With summer just around the corner, you might be thinking about how you can reach more customers and take advantage of outdoor events and holidays to promote your business.
Whether you’re a food business, craft maker or clothing retailer, we’ve got a few ideas you could try to help market and grow your business.
Ideas to help your small business get more customers
1. Set up a pop up shop
Perhaps you’ve already got a booming online business and you’re thinking about testing the market with a bricks and mortar shop. Or maybe you want to try out a new restaurant concept or develop a product? A pop up shop can be a great way to bring your products to the high street and connect with customers without the risk of opening a permanent shop.
Here are some pop up shop ideas you could try:
- art
- t-shirts
- jewellery
- candles
2. Apply to be a vendor at festivals and events
Mobile food vans are made for festivals. With typically low running costs and the popularity of street food, you can hope to achieve a high profit margin if you’re doing it well. With enough festival experience you could even aim to apply to trade at Glastonbury Festival.
Meanwhile, if you’re a craft maker or have an online boutique, setting up shop at local community events and markets is a great way to attract more customers.
3. Create a subscription box
Have you already got a successful business? Could you reach more customers by marketing a subscription box delivery service?
Subscription box businesses have seen a steady rise in popularity, helped in part by the Covid-19 pandemic as people wanted treats and luxury items delivered to their home. This growth is showing no sign of letting up and the subscription box market in the UK is set to be worth £1.9 billion by 2025, according to the latest report from Royal Mail.
Whether you’re a local shop owner, a restaurant, or a craft marker, starting your own subscription box could be a way to grow your business.
Here are just a few ideas:
- recipe subscription
- book subscription box
- jewellery making kits
- craft boxes
4. Promote your business for wedding season
Could you start a bridal dress line for your online clothing business? Or how about adding wedding cakes to your bakery business offerings?
Even craft makers, florists, and stationery designers can advertise wedding themed products and services to reach happy couples planning their wedding day. For example, Dapple Pop studio, the winner of our Karren Brady mentorship competition, offers beautiful and eco-friendly wedding invites and save the date cards.
If you’re thinking of adding a new product for your business, have a read of our product development guide for some useful tips.
5. Explore collaborating with another business
Working with another business that’s similar to yours, but not a direct competitor, can be a way to build your business and reach new customers.
For example, independent shops could promote local cafés and fitness businesses by displaying leaflets. Or a small pub might be looking for a chef to run a pop up kitchen or takeaway service.
If you’re a yoga teacher putting on a retreat, can you collaborate with a local restaurant to provide the food? You can then promote each other’s business on social media to spread the word about your two brands.
Beyond teaming up together, here are more ways to support local businesses. While our expert guide to marketing your small business has some useful tips.
Check your insurance policy
If you’re changing anything about your business, you should contact your insurance provider to make sure your policy still meets your needs.
At Simply Business we offer a range of covers, including public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, and employers’ liability insurance.
We don’t currently offer pop up shop insurance or any short-term business insurance policies.
