Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Grand Opening Of La Ti Da Boutique May 1...ideas??

Posted by Anonymous on 3/14/2007 at 9:29 PM ET 125 Points
I am opening a brand new boutique named La Ti Da in Ohio. My store will be retailing updated seperate items such as camis, sweaters, blouses, dresses, jackets, handbags, premium denim, and accessories in the $69-$99 price range. I formerly owned a ladies clothing store for over eleven years, and I have a customer mailing list of 3600 people. I plan on sending out post cards announcing the grand opening, contacting local newspapers and tv stations, as well as joining the Regional Chamber of Commerce, which will send a rep out to the store for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. I would like to create an interest by giving away gift certificates, and also offering a free gift to the first 100 people in the door. I also plan on preparing a media press release. Any hints for preparing a press release? Also, any ideas to create a buzz that will make people really want to attend the grand opening? I welcome your creative ideas!! Shelley
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted on 3/15/2007 at 11:16 AM Accepted
    Have you ever thought of doing some radio promotions with La Ti Da? You could purchase some spot radio and work with the station to do a promotion as well. The best way to do it would be to go to them with an idea of a radio package. The package could include:
    1.) a certain amount of spot advertising,
    2.)a radio promotion/giveaway during segments that line up with your target audience, and
    3.) a live remote at your store's grand opening

    I know that these suggestions are easier said than done, but your approach can increase your chances. Radio stations are used to creating promotions and advertising packages that give their clients added value. As you talk to a radio sales rep (or account executive) about purchasing spots, mention the package you are looking for so that the radio sales rep will help you corral the information. They can also help you lock other things down in the area of a promotion and getting a live remote at your event. The rep wants to get the spots sold so using the spots as leverage to get more "bang for your buck" will help you.

    I think you could benefit from doing a radio promo that gets "La Ti Da" repeated several times throughout the course of a day/week. People need to hear La Ti Da so that their curiosity can peak and so that the name can be top of mind. Here is an idea:

    - Listeners could participate in the "What is "La Ti Da" contest?, At first many won't know what it is, but that's what builds buzz towards a grand opening. If you have a website, they could be directed there to get the answer, or you could find another way for them to find out. The key here is to pose the question via the radio and to offer an incentive that will make them find out what "La Ti Da" is.


    I would look to find some way to get a good amount of repetition for "La Ti Da", and I would complement that repetition with tactics that make information on the store's products and grand opening available and relevant.

    Let me know if you would like more ideas regarding the radio promo.
  • Posted by Tracey on 3/15/2007 at 2:46 PM Member
    Hi Shelley... don't have any PR ideas for you, but to make the event special, perhaps you could do a small fashion show and/or have an "expert" there to give free fashion consultations to attendees -- e.g., what kinds of outfits look best for their body type, what colors look best with their complexion, etc.
  • Posted by Phoenix ONE on 3/15/2007 at 9:06 PM Accepted
    First I love the name of the boutique!

    My colleagues have given you a few great ideas, let me offer a few more,

    Don't just send out one post card! Send a series of 3 to the reader 1 week apart....Each building up a greater anticipation of the opening and a strong call to action that this is an event you don't want to miss out on....

    Next, I would co-op with a few of the other local businesses to put up a few rack cards in their stores announcing your grand opening and an event not to be missed. Advise the co-op store that you will do a co-op for them after you open.

    Try for local radio spots they can be pretty economical if you do simple 30 second shouts outs with a real searing maybe comical voice over routine...if it is unique it will create buzz.

    If possible? Offer a % of your opening days purchases to a well known and recognized local charity.....let them create some buzz for the event.

    Print up some tee shirts 3 weeks before the opening with a simple saying on the front SEE You DATE at LeTeDA, dont miss it. Give them out around town to high school kids at the local health club....sooner or later everyone will be asking what is LaTiDa and this date mean.


    Just a few good approaches to creating a buzz.

    GOOD Luck & Happy Marketing - Bill

  • Posted on 3/19/2007 at 11:45 PM Author
    Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your imput. I have been very busy, working on getting the store together. I plan on taking your advice and doing radio spots, as I have found them to be very effective in the past. I also plan on mailing out postcards, but I do not know about doing the entire list (3600 people) three times prior to grand opening. Maybe I could stagger the mailings to different parts of the database, and it will get people talking..."hummm...did you get a postcard about the grand opening of La Ti Da Boutique? I did...wonder what that is?"

    I live in a small town, and it is a big deal when new businesses open up. I like the idea of telling the story about the business legacy, and I also like the idea of giving a discount and donating the % discounted to charity. I also plan on giving away a gift item (accessory item I ordered on a buying trip) and also giving away a series of gift certificates as well as some really cute handbags that I purchased.

    I also know that I could do a give-away with the radio station and get discounted spots by providing contest prizes...I plan on doing local newspaper ads, and a girlfriend of mine works as an ad rep for one of the papers. That should help...Thanks again for the ideas...Shelley
  • Posted on 3/19/2007 at 11:46 PM Author
    Hi everyone. Thanks so much for your imput. I have been very busy, working on getting the store together. I plan on taking your advice and doing radio spots, as I have found them to be very effective in the past. I also plan on mailing out postcards, but I do not know about doing the entire list (3600 people) three times prior to grand opening. Maybe I could stagger the mailings to different parts of the database, and it will get people talking..."hummm...did you get a postcard about the grand opening of La Ti Da Boutique? I did...wonder what that is?"

    I live in a small town, and it is a big deal when new businesses open up. I like the idea of telling the story about the business legacy, and I also like the idea of giving a discount and donating the % discounted to charity. I also plan on giving away a gift item (accessory item I ordered on a buying trip) and also giving away a series of gift certificates as well as some really cute handbags that I purchased.

    I also know that I could do a give-away with the radio station and get discounted spots by providing contest prizes...I plan on doing local newspaper ads, and a girlfriend of mine works as an ad rep for one of the papers. That should help...Thanks again for the ideas...Shelley
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Advertising/PR)