What does it have to do with my business or brand?

Don’t let the idea of a “girly” celebration fool you into thinking that International Women’s Day is irrelevant to your business. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! Women’s Day is essential for businesses for several reasons:

1. Diverse and Inclusive Workforce: Celebrating International Women’s Day helps businesses to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
2. Attract and Retain Top Talent: By demonstrating their commitment to promoting gender equality, businesses can attract and retain top female talent and appeal to a wider pool of job candidates.
3. Better Business Outcomes: Research by McKinsey has shown that companies with diverse and inclusive workplaces perform better financially, have higher employee morale and customer satisfaction, and are better equipped to compete in the global marketplace.
4. Social Responsibility: By participating in International Women’s Day, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to being responsible corporate citizens and to improving the communities in which they operate.

Women’s Day promotion and marketing ideas

We’ll explore some creative and engaging Women’s Day promotion and marketing ideas that can help your business show its commitment to gender equality while also attracting new customers and strengthening existing relationships.

1. Spotlight female staff members

Do you have female staff members who deserve to be recognized for their hard work and achievements? Give them the recognition they deserve – it’s good for morale and productivity.

According to a study, 37% of respondents said that more personal recognition would encourage them to produce better work more often.

Here are some ways to spotlight your female staff members: 

• Throw a party! Show your ladies what they mean to you by hosting a special event just for them. It could be a luncheon, workshop, or even an awards ceremony – whatever you think would make them feel celebrated and appreciated.
• Take lots of pictures. Capture images of your female staff in action and use them in your marketing materials or website. Having visuals of your team will show potential customers that your business is diverse and supportive of gender equality.
• Give a shout out! Contact your female staff members and ask for their opinions and ideas. While giving everyone’s opinion equal weight is important, taking time to truly listen to what female workers have to say will make them feel valued and appreciated.

2. Offer giveaways or discounts

Who doesn’t love a good giveaway? It’s like winning the lottery, except all you have to do is enter to win!

And don’t forget about your business that hosts these giveaways – it’s a win for you too! People tend to particularly enjoy things they receive for free, so you automatically position yourself well with giveaways in receiving positive attention and returning customers, according to Forbes.

Regarding promotions, it’s important to spread the love equally, like butter on toast – no discrimination or gender stereotyping allowed. So, if you’re offering a sweet deal for the ladies, make sure the guys get to taste the icing on the cake too!

Here are a few tips on how to feature your giveaway: 

• Spread the word about your giveaway. Share it on social media, write a blog post about it, or even create a video – get creative and make sure as many people as possible know about it. 
• Clearly specify the rules and requirements for entering the giveaway. Ensure you outline the time frame, what people need to do to enter, and, more importantly, what the prize is.
• Provide some exciting incentives for people who participate. Offer discounts on additional purchases, a chance to win other prizes, or even invite people to join your mailing list so they can stay in the loop.

3. Support women-owned businesses

Did you know that supporting women-owned businesses has a huge impact on the global economy?

It’s true! According to an analysis by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), if women and men participated equally as entrepreneurs, global GDP could rise by as much as 6%, boosting the global economy by an astonishing $5 trillion!

But why does this matter? Well, when women have more economic opportunities, it helps to close the gender gap in terms of wages, access to jobs, and business ownership. Not only that, but it also helps to create a more dynamic and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem that can generate new ideas and innovations.

Not sure how to find women-owned businesses? Don’t worry, I got you covered! Here’s how:

• Ask around. Talk to your friends, family members, coworkers, etc., and see if they know of any female-led businesses in your area. Consider joining a female-led business community like PrimeTime SG.
• Look online. Many female-run businesses have websites and social media pages to check out to learn more about their products or services.
• When shopping online, make sure to look for retailers or brands that were started by women. There are many fantastic e-commerce sites out there that are owned and operated by powerful female entrepreneurs.
• Finally, don’t forget to spread the word about these incredible female entrepreneurs and their inspiring stories. Use your voice to give them the visibility they deserve!

4. Celebrate on social media

Social media offers exciting opportunities for businesses to interact with their followers, share inspiring stories, and creatively promote products and services that align with IWD values. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate IWD on social media to promote and market your business:

• Create a social media campaign: Make your mark with a campaign that celebrates women and promotes empowerment. Use catchy hashtags like #InternationalWomensDay or #IWD2023 to reach a wider audience. And don’t forget to throw in some of your brand’s style.
• Share empowering stories: Inspire your followers with tales of women who have rocked your business or industry. Whether it’s a female CEO, employee, customer, or community member, highlight their achievements and contributions to your success.
• Host a live event: Get this party started with a live event on social media! From webinars to panel discussions and Q&A sessions, feature influential women in your industry and encourage attendees to join the conversation.
• Create social media graphics: Design custom graphics that pack a punch with quotes, stats, and facts about gender equality and women’s empowerment. Share them on social media platforms and watch the likes and shares roll in.
• Collaborate with women-led businesses: Join forces with other girl bosses and women-led businesses to create a joint campaign or social media post celebrating IWD. This is your chance to show your fellow female entrepreneurs some love and make new connections.

Remember, keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it aligned with your brand values!

5. Update your website design or logo

Give your website design or logo an International Women’s Day makeover for a creative boost to cast your brand in a positive and progressive light!

With just the right combination of colours, design elements, and inspiring messaging, you can create something extraordinary that resonates with current events and projects a modern and empowering brand image.

For example, Google has a long-standing tradition of changing its Doodle logo on International Women’s Day to pay tribute to inspiring women from history. The search engine has featured the works and achievements of renowned figures like Florence Nightingale, Frida Kahlo, and Malala Yousafzai, to name a few.

Each Doodle not only celebrates these extraordinary accomplishments but also serves as an invaluable way of learning about these incredible women’s inspiring lives and legacies.

It’s a small but meaningful gesture that has the power to instil admiration within us and give girls looking for role models something to aspire towards.

6. Send a personalised email campaign

Email is a tried and true way to connect with your customers, and Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your support!

Sending a simple yet heartfelt message wishing your customers a Happy International Women’s Day is a great way to make them feel recognised and appreciated.

Use a celebratory and inspiring tone, and ensure the email includes eye-catching imagery and copy that showcases your brand’s connection to women.

Think about sharing a moving story about a woman who has impacted your business, whether it’s your company’s founder or a woman who has achieved success in your industry or niche.

And don’t forget to add a call to action – invite your customers to join in the celebration with a special discount code in honour of all the amazing women!

7. Contribute to women’s causes

As business owners, we know the power of collaboration. When we come together to support a common goal—improving the community or advancing our business goals—we achieve more than if we act alone.

Supporting women’s causes is one way businesses can benefit from this collective spirit and take meaningful action to promote gender equality. 

By participating in events such as marches, rallies, conferences and symposia, your organisation can reach potential partners and customers, build brand credibility and recognition, and even gain insight into emerging trends for diversifying your operations.

Here are a few simple steps to get involved in supporting women’s causes:

• Find out what events or activities are happening near you – there may be physical or virtual gatherings you can join remotely. 
• Determine how much time, effort and money are required to get involved.
• Reach out to other like-minded individuals and make connections.
• Dedicate yourself to the cause and pledge your support – whether it’s through volunteer work, fundraising or simply offering words of encouragement.

8. Create a Women’s Day limited edition product or merchandise 

Show your commitment to gender equality by launching a new, exclusive product line—a fashionable accessory, stylish home decor, or something they’ll love. 

Give them the opportunity to show their support through an amazing product designed especially for this IWD theme. When your customers purchase this product, they won’t just be supporting women and gender equality — they’ll also have something they’ll enjoy and use daily.

Take Under Armour, for example.

Under Armour-sponsored athlete Stephen Curry made The Curry 7 “Bamazing” sneaker, featuring multiple hues of purple, the official colour of International Women’s Day. By sporting this shoe, young women can feel empowered and inspired, knowing they support a greater cause.

Not only does the shoe exude style, but it also gives back. A portion of its sales went towards the International Women’s Day scholarship, founded by Stephen and his wife Ayesha.

Here are some tips for creating a Women’s Day limited edition product or merchandise:

• Research your audience: Start by understanding who your target audience is and what they want. This could involve looking at previous Women’s Day sales, surveying potential customers, or simply observing popular trends.
• Use bold and empowering graphics and messages: Women’s Day is all about celebrating and empowering women, so make sure that your graphics and messages reflect this. Use empowering quotes and strong imagery that appeals to your target audience.
• Partner with a charity or non-profit organisation: This not only helps to support a good cause, but it also adds a level of social responsibility to your product and appeals to customers who are looking for products that give back.
• Offer exclusive discounts or promotions: This can be a great way to drive sales and create a sense of urgency for customers to purchase.

Conclusion

International Woman’s Day is the perfect opportunity to recognise and appreciate all the women in our lives.

But let’s not forget that real change requires ongoing actions and effort, not just a one-day gesture. So don’t treat this day as a marketing opportunity — be authentic in your support for women year-round! 

So come on ladies, let’s show the world what we can do when we work together. Here’s to supporting each other, creating lasting change and having some serious FUN. Cheers!