Useful ideas for your grand opening day

Each grand opening is a sign that your business is growing and you have so much to show to your clients. Before to open your new location think of the grand opening day as it is the first impression you make, so you have no right to do mistakes. However, a poor grand opening can create a negative image of business. When it comes to throwing a great grand opening event, the most important thing is that you find a unique way to give your target market a memorable experience, and that you make sure that all of your guests leave with a good first impression. Here are some tips to help you get started on making your grand opening especially memorable.

1. Firstly define your budget range - how much can your company afford for grand opening advertising. Create an exhaustive checklist of the resources needed to launch your grand opening as you envision it. If what you envision goes over budget (and it may), cut back. A grand opening doesn’t have to be a spectacle. A budget equal to 20 percent of the first year’s marketing spend is suggested. A popular rule of thumb is 5-8 percent of expected sales for the first two months.
2. Pick the right time - you should decide how long will be the duration of your grand opening campaign, when exactly will it start but after all the most important thing is TIMING. When you hit the right timing then you can reach as much targets as possible.
3. Merchandising is much more important than you think – make specially for the grand opening campaign t-shirts, custom made bags or hats with your logo and give them to your customers. You can also offer grand opening discount cards in order to increase sales during the advertising campaign.
4. Make it memorable – sometimes you should have no doubts in the sentence “the bigger, the better”. Put inflatable balloons over your store, use banners, pennants and feathers, print some booklets and flyers as well and make your customers feel that they’re on the right place.
5. Free sample of your product - if you are a food supplier offer free food to your customers. If you’re a cosmetic retailer/manufacturer offer some sample perfume or cosmetic goods. Did you know that Estee Lauder was one of the first companies which offered to its customers free samples and this strategic has become the secret of their success.
6. Don’t underestimate the social media - post to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with live updates. Create a hashtag for your event (for instance, #bobsgrandopening). This connects attendees and leads their followers to a page full of images and posts all about your event, and subsequently, your business.
7. A customer always matters – make sure that your clients will enjoy the whole grand opening day without worrying what is happening with their cars for instance. Double-check the parking place near your location and make it easy for the community to attend.