How To Let Customers Know You’re Back In Business & Get Them Inside The Store

July 2, 2021 | 3 Minute Read

It’s been a long wait but the time is finally here! Your favourite local businesses are able to reopen and serve customers once again. We couldn’t be more excited to see everyone getting back to business and doing what they love. However, with so many businesses in the same niche reopening at the same time, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd of excitement. To ensure that you make a successful announcement and get the attention of old and new clients, we’ll be sharing with you our list of must-do’s to help you reach your customers!

Announcing To The Public That You're Reopening

First up, we have to get the word out that your business is getting ready to reopen. Here’s a list of ways to broadcast this message to the masses.

1. Email Campaigns

Email campaigns are advantageous in reaching as many of your customers as possible because people are constantly checking their emails every day. They are incredibly easy to set up, design, and modify to your liking. Within the email, you can provide your subscribers with all the information they need for re-opening such as time, location, and special promotions. Don’t forget to send out your campaign at least a week earlier to separate yourself from your competitor!

2. SMS Text Reminders

We all prefer text, and your customers are no exception. Not only is SMS very quick and efficient, but it’s also a low-cost way to maximize open rates. Text messages have a 90% open rate which guarantees that a significant amount of customers will see your message. If you’re offering a special promotion or discount to celebrate your re-opening, you want as many of your clients to know about it. A mass text message only takes under a few minutes to create, and a few seconds to reach hundreds and thousands of clients.

3. Announce on social media

This is a free and easy way to communicate with your customers in a timely manner. Regardless of your follower count, people like to see businesses with a social media presence. You can create a series of posts and push them out consistently until the day of the re-opening to build suspense and excitement. Another way you can do this is by posting behind-the-scenes content to show your clients how you’re preparing for the big day. If they have any questions, they can simply message your business’ social media platforms. Being active on social media will show customers that you’re present and ready to serve them!

4. Update Your Website

If a customer wants to know whether or not your store is open, most likely the first thing they’ll do is search up your business and land on your website. It’s imperative to have your hours of operation updated so customers can swiftly receive this information without having to call or leave messages. Updating the website may require some work, but this will be immensely effective in case anyone comes across your site.

5. Signage

Signages such as posters are an incredibly easy and affordable form of mass marketing. Simplicity is sometimes best. All you have to do is put up posters announcing your reopen date outside your brick-and-mortar store or anywhere that allows signages. The best part is that this method targets new customers as well as old ones. Although this may require some labour work, signages have been known to be very useful in terms of brand awareness. Remember to keep it visible and legible, and avoid clutter so that people passing by will be able to read it easily and quickly.

Getting Your Customers To Actually Show Up

We’ve shared our knowledge with you, but how you implement them and how many of these methods you choose to do is all up to you. However, we do recommend utilizing at least 2-3 of those methods to reach as many of your customers as possible. If you’re able to, try implementing all 5 to maximize the exposure of your reopening!

Now that your customers know that you’re re-opening, the real challenge is upon us– getting them to actually come. Many of your competitors will also announce their reopening through text, email, signage.. etc, so how do you separate yourself from them? The key is to be as creative as possible and offer incentives! Keep reading to find out how you can do just that.

1. Discounts and Promotions

It’s no secret that people love receiving discounts on products or services they buy. Celebrate your reopening and thank your customers for their service by offering a special promotion and deal! Not only does this make customers feel special and cared for, but it also gives them an incentive to travel to your store. Running discounts and promotions is a great way to boost sales and differentiate yourself from other competitors.

2. Offer Discounts

Gift cards are truly the gift that keeps on giving. By offering gift card options to your customers, the receiver of the gift card will surely be likely to visit the establishment to use up their credit and perhaps spend even more. In addition, this is a wonderful way to introduce new customers to your store!

3. Plan a Reopening Event

Who can say no to a party? Having a socially distanced reopening event will entice your customers to check out your store and perhaps even make an appointment while they’re there! You can even target beyond your current customer base, and invite the general public to your event. This way, curious visitors could potentially turn into life-long customers. However, prior to throwing a big bash, double-check your city’s law on outdoor gatherings to make sure you’re not breaking any rules. If there is an outdoor gathering limit, consider a virtual zoom party!

Times have changed and so has consumer behaviour. In order to retain your customers, you’ll need to go the extra mile for them. We can’t wait to see what you all come up with, and we wish everyone a happy return!

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