Of all the businesses ideas that many dream of starting, a small, cozy coffee shop is one of the most popular.
I admit, I dream this dream too. Especially lately, after getting beat up and drained from this whole lock down thing. (more on that later)
One question that has haunted me is: “Am I in the wrong business? I am not essential, close the doors, don’t you dare open up. Maybe I should start a take-out coffee shop”
There’s something special and alluring about selling daily hits of caffeine. It’s homey, feels good, relaxing and adds a small ray of sunshine in the lives of all.
I don’t think I’ll ever start a coffee shop, but if I did, the first thing I would do is look at Star Bucks and steal, swipe and borrow many of their marketing strategies.
It’s so obvious. Why would you want to reinvent the wheel is beyond me. In fact, all of of these strategies transfer to most businesses, especially photography studios.
Let’s highlight a few:
- ambiance. When you walk into a StarBucks it just feels nice. Chill music, well light atmosphere (never over head fluorescent lighting…ugh!), great smell, and an inviting layout
- offers. Yes, pricey, but their menu list and offerings are stellar. The line ups and eager clients are testament that they’re doing this right
- packaging and bundling. I’ve said this a million times, they’re only selling coffee. A commodity. This includes their own language and re-packaging
There’s more, but the above list touches on the cornerstone of their marketing. And we can easily steal these ideas. They can easily to applied to a coffee shop of your own, or in your photography business.
In my studio we always worked hard to create ambiance. Great smells, music and of course large, well light wall samples. Many, many times we’ve hired interior designers to add that extra punch. Worth every cent!
Our offers worked too, and still work to this day. Fairies day events, pop up weddings, kreative kids Klub, Babies First Year wall panel and more. One of the best ways to enhance, create and innovate products is simply by repackaging.
Think about for a second. They’re selling coffee. That’s it! Ain’t no more.
The Body Shop sells moisturizer goop. That’s it. Ain’t no more.
Take a simple idea, and bring it to market. I’ve talked about this endlessly and in my marketing manuals. Marketing ideas like the ones StarBucks and The BodyShop uses are universal and transferable.
Especially for photography studios, where we take our clients on a journey, an exciting artistic, fun and creative journey.
And they eagerly pay us to bring them on this journey.
Marketing is, and always will be, everything.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
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