Advertising advice for low-cal sandwich delivery business
Not trying to spam, just trying to get some ideas from a target audience.
I have started a business that delivers low-cal lunches. I have friends that have ordered and am trying to grow through word of mouth but haven't gone much farther.
I don't really want to send out bulk emails to local businesses as I know how annoying it is to get junk email.
I would like to somehow get in with WW but don't think standing outside their meeting places with flyers is appropriate.
Have thought about going around with flyers to business in my delivery area but it's be cold and snowy here which has distracted me from doing so. However, it is supposed to get nicer next week. Will flyers and an introduction be sufficient or should I be bringing samples as well? I would have to limit the samples but I could provide some.
I've used FB ads and Google ads but those have produced nothing as of yet. Don't have a huge budget for advertising either.
Any ideas I haven't thought of? Any ideas of how to implement the ones I have without offending potential customers? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Advertizing is what makes or breaks a business. My MIL is dealing with this too and I've told her she really needs to put in more effort for advertizing (different kind of business).
I'd look up local events that allow vendors and sell there- then you can also tell people you deliver and give them menus while there and have sandwiches for them to purchase
I think flyers are great to pass out to local businesses and colleges or other areas that have a lot of people there.
Print to-go menus and send them to the area businesses and colleges.
Advertise in local publications like the local weekly and daily papers or a local magazine.
Offer coupons, such as "free coffee with any breakfast or lunch sandwich."
Also you could look to partner with local businesses that do not sell sandwiches- kind of like they can outsource to you what they need and get the orders for you and you pay them a percentage for getting you the business.
Emails I wouldn't do but business cards and flyers with menu's are great
I'd find out who your local WW leader is, bring a sample to him/her, and ask if she'd like fliers to distribute at meetings. Honestly, if your food is good and low point/calorie, she'll probably be thrilled.
What about other businesses that are health-focused? My gym had fliers all the time at the front desk for healthy services. Curves? Any offices with health-based programs going on? (Lots of businesses do Biggest Loser or other weight loss initiatives...talk to your friends, see if anyone knows of a health driven workplace, and give fliers to the HR there). What about personal trainers? Nutritionists working with local medical groups? Chiropractors are a surprising source of health information for a lot of people...maybe a busy chiropractors office.
You definitely want to have menus available on your fliers. That's concrete information that people will take hold of.
You could join local networking events and bring samples. I run a networking group for my profession and I'd love it if a company offered to bring samples to our meeting in exchange for us handing out their stuff and everyone getting to taste their food.
I think word of mouth and referrals are more important than advertising.
Have you thought about visiting local businesses at lunch time? When I worked in an office building that didn't have a dedicated cafeteria, there was a lady who would bring a cooler of sandwiches/salads at lunch time and people would buy them from her. You could talk to the admins/receptionists at small offices within a large building and ask them about potential interest, again leaving your flyer and offering to come around a set time.
I would definitely get out and distribute flyers to local businesses. Ask them if you can post a few on a message board along with leaving them with reception. Business cards would also be helpful, along with an acrylic card holder so they don't get knocked off into a waste bin.
Let them know about your bulk discounts to encourage more of the staff to order together. I could definitely see employees trying to talk others into going in on an order.
I noticed on your website that you require at least 3 days notice for orders of 5 boxes or more. This is just my opinion, but I think I would be more likely to order more frequently without having to order that far in advance. I'm not that patient I would think a deadline such as 2pm the day prior to delivery might encourage more orders. I would welcome an 'early bird' discount for a longer pre-order though
Have you heard of Start Up Nation? If not, please browse their website and join their forum. You'll get lots of professional advice and an unlimited supply of tips from people just like you that are trying to grow a new business.
Marketing is so key at the startup of a business. Don't just target "fat" people or dieters! Lots of people would probably be interested in healthy, nutritious, reasonably priced food delivered to their office!
Just an idea. If your food is good enough to make it, then why not give out free samples. Any office buildings nearby? Or maybe the local newspaper office or television station. Places that may not have their own cafeteria, but lots of workers who go out for lunch. Take some mini sized food and see if you can leave it in their break area along with fliers and menus. I would think people would be more likely to order osmething if they could be sure it tasted great.
Marketing is so key at the startup of a business. Don't just target "fat" people or dieters! Lots of people would probably be interested in healthy, nutritious, reasonably priced food delivered to their office!
That is so true! The local hospital cafeteria serves pizza, hot wings, french fries, etc. They have a tiny section of chilled healthy soups and salads but they lack quality. I'm sure there are plenty of employees there that would welcome a healthy delivery service
That's another idea. Check out the competition! If local businesses have a cafeteria, what are they serving and how can you compete?
Go to your local schools! As a teacher, we have staff lunches all the time that need to be catered. It's also common for us to run out for food on days we know we'll have parent conferences, meetings, etc. Ask if you can put some fliers in the teacher's lounge.
Thank you all sooooooo much for the input. Absolutely invaluable! I'm going to take it all in and figure out how to go about each suggestion. Again, thank you all. So helpful!
Can you please open up a franchise near me? My wife and I constantly moan and groan about the lack of healthy options. Not to mention, I'd buy you as a gift for friends. A week of healthy, delivered lunches = one gift that I'd be happy to receive.
Can you please open up a franchise near me? My wife and I constantly moan and groan about the lack of healthy options. Not to mention, I'd buy you as a gift for friends. A week of healthy, delivered lunches = one gift that I'd be happy to receive.
Oh, and
LOL You're not the first request! I told my cousin in PA that I'd have to start looking into dry ice packaging.
Advertising advice for low-cal sandwich delivery business
I would think a deadline such as 2pm the day prior to delivery might encourage more orders. I would welcome an 'early bird' discount for a longer pre-order though 
