Ever wondered how to tell the world that you are “open for business?” Most business owners will tell you that starting a business is not an easy feat. It requires action and commitment even in difficult times. So, here’s a big thumbs up to all SME in Africa.
However, opening your business doesn’t automatically guarantee that customers will start trooping through your door. Marketing plays a huge role in the success of any business. Hence, the need to go creative when announcing that you are open for business.
We have carefully put together 10 creative ways that you can announce your business opening below:
1. Send Direct Messages To Your Phone Contact
Ever heard the popular saying “Charity begins at home”? This is specifically true when it comes to marketing your business. A lot of business owners tend to think about reaching out to the endless pool of potential customers ahead of looking through their phones. However, you will be surprised by the number of loyal people you already have on your contact.
Send an SMS to them, telling them about your business and what it has to offer. Let them know that you are open for business. Make sure that your message sounds personal rather than general.
2. Take Advantage Of Social Media Platforms
Posting your announcement on social media platforms is one of the ways you can let people know that you are open for business. Some business owners feel that their social media posts do little or nothing in raising the awareness of their brands. However, this is not exactly true.
Experts predict that about 3.1 billion people will be on at least one social media platform by 2021. Hence, making social media the perfect place to go fishing. Remember to incorporate location hashtags like #ikejarestaurant (if you run a restaurant in Ikeja) in your announcement. This way, people in Ikeja, who are not necessarily following you on social media, will see your announcement.
3. Street Marketing
Do not underestimate the power of street marketing. Make a simple flyer with your business name, location, and your opening announcement and head for the street. While many believe this to be an old skool approach, street marketing is one of the best ways to announce that you are open for business. You can ask your friends for help if you find doing it alone.
4. Use A Cover Page
One of the ways to let people know that you are open for business is by putting up a cover page on your social media handles. Tons of free mobile apps let you create stunning graphic designs for advertisements. This helps you spend less in your attempt to announce your business opening.
You can also place the announcement cover page on your website. A cover page will give potential customers an idea about what your business is about and where it is located. Most importantly, it will let them know that you are ready for business.
5. Use Paid Ads
Using paid ads on major social media platforms like Facebook will help enhance the reach of your announcement. The best part about Facebook ads is that it has the best target ads algorithm among other social media platforms. Paid ads let you determine your target audience. You can create your preferred audience based on location, age, sex, etc.
6. Create A Hype Around Your Opening Day
Sometimes your announcement has to make a big bang to command the attention of potential customers. One of the ways you can do this is by organising an event on your opening day. You can invite everyone on your contact list to your opening event. This way, people will know that you are all set, and your business is up and running.
7. Giveaways
Everyone loves free stuff, and your customers are no different. Organising giveaway competitions around your opening day is one of the ways you can raise awareness about your business opening. You can ask people to post a photo around your business niche tagging you and hashtagging your location. You could also ask them to write a caption with your business name and your opening day.
This will help widen your audience, hence, improving your opening announcement reach. Only give items that are relevant to your business as this will help build awareness about your products or services.
8. Take Advantage Of Influential Bloggers
Networking is a crucial part of becoming a successful SME in Africa. Hence, one of the ways you can reach a wider audience with your business opening announcement is by advertising on influential blogs. Create a visual content like graphic design or a short video and pay a social media influencer to post it on their platforms.
This way, you will reach a wider audience and leverage the loyalty of their fans and followers to aid your business opening announcement.
9. Sell Your Products At Discounted Prices For A Limited Time
People are always looking for the best deals available on the market. Hence, creating the perfect platform to let people know that you are open for business. Announcing that you will be offering your services or products at discounted prices on your opening day will help entice people to your launching.
10. Comment On Related Blogs
Leaving relevant comments on blogs or social media handles that have the audience you are looking to reach out to is a great idea. You can respond to their post and add your business opening announcement at the end of your comment. This way, the participants on the blogs will see your announcement, hence, increasing the chances that they will show up.
Also, leaving your links on relevant blogs will enhance your SEO visibility as search engines tend to pick up links on blogs and websites. Opening your business does not guarantee automatic traffic. Hence, the need to be creative about your business opening announcement. With the creative ideas giving above, you are definitely on your way to becoming one of the successful SMEs in Africa.