We all know that chocolate is a great way to connect with friends, family members and other loved ones. It’s also a very effective way to build relationships and make connections with business associates! Yes, it’s true – chocolate is often thought of as a romantic gift, especially this time of year when Valentine’s Day is soon upon us – but chocolate is also a great connector. Everyone loves it, and everyone appreciates receiving chocolate.
More and more businesses are using the power of customized chocolate to promote their businesses and build business relationships. We have seen all kinds of businesses get creative and use chocolate to get the word out about the services they offer or the products they sell. From tech start-ups to hair dressers to trades and new independent businesses, or organizations that need to raise money like non-profits, schools, clubs and so on.
The thing about chocolate, on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year, is that people truly love it. And as a business marketing tool, it is memorable, sensory and customizable.
So how can you use this sweet treat in your business marketing plan?
Here are just a few ideas.
Customized Chocolate Coins and Bars
If you are a business owner, you have likely spent a lot of time and energy coming up with the visual branding of your business. You have probably thought a lot about your logo and visual identity that captures the essence of your business. And now it’s time to get it out there.
The best businesses brands have logos that people instantly recognize, even without the name of the company. You can probably think of a few logos that are just symbols but intrinsically tied with the businesses they represent. The point is that those logos started from something small, too.
Whether you are just starting out or have been established for a while, the goal is to get your brand “out there.” And a great way to do it is with customized chocolate coins and chocolate bars.
These sweet treats are great to hand out on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, or really any day of the year or special event that’s tied to your business. You can order these in bulk with your logo directly engraved onto them.
The good thing about these? People will create a connection between your business and chocolate, so they will be more likely to think about your company the next time they unwrap a chocolate bar, or even get a craving for it. This is such a cost-effective method of advertising your company that it would be nuts not to do it!
Chocolate Giveaways
We all know by now that social media has taken over the world. Love it or hate it, it’s nearly impossible to avoid. If you are a business owner, you might as well use it to increase the success of your company. One of the best things that social media can do for your business is spread the word as you sit there and watch. But you have to get creative in order to stand out from the noise.
A great way to do that is to have giveaways. Valentine’s Day is perfect for this! On your end, you can create something like a gift basket – with a gift card for your products or services, a few customized chocolate bars that have your logo engraved on them, maybe some other products from partner businesses so that you can cross-promote. Next, get your followers to tag themselves and a friend for a chance to win this great package.
Think about how far it can go from here! Your company will be reaching new audiences in no time. Even if a fraction of those new eyeballs converts to sales, that’s still money in your pocket and another step up the mountain of success. All it took was enticing people with a little bit of chocolate and some thoughtfully curated gifts. It’s that easy!
Chocolate to say Thank You
Customer appreciation goes a long way. Think about the last time a company went out of its way to say thank you for spending your hard-earned cash at their establishment. Case in point: my mechanic sent me a hand-written thank you card out of the blue, and I am now a client for life – and I tell all my friends about it.
Saying thank you to clients and customers with even the smallest gesture is a great way to keep them engaged and thinking about your services or products. Yes, it’s transactional, but that’s the nature of business. So you might as well go the little extra mile, but it will pay off and help you gain success in your business venture.
And the best way to do this? Well there are lots of ways, but chocolate is one of the best, hands down. Handing out (delicious, high quality) chocolate with the bill at a restaurant, having custom chocolates on hand to your clients while they get their hair cut, or sending out Valentine’s Day cards to your customers with a customized chocolate coin in the card to say thank you.
Owning a business is like a marathon – you have to plan for the long run. So do whatever you can as a business owner to help you stand out about the competition. And why not make it fun, delicious and exciting. Whether it’s taking advantage of events like Valentine’s Day or creating a marketing frenzy on social media, using chocolate to promote your business is a cost-effective and memorable way to help give yourself an edge. Yes, love is in the air on Valentine’s Day, and so is success for your business venture!