10 Ways to Promote Your Retail Store
Ready to tell the world that your retail shop exists? Here's 10 ways to bring customers to your store, whether by walking in or virtually on the Web.
1. Place your Web site address (www.yourstorename.com) on your store sign, business cards, and merchandise bags.
2. Create a decade-themed contest (60s, 70s, etc.). You'll get lots of publicity when you invite the media (newspaper and television reporters) to judge hats, shoes, or whatever is part of the contest.
3. Contact the local board of education and partner with them to sponsor an art display for elementary school children.
Their art can be placed on the store's walls. This will encourage browsing by parents and youngsters and new purchases.
4. Add your Web link to your state's travel and tourism or economic development Web site.
Many states will add your link because letting people know where your store is located benefits them and you.
5. Send customers monthly or quarterly postcards. Both will list the store's location, upcoming events, and Web site address.
6. Set up a taste testing display. Everyone loves tasting dips, coffees, and snacks, and there's lots of potential to sell more of these products when you allow customers to taste them. Many manufacturers will send you additional products for this purpose. Make sure to position each product next to the tasting station so that customers can quickly grab their favorites.
7. Create and distribute store event calendars. Each one-page calendar promotes events that attract and encourage repeat business. Bookstores maintain their calendars at the front door or at each register. You can, too.
8. Exchange marketing literature with a non-competing store who will help promote your business. If your customers visit local beauty salons and nail shops, finding your information in these facilities may boost your sales. Reach out to other businesses to find a partner who's willing to exchange postcards, business cards, etc., with you to distribute to their customers so that both of you thrive.
9. Sponsor an event where prospects and customers gather. Events include the theater, town rally, children's recital, and black tie auction. This affiliation strengthens community ties while increasing your sales.
10. Send customers birthday or anniversary cards complete with discount coupons or other incentives. Begin documenting the birth months of loyal clients or the first month they purchased an item. The next year, send an appreciation card to encourage new sales with a discount that's small to you but big to them.
This is just a few of the selling opportunities I've produced for retailers I work with and share at my seminars. Want to hear more? Invite me to speak at your next sales event, trade show, or business meeting. Call 973-279-2799 or email me at info at sweet survival dot com.
