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Small businesses
25GrandOpening
Resources for
One of the most exciting events in your life will be
opening your own business.
There’s a wholesome pride in creating something and then sharing it with the world.
Perhaps you’re not sure
So I’ve compiled a list of my 25 favorite resources for opening your business in style.
where to get started
1)Budget for a Grand Opening
By Luanne Kelchner. The absolute first thing you should do, after realizing you want to host a grand opening, is to set a budget. Grand openings are part of your marketing budget.
2) How to Create a Grand Opening Flyer
Flyers are a fantastic way to saturate your target community with news of your new business. Be short, concise, and include important information, such as your address, the date and time of your grand opening, and maybe even a map.
3) 10 Ways to Build Your Business with a Blog
By Alli Worthington. Blogging is part of your marketing campaign. Start blogging long before you set a grand opening. The point is to get customers engaged and excited about your business. Most importantly, you’ll set up your blog to create a mailing list.
4)This goes hand-in-hand with the above resource. These days, creating an online presence–regardless of your business type–is crucial to success. Many potential customers like to check you out online before visiting your grand opening.
Tips to Reach Customers Online Before Opening Your Storefront
5)How to Create an Effective Email Invitation
By Dave Carter. Now that you’ve amassed a decent mailing list through blogging, leverage it. This article explains how to craft your email to get maximum click-throughs.
6) 3 Tips for Getting Your Direct Mail Marketing Letters Read
By Charles Gaudet. You’ve worked hard to create the perfect grand opening letter, don’t let it end up unread in the trash. This article discusses how to ensure that 99% of recipients read your mail.
7) How to Create Social Media Buzz Before Opening Your Doors
By Sarah Johnson. Social media is an indispensable part of your marketing plan. Not only is it free, it’s an extremely easy way to build momentum for your grand opening.
8) Debating Daily Deals for Your Small Business
By K. Shelby Skrhak. Think Groupon or Living Social. These sites have millions of subscribers. Use their popularity to your advantage by creating a grand opening special that will lure in a crowd.
9) Charity MarketingBy David Frey. The charity gets more funding and recognition, you get applauded for your philanthropy by customers who are now more willing to buy from you. Perhaps, invite the charity and publicly donate to its cause.
10) How to Create a Press Release
By David Waring. A press release is a great way to get your story to as many press outlets as possible. Follow these steps to create a press release.
11) How to Get Free Publicity for Your Business on TV and Radio
By Kerry McDuling. If you’ve followed the charity marketing step before, you’ll have the perfect angle to generate buzz for your grand opening–inform the local media that you will be including a fundraiser or charity event during your grand opening.
12) Creating a Newspaper Advertisement
By Shari Waters. Of course, newspaper ads are another source of promotion. Follow this article for the basics on creating an ad for your grand opening.
13) How to Buy Outdoor Billboard Advertising
If you definitely don’t want to be ignored, take out a billboard! A certain retail store in my area announced their grand opening on several billboards, and sure enough, I went just to see what all the fuss was about.
14)The Soft OpeningBy Rodney Miller. Before you do a grand opening, it’s a good idea to do a soft one. Soft openings allow you to test out everything before you open your doors to the masses.
15) Grand Opening Planning GuidePlanning is everything. There’s no virtue in spontaneity when you’re juggling potential customers, staff, your product, media, and your nerves. This guide helps you organize your grand opening and anticipate problems.
16)Questions Every Event Staffer Should Be Prepared to Answer
From a customer’s perspective, there’s nothing worse than an under-prepared or discourteous staff. Prepare your staff (and have ample staff in attendance) with the answers to the questions in this article.
17) Creative Ways to Decorate for a Store Grand Opening
By Crystal Ray. Balloons, signs, and creative merchandising are all powerful ways to decorate your business for a grand opening. You want customers to feel excited and informed by your choice of decorations.
18) Grand Opening Food IdeasBy Carl Hose. Few things excite the masses more than free food. Whether it’s popcorn or barbecue, be prepared to offer something in the way of food and refreshments. Food encourages the crowd to linger longer, increasing the odds of making a sale.
19)Why Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce?
By Betsey Demitropoulos. There are many reasons to join your local chamber of commerce. Of course, one of the best reasons is to secure a ribbon cutting ceremony for your grand opening.
20) 4 Tips for Planning a Radio Remote
By Linda Thomas. Generate excitement for your grand opening by setting up a radio remote. Radio remotes are perfect for grand openings because the radio personality is constantly plugging your event while it’s happening.
21) How to Have a Grand Opening With a Celebrity
By Michelle Renee. Grand openings are even more grand when you have a celebrity. Think of all the attention you can attract. Be careful to invite a celebrity that makes sense to your brand, and be sure to plan ahead of time.
22)11 Ideas for Cool Giveaways
Make your customers remember you long after the grand opening is over. You want to give away promotional items that point back to you, but are also useful. Remember, a giveaway may not be material–it can be a digital download.
23)3 Keys to Using Sweepstakes or Giveaways
By Scott Kuhn. Having door prizes or giveaways are a sweet incentive to potential customers. This article is a guideline of how to set up your promotion legally and effectively. Use raffles as a way to get customers to fill out cards to be added to the mailing list.
24)5 Tips for Using Testimonials for New Store Launches
By Dave Carter. During your grand opening be sure to collect testimonials from satisfied customers. Use comment cards or even set up a camera to interview customers about their experience at your grand opening. Save it for your blog or your future newsletter.
25)Thank You NotesBy Betsey Gallop. Use your mailing list obtained from your raffle and your blog to send “Thank You” notes to your customers. It refreshes your business in their minds.
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Now Read:
The Ultimate Guide To Grand Openings
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