By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Coach
As a franchisee, an important aspect of growing your business is marketing. You can use most any outlet, from social media to handing out flyers to get your name out there. One great way to get personal interaction with potential clients is participating in local events. Farmer’s markets, main street gatherings and small business expos are just a few options. You should always keep an eye out for these through your city’s website or social media. If it’s someone other than the city government, be sure to check with the organization putting these events on so you are following their guidelines.
Banners
Now that you’ve gotten all signed up and secured your spot, how do you draw attention to your booth or table? You’ll want to stand out from the sea of businesses with something to catch the gaze of passersby. Investing in a collapsible banner or renting one from the Omaha home office is always worth it to make your booth stand out!
Tables
The majority of the time these events will provide you a table, but always double-check if you need to get a collapsible one yourself. Depending on what you decide you want to spend on marketing materials, bring along a solid colored cloth to cover the table. You can get a customized cloth or rent one from the Omaha home office that features our logo.
Exchanging Info
After you decide on what materials to draw people in, you’ll want to exchange information with them. As simple as it may sound, don’t forget to bring a contact form with a clipboard and pens. You don’t want to meet a potential client and find yourself stuck without a way to get their information. Have them fill out their name, phone number, and email so you can follow up later. Giving them a business card will help avoid a communication breakdown.
In addition to a business card, using flyers that contain information about your business and services will help customers understand your company better. Packets are also a good option if you want to go more in depth on certain aspects of your business instead of just providing the highlights.
Proper Attire
You’ll want to put your best foot forward. Wear shirts or uniforms that easily identify your business to your booth. Name tags are also a good idea so that people will remember who you are, and how you treat them. Establishing a good relationship early on can pay off for you down the road.
Extra Gear
If you really want to get creative, you can give away branded marketing items. These aren’t exactly a necessity, but just something fun to further your marketing reach. Pop sockets, phone card holders, bags, pens, miniature balls, or whatever else you can think of are all items people love to snag.
To recap, community events are awesome for drumming up new business and spreading brand awareness, and there are many different options available. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you want to display yourself and how much you want to invest, but always keep an eye out for things going on in your community, and you may have profitable results quickly.
