Anyone who loves coffee knows that having a reliable coffee shop that fits the bill is a basic necessity but is rare. If you’re a coffee owner with the perfect brew and a cozy spot where your audience can relax and sip their hot mugs, then you must spread the word about it.
Marketing coffee shops is easy work, but marketing it the right way is what we’ll teach you with our five handy tips.
Brew excitement with events
Coffee shops aren’t just about serving great coffee; they can be vibrant, social spaces where people gather for more than just caffeine. Hosting events at your coffee shop will get everyone excited and talking. Consider hosting different events to avoid being monotonous and keep everyone guessing.
Coffee tastings, build-your-own coffee, all-you-can-drink coffee, jam sessions, and comedy nights are ways to make your coffee shop the hub of socialization. You could get a little fancy with a latte art workshop, teaching your patrons how to create their picture-perfect pours.
Nothing gets people talking more than workshops, and a Barista workshop is as fun as pottery workshops but less messy. Work on crafting an experience that won’t only be fun. At the same time, it lasts but looks super appealing in pictures and videos because your events must be on social media to attract more customers.
Market creatively
Don’t think today’s marketing is just about posting a picture of your latest latte art and hoping you’ll grow overnight. To stand out in a crowded feed, you must get creative and bring your coffee shop’s personality to life. Content that is fun, appealing, and gets the audience to stop scrolling and engage with it is the right content and what you should be making.
Post behind-the-scenes content that shows your baristas at work, making coffee magic, maybe sprinkling in some little insider “tea.” You could even share your drink specials and make it engaging by hosting polls surrounding topics like “What’s your coffee spirit animal?” or “What’s your go-to seasonal drink?”.
Hosting giveaways and contests could encourage customers to take photos of their drinks, tag your shop, and channel their inner competitors. Run a contest where customers post their favorite coffee moments, and the winner gets a free drink or a shout-out on your social channels.
Add buzz with “Cappy” hours
Bars have happy hours to get their customers flowing in the mood, but what can a coffee shop offer as an alternative? “Cappy Hours” is a term you should be coining ASAP before someone else takes it. Offering discounted drinks during slower hours can bring in customers and increase revenue influx.
Imagine a “Coffee Happy Hour” from 3 to 5 p.m., with lattes or cold brews at a sweet discount. Make it fun and mix it with rotating deals: half-off espresso drinks on Mondays or discounted pastries on Fridays. Pair your drinks with combo deals to encourage people to stay and sip (and snack!), helping your entire menu get the air and all the love.
Why not have a social media happy hour and incentivize customers to post about their coffee with a hashtag?? Use creative hashtags (#LessDepressoMoreEspresso being our favorite) to manage your content and spice it up a notch.
Make it an experience
Rather than just selling coffee, think of how to make your shop feel more than just a place to fix your caffeine. Start by curating a cozy, Instagram-worthy space with comfy seating, soft lighting, and a little personality in every corner.
Whether it’s a bookshelf full of your favorite reads, funky artwork on the walls, or even a comfy nook for people to relax, making your space feel welcoming will encourage people to stay longer and bring their friends next time.
Speaking of posters, why not use PosterMyWall’s coffee poster templates to design your own and give every wall a personality? If you still feel like something’s missing, go the extra mile and set up an open brewing station where customers can watch the magic happen. People love a good show, especially when it involves coffee.
Reward returning customers
Keep coffee lovers returning for more with loyalty programs and reward them for doing business with you. But more than just handing out a stamp card or point is needed; you need to make your customers feel like VIPs every time they walk through the door. A simple points system can be hassle-free and rewarding to benefit everyone and make your shop a massive success among your loyal customers.
If you’ve got the pocket for it, adding a student discount can also help you target younger audiences and those who may be coming in for the vibe and grow your audience base. After all, students are always on a crunch, and to have a reliable spot, they can hang around and have good coffee, which is what they must be dreaming of.
To become the ideal coffee owner, throw in birthday discounts and freebies for loyal customers as a birthday gift from the house and see your coffee shop flourish into the most sought-after spot in your vicinity.
With all these tips, you’ll have customers flocking to your café as if it’s the last caffeine oasis on Earth, leaving you amazed. After all, serving great coffee is only half the battle; the other half makes sure people know about it and can’t wait to return for more!