I was dead set on a big marketing push for my bar, but a local coffee shop changed my mind

I run a small bar and was planning to spend about $500 on Instagram ads to get new people in. Then I saw the new coffee place down the street, they didn't do any ads at all. Instead, they just put a sign out front offering a free drip coffee to anyone who brought in a library card. The place was packed for a solid week. It made me realize a direct, local offer beats a vague online ad for a spot like mine. I'm scrapping the ad plan and doing a 'free house shot with any book trade-in' night next Friday. Has anyone else ditched digital ads for a simple, physical promo and had it work better?

2 comments

2 Comments

fisher.reese18d ago

Love that you saw what worked right in your own neighborhood and switched gears. Makes total sense for a bar where you want people to actually show up. My question is, how are you getting the word out about your book trade-in night? Are you just counting on the sign out front, or do you have a plan to tell your regulars so they bring their friends?

alice_wilson7318d ago

The sign out front is the only thing they're doing? That's wild. I saw their Instagram and they haven't posted about it once, not even a story. You gotta tell people online if you want a crowd.