Open House suggestions/ideas

[mellofelow]

Earlier this month, I upgraded some washers and raised prices. So far, the strategy is going according to plan.

http://www.planetlaundry.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6370

In a few weeks, I'd like to host an 'Open House', sort of a customer appreciation day - if you will. Anyone here have done such a event? I'd really appreciate any tips and suggestions. Here are some ideas I came up with.



Free dry during event, 9am - 5pm
Raffle off bottles of detergents/softeners
Raffle store credits ($10/$20 gift certificate)
Raffle off 20lb (?) WDF credits
Raffle off credits to neighboring shop(s), Bakery, Restaurant, pet shop... etc
Free hot dogs
? ______________

[mellofelow]

Hmmm.. no comments/suggestions? Is this a bad idea?

[Adamski]

Hmmm.. no comments/suggestions? Is this a bad idea?

Mellow,

We've done a number of Customer Appreciation events. We always have some sheet cakes made up and decorated to match the theme. Last time, we gave away free hot dogs too. A word of caution: if you give away too much food, everybody and their brother will come by the van load just for that (no laundry). We also played music to match the theme; for example: country/western music for a western theme. A few decorations don't hurt and they're not too costly ... even if it's just a few balloons. If you want to get real adventurous, hire a guy to give horse or pony rides in the parking lot during the afternoon hours. I'm not big on the raffles. How about a clown for the kids?

[MrMachine]

Mellow,

We've done a number of Customer Appreciation events. We always have some sheet cakes made up and decorated to match the theme. Last time, we gave away free hot dogs too. A word of caution: if you give away too much food, everybody and their brother will come by the van load just for that (no laundry). We also played music to match the theme; for example: country/western music for a western theme. A few decorations don't hurt and they're not too costly ... even if it's just a few balloons. If you want to get real adventurous, hire a guy to give horse or pony rides in the parking lot during the afternoon hours. I'm not big on the raffles. How about a clown for the kids?


Larry,

Yes, I did stuff like that as well. I did "singles nights", I had a rock band in my store once, I had a comedy night....It's really up to your imagination.
The best promo I ever did was to have The Purple Dinosaur (You are not supposed to advertise the event as "Barney"), when Barney was really hot news. I must have drawn 150 parents with their kids for that 2 hours....they came with camcorders, the whole nine yards.

A clown is a good idea considering we already have one in the White House.....hahaha

[mellofelow]

Wow... great ideas! Honestly, I don't know what to expect. I'll just have to wing it... wish me luck. Maybe I'll post some pics from the event.