Grand Opening Input

[cardens]

<p>I have been a wedding photographer since 2007. This March we actually began renting a store front studio. Right now the studio is great for meeting potential bride/grooms and we have done a few portraits sessions. <br>

But I am finding it difficult to get the name out there to the local people. I am used to internet marketing with weddings. I have found portraiture is a bit different :)<br>

I really want to host a grand opening. We will be getting our sign made and put up out front and would like to have the ready for the official grand opening.<br>

Other than that I kind of do not know where to start! I definitely will be contacting local business's and ask if they would like to donate a product, in exchange for advertising. Flowers, cake etc. other than that I am kinda of at a loss what to do next.</p>

<p>Any ideas would be great.</p>

[david_r_lewis]

<p>Veronica,<br>

Congratulations for moving to a viable business location. Contact your Chamber of Commerce and join. In my community, the C of C helps with grand openings to members. We send the Ambassador group to help with the ribbon cutting, call the local media for coverage, and provide a list of members so you can send out invitations. Partnering with other businesses is a great way to network. Make it a party and have fun.<br>

Warmest regards,<br>

DAvid R. Lewis</p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>David's reply is correct. I would, however, add a few more, practical and organisational elements you should consider:</p>

<p>1. Prepare invitations which you can send through the mail to all your contacts, current and previous customers, local businesses, target markets, etc, etc. This is not the easiest of jobs as it will require you tracking down the relevant names of target companies (i.e. marketing directors) and chances are that you'll only get 1/10th or even less to come, but it's a great opportunity to get your name associated with quality photography across your intended audience.</p>

<p>2. Whatever you do, do it a minimum of 3 weeks to 1 month in advance so people who are interested can pencil you into their calendars. Earlier and you may be forgotten, later and people may already have committed elsewhere. Of course, a good idea would be to follow up the invitations sent with a phonecall, say a week prior to the event, to make sure people will come.</p>

<p>3. Make it an evening event. People are more likely to come, more likely to bring along a spouce or companion (thereby increasing your visibility) and you can add a bit more glitz to the whole affair.</p>

<p>4. Make sure you have sufficient examples of your work on display (sometimes renting a couple of large screen TVs and having them loop through examples of your work is a superb idea if you can pull it off). You could also have something like a booklet or a pamphlet as a giveaway to the attendees. Depending on your target markets, sometimes it's a good idea to offer some sort of "coupon" in that booklet for a small discount or something like that - get people in the door so to speak.</p>

<p>5. Music. Do not, under any circumstances count on sticking a CD in the player and having it simple croon in the background. While people will not dance or anything, good background music, changing as the evening unfolds is crucial in keeping people there (and not having them come, eat, drink and leave before you have a chance to talk to them all!)</p>

<p>6. Mingle and socialise. These events are exhausting for the hosts and this one will be too. You should be constantly on the move, going from one group to another, introducing yourselves to anyone you have not met or recognize, ask what they think of your work, charm them. For business contacts, discuss any projects they may have upcoming and get yourselves imprinted on their subconscious.</p>

<p>7. Research, research, research! Spend 5 mins perusing the site of ANY and ALL companies you invite to the event and, if you need, take notes. That way when someone says they're from such and such company, you'll have an opening line or something. Be proactive.</p>

<p>8. This may sound a bit cliche, but it is ALWAYS true: people rarely remember the drinks at these events - but the almost always remember the food! If the food is the usual, vanilla event sandwiches etc, then nobody will remember, but if they are JUST one notch above, then, trust me, EVERYONE will remember.</p>

<p>I wish you all the best</p>

[kevin_delson]

<p>All your marketing efforts (repeat ALL), are tied directly to your overall marketing plan.</p>

<p>This may sound harsh, but simply having a grand opening is a "here today gone tomorrow" idea w/o additional adjunct "pre" and post marketing.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I really want to host a grand opening</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Why? To what end? Who will attend? Who do you want to attend? How will you convert attendees to paying customers? When they arrive, why should they use your product? What are you selling?</p>

<p>Under-capitalized ventures hold the #1 position for business failure. Running a close second is poor or mis-managed marketing. It is interesting that both have zero to do with photography, or any business for that matter.</p>

<p>W/o a marketing plan where the pieces fit together like a puzzle forming the final picture, any specific marketing ideas are wasted w/o knowing your goals or end points.</p>

<p>1) Who<br>

2) What<br>

3) Where<br>

4) Why</p>

<p>I would delay the grand opening until you can answer those questions AND, when you do, find ways to parlay the grand opening to paying customers via marketing methods that feed and feed from the grand opening.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Other than that I kind of do not know where to start</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Knowing what to do and doing it are unrelated.<br>

You know what to do. You need to slow down and evaluate your game plan.</p>

<p>Marketing is not expensive. Marketing that does not produce income is VERY expensive.</p>

[cardens]

<p>Thank you David. Great idea!<br>

Marios, thank you for the wonderful list of ideas! I think I will print it out and put it with the rest of my planning materials. A huge help. The timeline is something I was questioning and I think 3 weeks to a month prior is perfect.<br>

Kevin in response to your questions. My purpose for a grand opening is I will be using it is an opportunity to reach out to different members and areas of the community. Making them aware we are indeed here and ready for new clients. <br>

I will be offering a raffle as well as gift certificates to those who stop by which will bring people back in the door and spread the word to others.</p>

<p>We placed our order for our new sign which should be in this week or next and I am very excited to be able to unveil it in time for the event. I have a lot more planning to do and ordering of displays and marketing materials to do, but I am optimistic!</p>

<p> </p>