Your small business should start as it means to go on: with a bang! Check out these grand opening ideas, and make sure your business gets off to a flying start!
Your business deserves the very best, and that’s especially true right at the beginning. After all, if you want your new business to succeed, you need to be thinking about how to make that happen, right from the off.
We say: think about having a grand opening. Because, opening with a bang creates a lot of buzz, and that alone can put your business on the track for success with your potential customers.
Here are some of the best small business grand opening ideas we’ve rounded up for you.
10 Exciting Grand Opening Ideas for Your Business
But what are some unique grand opening ideas that can help a small business create some buzz and get some good publicity? It really depends on your specific type of business. Certain grand opening ideas might be more suitable than others, not to mention be limited in budget for a grand opening event.
Nevertheless, here are some unique grand opening ideas that can help your business get started off on the right foot.
Offer Something for Free
Everybody loves getting free things, so if you advertise a grand opening event with a free giveaway, you’re bound to attract a crowd. The only true head-scratcher here is what you give away for free; this will depend on the type of business you own. You might be able to give away free products that people will enjoy and keep coming back to buy. You can also offer free demos if you’re selling products that require actions or directions.
If nothing else, you can advertise that there will be free gifts available for anyone in attendance and give out free promotional materials like t-shirts, umbrellas, or other swag that have the name and logo of your business on them. People love getting free items like that, which will also serve as free advertising for your new business. Remember, giving away freebies comes at a cost: it’s best to work out your budget before committing to any free giveaways, and even start your new business off by keeping your overheads as low as possible.
Plan a Party
Other than getting something for free, if there’s one thing that most people love, it’s a party. Just turn your grand opening event into a large-scale party that will attract a crowd and raise awareness for your new business. The catch is that holding a big party can be complicated and expensive, so you need to have plenty of money in the business budget (or take a small business loan when opening your new business’ bank account), as well as time to plan it. However, a party will surely bring people to notice your business, giving you a chance to show them what you have to offer.
Host a Special Guest
A public appearance by a local celebrity or someone who people know will help to get as many people to your grand opening event as possible. Obviously, it’s not always easy to find a special guest or celebrity who wants to support a new business. But call in some favors and find someone special who’s willing to help. If all else fails, you might be able to hire a performer and prominent person to make a public appearance. Even if it costs a little money, if it draws people to your business for the opening, it’ll pay off in the long run.
Lower Your Prices
Granted, it’s not always easy for new businesses to make money at the beginning, but having a grand opening sale could be what you need to raise awareness. People love getting discounts on things and taking advantage of sales. If you temporarily lower your prices for a grand opening event, people will come and see everything that you have to offer. If they like it enough, they’ll come back and be willing to pay for the item in full. Plus, if people get great deals and like your products and services, word of mouth will spread, and you’ll be positioned for rapid growth, even if you take a hit at the start. Remember though, you need to also find a way to set and maintain your profit margin.
Try to Break a Record
This might sound a little gimmicky, but it’s certainly one of the more unique grand opening ideas. The folks at Guinness have a whole list of business-related world records that you could try to break. You could also find a performer or adventurer who’s willing to use your grand opening event as the venue for breaking a world record. It doesn’t even have to relate to your business, although that would help. You just need something that’s going to draw a big crowd to your business, and a world-record attempt would surely do that.
Organize a Fundraiser
Starting a new business presents you with an opportunity to think of others and give back. Try partnering with a local charity to host an event that will help raise money for the charity while also drawing attention to your business. Of course, it has to be the right partner, preferably a charity that helps the same community that you also serve. But the purpose of a grand opening event is to let people know about your business rather than make a profit, so taking the proceeds from your grand opening and donating them to a charity can be a smart move that can endear your business to the community.
Turn the Opening Into a Concert
As mentioned, hiring a well-known performer can be a good idea to get people to your grand opening event. One option that could make sense for some businesses is hosting a concert. Even if it’s just a local band, if they have a good following, people will come to the event and become acquainted with your business in the process. It’ll turn your business opening into a big event and introduce many people to everything your business offers.
Do Something Family-Friendly
Depending on your business, you might want to consider a grand opening event that’s fit for people of all ages. That could mean a bounce house, clowns, carnival rides, and anything else that might replicate a circus or carnival atmosphere. If your business is geared to attract families, this can be a good way to introduce your business to families and create positive memories with your business.
Remember: during pandemic times, you also have a duty to ensure your patrons are keeping COVID-safe, as well as keeping your business COVID–safe.
Create a Scavenger Hunt
This is certainly one of the more unique grand opening ideas, as well as one that will take a little bit of time and planning. But if you have a big store or a lot of open space nearby, you can put together a scavenger hunt for various members of the community to enjoy. There will need to be prizes for the winners and perhaps some other forms of entertainment, but a scavenger hunt can be a good way to promote your business by making some of your products the objects people are searching for during the hunt.
How-To Classes
If you offer a product that’s new, unique, or a little confusing to use, try offering potential customers a how-to class. This is a great option if you aren’t sure if people will understand your product. Sometimes you need to teach people about the benefits that your business offers. Even if that’s not the case, there might be something related to the product line that you can teach people. Potential customers will appreciate the opportunity to learn something and have a positive impression of your new business, which can only help you moving forward.
Connecteam: the All-in-One App your SMB Needs
After your grand opening event, you need to make sure that you capitalize on the buzz generated!
The best way to do this, is to ensure you have everything you need in terms of your operational management: that includes:
- Making sure you’re taking counts of your physical inventory correctly
- When the time comes, you know the exact qualities to look for in a good employee, and that you have a solid employee onboarding process to welcome them to the family with
- In the same vein, you know how to perfect the art of being a good manager
- You’re always prepared for every eventuality, by making sure you have a solid contingency plan
Sounds like a headache? It doesn’t have to be: most new and long-term business owners have a secret: an all-in-one business and employee management app called Connecteam.
When planning your grand opening, and well beyond this, to the day-to-day running and scaling of your business, Connecteam can help you:
- Keep digitized lists of everything you need to do
- Set and delegate tasks for yourself and your employees
- Manage all employee time tracking and payroll processes
- Easily automate your employee scheduling
In fact, Connecteam is almost like a grand opening just for your business itself!
Get your business off to the best start possible, with a free-forever plan and a 14-day free trial: it’s cheaper, more long lasting and more effective than any grand opening will ever be!
Start your business with a bang
Check out Connecteam’s 14-day free trial and free-forever plan: no credit card required!