Our sales guys travel the country to visit local specialty retailers. They see what is the secret to successful local businesses and how they are pillars in their local community. Blue Orange recently presented marketing tips at a convention and we wanted to share our findings with you. While these tips were made with toy stores in mind a lot of the principles can apply to nearly all local businesses. This is only Part One so be on the look out for upcoming blogs for more tips – yes, plural!

Demonstrations

• Ask your vendor for a demo. Whether it’s a fun Blue Orange game or types of craft kits at your hobby/craft store. Keep them updated (watch for missing parts).
• Try to keep demos at the appropriate eye level. If you have a toy store, keep the demos at children’s level for easy reach. Customers come in all sizes and ages so be cognizant
• Keep inexpensive items close to the register for that last minute impulse buy.

 

Video Demonstrations

• Display videos in-store
• Use websites or social media to post instructional videos
• Link to vendor videos through social media. It truly is the age of the video. Most vendors will have instructional/demonstration videos.

 

Promote Birthdays!

• Have an open book on the counter to create a mailing list for birthdays.
• Create a birthday club on your website.
• Send postcards or emails with $$ off coupons the week before the big day.

 

Suggestion Box/Read those online reviews

• Invite your customers to give their feedback and check out reviews for your store online.
• Display all positive comments, and discuss with your team how to fix the negative ones.

 

Brand Yourself

• Add your store name and logo to shopping bags and t-shirts. Reusable bags are a great way to show your brand around the town!
• Offer cute postcards featuring your logo or store picture at the counter.

 

Store Displays: Be Fun and Creative  

• Create window displays that are relatable and relevant – to draw people in and bring customers back!
• Take advantage of vendor provided displays, signage and posters.
• Explore your creative side with unusual and unique DIY display ideas. Pinterest is a great resource for ideas!
• Share your displays on social media to gain additional exposure.

 

What draws you to your local neighborhood store? Leave your comments below.