Grand Opening Ideas for Small Businesses
If you’re starting your own small business then you’re probably mulling over which grand opening ideas would be the most practical and beneficial for your company. They say first impressions can never be regained, which means that you want to not only entice the public into your business but make a positive impression that will make them want to return in the future.
Some grand opening ideas require more money than others, so before you start any planning you need to ask yourself what your budget is for the grand opening. Once you have a budget in mind you can start creating an outline and define factors such as the duration of the grand opening celebration. For instance, will the grand opening celebration be a one-day event or a week long affair? Also consider how you’re going to get the word out about the grand opening. –Maybe a huge banner outside of your establishment or an advertisement on the radio, some websites, or in the newspaper. After these two details are decided you can start to explore the various grand opening ideas available to you. Take a look at a few of the following grand opening ideas suitable for a small business….
Ever-Popular “Grand Opening Sale”
What better way to launch your new business than to offer an impressive sale to your first shoppers? Really step up the service so that your clients receive top-notch service along with prices that they won’t be able to resist telling their friends about. You can spread the word about your grand opening sale through fliers, radio stations, local television channels, signs near popular shopping areas, highways, and outside of your business location. If you can afford the expense, you might even try offering a BOGOF (buy-one-get-one-free) deal, refer a friend special, or even a treat for families with children.
Host a Grand Opening Party
In order to really get the public to notice you, consider throwing a grand opening party complete with signs, balloons, and streamers that can be easily seen by passersby. The party is a good way to dive in and introduce yourself and your staff to people who might be prospective shoppers or clients. Food booths that offer a nice treat for visitors, such as barbeque, drinks, or ice cream would do well to help break the ice and make customers feel welcome and relaxed. You might also consider hiring entertainment or inviting other local shops to get involved. Associating yourself with local businesses that shoppers already know and trust will definitely play to your advantage. Grand opening parties can be a little on the costly side—especially if you’re dealing with a large crowd of people—but it’s a great way to get personal contact with the public and expose your business as having a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Use Visual Bait
In order to get people into your business, you need to put something out there to entice them in—aka “bait.” You could get a local celebrity or businesses to endorse your grand opening by using their logos and name on your signs (with their permission, of course). You could even host a blue ribbon ceremony and see if your town’s mayor would attend as the special guest. If these grand opening ideas seem to be a little out of reach then try sticking to good old fashioned signs. When it comes to grand opening signs, the bigger and flashier—the better! If you are going to run a music shop, then you might invest in a large inflatable guitar to mount onto the roof of your store. Make sure it says “Grand Opening!” or “Now Open!” to alert the public that there is a new business in town to check out. Imagine if you were to be driving down a street lined with businesses. What would it take to get your attention?
Grand Opening Coupons
Special deals can be offered to the public to gain their intrigue, which in most cases is enough to make them rationalize a quick visit—even if it’s just for a look around. You can call local shopping centers, websites, newspapers, and magazines to arrange to have your grand opening flyer or coupon displayed in their media. A coupon lets the public know that you’re not afraid to pass on savings and make a deal. People like to feel like they’re being let in on something special and sometimes all it takes is a flashy coupon with a great deal to bring in prospective clients or shoppers. You could offer a percentage off the first purchase, a free consultation, an entry into a prize drawing, or a free gift with a purchase.
Starting a new business can be costly but you don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to have a successful grand opening. Encourage business acquaintances, friends, and family members to spread the word about your grand opening. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth advertisement! Also consider using popular media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to reach out to a larger, more varied group of people.