“Brains Over Bucks.”

By Jeff Slutsky and Marc Slutsky

Grand Opening Day Activities -- To stimulate a trial visit and create an air of excitement, you can use a number of different activities. Generally you may find that you get a better response if you plan your Grand Opening on a Saturday.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony -- This is an ideal way to create positive community relations. Simply drape a ribbon across the front door of your store. The ribbon should consist of 100 $1.00 bills, or you could tape the bills to a standard ribbon. Contact a local dignitary to officially open the store by cutting the ribbon. This is someone who you already invited to attend your VIP event the night before. Then, let him or her present the ribbon to a local charity.

High School Band -- Contact the local high school band and ask them to participate in the opening ceremonies. Consider offering them an incentive of $100 as a donation to their music department as fund for new instruments or uniforms, in return for their appearance and cooperation.

Radio Remote -- Arrange to have a radio remote in front of your store. Offer the DJ gift certificates for himself or herself and his or her family to encourage participation. This always provides excitement as DJ’s give away over-the-air T-shirts and coupons, which of course, you would provide.

Celebrity Appearance -- Arrange to have a dignitary or celebrity appears to hand out photos and autographs. Make this arrangement with one of the VIP’s at the VIP event. Your vendors may also have access to some celebrities who endorse their products.

Caricature Artist -- Arrange to have a caricature artist on hand to draw caricatures of your customers. If customers do not wish to buy them, arrange a discounted price and buy them or hang around the store. Make sure the customer sees you hanging up their caricature as this will promote future visits.

Magician -- Hire a magician to go throughout the store and occasionally outside the store, performing magic tricks. He/she should with regularity, pull “coupons” from behind ears of customers, to help promote future visits.

Street Fighter Action Plan

Activities for your Street Fighter Grand Opening Day

1. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
2. High School Band.
3. Radio Remote.
4. Celebrity Appearance.
5. Caricature Artist.
6. Magician.

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