As you read, imagine taking this how-to article seriously. While probably far fetched, in small fashion we’ve all forgotten to think through minor yet important details before scheduling a successful demo that translates into missed sales opportunities. There’s probably some tongue in cheek grain of truth in each idea. Give it some thought:
No fret, it’s easy creating lackluster events! It’s the least you can do for your loyal shoppers. Literally, it’s the least you can do. With little time and effort and almost no strategy foods can be tossed in plastic containers and made available in any number of in-hospitable fashions. Follow these 8 tips below and you’ll be sure to reap what you sow.
Well, why not give these a try. Take it from the professionals, I can pretty much guarantee the results of these tried and true demo techniques! Now who can say that about anything these days. Good Luck!
No fret, it’s easy creating lackluster events! It’s the least you can do for your loyal shoppers. Literally, it’s the least you can do. With little time and effort and almost no strategy foods can be tossed in plastic containers and made available in any number of in-hospitable fashions. Follow these 8 tips below and you’ll be sure to reap what you sow.
- Small Portions: Giving the smallest possible speck of any delectable item will help you minimize the investment in your food costs. Besides, if customers want more, they can frankly insert a bag in their shopping cart.
- Options: On the other hand, if you sell 24 flavors of signature fresh pressed fruit juices, consider the following. Ensure guests try every flavor. After 2 dozen swigs each guest will be completely confident selecting a bottle without buyer’s remorse.
- Lose the Garbage Can: Why bother making a garbage can available at your demo station? You’ll only have to empty it. Besides, garbage cans are usually available in the parking lot, bathrooms, or at the coffee kiosk.
- Fork/Spork/Knives: In-store demos are an excellent way to use up old utensils discontinued from operational use in prepared foods. Feel free to use a knife when a spoon will do. Besides if you’re retailing fresh produce in a well-educated market, do you really want clientele that can’t figure out how to get a carrot stick with dressing into their mouth with a plastic knife anyways?
- Forget the Napkins: Again, why add any extra cost? What could possibly go wrong trying to drink a fruit smoothie out of a miniature cup while balancing 3 kids in the shopping cart? If you’re going that far why not offer free Tide Sticks and a coin laundry machine too. Obviously that would be ridiculous.
- Location: There are a few methods for this one. 1. Placing demos in slow traffic areas can be helpful to minimize the amount of “free food” you’ll give away. 2. You may also consider placing your station directly in front of public restrooms. This can be helpful during demos of fresh herbs, dandelion, and fennel which are natural diuretics. 3. If you have been given plenty of free demo product from a vendor create a sturdy barricade at the stores front entrance. Creating a freeway toll like gate that you can move up and down will help ensure that every person entering the store will receive a sample. Plus, you can bottleneck the crowd nicely to ensure your demo person’s time is being used effectively. Note: Prepare special “busy” tasks for this demo person. Have them wait until about 10 people form a line, and then let people through. In the mean time they can place labels on cut fruit or shrink wrap watermelons.
- Barking Points: Prepare and rehearse with your demo attendant a list of phrases to minimize loitering and abuse of food wastage. Examples may include, “Please finish your entire sample before asking to be excused from the demo station,” or “Simon didn’t say you could have another cup of berries.”
- Finding the Right Person: Demo’s are important to business and that’s why finding someone on the lowest pay scale may be helpful in saving labor. In many circumstances the friendlier people are the more they waste time chatting with folks instead of using the time to count exactly 4 pomegranate arils in each container.
- The Station: Don’t let the lack of high-quality new fixtures or tables get in the way of conducting regular demos. Placing a pallet slip sheet across a shopping cart can do the trick. Instant mobile demo station!
Well, why not give these a try. Take it from the professionals, I can pretty much guarantee the results of these tried and true demo techniques! Now who can say that about anything these days. Good Luck!