Revel Blog

Coffee Shop Marketing Plan: Strategies for Your Business

Revel Systems | July 15, 2022 |

Advice
Coffee Shop Marketing Plan: Strategies for Your Business

Owning an independent coffee shop has many benefits. Some of which include the ability to be your own boss, be a part of your community, and be creative. In fact, consumers prefer to visit and stay longer at local coffee shops vs. major chains

When you own a small local shop, focusing on the customer experience and differentiating yourself from the big guys is how you set yourself apart. So, how do you do that? All you need is a solid coffee shop marketing plan to convince everyone from the neighborhood to choose you over the big chains. 

What is Coffee Shop Marketing?

Barista Magazine’s research found that 70 percent of coffee shops invest less than $100 in their marketing efforts each month. However, this amount isn’t due to the fact that coffee shop businesses don’t advertise. They just do so differently than the average business. 

In many ways, coffee shops are a hybrid of yesterday and today. At their core, coffee shops are an old-school business. However, to succeed in today’s business climate, a coffee shop owner must combine modern business approaches.

How to Create a Coffee Shop Marketing Plan

Developing a coffee marketing plan is not an easy process. After all, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. As a result, when reviewing a coffee shop marketing plan sample, keep in mind that it is just that—a sample. However, it is important to note that each coffee business needs to base its plan on its maturity, specific market, and target consumer.

Your coffee business plan should be unique and tailored to the specific requirements of your business.

Follow this basic outline to boost sales. It’s easy to follow and can be implemented for both new coffee shops and established shops. Every marketing plan should include the following actions:

  • Establishing marketing and financial goals
  • Researching the market
  • Analyzing the customer
  • Creating a calendar of marketing-related steps and activities
  • Retaining returning customers
  • Securing your finances

8 Coffee Marketing Strategies

When developing a coffee marketing strategy, cafes must keep customers top of mind. Give your customers what they want, and they’ll fall in love with your business. But, how do you create an effective coffee shop marketing strategy?

Here are eight excellent coffee marketing ideas you can use to create your own coffee marketing strategy:

1.Make Your Coffee Shop More Attractive

As self-evident as it may sound, the entrance to your shop must be visible and attractive. Many bars and coffee shops have dark entries hidden from busy crowds. Don't make that mistake, ensure your shop has an eye-catching appeal.

Ideally, your shop should look good enough to lure people into stopping by for a cup of coffee, even if they hadn't intended to originally.

2.Level Up Your Branding in Your Coffee Shop

Branding is an essential part of every coffee shop marketing plan, especially for coffee shops. It sets you apart from all other similar businesses. A defined presence is absolutely necessary.

Your store shouldn't be just another coffee shop. Instead, it should have a story behind it, and it should promote specific values. Representing a strong brand all customers recognize and respect is essential. If you can’t define the brand of your coffee shop, how will your customers know it? They won’t gravitate towards you if they don't see (and like) who you are, what you believe in, and what you stand for as an organization.

3.Free Wi-Fi at a Pet-Friendly Coffee Shop

In the era of remote jobs and digital nomads looking for cozy places where they can work in peace, a charming coffee shop can quickly become everyone's favorite spot. All you need is a stable internet connection, good coffee, and free Wi-Fi.

Include a pet-friendly policy and allow your coffee drinkers to bring their furry friends. Just wait—they may never leave!

If a consumer has more than one option in the area, he'll prefer the one where he can bring a pet, get some free Wi-Fi, and plug in a laptop if needed.

4.Digital and Social Media for Coffee Businesses

If you aren't on social media by now, you’re missing out. Finish this article, then immediately create pages for your coffee shop across all popular channels. (We recommend prioritizing Facebook and Instagram.) Coffee shops should focus on creating a community of customers. Make your drink offerings unique, advertise them on social media, and speak to your followers about your craft.

Increase your brand's reach by bringing your store's vibe to your content and share it with the community. You can post promotions on social media or organize photo contests geared towards user-generated content.

5.Join Food Delivery Apps

According to the latest statistics, the average person has two delivery apps on their phone and makes an order twice a week.

Joining food delivery apps is the easiest way to expand your reach beyond the neighborhood. It will make your coffee available to people who want the convenience of delivery.

6.Coffee Social Media Advertising

Social ads work well for a coffee business on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Showcase images of your drinks and use these channels to promote any special deals and discounts you may be offering the public.

7.Coffee Shop Reviews

Sites like Yelp are incredibly beneficial to coffee shops. They provide feedback about your establishment that can bring new patrons to your business. They’re also an excellent platform for you to showcase your brand and speak to your customers directly. Simply asking for reviews is a great way to create word of mouth about your coffee shop business.

8.Coffee Market Loyalty Programs

Many coffee shops implement loyalty programs or member discounts that entice customers to return again and again. These programs drive revenue and increase customer loyalty.

A proper strategy includes creating a solid coffee shop marketing plan based on thorough market research, making smart investments, and taking action. This strategy needs to be maintained on a regular basis.

Bring Your Coffee Business to Revel Systems 

Grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning is a ritual for many people. Use these coffee marketing ideas to make sure they choose your coffee shop over the competition. 

Outside of traditional marketing efforts, consider a cloud-based POS platform built specifically for cafés. Revel’s coffee shop POS is built to maximize ease-of-use, convenience, and operational speed, allowing you to focus on what you do best: make great coffee.

Some software solutions that would help your coffee business thrive include: 

  • Customer Display System (CDS)
    A CDS allows you to increase order accuracy, tips for your employees, and trust with your customers. A CDS is also a key feature for any coffee shop register and gives your customers visibility into their order in real time.
  • Inventory Management
    A true café POS system needs ingredient-level inventory insights. Having the right ingredients in the right quantities at the right times is essential in wowing your customers with an exceptional experience. Make sure you always have what you need on hand.
  • Kitchen Display System (KDS)
    Improve your speed of service, order accuracy, and kitchen efficiency all through one tool: a kitchen display system (KDS). When integrated directly with your point of sale, a KDS updates orders (and modifications) in real time for your kitchen staff.
  • Mobile Order Takers (MOT’s)
    With MOT’s you can move lines quickly to delight customers while maximizing your profits. During peak hours, bust lines with Revel’s mobile order takers and make sure no customers leave frustrated with long wait times. 

You’ll want a café POS that can keep up with the morning rush, helping your team deftly handle orders, no matter how complex, with ease and efficiency. With Revel, you’ll enjoy a platform that is not just easy to use, but also easy to teach. Its clean interface simplifies each order, helping to increase order accuracy and service speed. Contact us to learn more or to request a free demo.