So, you’ve just opened a new business, or are celebrating a milestone, and now you’re wondering what to do after the ribbon-cutting ceremony is over? First of all, congratulations! Opening, maintaining and growing your business is by no means a small task, so we would like to help you maximize your local marketing efforts by providing some inside tips on what to do next. Below, are 8 smart things to do after a ribbon-cutting event for your business:
1: Gather images and or video clips that were taken during the event. – Usually your local Chamber of Commerce representative will have images of the ribbon-cutting. Also chamber ambassadors, friends, and family, will likely have taken some pictures or video clips. Compile these media pieces and post pictures of the event on your social media profiles and YouTube channel.
2: If you used Facebook Live at the event – direct people to a page on your site where they can re-watch it. This also gives those who didn’t attend the event a chance to see what they missed!
3: Create a limited-time promotion in honor of the ribbon-cutting. – Get creative, use the timing of the event to coincide with a custom promotion. A simple % discount or limited-time free offer, coupled with the name of your event gives you just another reason to reach out and talk to your clients. The goal is to create a sense of excitement with the celebration of your milestone. Share that enthusiasm with your customers.
4: Send out thank you emails and talk about your next big event. -Let attendees know that you appreciated they were there, let them know how great the next event will be and when it’s happening. It is human nature to be looking for the next big thing. Even if your next event is a way off, this will be an avenue to build anticipation and momentum, laying the groundwork for an even better event the next time.
5: Promote a fellow business partner’s upcoming event. – The idea here is that, even though the initial celebration is over, there is still something to look forward to! The success of your ribbon cutting event can even motivate your customers to go to a similar event for a business partner of your company. Be a helpful company that brings good news to your clients. Also, when your turn comes around again you can enlist this favor of others in return.
6: Create a special raffle for anyone who submits comments, pictures, or creates a review of the day’s events. – This suggestion could be a goldmine of opportunity. A small gift card for your goods or services, or that of another company, can go a long way in gathering valuable reviews and feedback from your attendees base. Positive reviews are key to increasing your online reputation. Consider holding one raffle every week or so after the event to encourage people to stay engaged.
7: Include information in an upcoming newsletter. – Never miss an opportunity to get your information out there in multiple formats and content styles. If you are doing a monthly newsletter this is great content to include.
8: Write a blog about the day’s events. – Use this original content for SEO purposes. Search engines love original, relevant content. What could be more relevant or original that a freshly written blog article about your business celebrating a milestone in your company’s history? It should be easy to include keywords related to your products or services, as well as the business’s geographical location. All the elements in an article will help it get picked up and indexed by search engines and can lead to your business more easily found.
Here is our shameless plug and example of how you would do that:
Example: LOJO Marketing recently held a ribbon-cutting on (Date), to celebrate (X-Number of years) of excellence in bringing Local SEO Marketing to the Rocklin and Roseville, CA area.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is an exciting time for you and your business, as well as a representation of all the hard work you’ve done to get to this point. But, by no means does this mean that all the excitement is over! One of the great things about marketing business is the abundant number of ways for you to connect with your customers and the surrounding community. With just a little creativity and consistency, you will be surprised by how people react to your efforts!
Written by Cassandra Sohn and Stephen Platte
