You only get one chance at a grand opening. These unique ideas using photos and social media will help make the launch of your store or business a viral sensation. 

It’s not exactly revolutionary to point out how popular social media has become. Social networks are everywhere, it often seems, and research backs up this conclusion: According to data compiled by Statista, 81 percent of Americans had a profile on at least one social media site. On a worldwide basis, approximately 1.96 billion users are on social media, with projections positing that 2.5 billion profiles will be active by the time 2018 rolls around.

Its imperative to consider how a grand opening will appear, not only for the attendees, but also how people in the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter-verses will react to and spread word about the event.

Use the right networks
Facebook is, by the numbers, the most prominent social media platform, having surpassed its peers some time ago to reach 1 billion users and claiming 1.5 billion accounts as of January 2016. As such, if you haven’t set up a Facebook page in advance of the big day, it behooves you to rectify that sooner rather than later.

Fit Small Business emphasized the high value of Facebook-based promotions, and particularly how ideal they are for grand openings. Your company should post some photos of the finished location (exterior is better, for aesthetic reasons) as well as pictures of its products, if applicable. But don’t neglect other networks per se: If the company has a broad demographic appeal, add Instagram, Twitter and other platforms to the social media mix.

Stage the opening like a party
There’s a reason for the use of the word “grand” in the term “grand opening.” It’s supposed to be a celebration! Your event should be worthy of the large-scale joviality that such a phrase is meant to indicate.

As Entrepreneur magazine pointed out, it will be prudent to budget the event like a party, albeit not a massive one – after all, you will soon need to be allocating your financial resources toward day-to-day business expenses. But it’s no massive expense to purchase a red carpet backdrop that you can place within the entrance, to aesthetically whet the appetite of incoming potential customers. If seeking to further the impression of a gala affair, a backdrop with the company’s logo stitched diagonally across will stand out quite prominently.

To help persuade grand-opening attendees to post images of the event on their own social media profiles, consider staging a contest for the goofiest photo, or the most appealing pose that incorporates the company’s product. With the right hashtag, this can blow up online faster than you might think.

While traditionally the bride’s parents are in charge of the engagement party, it’s perfectly common for the couple to host it themselves. Whoever is planning the event, these ideas will help ensure a fun, beautiful event for both families.

Atmosphere
If you’re holding the party at a restaurant or function hall, you can work with them to help set up decorations, or bring your own. Whatever type of motif the wedding will have, an engagement party with a personalized backdrop can set the tone. At SignArtEtc you can design it yourself with custom text, colors and images. Or just give us the specs and image files and we’ll design it for you at no extra charge.

The happy couple, their families and other guests can pose in front of the banner, letting them practice for all of the wedding pictures they have coming!

Guests
While traditionally the engagement party was an opportunity for the bride and groom’s immediate families to meet one another for the first time, over the years it has become more of an opportunity to invite their closest friends and family to celebrate the happy occasion. Some couples include friends, colleagues and people they care about who might not be invited to the wedding. Some couples may stick with tradition and only invite their families and closest friends. For most, guests who are invited to the engagement party are also invited to the wedding, but really, it’s whatever the couple wants it to be.

Food
Unlike the wedding, the engagement party doesn’t need to have a proper sit  down dinner. Since the meal doesn’t have to be formal, you can serve whatever the couple likes. You can set up a buffet-style meal to make it easier, or even bring in a food truck if it’s outside. Hello Magazine suggested serving a cake with a cute message like “She said yes!” as the dessert. Just make sure it doesn’t show up the future wedding cake.

Drinks
Champagne, of course! Once the party is in full swing, hold a champagne toast to the happy couple. If you’d rather go the non-alcoholic route, sparkling cider or other type of juice is the perfect alternative. If there are other guests making toasts, such as family members, Punchbowl suggests that you find out ahead of time so you can allocate time for everyone. In addition to champagne, you could also serve a specialty cocktail of the couple’s choosing.

For local businesses like bars, restaurants and nightclubs, Valentine’s Day can be a blessing or a curse. More than almost any other date of the year, consumers are inclined to hit the town for a day or evening of romance and adventure. At the same time, if your Valentine’s Day event doesn’t woo your prospective guests, you could risk losing them to “sexier,” more exciting local happenings.

Valentine’s Day can be big business for local establishments. According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association “Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey,” consumers as a whole spend an average of $13.19 billion every year on the holiday, with the average per person expenditure a little over $100. Over a third of consumers celebrating the holiday will have dinner at restaurants. To make sure that your Valentine’s Day event hits its target like cupid’s arrow, consider each of the following ideas for turning your establishment into a can’t-miss romantic destination:

The Sign of Love
In dating, first impressions are supremely important. The same goes for throwing a Valentine’s Day event. You want your establishment to feel like something special, not business as usual. First, consider signage or banners that call attention to the events you have going on. If your guests don’t realize you’re doing anything special for the holiday, why would they bother to attend? A vinyl banner hung outside of your establishment can be a quick and easy way to signal that your business is getting into the spirit.

Set the Mood
Dimmed lighting, candles, rose petals and other aesthetic choices evoking the feeling of an intimate, romantic evening are all essential to transform your restaurant or bar into the perfect Valentine’s Day nightspot. A soundtrack of sultry R&B songs and romantic ballads can help complete the mood.

Celebrity Couples (for a Night)
One fun and flirty idea is to host a red carpet inspired soiree, complete with custom step and repeat for photos. Make couples feel like movie stars and celebrities by encouraging formal attire, providing a complimentary glass of wine or champagne and gift bags at the end of the evening.

A Kissing Booth
Alternatively, you can employ a branded backdrop to be the setting of a “kissing booth.” Encourage your guests to stage romantic pictures, exchanging smooches in front of your backdrop. Develop your own hashtag that includes the name of your establishment so that when couples tag their Valentine’s Day photos, you’ll be able to easily locate them and re-post.

Offer a Package
A restaurant that offers a full evening’s menu can attract more guests and streamline operations. Consider scaling back your usual a la carte menu offerings in favor of a package deal that includes an appetizer, dinner, wine and dessert for a single price.

Don’t Forget the Swinging Singles
If you’re looking for an idea that is a bit more offbeat and eccentric, why not host an event geared toward singles? Whether you decide on a purposely “unromantic” anti-Valentine’s Day event or a speed dating mixer, catering to a more niche audience may in the end help your establishment stand out from the crowd.

Just like you wouldn’t want to wait until the last minute to get your sweetheart flowers, don’t let Valentine’s Day event planning sneak up on you. For all your sign, backdrop and step and repeat needs, Sign Art has you covered. Contact us today to learn more.