GrandOpeningHelp.com

The current automotive industry is creating new opportunities for some GM dealers who’s competitors are closing and their car lots become vacant or for sale.  Established dealers will see this as an excellent opportunity to gain new territory once held by their opponents. Some dealers will buyout existing dealers and take their territory.  Re-branding of existing competitor’s lots and appearance with new dealer’s logo and style will be the first thing you notice at these lots.  Expect to see ground crews repaving existing lots, improving landscaping, new interior decorating and best of all, bring new life and money into the local community.  Get ready for the now open signs and weeks later the grand opening.

Smart businesses realize this is a great opportunity to introduce themselves to the new dealership along and welcoming them to the community.  Here is an opportunity for you to get noticed and possibly gain some B2B work.  Printout the 35 Creative Tips for a Successful Grand Opening and staple your business card to the document.  Next, stop in at the dealership and ask to speak to the general manager or owner if available.  Introduce yourself as the unofficial welcoming committee of (insert city name) and tell them you are a local business in the community.  Let them know that you are excited that they are moving into the community and are making improvements to the existing dealership.   Give them your business card and tell them “you found some useful information on the Internet about Grand Openings and thought of your dealership.  You hope that their business is a success and if the ever need your service, please feel free to call.”

Companies appreciate being welcomed to a community official and unofficially.  This simple introduction along with useful information is always welcome.  Making an introduction like this can lead to a long lasting B2B relationship.  So do not look at a failing GM dealership closing as a negative to the community, look at the prospects coming into that dealership as a new business friend and potential customer.

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This post was submitted by Dale Obrochta.

In the 20^th century, people are now connecting through social networks. Facebook, being the leader in industry, is connecting people, colleagues, reuniting classmates and business associates using the Internet. Let’s use this social network to announce to people who have a personal interest, business relationship or similar interests that your business is having a grand opening. Considering many businesses are started by people who are leaving one industry to reinvent themselves in another, the wealth of resources, connection and personal relations built over these years of business interaction are severed instantly once the individual boxes up their office cubical. Many of these connections would like you to succeed in your new business venture and would be willing spread the word through their network of your grand opening.

Make it an Activity

Facebook allows users to post what they are doing right now! Let people know that you are stocking shelves for the grand opening, booking grand opening entertainment, creating a press release, talking to local news agencies and businesses about the grand opening.  Keep the post current and build to the grand opening date.   Making announcement days before is less effective because the social networking is not fully developed. Allow the anticipation to build.  Pretty soon, friends will be contact you and asking “Are you ready for your big grand opening?”

Start the Networking

Facebook.com, is the most popular, free social networking environment, and is one of the easiest to find and acquire contacts or in social networking terms, friends.  First, create an account making sure you use your real name, unlike Internet forums or bulletin boards, where fake names are common.  The power behind Facebook is its ability to connect people by schools, companies, interests, hobbies and relies on you to recognizing individuals by name.

Second, enter your personal information.  Personal information is the key to complete social networking.  The more information supplied in these areas allows you and others to seek out individuals with the same desires and interests.  For example, if you are leaving the aviation field and opening up a hobby shop, include in your personal information that your hobby is fling.  Facebook will link you automatically to other individuals (friends) who share the same interest.  This link to new “friends” will allow you to build a social network that you can announce your grand opening celebrations.

Connect with past classmates and colleagues in the same manner.  Once you fill-out the school information, Facebook will search its database of schools and classmates in your graduating year.  Many of these people will quickly seek you out and want to know what is happening in your life.  Inform them about your grand opening and invite them to come see you at the grand opening.

Expand Social Networking through the Company

Encourage employees to create a Facebook page.  Once created, ask them to make an announcement in their network of friends about the grand opening.  The goal is to use the network to spread the word about the grand opening.  Pictures can be uploaded; announcement can be posted along with a shout out of how the progress and development of the grand opening is going.  Lastly, make sure you follow up with pictures of people who come from the network of friends.  People who can’t attend that day will be interesting in seeing the pictures and will participate in the grand opening through your pictures.

Don’t put the Camera Away

Keep the digital camera ready after the grand opening, you may find many network friends will show up late in the week and you can capture the moment and share it with the network of friends who help make your grand opening a success.  It will take a little work and time to build the social network of friends, but that work will make your grand opening and business stronger.

Network with Dale on his Facebook

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