Coffee stands are popping up all over the country in big towns, college campuses, beaches, suburbs. Any place where there are people there is a coffee stand. With so much demand, the market is quite concentrated, so it is crucial to stand out from the crowd. Don’t worry; we are here to help!
You might have the best tasting cold brew, smoothest espresso, or most divine croissants, but all this means nothing if people don’t know who you are. So how do you stand out from the rest of the pack? From subtle and simple changes to becoming a social media guru: here are our tips and tricks to make your coffee stand unique:
Aesthetics
What does your coffee stand look like and is it unique? Are you using a white plastic folding table, covered by a coffee bean table cloth, paired with party city napkins? One of the first things that you can do to call attention to your business is making sure it is aesthetically pleasing. There are few ways to do this, whether you do all of some, you are taking a step in the right direction to stand out.
Logo
It is incredibly important to make sure you have a logo that is both pleasing to the eye and also easy to read. Your logo makes your coffee stand unique, what your customers will think of when they hear your name, and what you will be recognized by; so you must put a great deal of thought into it. Things to keep in mind when designing your logo are: keep it simple, do your research, and don’t overcomplicate with symbols. Also, use beautiful fonts, colors, and make sure you like your logo.
To read more about the importance of a logo and what you can do to create or update yours, consider reading, “10 Things to Think About When Designing a Cafe Logo“.
Branded Packaging
In today’s world, everything and anything is shared to social media. If the customer likes your branded cups, chances are they’ll snap a picture of their morning cappuccino and blast it out on all forms of social media. The more impressions (views) that their image receives, the more exposure you have for your business!
Unsure of where to start with branding? Check out Brand My Cafe for all of your branding needs!
Also, check out “How Does Branding Help Grow Your Company or Business?” for more helpful content to branding at your coffee shop.
Exposure
Any and every way to get your name out to the world is a good thing. Being a small business, it is hard to get a large portion of market share in your field with so many big-box names, like Starbucks, swooping in and stealing your thunder. It is important to not let this discourage you. Just because people may not be familiar with your business right now, does not mean that it will always be the case. There are plenty of ways to gain exposure in this market, so sit back and relax: here are a few tips to gain exposure for your coffee stand:
1. Social media
Millions of people throughout the United States utilize social media every day. With this number increasing at an almost unimaginable rate, it is no wonder why businesses are allocating their time, money, and energy into creating a significant social media presence. The best part? It is free to create your online profile!
So many businesses, especially those in the food and beverage industry, have become overnight sensations on all forms of social media, ranging from Instagram to Tik Tok. Creating an online presence gives your business the ability to reach out to a whole new market that may have otherwise been impossible. Social media can turn a small town coffee stand into a destination sensation; do yourself a favor and create those accounts now!
Speaking of social media, become a part of our exclusive Facebook Group, Food Service Brand Builders— a space dedicated for cafe, restaurant, and food service business owners to share helpful tips and experiences of owning a small business.
2. Be one with your community
It is imperative to do what you can to gain new customers, but the best customers are repeat customers. The best repeat customers are those within your community. Simple ways to get involved in a unique way are; decorating a coffee stand for a block party, giving away free samples during fundraising events, or even sponsor a local high school sports team. Engaging with your audience makes your customers feel they are giving their money to people that they not only know but trust. Trust, respect, and brand loyalty with the community are all crucial to the success of a small business.
3. Put your best foot forward
One of the most important ways to make your coffee stand unique from the competitors is making sure you and your staff are paying enough attention to the little things. Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to the way your customers perceive you. Whether it is in the design of your products or the treatment from your staff, it is always important to put your best foot forward in all situations.
Make sure that every one of your baked goods looks presentable and delicious. Nobody wants the flattened muffin or failed latte art coffee. Treat every customer with the same premium standard. Give customers the utmost level of respect to ensure their repeat business in the future. These things may seem like no brainers now, but trust us when we say, these are the little things that can lead to the failure of a small business.
Check out “Things to Sell in a Coffee Shop Besides Coffee” for tips on ideas for things to sell at your coffee stand as merchandise.
Do you have any other tips and tricks that you think can benefit the community? Please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear it! Also, check out our Instagram or Facebook for more brand inspiration for your business.
Brand My Cafe helps small & medium-sized businesses, cafes and food service brands grow their identity through custom coffee cups, coffee sleeves & more.