More than 600,000 start-ups launch in the US every year, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA). Running a successful company involves a whole host of challenges, but one of the most significant is getting a new business noticed. In this guide, we’ll explore some creative strategies to get people talking.
Plan a launch event
Launch events are a brilliant idea for all kinds of businesses. Today, the popularity of virtual events means that any company director can plan a celebration or corporate gathering without breaking the bank. Whether you’re opening a cafe or bar, setting up a clothing label or venturing out on your own and establishing a medical or dental practice, organizing an event will help you spread the word and create a buzz. You can choose between a physical event and a virtual ceremony or party. Set a budget, think carefully about who you want to attend and advertise the event online. It’s a great idea to stream online and share content on social media. If you’re hosting an opening at a store or a physical venue, take the opportunity to network, show off your products or services and follow up leads. Note down contact details, offer incentives to buy or visit after the launch and encourage guests to share information with others. If you can, try to get local press, bloggers, influencers or industry experts involved.
Make sure your products stand out
Selling a product may seem like a relatively simple business idea, but it often involves competing against several rival brands. Put yourself in a consumer’s shoes and imagine you are standing in front of a display or browsing an online store. Does your product stand out and do you feel compelled to put it in your cart? Branding is key when designing new products. Think about who you’re trying to attract and learn about what motivates your target customer to make purchases. Use market research and testing to help you develop logo designs, packaging and straplines and slogans. Include important information about the product and highlight the benefits for the customer. Make sure your products are unique and tailor the branding to suit the business ethos and values, as well as the target client.
Do something different
Identifying competitors is an essential part of market research. Often, it’s beneficial to analyze what successful businesses are doing and try to emulate them, but sometimes, you can achieve success by doing something different. Taking a different route when others are all going in the same direction can help you set your brand apart and attract more customers. Take the example of seasonal gifts. Most people know that the cost of buying flowers soars when Valentine’s Day comes around. If you run a florist, the obvious move is to increase prices to boost profits, but what if you dropped prices? If you market the promotion effectively, decreasing prices could actually help you earn more because customers will choose your business over others that are charging far more for the same product. Once you’ve secured custom for that occasion, you could find that you have clients that come back again and again.
Give out samples and freebies
Who doesn’t love a freebie? In business, it’s essential to be able to turn heads. If you’re attending an event or a trade show, you are opening a new store or restaurant, or you’ve got a pitch at a local fair or festival, give out samples and promotional items. You want your store or booth to have a line and people to come flocking to see what the fuss is all about. Visit sites like StickerYou to design custom stickers and labels for samples and freebies and let the customer try your products. Whether you’ve created an incredible new toy for kids or dogs, you’re selling cakes, clothes or cool gadgets, or you’ve developed a brand new exercise machine, alcohol-free cocktail or video game, let people try it for size and enjoy the experience. Engage with the crowd, talk to them about your backstory and be prepared to answer questions. Branded freebies, including keyrings, water bottles, gym bags and pens, can help you draw customers in and provide a reminder about your business long after people have left the stall or store.
Jump on new trends
We live in an age where trends gather speed very quickly and then dissipate, making way for the next must-have product or experience. As a new business owner, it’s wise to capitalize on new trends and make hay while the sun shines. Look at products and social media trends that are going viral on social media or hitting the newspaper headlines. Use these products or crazes to attract attention to your business. If you run a family dental practice, for example, look at what’s popular among young children and give out promotional, customized toys to prospective patients. The idea is to help young patients to relax and feel calm when visiting the dentist and encourage parents to use the contact details on the toy to schedule an appointment.
Use competitions
Competitions are a fantastic way to create a buzz around a new brand. There are two main ways you can use competitions to generate interest in your business. The first is to host giveaways and competitions on social media. You can build a following very quickly and easily by offering followers the opportunity to win products, services or experiences by liking and sharing posts, tagging friends, using hashtags and posting images or links on their social accounts. The second option is to challenge people to do something in exchange for a prize. If you own a restaurant or café, for example, this could be to clean their plate after taking on the biggest breakfast in the neighborhood. If you’re opening a sports venue or launching a fitness brand, it could be to get a hole-in-one on a pop-up putting course or complete a mile in the fastest time on a treadmill. Human beings are naturally competitive creatures and if there’s a prize for motivation, as well as the opportunity to be the best, you should find that people want to get involved.
Getting a new business noticed can be challenging, but there are lots of ways to try to spread the word and get people interested. Plan a launch, give out samples and freebies, make sure your products stand out and don’t be afraid to do things differently. Use competitions and capitalize on new trends.