[jkbennett]

Its a good point to check with city about what you can and cannot do. Evening if you just get a warning you still lose the time and trouble if you are in violation of a city ordinance. And, you can and do often get fined a lot of money.

I also like the area businesses gift basket above via realtors. Good stuff.

Jeff

[havasu]

I was hesistant posting the possible code violations, due to the perception that I was playing "cop" and telling you all not to do any advertising. I only felt it was necessary to make sure you double check with your city, so you don't get any surprise fines or worse yet, revocation of any "conditional use permits."

There is a lady in the city next to me who added patio tables and a cabana adjacent to her wine tasting business as a way to attract more customers who wanted to have a smoke or fresh breeze while sipping a glass of wine. Well, a nearby business (her direct competition!) complained to city hall so bad that they conducted an entire health department inspection and it caused her to have to shut her business down for two months, because the need to build handicapped toilets, men's and women's restrooms, etc. She is finally back in business, but the cabana and tables are now gone, and her business profits are down 75%.

[petralovescoffee]

one of my business partners in town is working on targetting morning traffic by holding a sign up facing drivers, and pointing towards the shaved ice shop [ the shaved ice owner is considering offering our gourmet healthy coffee only in the mornings and then mocha and latte shaved ice in the afternoons along with his other 'regular' shaved ice flavours]. Her 2nd idea is to have her and one other person holding a 6 ' or longer x 2' wide banner reading 'gourmet healthy coffee $1.00' and pointing drivers towards the shop from 6am to 8am only. Not sure when this will happen but I'm curious to see how much of that morning traffic will take her up on her offer initially.

[MyCoffeePro]

I think that could work ... don't know if you saw my earlier post on "sign-twirlers", but they are very popular here on the West Coast.

[petralovescoffee]

no i'll search for it

thank you


petra

[catsasscoffee]

any ideas for web marketing?

[petralovescoffee]

The Coffee Cup Neon faces the oncoming traffic (from our corner) and that shows to the evening commuter.

I really l love neon signs, in fact someone at a street corner was selling them just the other day here in San Antonio and I was driving by the first sign I searched for quickly was any 'coffee cup', but alas NO can you post a pic of yours??

[MyCoffeePro]

Originally Posted by catsasscoffee

any ideas for web marketing?

A very cool case study of a marketing campaign for Joffrey's Coffee can be viewed here: Joffreys Coffee & Tea Company Social Media Marketing Case Study

[Adamsjava]

I'm an independent distributor for Organo Gold and we sample out products to everyday people. Where ever we go we sample. Organo Gold has the best compensation plan and I was able to quit my job and become a house wife and mom after 5 months. You can learn more at www.ogcoffeepays.com

[Rich]

I do some copywriting and also own a small coffee business, which is why I am on this forum. But when I am counseling copywriting prospects, I always ask questions to understand their prospective clients. I want to write to the prospects more than write for the business owner. I am sure you have heard of this before.

What I hear you saying is all about what you want. You want them to notice that you are there with coffee to sell. Instead, I recommend that you ask yourself, "What do my prospects want in a coffee shop?" (It is probably more than just hot coffee. ) "What will compel them to get excited about coming in for coffee?" "What coffee habit are they already in that is missing an element that you can provide?"

The answers to this not only motivate them to come in, this sends a message that what they want is on top of your agenda and at the same time, gets them interested enough to spread the word about your establishment.

Best of luck to you,
Rich

http://www.wickedcoffees.com