If you plan to run a coffee shop business, you should already be thinking of ways to market and promote your cafe even before you open it. Aggressive marketing will make customers come to your business in droves. Some cafes have cool looking shops, sell great tasting coffee, yet are unable to fill up their coffee houses even during peak hours. This is due to the lack of marketing promotions.

Do your homework before you implement a marketing plan. Study the demographics in your area and spy on your competitors. See what the trendiest coffee houses in the community are offering their customers. Now, think of a marketing promo that can beat their offer and make your coffee shop business more popular. You won’t get that many customers going to your shop if you just imitate others. Offer something better or different.

Even if you have to be original, there are still some basic promo gimmicks that most cafes should have like coffee mugs with your logo printed on it. Travel mugs are one of the most sought after items coffee junkies want. You can sell these at your shop or give them away on special occasions like your store opening or yearly anniversary.

You should also or have other standard promotional items such as shirts, key chains, tumblers, and note pads. If you want your promo items to be seen more, offer things that people will really use outside the home like golf shirts, caps and visors, laptop bags, and backpacks. For the high-end market, you can sell CDs with a collection of music you usually play at your shop.

Another method to market your coffee shop business is by increasing your visibility online. Set-up a website where you can post materials related to the coffee business. You can also post announcements on your website for special offers and contests. Post your company details on your site such as your coffee shop name, logo, location and telephone numbers. Add a page for suggestions, a forum and contact page.

Promote a special item on your menu on a weekly basis. The product can be a coffee beverage. pastry or dessert. Announce the promo on your site. Make your promo exciting and fun to encourage customers to come. You could have a contest like a coffee art contest wherein customers can create their own coffee art win prizes. Post the contest details and prizes on your website too. Prizes can be inexpensive like a free mug of coffee, coupons or free t-shirt with your logo.

Offering coffee charge cards is a good idea. It’s convenient for both staff and clients. Instead of searching for coins and bills in their wallets or bags, customers can simply use a pre-paid charge card to buy their coffee. It’s pretty convenient for customers who buy coffee daily. Another advantage is that you get to sell more coffee in advance.

Set one day of the week as an artist’s week. Painters can hang out at your coffee shop business to paint. This draws in curious customers to watch for at least half an hour or more. They order while they watch. Let the artists sell their paintings to customers and you can even get a commission on that. It’s a great way to help artists, entertain customers and make more profit. Do some research about what people in your community would be interested in and use those to promote your coffee shop business.