Celebrate a grand opening to show off your business.
A new store, whether it is a new location of a franchise or a completely new business, needs a way to let the neighborhood know it's there. The last thing you want is to open your store and have no one show up. Grand openings can help get the word out about your store. Without a grand opening celebration, people in the area may never know that you opened--or even that you're there. Luckily, there are ways to hold a successful grand opening to introduce your store to the neighborhood.
Planning the Event
The grand opening of your store must be special. It can't just be a way to introduce yourself to the neighborhood. You also need to give them a reason to visit. Free food is a good way to get people to come to your store. Serve ice cream bars or cans of soda for a summer grand opening. If you're opening the store in colder months, serve cups of hot cocoa. Give out balloons with your store or business logo on them. Door prizes are another good way to get people to attend your grand opening.
Discounts are an important part of a grand opening. Offer store-wide discounts and include them in your advertising. You could even give away something for free with every purchase over a certain dollar amount.
To set your grand opening apart from the rest, hire entertainment. Whether it's a DJ, a local bluegrass band or some break-dancers, people will come from all over to have a look. If done right, your grand opening will be the talk of the town and you will create lifelong customers.
Advertising a Grand Opening
The whole point of having a grand opening for your store is to get the word out about your business. If all goes well, your customer base will increase and you will earn more money. Even if you have great deals for your store opening, it will all be for naught if locals don't know about it. That's why it's so important to advertise the grand opening of your store.
A cheap and easy way to advertise your grand opening is to make flyers. Put "Store Grand Opening!" at the top of the page in big block letters. Include the where and when so people know where to find you. If there are any specials or free food during the event, list these on the flyer as well. You can then hand these out on the street, leave them in a public place, or tape them in areas where flyers are welcome.
While flyers are an easy way to advertise your grand opening, publicity from the press is even better. Write a press release for your store's grand opening. List what makes your business special and alert them when and where the event will take place. Send your press release to local newspapers and television news stations. Most newspaper and TV websites will list where you can send your press release in the "contact us" section. If interested, they may interview you and do a piece on your new store.
