MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT THIS FESTIVAL SEASON
The Anguilla Summer Festival and many of the festivals throughout the year provide a great opportunity to increase the visibility of your business. If you are willing to put your business in the Summer Festival limelight, below are some of the things you should consider:
Who is your target audience?
Review the entire line up of Summer Festival activities. Determine which events your target audience will most likely be attending. Talk with other businessowners who have participated in any previous festivals or events to find out any lessons, good and bad, they are prepared to share. Reach out to event planners to get all the details on fees, registration costs, and sponsorship opportunities. Then decide what form your participation will take. Perhaps it is feasible to set up a stand for a few hours, or it may be better to be a sponsor and get your company’s name and logo on festival signage and flyers.
Ensure your target audience knows you will be there
It is not enough to just show up. You must publicise your appearance. Use all means available to you, including in house signage and especially email and social media, to let persons know where to find you and why they should visit your stand or booth.
Be selective about who you place on the front lines
The Anguilla Summer Festival and most festivals are very high energy. Ensure that the persons representing your business are enthusiastic and passionate, and will appeal to festival goers – as energy is contagious. Employees who are more reserved or introverted may be best suited to staying behind the scenes. Remember this is a festival, so ensure you and those working for you look festive. Choose bright colours and ensure your logo is visible in your physical set-up and through the clothes you choose to wear.
Be creative to seize attention
Come prepared with branded fliers and coupons. Have staff go out into the crowd to distribute information. Ensure the coupons have an expiration date to encourage persons to visit you right away. Put on an exhibition or a show every hour. Ensure that information is communicated through all mediums online and offline, so persons are encouraged to stop by.
Don’t come empty handed
Ensure you have something branded to give away. It can be a pen, tote or beer mug. If you can give away food or a cool refreshing drink, that is a bonus as the summer heat will drive persons to your booth.
Test a new product
If you have a new product, it may be a good time to test it using persons who visit your booth. Ensure it is nothing too complicated, and that the product test fits in with the atmosphere of the Summer Festival.
Collect contact information
It is festival time so lengthy forms are not allowed. Where possible, have attendees enter their name and email address into a handheld mobile device as it is quicker and can be uploaded directly to a database. Those who enter their information will have a chance to win a prize which is always an incentive.
Enhance your social media presence
Ensure your cover photo and profile photo are festive throughout the carnival season. Update your social media profiles regularly, and create more posts which tap into the vibe of Summer Festival, to attract more customers.
Be creative this Summer Festival as you seek the best ways for your business to gain marketing equity while also giving back to the community. The Anguilla Chamber of Commerce would like to wish all businesses, and all persons who will be participating in carnival, a safe and fun-filled Summer Festival.
by Sherise Brooks
