Securing your first customer is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking moments in your food business journey. With so many ways to promote your delicious creations, it can be tricky to know where to start.
But don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Instead of perfecting every little detail of your store, let’s focus on what really matters: driving traffic to your store and getting that first sale.
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Access valuable resources to launch your food business successfully.
Targeted store traffic matters
Getting the right people to visit your store is super important. It’s not just about getting lots of visitors; it’s about attracting those who are likely to become paying customers. This focused approach will save you time and effort, getting you closer to that first sale.
Leveraging personal connections
Your personal network – friends, family, and community, who are always up for trying something new – can be your biggest supporters. These people can provide a reliable customer base and help spread the word about your business.
Start by making a list of close friends and family. Reach out with a personalized message about your new food venture, maybe offering them a discount for their first order. Ask them to share your info with their networks and give you some feedback. Whether you text, call, email, or chat in person, make sure they know how to find your online Cookin store.
Read 🔗: How to Build Customer Loyalty
Engaging with local communities
Are you part of any communities, like a neighbourhood watch, a religious group, your kid’s school or a gym? Let your community members know about your new food business and ask for their support. People in your community often love to support local businesses, especially if they know the person behind the brand.
Additionally, join local food groups to promote your business. These groups are great for connecting with like-minded individuals who are enthusiastic about supporting local culinary ventures. By actively participating in these communities, you can build a loyal customer base and get valuable feedback to help your business grow.
Utilizing social media
Social media is a fantastic way to reach a broad audience for free. It’s your stage to showcase your culinary skills, share customer testimonials, and promote special deals.
Here’s what you can do with social media without being an expert:
Leverage existing networks
Engage your current followers and let them know about your new venture
Create engaging content
Use high-quality photos and videos to create engaging posts
Share stories
Talk about your culinary journey, behind-the-scenes preparations, and customer reviews
Use hashtags
Utilize relevant hashtags to increase visibility. Research and include popular hashtags related to your cuisine, such as #Foodie, #HomemadeGoodness, #LocalEats, or #IndonesianCuisine.
Additionally, use location-specific hashtags like #NYCFoodies or #TorontoEats to attract local customers.
Show your passion
Share your enthusiasm for your food creations to attract like-minded people.
Pro tip:
For an extra boost in visibility and support, make sure to tag @Cookin whenever you post on social media. We may feature your posts on our own social media channels, giving you even more exposure and credibility!
Want to dive more into social media marketing? Read 🔗: Social Media Marketing for food businesses (with visuals!)
Offering promotions and discounts
Promotions and discounts are a great way to attract new customers. Develop limited-time offers or discount codes for first-time customers. Share these offers on social media, through email newsletters, and by word of mouth.
Make sure the promotion details are clear and easy to understand, and track their performance to see what works best.
Read 🔗: Promos: Boost Your Sales, How to Set Up Promotions and Offers
Using flyers for local reach
Sometimes being old school works because not everyone is on social media! Flyers can help you reach a local audience that might not be online but loves supporting local businesses.
Design eye-catching flyers with your business name, menu, contact info, and a special offer or discount code. Distribute these flyers in high-traffic local areas like cafes, community centers, farmer’s markets, and food festivals. Partner with other local businesses to display your flyers in their establishments.
Get custom flyers
We know not everyone is a designer. To make this even easier, Cookin will create custom flyers for Cookin chefs. Get in touch with us to learn more about how to take advantage of this resource!
Zulfikar’s Success Story
Zulfikar is one of our most successful chefs on Cookin, his journey into the culinary world started with a simple yet powerful approach: reaching out to friends and family. He began by texting and calling them, inviting them to try his homemade Indonesian dishes. This initial support from his personal network was crucial. It not only brought in his first orders but also provided honest feedback that helped him refine his menu and service.
To convert this initial interest into actual sales, Zulfikar offered a “friends and family” discount. This strategy created a sense of exclusivity and urgency, encouraging people to make their first purchase. He didn’t stop there; Zulfikar leveraged social media to promote these discounts, ensuring his offers reached a wider audience.
Using his marketing background, Zulfikar created targeted social media campaigns that highlighted the unique aspects of his Indonesian cuisine. By posting engaging content, such as vibrant photos and behind-the-scenes videos, and running targeted ads, he quickly built a loyal following. He also made sure to engage with his audience by responding to comments and messages, which helped create a strong connection with his followers.
Zulfikar didn’t limit his efforts to the digital world. He actively participated in local food markets and community events, where he handed out flyers and business cards to potential customers. This direct engagement was incredibly effective in reaching a local audience and building his brand. His presence at these events allowed him to connect with customers face-to-face, fostering trust and loyalty.
By combining these strategies, Zulfikar was able to quickly establish his food business and build a dedicated customer base. His story is a testament to the power of leveraging personal networks, social media, and community engagement to launch a successful culinary venture.
Read 🔗: Zulfikar’s success story
Ready to get that first customer and kickstart your culinary adventure?
Start using these proven strategies today to drive targeted traffic to your Cookin storefront.
