When building your communications strategy – in trying to reach your customers and potential customers – it is critical to consider “where” these people are, and the best [...]
Overview When people aren’t coming to you, you may need to go to them! An attractive mailer – could be a postcard, letter, or package – with an appealing offer […]
Overview Outdoor advertising is a more traditional form of advertising / marketing. Think about all the advertisements you see walking through your neighborhood (on bus shelters) or driving your [...]
Overview Here, we’re talking about traditional print advertising opportunities. These can range from full-color, full-page ads to simple black and white classified ads. Details With so many [...]
Overview Radio advertising and promotion is a great way to let your current and potential customers know about your new store opening, product, service or about any special event or […]
Overview If your business is the new kid on the block, distributing fliers is an effective (and inexpensive) way to let people know you’re open for business! Within residential [...]
Overview Need a simple, inexpensive and easy marketing tool? Look no further than the t-shirt. Details They can be very effective…take for example this t-shirt from Willamette Valley [...]
Overview As a small business owner, you might read blogs on various topics related to marketing and managing your business. But do you write a blog of your own for […]
Overview Most restaurants have business cards (ALL should). A few restaurants still have matches as business cards. But how can you make your business card stand out amongst all the […]
Overview Offering catering services to your guests is a great way to drive large ticket sales and expose new potential customers to your location and products. Catering can take many […]
Overview Providing catering service is a great way to drive large ticket sales and expose new potential customers to your location and products. Offering “Food To Go” is the easiest [...]
Overview On-site catering is akin to setting up and breaking down your restaurant for each job. As opposed to pick-up / drop-off catering options where you prepare everything in the […]
Overview Donations are giving your product, money or service to a charity or charitable cause. This is a great way to be locally relevant, be part of the community and […]
Overview Getting to know concierge in the hotels around your location is a great way to drive traffic and build awareness. Visit area hotels and provide concierge staff with business […]
Overview Word of Mouth happens when you’re doing something so well, others can’t help to talk about you. They remark about you. You literally become remarkable! Someone else speaking [...]
Overview Display a large, clear jar full of small objects related to your business either in your store, or in the window of your store. Invite people to guess how […]
Overview Destination events are events that help to establish your location as not only a place to get the great product or service you offer, but also as a destination […]
Overview Your store products and services represent an expertise. Share that expertise with existing and potential clients through customer seminars. Details When customers better understand the [...]
Overview Game nights are fun and easy ways to encourage your customers to socialize and come together as a community. Plus, they are the perfect opportunity for you to drive […]
Overview Most restaurants, wineries, cafes, bars and retail stores are looking for ways to drive traffic to their location. Hosting events is a great way to drive traffic by making […]
Overview Seasonal events and promotions are a great way to draw repeat customers like Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte. How can you get your customers excited about the change of seasons? [...]
How do you communicate with your customers when they aren’t in your store, restaurant or cafe? Do you blog? Tweet? Post on Facebook? All those formats are fine for snippets […]
Overview Employee Olympics are the perfect way to showcase the fun-loving and passionate side of your business. In addition to having fun, the games are a great way to demonstrate […]
Overview Adopt A Highway partnerships are a win-win for everyone involved. Local (or national) companies parter with the state departments of transportation to keep a certain stretch of highway [...]
Overview Planting trees can be a great way to demonstrate how much you care about your community and the environment. Details A tree planting activity will probably be done in […]
Overview This event is a party for store employees, their friends, and family members. They are invited to enjoy a private event to celebrate a grand opening, promotion launch, sale […]
Overview A great invitation is a key ingredient for your Friends & Family Event. Details We recommend printed invitations, although if you have access to email addresses for friends and […]
Overview The ability for a customer to buy gift certificates and pre-loaded cards can be a substantial sales driver for retailers and restaurants. However, for many small businesses, gift cards [...]
Overview Create a personalized letter from the store manager to area merchants located within walking distance of your location. This provides you with a simple way to introduce or reintroduce [...]
Overview Being a good neighbor to a local theater group can be a great way to become locally relevant. Offer catered service for the rehearsals or performances at your local theater […]
Overview Before your new location opens or if you’re a new manager in your location, take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors! This “meet ‘n’ greet” tour [...]
Overview Sending a personalized letter to your local business neighbors about your Grand Opening event is an easy way to build awareness about your new location! See the New Store [...]
Overview Are you opening the newest location of an existing franchise or business in town? Details Congratulations! If you’re opening a second (or third, or fourth) location of an existing [...]
Overview There’s no better way to build awareness and excitement for your location’s Grand Opening or Grand Re-Opening than to host an in-store event for your friends, family and new [...]
Overview Grand Opening Invitations inform potential customers of your new store opening, activities on opening day, and often include a complimentary offer as an incentive to (a) attend the grand [...]
Overview A ribbon-cutting event is used at a Grand Opening or Grand Re-Opening to celebrate the official opening of a location. It signifies the official opening or start of business. […]
Overview In-Store Events are a great way to drive current and potential customers to your location for a festive occasion, sample your products and drive sales. Details Often, these events can [...]
Overview Host an anniversary party for the community to thank your customers AND build awareness with potential customers. Details A store anniversary party is a great excuse to host a […]
Overview When hosting an In-Store Artist Exhibit, it’s a great idea to ‘unveil’ the exhibit with with an Art Opening Event. This is a great way to turn your store […]
Overview The holidays are the perfect time to say “thank you” to your customers and clients and celebrate! What better way to build community and drive traffic than to have […]
Overview Hosting an in-store poetry reading is an easy way to create a connection with your local community. By working with a local school or university (do a little research […]
Overview Your store products (and services) represent an expertise. Share that expertise with existing and potential clients through in-store product seminars. Details When customers better [...]
Overview Inviting a local reporter or blogger into your business for a “Behind the Scenes” Tour allows you the opportunity to share your company’s expertise and what makes you [...]
Overview A Calendar Listing is an announcement of an event to media (newspapers, online, tv, radio) that publish event listings and community calendars for their readers / viewers / listeners. [...]
Overview A Media Advisory is an announcement about an event that media are invited to attend. Use a Media Advisory to alert local media about your upcoming event or grand […]
Overview A Press Release is a document or “pitch letter” sent to the media to announce a grand opening, product launch, event or story about your business. Reporters and journalists [...]
Overview Joining your local Chamber of Commerce or Neighborhood Association allows you a quick and easy way to connect with fellow business owners and local leaders. Details In addition to […]
Overview Restaurants that offer catering, delivery or take-out services often have menus by the register for patrons to take on their way home (or, at least they should!). Retail shops, […]
Overview Local newspaper and magazine (often referred to as simply “print”) reporters like to know what’s going on in their community. So reach out and introduce your business [...]
Overview If you’ve ever been the “low guy on the totem pole” at a new job, chances are you’ve been designated the one to run out and pick up coffees, […]
Overview Offer complimentary products, services, or specials for employees, at targeted companies within your Trade Area, who show their work identification (badge, business card) to your store [...]
Overview Most likely, when customers want information about your business, they’ll go online. Whether they visit your website (and please, at least have a landing page for your business, [...]
Overview Did you know that 70% of online shoppers trust reviews from people they don’t know? In fact, the research is mounting in favor of the steadfastness of consumer reviews, […]
Overview Outdoor concerts can be a great way to get your products and services in front of potential customers. You could provide catering service, sampling, or product demonstrations for the [...]
Overview Parks are the centers of carefree fun for many communities. They provide a gathering point for neighbors, friends and family members, and can offer a small corner of nature […]
Overview Radio station on-air personalities love to get free product and service samples! So reach out to them and give them what they want! You could create fans and get […]
Overview Local radio stations are a great way to get the word out about your location and your offerings. There are tons of opportunities for radio station promotions…from on-air give-aways [...]
Overview Opening a new store? Sponsoring the morning and afternoon traffic reports on your local radio station could be a great way to promote your new business! Details We’ve got […]
Overview Take sampling and demonstration efforts out of your store to let potential customers “try before they buy.” This reduces risk for your customers and drives awareness of your [...]
Overview Partnering with local schools is a great way to integrate your business into your local community and be part of what’s important to your customers. Details During your Community […]
Overview Showing the teachers of your community that you care about them is a great way to make a local connection. Remember the schools you outlined in your Community during […]
Overview Does your business display special merchandise or offer new menu items or products for the holiday season? Or, do you deck your store out with holiday lights and decorations? […]
Overview A-Frame Signs are great attention-grabbing signs to use outside or inside your business to drive awareness and traffic with special messages and promotions. Details A-Frame Sign Types [...]
Overview Banners are signs that can be displayed outside of your location or inside your location to build awareness of promotions or events. Details There are many different types of […]
Overview Coming Soon signage is a great way to build awareness and excitement for your store opening or re-opening. “Coming Soon” Banner “Now Open” Banner “Grand [...]
Overview As opposed to a typical “count down” sign, the Count-Up Sign shows the progress your location is making towards the grand opening. Typically, they feature a graphic of [...]
Overview This is signage on major roadways made by the Department of Transportation to show what’s coming up at the next exit. If your location is near a major highway, […]
Overview For most customers and potential customers, your Hours of Operation sign is one of their first introductions to you. It’s like your Welcome sign. It’s as important as your [...]
Overview Sidewalk chalk art is an inexpensive and colorful way to advertise your business’ new menu items, or new products or services to those in your neighborhood. Important: Before [...]
Overview Social Media is a marketing activity that supports the strategy of creating word of mouth. It uses online tools (like blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to help spread the word […]
Overview Did you know? A social media post that includes a picture receives 120-180% more engagement from fans than a text-based post. To ensure you take photos that are worthy […]
Overview Facebook is the most-used social network in the world. Did you know that over one billion people like and comment an average of 3.2 million times every day? When […]
Overview To put it simply, Pinterest is a “virtual pinboard.” It helps users organize and share all the beautiful and interesting things that they find online. Members use their pinboards […]
Overview We spend a lot of time convincing our clients *not* to follow their social media marketing urges. Why? Because most often, they’re reacting to the social media bullies making them [...]
Overview Twitter is an information network that instantly connects users with the latest stories, ideas and news that other users find interesting. Users share short bursts of information through [...]
Overview Are you thinking about opening a new restaurant? Or, are you in the process of planning the grand opening of your new restaurant concept? If so, we’re sure you’ve […]
Overview Local TV station reporters and teams like to receive free samples and know what’s going on in their community. So reach out and take them samples! You could create […]
