Announce your grand reopening to customers with a card or email and thank them for their past loyalty. Create an extra layer of anticipation for your new and improved business by summarizing a sneak peek of the day’s events. And encourage them to show up on the big day with a scratch off postcard that will reveal if they’ve won a prize or show how much they’ll save on opening-day purchases. Send customers on your VIP list or members of your loyalty program gift bags with grand opening giveaways themed to match your business, such as a shoe-shaped pen or car keychain.
Start a countdown on social media and your website to get the word out and create excitement around your event. Include teasers about what’s to come on the big day and partner with local businesses who are willing to help promote your event.
Overprepare
Being overprepared can help your grand reopening day go smoothly, even if things don’t go as planned. Give staff plenty of time to learn details about the products or services you’ll be promoting and understand the goals for the day. Delegate responsibilities beforehand so everyone knows their roles.
Make sure you have enough inventory to meet customer demand throughout the event. That goes for promotional products too. Order plenty of snacks to entice customers to stay longer, such as popcorn bags or chocolate pretzels. They’ll love having tasty treats to munch on while perusing your offerings.
Develop a backup plan in case of inclement weather for brick-and-mortar businesses and be prepared for potential tech issues for online events. Ensure everyone’s devices remain charged throughout the event by having a charging station with power banks or charging cables that can double as prizes.
Plan event-day fun
Attract crowds with fun giveaways throughout the day. Give customers a chance to try their luck at winning coupons, gift cards or prizes using a prize wheel or prize drop. Prize bags can include pamphlets and fun items, like a tire-shaped tool set or ice cream scoop.
Grand reopenings are a great time to offer product samples, have live demos, host a guest speaker or influencer, or offer a tour of your store. For online launches, consider a livestream or post updates regularly on your social media platforms.
Follow up
After the big day is over, follow up by sending attendees a thank-you card, along with magnets featuring your store hours, phone number and website. You can also show appreciation with gifts that will remind attendees of your business each time they use them, such as a cleaning cloth or power bank emblazoned with your logo.
Be sure to thank your hardworking staff for making the day a success. Express appreciation with a lunch cooler or a well-deserved afternoon off.
Open possibilities with grand opening giveaway ideas
With thoughtful planning and creative grand opening giveaway ideas, your reopening can build excitement, bring back customers and snag new customers.