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 is a great way to [...]
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 promotion [...]
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 your customers, prospective [...]
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 rest? Details [...]
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 familiarity [...]
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 support local charities. [...]
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 cards, store [...]
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 many of the objects are in the [...]
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 for special events. [...]
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 traffic to your [...]
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 your location [...]
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 of information, [...]
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 your [...]
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 conjunction with [...]
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 or other [...]
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 group(s). [...]
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. This makes [...]
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 be [...]
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 re-grand [...]
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 into a [...]
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 a seasonal [...]
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 on English or Drama [...]
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 opening. You want to [...]
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, spas or [...]
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, snacks or lunch for [...]
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, particularly [...]
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 and serenity [...]
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 on-air mentions, which [...]
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 a great [...]
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 your Community [...]
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? If so, [...]
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 banners: [...]
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, this can be a good [...]
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 of a click, share [...]
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 you have a strong [...]
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 to plan [...]
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 got plenty [...]
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 fans at the [...]
