St. Patrick's Day, or The Feast of St. Patrick, is a well-known holiday, known for fun (and sometimes crazy) parties all over the United States. Shamrocks are abundant and you'll be seeing in the color green just about everywhere you go on March 17th. However, many people celebrate the holiday without ever knowing WHY they are celebrating or WHAT the traditions mean. We're here to put those questions to rest.
What is St. Patrick's Day, Besides a Party?
St. Patricks' Day is when people, specifically those of Irish descent, recognize and remember St. Patrick, a historical figure of religious significance in Ireland. The day was traditionally celebrated as a feast day by those of the Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Lutheran churches.
Who Was Saint Patrick?
It is thought that St. Patrick was born a Roman Britain to a wealthy family in the fourth century. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and sold as a slave. He served as a shepherd in Gaelic Ireland for 6 years, and during that time, it is historically said that he "found God". According to the story, God told him to flee to the coast where a ship would be waiting to take him home. Once he made his way home, Patrick became a priest, and later returned to Ireland to convert the pagan society to Christianity. During his ministry, he converted thousands, and tradition holds that he passed away on March 17th.
Why All the Shamrocks?
According to the historical tales, St. Patrick used clover, a three-leaf plant, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.
Saints and Parties?
Traditionally, the Feast of St. Patrick was the one day that the restrictions of Lent were lifted, and people could indulge in the things they had given up, including alcoholic beverages. It was a time to honor and celebrate the patron saint Patrick and remember what he did for the Irish people. Today, St. Patricks Day is used as a huge marketing holiday for many food and beverage (specifically beer) companies since the day is celebrated with large parties around the world. They take advantage of the concept of "abundance" and extravagance that has come to be associated with St. Patricks' day.
So, this St. Patrick's Day, go green on March 17th knowing exactly why you're wearing those sparkly shamrock glasses and enjoying a fun party with your friends. Are you feeling like you’re out of luck when it comes to advertising your business or building your brand online? It’s time to call Newton Peach Marketing! We are Polk County’s top choice for online and small business marketing. We personalize the process of building your brand, and tailor a plan to you, your budget, and your business. Call us!
Happy St. Patty's Day!
Green and Growing: What Newton Peach Marketing Does for Winter Haven Businesses
Spring is here, and many of us are thinking of things green and growing. However, while you are picturing flowering plants and colorful blooms in pots or as part of beautiful landscapes, we are picturing businesses, and the clients we represent. For Newton Peach, green and growing is what we set up as a primary goal for each customer that comes to us requesting assistance with a website, creative solutions for their social media accounts, or even an eye catching piece of print in the form of business cards or flyers for local events. How though, do the words "green" and "growing" tie in to these things?
Well, "green" refers to what we want to see in YOUR hands in the form of increased profits for your business. We aim to bring in more customers for you by targeting your audience in direct ways, and getting your name in front of the very people that need your product or service. We build your online "presence" and brand and over time, this gives people a sense of knowing you and feeling confident in choosing you for their needs. So, while green plants and blossoming flowers are beautiful, the green we want will show up in your wallet.
"Growing" is our main task when it comes to your business. Growing in size, growing in influence, and growing in efficiency and profits (as mentioned above) are just a few of the things we strive to help you do, and by utilizing the techniques mentioned above, and many more, we have seen this happen for businesses throughout the greater Winter Haven area. Clients all over Polk County have let us step in and walk alongside them as they make their mark in our area, and with each one, we are reminded of how much we love cultivating growth, much like gardeners and farmers enjoy the dirt on their hands and the joy that comes with harvesting fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers throughout the year.
Do you feel like your business is thriving? If not, it might be time for some fresh perspective! Newton Peach Marketing is ready and waiting to help you grow this year. Take that step forward and give us a call!
Show Your Favorite Businesses Just How Much You LOVE Them This Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is all about showing those around you how much you care. Giving gifts, acts of service, or a simple "I love you" to remind someone that they are important to you are all ways we share the love around this holiday. Have you thought about showing your favorite local businesses just how much you appreciate them, and care about their success in the community though? They might not be your first thought when Valentine's Day rolls around, but there are many ways you can show them some love and help boost their presence in the community not just on holidays, and EVERY day.
How?
Give them positive reviews. It's easy (and common) to leave a negative review. When we receive goods or services that are less than satisfactory, we want a sense of justice, and often, leaving a scathing review makes us feel somehow validated in our displeasure...and we totally understand that! After all, that's what reviews are for, right? They are the modern day "comments box" for businesses, and they give other potential customers insight into what they can expect from a particular business or brand. How often do you leave a positive review though? Taking those extra few minutes of your time to leave a review letting a business owner know how much you were impressed by their product, their service, or even their staff is a great way to show them some love, and send other customers their way.
Make them your first choice. How often do we say we like a local business, but the first time a shopping need comes up, whether for a gift, a home service, or simply something for your home, you jet off to the big box store down the street simply because it's convenient? Taking the extra time and effort to utilize local small businesses as your first shopping choice not only makes them feel loved, but makes them successful, and that benefits everyone in the community. Cities where businesses are growing and thriving have better economies, and higher employment rates. What's not to LOVE about that?
Refer your friends. Word of mouth is a key way to grow small, local businesses, and any marketing expert will tell businesses owners how vital it is to get people talking about their brand and name within the community. A business card, a social media post, or even a booth at a downtown fair or market are definitely key points in growing a business and brand, but even those who visit the booth, see the Facebook ad, or receive a business card might not follow through and become a patron unless a friend or family member can personally attest to the quality of the goods or services offered. That's where YOU come in. If you love a local business, tell people about it! Share their posts on Facebook and throw in a personal reference for your contacts. Did someone comment on that great piece of jewelry you're wearing from a local boutique, or ask you how you've landscaped your yard so beautifully for the upcoming spring season? It's ok to name drop! Spreading the names of small businesses will help them immensely, and will ensure that your treasured goods and services that they offer will be around for years to come.
Newton Peach Marketing is committed to making sure our local businesses in and around the Winter Haven area thrive and grow. By customizing plans for each individual client we ensure quality services at a price they can afford. When you put your business growth in our hands, you are given the freedom to pay only for what you need, and nothing more, unlike pre-determined packages with larger marketing firms. That means you're left with more money to invest back into your business, allowing you to continue to expand...and nothing makes us happier than seeing you succeed. Interested in what we can do for you? There's a simple two step process: give us a call, and tell us how you want to grow in 2019. We do the rest!