The UK’s Lockdown restrictions have forced the closure of coffee shops for the best part of a year, but instead of giving in to those feelings of defeat, now is a great time to begin to strategize ahead of your reopening.
At some point in the future, everything is going to go back to normal, and when that happens, you want to be three steps ahead of your competitors. All this extra time on your hands gives you a great opportunity to think business- so use it to your advantage.
When things do go back to the new normal, it’s likely that more people will be looking to get out and go to coffee shops after months of having to stay inside their homes. And with so many other competitors in the market, your business must stand out from the crowd so that people take an active interest in what you have to offer. Here are 4 ways you can attract more customers to your coffee shop post-lockdown:
- Actively Use Social Media
Social media has quickly become a key marketing outlet for businesses, so use it to your advantage. Frequent posting using hashtags and location tags is a great, free way to make more potential customers aware of your business.
Why not use this time to host some competitions? You could offer a prize of anything from a free cup of coffee to a hamper of nibbles- the choice is yours. Competitions are the easiest way to generate new followers who are interested in your business.
- Redecorate
It’s hard to find the time to redecorate when you’re always open, so now is the ideal time to refresh the look of your shop. You could buy new seating, paint your walls a different colour or add some fun new prints to breathe some new life into your business.
If you don’t have one already, a chalkboard sign is a fun, cost-effective way to energize your advertising. Entice your customers with wit, poems or riddles that will stop them in their tracks and make them take notice of your business.
Discount Displays offer a great range of chalkboard signs that will look perfect outside your shop, at prices that aren’t going to make too much of a dent in your marketing budget.
- Introduce A Loyalty Card Scheme
If you don’t already have a loyalty card scheme, then now is the time to introduce one. Everybody loves free things, and a loyalty scheme is one of the best ways to generate some coffee shop regulars.
All you need is some simple business cards and a specialised stamp so that nobody can cheat! The extra custom will make all the difference.
- Explain How You Will Be COVID-19 Safe
Although you will be reopening only when the government deems safe to do so, some people may still feel nervous about the idea of visiting a coffee shop while COVID is still around.
Using social media, let your customers know the exact measures you will be taking to keep them as safe as possible- the more specific, the better!
