I've recently opened a coffee shop in a great location but it's the wrong time of year. I've done leaflet dropping to houses and local businesses, I've advertised in the paper, had a free editorial done in the local rag, but it doesn't seem to be working! Don't get me wrong, we do get customers but if we don't start getting more, we won't last 6months! Money is really tight so i can't really afford to do any more big adverts. Where can I advertise for free? (I don't have a website!) Any other suggestions please?!
2006-11-29 09:40:24 · 16 answers · asked by Chezza 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
I run "todays special" boards every day. I have free coffee vouchers that I give out to people who spend over a certain amount and I've just had some loyalty cards done for my regulars and am about to start coffee mornings once a week for OAP's.
I agree with everyone that said word of mouth is the best advertisement and the word is getting about, just doesn't seem quick enough!
2006-11-29 09:58:05 · update #1
Can you get a local paper to do a write-up on you as a feature?
Or hold some coffee-mornings? Maybe there's a bookcrossing group near you, or a writer's group who could hold meetings once a month there?
2006-11-30 21:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by Clem 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Offer specials (big signs advertising in the window); give out free oranges/bananas/apples outside the shop with stickers advertising the cafe; stand outside with a tray of small sample hot chocolate/coffee and give them out; offer a reduction on production of a local business card or student card (eg 10% off); winter specials; sell soup; buy a cup of coffee get a soup for half price; loyalty cards; open mic nights; offer games/books/WIFI; have nice cushions scattered about in warm colours.
It's winter and near Christmas - doesn't sound too promising if your sales are sluggish. Are you sure your location is as good as you think? No point ploughing money into a lost cause.
2006-11-29 09:59:07 · answer #2 · answered by Mango M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Could you maybe offer a free mince pie with all coffee for a couple of weeks? As someone already said, word of mouth is the best way, but maybe go to local playgroups and nurseries and put up a flyer advertising your cafe, mum's might like to go there for a coffee and chat while the kids are playing? Its not expensive to hand put small a5 flyers in your local marketplace, advertising to xmas shoppers somewhere for a break?
2006-11-29 09:49:53 · answer #3 · answered by ilove1984 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Exploit the location, put an A board outside on the pavement if laws permit advertising the meal of the day , put a specimen of the great deal all day breakfast on show, in intervals if practical stand outside or in doorway of coffee shop and present tray of example food gives a chance to ask/generally chat to people if they don't mind. People may think you're being pushy so its a fine balance but beats waiting inside for people to come in
2006-11-29 18:57:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not really sure why it is the wrong time of year, because as an avid coffee drinker, I drink when it's 90 degrees out. You're new, so people are probably hesistant or not yet convinced to veer off their normal stop. Run an in-store promotion offering a discount one day for the first so many people, or give out refer a friend cards to customers. Do you have gift certificates people can purchase for holiday gifts?
Keep trying, something is bound to work.
2006-11-29 09:50:18 · answer #5 · answered by catwoman 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put your some flyers in the Church mentioned a special discount say like 50% 0ff to senior Citizens.Some News Papers prints ad free of cost. it's not necessary that you should have a web site,Go to bCentral (microsoft) and paste your advertisements for free.Buy one get one free or buy one cup of coffee and donuts or muffins free.Also mentioned we do catering.So Big offices can ask you to serve them in a lunch time or for a morning breakfast.
2006-11-29 09:49:51 · answer #6 · answered by Google P 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is there a Univesity or high school nearby? Try advertising there. Highschools offer cheap ads and love selling them to pay for their newspaper.
Also, you could host litterary workshops where people can discuss their books and drink your coffee.
Do you do seasonal specials? like gingerbread coffee or peppermint coffee, etc?
You could also make gift baskets for the holidays. Your current customers could purchase them or gift cards for loved ones!
Good luck to you and your business!
2006-11-29 11:11:17 · answer #7 · answered by Sarasvah 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Network with other local businesses and have special deals for their employees. Also, have you thought maybe you don't have the right product mix? What's the competition like and are they getting all the customers? In which case, what have they got that you don't.
2006-11-29 21:44:42 · answer #8 · answered by scallywag 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do a free website from yahoo.
Advertise for free on Craigslist.com
Word of mouth is your best bet really.
Good luck to you!
2006-11-29 09:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by billiejoe4me 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
try talking to your local radio station to see if they can advertise your shop for exchange of free coffee's for the staff just an idea
2006-11-29 09:42:37 · answer #10 · answered by amanda h 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋