Competition is fierce so you must think outside of the box when marketing your brick-and-mortar startup. Thankfully, it’s never been easier to ensure your new business generates rapid buzz. From strategically placed LED message displays to digital marketing, community engagement, and more. Here are some ways to market your Brick and Mortar Startup.
#1 LED message displays create a Stunning Storefront
It doesn’t matter what kind of industry you are in or whether you are on a busy roadway, your storefront windows, front doors, and building exterior must accurately reflect your brand. If the rent and location are great, but the building exterior looks less than its best and it’s not something you can upgrade—strongly consider an alternative space, or employing the use of LED message displays. If you are renting from a strip mall or building with multiple businesses, ensure your entrance, reception area, or lobby are clean, stylized, and branded.
Prioritize factors such as:
- Glass windows and doors must be clean
- The parking lot must be clean and well lit
- Pressure wash the exterior and walkways
- Add a fresh coat of paint to the exterior
- Ensure window displays wow
#2 Exterior LED message displays
You’ll need to invest in a variety of signs for marketing, communications, safety, and operations. Let’s focus on the LED message displays that will help you market your startup and let those who drive or walk by know your startup is there.
Before you sign your lease, ensure you understand what type of signage you are permitted to hang outside. For example, if you are renting in a strip mall you will likely be limited to the same awning or cohesive signage as all the other tenants.
Also check your lease and local ordinances to see if you are able to post a grand opening banner, LED message displays, scrolling window signs, and if there are any restrictions in terms of size and placement. Don’t underestimate LED message displays as they help communicate who you are and what you have to offer. Some even post HD images and videos, but even scrolling and text-only signs are highly effective.
In addition to your primary logo sign have stunning roadway signs designed.
#3 Beta Test Your Products Or Services
Consumers love to be the first to try something new, which makes beta testing an excellent way to generate word-of-mouth marketing. Not to mention, gathering invaluable insights from your consumers.
It doesn’t matter what type of product or service you provide you can offer a select or limited group of people a free trial. If not a beta test, send out online or mailed coupons for an inexpensive free gift.
Consider free or greatly discounted:
- Products
- Service trials
- Consulting
- Software trials
- App trials
- Food samples
- Menu input
- Group product demo
- Test menu review
- Micro-services
- And more
If your product or service is expensive, look for micro-offerings that will entice your target demographic.
#4 Referral Program
Your referral program should include everyone from employees to beta testers, existing customers, and strategically aligned influencers. The incentive doesn’t have to be expensive, but significant enough to make people want to refer your products or services.
Local influencers who work full or part-time as influencers may have a designated fee structure. However, they may be well worth the marketing investment if they target one of your key demographics. Also, look for influencers who aren’t professional influencers. This includes anyone locally who has a local audience of at least 1,000 highly engaged followers. Or a prominent local in your industry or niche with a small but hyper-targeted group of friends, contacts, or online followers.
Incentives can include:
- Cash payment
- Gift certificate
- Visa/Master gift card
- Credit to user account
- Significant discount on next purchase
- Free branded swag
- Free or discounted products and services
#5 Competitions and Challenges
Entice locals with fun-filled competitions and challenges. The challenges don’t need to require a purchase and shouldn’t be limited to existing customers. They should however be targeted to your demographic. Share your challenge on social media, LED message displays, blog posts, website, email marketing, and more.
It doesn’t hurt if your competition or challenge generates local social media buzz, so take photos of your prize winners. Just be sure to have winners sign a consent form if you’ll be taking their photo.
Award winners with a free in-store purchase or gift. Getting them in-store ensures they know where you are and provides a true feel for your brand. They may even be enticed to make a purchase. Bonus points if they bring a friend with them!
Consider competitions such as:
- Reward every 100th or 1,000th customer with a free gift.
- Incentivize every 100th or 1,000th social media follower.
- Host a competition or challenge at a community event.
- Partner with local schools or clubs for members-only challenges.
- Create a group goal, such as running a 5-minute mile.
#6 Host And Attend Events
It doesn’t matter how small your space is, you can host live and virtual events for your target demographic. If not an event in your brick-and-mortar location, sponsor or provide a booth at a local event.
A few ideas include:
- Sponsor a charity event your brand is aligned with.
- Have your team attend a charity walk wearing branded swag.
- Sponsor a local Little League or kid’s sports team.
- Rent a booth at a niche-relevant festival, fair, or event.
- Teach a class on a topic that targets your demographic.
#7 Hire A Local Area Marketer
Don’t go digital marketing alone. A local area marketer or niche-industry marketer can help you create a hyper-targeted digital strategy. A properly implemented digital strategy is one of the fastest ways of establishing your brand.
Hire someone to:
- Build a mobile responsive website
- Perform keyword research
- SEO optimize text, images, and videos
- Complete social media selection and setup
- Complete review site selection and setup
- Perform Google My Business optimization
- Ethically increase incoming reviews
- Design and optimize targeted social media
- Design and optimize targeted Google ads
- Strategically implement in-app marketing
- Create sponsored posts
- Implement beacon marketing
- Set up email marketing funnels
- And more
In The Market For LED Message Displays?
If you are in the market for any type of digital sign for your startup, we invite you to reach out to Mega LED Technology today. We custom build our signs from scratch to meet your individual needs and we build both interior and exterior signs. Get your pressure-free FREE quote today!
