The doors to your brick-and-mortar shop are open again…and it’s time to start thinking about marketing your business.
Your customers are likely excited to see you reopen – even if it’s not business as usual for the foreseeable future. But the retail world has changed, and your marketing methods might need to shift, too. Whether you cut back on your marketing budget because of COVID-19 or need to promote new offerings, there’s a lot you can do to stay in touch with customers and market your business.
Here’s how to make the most of traditional methods with marketing materials like postcards, banners, posters, stickers, and more.
Start by creating a marketing plan.
Set up calendars to plan when you’re going to send communications to customers (like postcards!) and when you’re going to post on your social channels. Being proactive and sticking to a schedule will keep you top of mind for all of your customers.
When you’re drafting your plan, consider who your customers and competition are, and what you’re planning to do to promote your business. For example, if your target clientele are millennial women, prioritize posting on Instagram. But if you want to expand your customer base to include senior citizens, think about sending communications the old-fashioned way.
5 top takeaways
- 1
Create a marketing plan. - 2
Maximize your mailing list. - 3
Send an offer. - 4
Advertise what’s new. - 5
Say “thank you.”
Next, maximize your mailing list.
Send postcards (with an offer, if possible) to previous, current, and potential customers. Whether it’s a waived delivery fee, a complimentary styling session, or an in-store discount, a little gesture is a great way to say ‘thank you’ to your customers.
Did you gain any new customers over the past few months? If you started selling products online, maybe you now have a wider reach. Remind them that you have a brick-and-mortar space and are open again for business.
Market what’s new.
During the COVID-19 crisis, we saw many small shops and boutiques adapt their business plans when they had to shutter their physical stores. Are you planning to continue offering virtual shopping services or touchless local delivery? If so, spread the word about these offerings with a poster in your storefront or with a social post on your favorite platform.
Paper Bags
Turn custom paper bags into eye-catching marketing vehicles.
Custom Stickers
brand-right touch to (almost) anything.
Turn safety precautions into marketing opportunities.
Discourage customers from bringing their own reusable bags to minimize the spread of germs. Instead, start offering paper bags branded with stickers – in addition to slowing the spread, this is an easy way to market your business.
Show customers that you appreciate their business, and want to slow the spread. After customers check out, include a pack of disposable face masks in their shopping bag – and a reminder to wear one the next time they visit your store.
And don’t forget to get your storefront ready for its grand reopening.
Hang a vinyl banner outside, or a few posters in the front windows. Choose one of our pre-designed reopening signs, or customize your own.
Vinyl Banners
Send your reopening message, loud and clear.
As the partner for small businesses all over the world, Vistaprint is here for you – with tools and resources to help you succeed. We’ve created this Back to Business Guide to provide you with easy-to-understand information about getting back to work, post-COVID-19. This advice comes from trusted resources like OSHA and AIHA. You should check with legislation in your community to ensure that your operations are compliant with local laws and guidelines.
*Not a medical device or personal protective equipment (PPE)
