Be Extra Kind Today

Valentine’s Day
is rough
for quite a few people.

It is a reminder
for single people
that they don’t have anyone
romantically.

Widowed people
are reminded of their losses.

It is a high pressure time
for many couples.
Will their romantic loved ones
remember the day?
Etc.

Be extra kind
to people today.

Perhaps put a dish
of wrapped chocolate
on the counter
for customers.

Or bring in
donuts
for coworkers.

Or give employees
an extra 10 minute break
during the day.

Be extra kind today.

Marketing Around Valentine’s Day

It is February 12th
and this is my annual reminder
that MANY people
dislike Valentine’s Day.

I write romance novels,
stories that feature love
and relationships,
and I am very careful
about marketing around
Valentine’s Day.

I usually gently reference it
with color – pinks and reds
and with hearts, roses,
chocolates
in my graphics.

And I don’t mention it
at all
in text.

Valentine’s Day
is a love it
or hate it
celebration
with many more people
hating it
than
loving it.

Market around Valentine’s Day
carefully.

Valentine’s Day Promotions

A publisher I know
doesn’t release romance novels
with Valentine’s Day themes
because
they don’t sell well.

Many ROMANCE readers
HATE Valentine’s Day.
They absolutely hate it.

If people who read
about love and romance
hate it,
you can bet
your first startup dollar
even more people
in the general population
hate it.

I don’t mention
Valentine’s Day
in my promotions.
I say things like
“Feel the love
and read” X
or
“Give the gift of love.”
or
something else love-themed.

The people who enjoy
Valentine’s Day
assume it is
a Valentine’s Day promotion.

The people who hate
Valentine’s Day
assume
I’m merely promoting
all types of love
and that’s rarely a bad thing.

Consider not mentioning
Valentine’s Day
in your
Valentine’s Day promotions.