subject: Branching Out Within Your Own Business [print this page] More than 200 years ago, America was a young country looking for space. President Thomas Jefferson added almost half of what makes up the current continental United States. Why? He was looking for space and it was there. So should you if you are looking to expand your business. It's easy and it can be done without spending a lot of money. Making better use of your space makes it easy to run a business and creativity can add to its value.
If you already have a space, the key is to making the best use of it. Most business people are dealing with today's economy by making the best use of the space they already have. The setup is already there for your use, so use your imagination. In addition, don't be afraid to copy other business's ideas. Look at what they do and use it to your advantage.
Take a specialty wine shop as an example. It certainly makes sense to have wine tastings and that means keeping the shop open late for wine tastings. They attract an upscale crowd and can bring a lot of money to your business. Take a look at how your inventory is stored. Are the displays attractive? Are you using your space to set up promotional and tasting tables? Those are questions you need to ask. If you can cater to this crowd you can keep them coming back for more tastings and regular purchases. Promotional aprons on your tables are a big bonus if your logo is on it. Also, free wine keys with your logo on it will keep your business in their minds for a long time.
If you have a small specialty grocery store there might be room for some long tables where you can hold instructional workshops, like cooking classes. You can teach cookie decorating or canola making, for example. Use your imagination. People can be involved in food preparation without having to do all the preparation themselves. You can do this every weekend and, for a small price, each participant can take something home. Promotional bags with your logo and maybe some promotional measuring cups are just more ways of promoting your product through use of space.
Whatever your store is you can think of some new ways to use the space that you have and also using more hours open to attract some new customers to your business. Whatever events that you come up with remember to include some goodies for people to take home and help them to remember to visit your business again soon.
