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Everyone loves back-to-school season because of the shopping spree! Students can get tools they’ll actually use for the entire year while they’re on sale while saving a few extra dollars in the process. But you can get that very same feeling as an entrepreneur, too. Here’s how you can make the most of back-to-school deals this year for your home office. Upgrade your home office’s amenities. Are you a seltzer water fan? Every year, Amazon almost always has an “Off to College” sale, featuring various products that make dorm life a little bit easier and more convenient. If you want to do the same for your home office, look into a tabletop fridge — or an electric tea kettle, if tea is more your style. Some affordable decor, like wall art or small potted succulents, can spruce up your office without making a mess. If you’re looking to organize your space, consider buying desktop shelves to free up clutter. Then, you won’t have to leave your desk to stay in the zone! Look out for Apple and PC sales! Replacing your current technology can be expensive, but back-to-school sales are the perfect way to spare your wallet. Have an amazing computer Is Your Home Office Missing Something? Top 3 Tips to Take Advantage of Back- To-School Deals suppliers do their back-to-school advertising. It’s more generic, with storewide sales on school and office supplies as a whole. You might see pencils in an ad like this, but they don’t need to put the pencils on sale because they know parents have to buy these supplies. That tactic won’t work if you’re selling skateboards or laptops, though. Nobody needs those to ace an exam! So here’s where things get tricky — and retailers know it. Who do they advertise to? Parents make up one group, and students make up the other. Students, especially older teens attending college, may have their own money to spend on big items or at least the ability to convince their parents that they need those items. Obviously, advertising to teens is a different ballgame than marketing to parents. The “affordable, low price” angle won’t always work on teens, and for big items, it could be the wrong approach with parents, too. Advertisers selling consumer electronics are usually trying to show how hip, powerful, and durable their tech is. They want to make it seem like you can’t live without their gadgets (as we all know, this is at best a half-truth). This isn’t a bad approach for teens, and it’s not bad if you’re targeting their parents, either. Despite what your average teenager might believe, most parents don’t want their kids stuck with outdated tech or tragically uncool gadgets. And although it might surprise
parents to hear it, their kids aren’t immune to the allure of a purchase that will last for years to come.
Of course, advertisers know these things, because that’s their job. And you see it reflected in the various ads for back-to-school deals on things you might want but don’t actually need. I want to end by pointing out a unique feature of 2021’s back-to-school marketing blitz, which is how explicitly advertisers are pushing the pandemic angle. It truly is a back-to-school season we haven’t seen before, with in-person learning set to resume in schools of all kinds across the nation. Pay close attention to these ads when you see them, because you’ll learn a lot. These sorts of ads can really work well, but they can also be the fastest way to turn off a consumer. I’ve been anticipating them all summer, and so far, they haven’t disappointed. Some are explicitly pandering, but others — especially in the consumer electronics category — walk that balance well. As I said at the beginning, marketing is about culture. The draw of a 30% storewide sale is valued differently by parents and students, but so are trendy ads that touch on political and current events. Nobody said it was an easy line to walk, and even the experts get it wrong sometimes.
To see that, all you have to do is turn on the television this month.
already? You can still benefit majorly from staying tuned! During last year’s back-to-school sale, Apple offered 20% off their AppleCare+ service, which gives you two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months. Dropped your laptop or spilled coffee on it? They’ll fix it, no questions asked. Invest in the new office chair you’ve been wanting. Don’t sacrifice your posture just because you’re working from home. Whether remote working has turned into a permanent or a part-time solution for your job, you deserve an office chair that can help keep your back straight, preventing pain and slouching. Many big-box stores will be offering sales on office chairs, so take the opportunity to sit in a healthier way today — before the expensive holiday season rolls around! Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t have the joy of back-to-school shopping too. We hope you treat yourself to something that’ll make your remote routine even better.
2 • www.lawyersreadytofight.com
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