If you own a vape shop, you know that competition can be tough. Even with the exploding market, new players continuing to pop up make it vital to stand out among the rest. To stay ahead of the curve, you've got to have a solid marketing strategy that gives people a reason to come back and spread the word. With the restrictions placed on marketing vapes, a little grassroots creativity and interactive incentives can go a long way for improving customer relations and sales.
With that, here are 10 tips to help you boost your vape shop sales by 300%:
1. Rewards Program/Punch Card.
A rewards program is a great way to incentivize customers to keep coming back. Offer a punch card or loyalty program where customers can earn points for every purchase they make. Once they reach a certain number of points, they can redeem them for a free product, merch, or discount on their next purchase.
2. Stickers With QR Code.
Stickers with QR codes are a great way to promote your shop and increase traffic to your website. Place them on your packaging or in-store displays, and customers can scan the code with their phone to be directed to your website or social media pages. Who doesn't love getting some free stickers at check out? You can also link your QR code to your social media accounts to promote growth there. Stickers are great, but stickers with QR codes are way better.
3. Free Merch With Purchases Over $50.
Offering free merchandise with purchases over a certain dollar amount is a great way to incentivize customers to spend more money. It also gives them a free gift they can use and promotes your brand even further. This not only makes your customers a walking billboard when they have your gear on, but it makes them feel more "part of the family", making them less likely to shop elsewhere. You can also throw a QR code on any merch to take it to the next level by driving direct traffic to your site, further increasing your vape shop sales!
4. Referral Program.
Encourage your existing customers to refer their friends to your shop by offering a referral program. For every new customer they bring in, offer a discount, a free product, or some merchandise. Word of mouth marketing is vital for the vape industry, and this is an underutilized way to boost the talk about your shop!
5. Deals of the Month.
Offering deals of the month can create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to make a purchase. It also gives customers an additional reason to swing by the store, who doesn't like deal hunting? Consider offering a different deal each month, such as a discount on a specific product or free shipping. This will help your store stay fresh in peoples minds, and on their social media feed, as this can be a standard monthly post.
6. New Product of the Month.
Introduce new products to your customers by highlighting a new product each month. Offer a discount or bundle deal with the new product to encourage customers to try it out. It's no secret people love to try new things, especially in the vape world. If you land that new hot product, especially before another store potentially does, you could have a whole new wave of customers flock to your store. Much like the last one, this also keeps your store fresh in peoples mind, and is another great recurring monthly social media post you can use to increase your vape shop sales (now you have two!).
7. Local Influencers.
If you read this far, heres the gem: Partner with a local influencer in your community to promote your shop on social media. They can help bring in new customers and promote your brand to a wider audience. This is especially powerful for shops near colleges, as there is an abundance of influences who can quickly reach a ton of people. This is probably the best tip for a surge of people to your store, especially when the influencer is promoting deals, new products, and other promotional events. Giving the influencer a discount code people can use is a power move! P.S, influencers can be extremely cheap to utilize, with some even posting for just some merch or products in return.
8. Discounts on Next Purchase.
Offer customers a discount on their next purchase to encourage them to come back to your shop. This can be done through a loyalty program or a special coupon code. We see this used all the time on the receipts of fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Incentivizing people to come back without upfront cost is gold, and this is just one more reason they will stay shopping with you instead of walking down the street to the next shop.
9. Email Newsletter.
Stay in touch with your customers by sending out a monthly newsletter. Highlight new products, upcoming deals, and other news related to your shop. This will keep your customers engaged and informed, and be a direct link to their inbox. It can be super informal and funny too, in fact the more personable the newsletter feels, the more your customers/readers will resonate with your brand and continue to give you business. If you want help, shoot me over an email to hello@vapepigeon.com I'll be happy to give you some tips! If you're looking to scale outside of your local market, advertising on an established vape or related newsletter could be a huge play to increase vape shop sales as well!
10. Window/Promotional Displays.
Create eye-catching displays in your storefront to attract customers and promote your products. Use bright colors, bold graphics, and clear messaging to showcase your products and promotions. Ask brands you carry if they have any posters, signs, displays, or other marketing material to buff up your shop with, you'd be amazed how quickly some will have them shipped to you (for free!). Something I haven't seen used is a chalkboard like they have at many bars/beach restaurants that have ever-changing catch phrases and funny lines. That stuff goes a long way, if your store has that, reply back with a picture!
Conclusion
By implementing these 10 tips, you can increase vape shop sales, stay ahead of the competition, and keep crushing it in this growing market. Remember to track your progress and adjust your strategy as needed to continue growing your business. The more you innovate and give your customers a reason to come back, the more you can be sure you will crush it.
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