What are some creative ways to advertise our upscale computer store?

Question

My husband and I and our employees have opened a chic, upscale, contemporary-styled computer store in a beautiful and well-traveled loctation that caters to the niche of the affluent and high-end PC/Linux enthusiasts. Now we need to get our name out! What are some ways to advertise to customers who don't know we're here?

Answer 1

Hire a creative PR person instead of looking for FREE professional advice on Yahoo (no offense to Yahoo questions implied, but come on!)

Answer 2

>> What are some creative ways to advertise our upscale computer store?



Why would you need to advertise it if it's upscale? I'm serious....if you're telling me it's upscale then you need to target that market and general purpose advertising would waste perhaps 90% of your investment.



>> My husband and I and our employees have opened a chic, upscale, contemporary-styled computer store in a beautiful and well-traveled loctation that caters to the niche of the affluent and high-end PC/Linux enthusiasts.



This is trouble too...why would someone who is affluent be any more PC savvy, let alone a "linux enthusiast", than the non-affluent.



You don't seem to understand the computers are not purchased on their 'vanity' like other 'fashion' merchandise. People don't give a damn whether the bag they carry out of the store has an Apple logo or a Dell logo...(and by the way...Apple is very much catering to the affluent and you can see they don't give two damns about linux...people with money buy Macs, the stores are quite impressive, but if you will notice Apple does NOT license the logo for clothing or other truly FASHION items because they understand there's no value in it!)



>>Now we need to get our name out!



And that's wrong! You don't need to get the name out...you need to get the people who are these affluent folks influences...their IT folks and in-house gurus...to choose your store for them!



You think I'm wrong?...well why don't you have a wine and cheese party and see who doesn't come...why?...because these folks do not have any interest in talking tech...they don't care about whether they bought their computer from you or online...it's a commodity item.



>>What are some ways to advertise to customers who don't know we're here?

Additional Details





Note: Creative ideas, please!



Radio ads - dumb, complete waste of money for the market you describe.



>> Flyers, billboards, etc are things we are already exploring.



All these avenues are non-targeted "Push" ads.



I am calling it as I see it...if the items you're selling are just plain computers then all that matters is price. "People with money" are NOT the folks that buy the most computers or spend the most money on them when they do!



DO YOUR RESEARCH!



I would rather have a very crappy computer store that offered fantastic prices then the Nordstrom of computer stores that sold an everyday $1500 DOSBOX for $3000.



I buy more than twice the number of $3 pairs of socks every two months than $6 pairs that might last more than twice as long. Why? Because human influence is not based on RATIONAL decision making.

Answer 3

I really like the idea posted by "dvz" about FREE CLASSES. You or a guest teacher can hold training classes... alternate beginner and advanced classes.



You can do a once a month meet & greet where you offer coffee and pastries, or a soree style get together. The upscale day spa I go to does this on the third Friday of every month. It is a catered get together in the courtyard, with finger foods and margaritas... and it lasts from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. You can set up your soree in front of your shop to attract business. The spa usually has a sale on clothing & products during the soree. It is a fantastic way to build relationships with your customers and keep them coming back.



You can also set up a free computer lounge that is available for public use... this is great if there is a college nearby. Make it social & cozy with big leather chairs and lap tops... not a row of desks like a library. Make sure you have a coffee/snack bar next to it. This has worked wonders for Barnes & Noble and Starbucks. Everytime I go into Starbuck's there are people sipping on coffee and working on their lap top computers.



All the best! :)

Answer 4

I would use Billboards if I were in a store business and I would get to know owners of other upscale, contemporary-styled stores in the area or other areas cross town then offer to put theirs stores information in your store, like a little advertised corner in the window or in the store, I've seen these in upscale, contemporary-styled stores. They will ask to do the same for you. There is no harm helping someone else while you need help. It really helps and works, too.



Someone above offered the idea of CDs with the stores information on it, that is a good idea, especially if you could make a game to put on it, someone from another post had offered someone else a website with free download, it works for 30 days, here: http://www.clickteam.com

I believe it is called Multimedia Fusion.



A cute game that advertises your store that plays itself in your window may get people talking or remembering whom you are and where you are.



I believe you can pay search engines, like Yahoo and Google and Amazon. As a wannabe writer, I have investigated publishing and they have mentioned that it is $25 dollars to enter each program.



I wish you the best of luck in all things.

Answer 5

Very few must have read this questions and very few answered it though I am also among them a citizen of America before an Indian as we cannot stay a citizen of two countries because being American resident we are no more Indian but we can visit our mother land for ever and are free to live there too loosing all benefits if we stay longer I think , Every body loves peace and hate a place where there is no security . when I see terrorism is a global problem every body should play his or her role . When Malala a muslim girl can fight for education of girls ,when a child wants his or her freedom a terrorist lives in terror and not free from its consequences ,a day would come when people would come forward to wipe it from human minds but it is too late already , there are so many means of destruction to wipe whole humanity if necessary action is not taken sooner . I am too small to take any action ,but all kind of violent films should be removed from media so that we do not have access to them through any means . People can rent these kinds of movies for couple bucks and get up to fight with family members then to next neighbor then at work then somewhere at shopping mall ,then wherever he does not think right triggered by media and resources he can access from cafes and star buck who give this freedom so easily . Then we try to calm the mind which is already bombarded with so much negative information all over the world .

Answer 6

I like your idea and have though of this myself.

I am a computer professional of 18 years.

I would have a really nice website with flash featuring the things You have to offer which should be some of the latest technology.

You should find your target customer and the things they use there systems for.

Unfortunately a new business has allot of hurdles to overcome and word of mouth is going to be one of your best advertising at first.

I would consider donating a system to key target customers with influential connections.

Also service is one area that would have to be top notch.

Anyone that has problems could be a disaster to your reputation and we all know how the affluent like to be pampered...of course for a price.

I would say that donating a system to another business who has established customers with your target customer could be essential...of course with the intention of displaying a system or kiosk with your advertising in mind.

I think that that could be accomplish with taste.

Perhaps even a kiosk at an upscale shopping mall.

I would be interested in seeing your establishment but I am glad you did not use this forum for the purpose of advertising.

That really irritates me and I would have reported you!



Good luck and send me an e-mail about your business!

Answer 7

OK, if flyer billboards etc are already being explored, have you considered something like a 'buy one get one free' or a competition that maybe would attract people into your store?

You could do something really cheap like a raffle. The question or whatever you choose could be really easy so more will be correct but it will convince them to take the chance and enter the competition, in which they can only apply 'within' store. The prize wouldn't have to be that expensive and the raffle tickets could even be free and attached to flyers so all they have to do is bring in their ticket when apply.

The idea there is to attract them to the shop to enter, while there other things may catch their attention.



A quick idea but venture the mind, people love freebies and prizes especially if got a good chance of winning

Answer 8

Computer equipment (for the most part) has become a commodity market, where price is a major consideration at the point of purchase, not anything else. The only "premium" type of equipment out there nowadays comes from Apple. Linux-heads generally are more pragmatic and utilitarian when it comes to hardware, and Windows boxes are a dime a dozen.



Advertising is the least of your worries. If you're trying to find a reason for people to shop at your store, make sure that your service is top notch. Ensure that your staff is courteous, knowledgeable and will go that extra distance. That's how you'll differentiate yourselves from the CompUSAs. It seems like the demographic you're aiming for are rich kids with a lot of disposable income that will spend Daddy's money to buy Alienware hardware and $120 Antec power supplies. My concern is that regardless of how high the margin is, will there be enough volume to make it a viable business?



As far as getting your name out, word-of-mouth references are often the most powerful, and you can usually only get those after you've established yourself as a top-notch service organization. Seed your services by perhaps doing some freebee service work at a church or school, and hand out lots of business cards. Get involved at your Chamber of Commerce. Go door to door near your business neighbors and ask them if you can help them out with anything, and don't charge them at first.

Answer 9

Okay, I've looked over the other answers, and I see that they're all tossing some good ideas into the hat, but still missing the mark a little.



Your new store doesn't need to draw customers or entice customers or whatever...your new store needs to be a place people have simply GOT TO GO SEE. Dude - we have to go see this place!



There are simplistic things you could do to make it a must-see place, like installing a waterfall and having loose exotic big cats wandering around with the occasional customer getting eaten in bloody carnage, but that's just not big enough.



What you want to do is draw the news media. Not a "media day" hype thing, but a rush of news vans, lights, reporters trying to get to you to ask questions, helicopters circling overhead, live feeds to the networks, etc.



You need ... [drum roll] ... a hostage standoff!



Shots fired, people screaming, a sensational trial, all with the title Big X Computers Murderer. The Big X Computers Murderer indictment. The Big X Computers Murderer arraignment. Big X Computers Murderer trial. The aftermath of the Big X Computers Murderer incident.



Yeah...that's it.

Answer 10

I think the best way to promote your store is to advertise in key social venues such as the movie theater, the mall and bowling alley. The key is to make an imprint of your name when potential clients or customers are in a realxing mode. This way they will remember and dare to try out your services.

Another key investment is sponsorship. If you sponsor an event in your local area or give your name to a venue when you sponsor it it will create an image for your store as a serious business.



Create a catchy slogan and focus on your the look of your logo. Combined your logo and slogan will be unique which creates a customer base and repeat business. I would have to agree with the mascot idea which you can then include in your slogan in the form of a commercial or part of the logo.

The web is also a great tool to reach out to a universal customer base.

Answer 11

Create and sponsor an annual city-wide LAN party for gamers. Rent out a hotel conference room if need be, but be sure to host it with lots of free pizza, snacks, and Bawls energy drinks (or red bulls). Be sure to offer GOOD prizes for the winners, as well as holding a raffle for a new PC or high-end graphics card or something of the sort. You could even set up a small booth at the party to sell some of your stuff (at discounted prices of course). Just make sure you carry the goods that the kids are going to want for their gaming machines:



1) top of the line video cards (SLI Geforce, ATI)

2) top of the line RAM (OCZ, Geil, Corsair)

3) good cooling solutions for overclockers

4) lots of other little cool tweaks that the kids can overclock with



You could also create and sponsor a LAN team and have them wear T-shirts with your logo at gaming events, etc..



You will win over the kids' approval by hosting events like this, as opposed to just plain old advertising. Also, to get the word out about the LAN Party, radio ads, newspaper ads, and strategically placed should do the trick.



If you're not sure how to referee or judge the winners of the LAN party, go attend a LAN party in your area (if you can find one) and watch and learn undercover =)



Good luck.

Answer 12

I would suggest that you hire a PR person and get them to organize a classy event (something like a cocktail party combined with a shop launch would be good). While the party is something you can probably organize on your own, where the PR person comes of great use is their contacts. After all at the end of the day, it's the quality of the people whom you invite that will make or break the event. So start by researching PR /Corporate Communication/Marketing Communication companies as well as individuals and see who has done a similar job successfully and then take it from there.

Answer 13

The one important thing to know about "upscale" people is that they expect to feel special. They like to believe they personally know the owners of the shops in their community and they like to know that local shop owners contribute to the community. Sponsor local events such as golf tournaments where your name will be mentioned or your banner displayed. Get out there and schmooze with those you will be catering to. Once you are on their good side, they'll give you their business.



Many upscale communities have a bin with their residential mailboxes where local businesses can place advertisements. These are often stuffed with fliers and printouts, so be creative if you advertise this way. One local real-estate agent placed his advertisement on a pack of wildflower seeds to place in the bins.



A local car dealership ran a contest to win a car in which they placed a small tube containing a key in the mail bins and one of the keys won a car. Perhaps run a similar contest in which a key unlocks a laptop. Whatever you decide, it needs to attract attention in the first place, and bring people in in the second place.



If you do a grand opening event, forget cheesy mascots - if you use a mascot it needs to be upscale and reflect the ambiance of your boutique. Hire a catering service to serve fancy snacks on fancy platters carried by fancy well-dressed waiters.



Another idea would be to offer discs or mini discs with your advertising image on the label and useful information or tools on the disc. You can include something like simple business tools, golf computer games, golf training tips, tools for online investing, etc. You can also package these in a simple paper sleeve with your advertising image on the cover and place them in the residential mail bins.

Answer 14

upscale means that you are charging very high prices. 'that caters to the niche of the affluent...' means aiming at rich people who can afford to pay exorbitant prices. Best way to do that, actually is by word of mouth. You have to make it 'trendy' cuz rich people like trendy stuff and places that are not 'common'. You have to develop a 'clientele' so that it becomes a 'status symbol' to have your name on something. If middle class people can't afford it, and it means the buyer has 'made it' then it is 'class'. So be careful who you get word out to. You don't want just the hoi poloi in there.

Answer 15

Give a class on computer use at local "adult education" schools. In our area it would be the junior college. You can charge enough to cover your costs, and the customers get accustomed to your favorite machines and software. If you do a good job, when they have a need they come to you. The same applies to a "local access" Cable TV channel, where you should not "advertise" but you certainly can put on a show discussing the latest products.

Answer 16

The most effective way is to combine your advertising with sales, discounts, giveaways and return cards with future discount of 10% or more off any purchase. It gets people attention even if they were not in the market for a computer. A sale with great discounts is a fantastic motivator. The return discount card is to ensure they return at least once. You can even (if you can afford it) give each customer one card to give a friend with a 5% discount for their first visit. You can run the promo for a limited time (30 days or more), depending on your overhead etc.



Good luck.....

Answer 17

My suggestion would be to take a look at the businesses around and and run a cross promotion. It could be something as elaborate as having a "The Ultimate Reformat" block party or as simple as putting your flyers on the boxes of the pizza place next door.



You might also consider something like setting up a LAN party as gamers usually have high end machines and are always willing to spend more money to keep them current.

Answer 18

For an upscale store and neighborhood like this, you need something classy and upscale for your advertising. Maybe a live jazz combo playing in your store and giving away some good coffee and fancy cookies for a Saturday afternoon open house?

Answer 19

Well, in order to promote your business you have to make it sound interesting and worth people's money even though it is upscale. You have to understand that people are not going to waste there money on something boring or expensive. Promote your business over the Internet, create a website if you really want people to know about your store, tell everyone you know and tell them to tell there friends and so on, put up posters everywhere, so people can see it. I would love to find out what the name of your business is. I love computers! Best wishes to you guys and your business!

Answer 20

Find very upscale power lunch restaurants in your area. Many sell

small advertising spaces on the back of their restroom stalls.

It's a great place to be featured because you have their undivided attention. Also, seek referrals from noncompeditive businesses in the area. To receive more referrals offer a gift certificate as a thank you.

Answer 21

We do this once a month you run a essay contest on diff local subjects because we are a photo restoring shop we give one set of family pictures to the winter every month the school kids line up to see the subject an there winters yes if they include pictures that is a plus.WE buy pictures for our post card div. so as we pick a subject we keep that in mind



This a win win contest for a third world country

may be you could give away classes

Answer 22

Well it depends where are you located ?? You have to taylor your ads too who you want as ur primary costumers..Maybe a local tv spot, flyers, newspaper ads...why don't you advertise on the net too you can reach millions of people from many countries if you run ads on myspace and other net sites...maybe create banners soo people will click on it.. but make ur ads simple and witty ...that will caught people attention without overloading the person with too much info... make business cards and pass them out.. but the best way to adverties is word of mouth one customers tells another who tells another..You have to have the money to buy spots on tv, radio and others...but moderate ur ads don't push too hard and fast cus then people will get sick of the ads... make a sign in front of ur store and offer discounts for the first few months.. just to get the name out there...



Hope i can help.

Answer 23

If you are catering to Linux users, you need to find them. They usually have local user groups. Find their boards, and post there. They are sort of like hearding Cats though (sorry for the pun). Currently they can be found on any board that mentions the word SCOX They hate that company. Use that and Linux and your location in a Google search, and you will probably find them. I would do it for you, but you never mentioned the 'where' part of it.



If you want a flavor of what is going on, try www.InvestorVillage.com Account is free, the Stock name is SCOX, dive in.



Regards,



-Dio

Answer 24

Free advices to customer, free repairing for any PC that got problem, even that those PC are not from your store. You gotta pay a lot of money, but I'm sure that your company/store will be known widely. In Vietnam, a small company PC-seller name Tran Anh has followed that way, and now, this company is one of the most widely-known company in Vietnam

Answer 25

Advertise on Car decal (serially numbered) with a promised of lucky number drawn, to own attractive high tech gadgets. People who has spotted a special numbered car decal (chosen by you) will also gets to get a consolation prize, such as pen, notes pads , vouchers to be used on certain amount of purchase and so on. This way you get people in the participation and an understanding of your business.

Answer 26

Advertise you are giving away 1 share of class A. Berkshire Hathaway Stock.... I think your store will be flooded with the type of clientele you would like to have. Or you could give away Princess Di PurpleBeanieBabies as a consulation prize.aaaarrgghhh aaaarggghhhh

Answer 27

Sell some items on ebay and open up an online store there. Only problem is, you'll have to handle some price competition. Have you considered that bleeding edge techies that know operating systems other than OS-X and WindowsWhatever are usually able to build their own machines from bare bones up?

Answer 28

Create a theme and an image that gets visually and mentally implanted in peoples minds. Think Gieco Insurance and the lizard. Also, develop a website if you haven't already. Then implement an SEO program. Search Engine Optimization.......look into this.

Answer 29

It will help to eat where they eat, and also drink where they drink.



It would also help to give your current affluent customers special treatment for referring other customers like themselves.



However..........special service should be a given. So in what way would you treat a current affluent customer that refers other worthy clients; if you have already given them the best possible service you could provide??



I say a THANK YOU is good enough.

Answer 30

1. The Un-windows store (computers that work for you - instead of computers that expect you to wait on them).

2. Life beyond Microsoft (the elegance of simplicity - why should you have to deal with the geeks at Microsoft Tech Support?)

3. PC Alchemy

4. the E boutique

Answer 31

you can always put out advertisement on t.v, the Internet, and on billboards. make it seem like its the best and make it seem as if young or old people can use this. you should give ways how this system is the best and you just mainly have to think inside the box, and think if some one was trying to sell me something what would they have to do, or what would it take me to bye it. for example think of something that you bout what made you buy it.

Answer 32

business cards posted in grocery stores and upscale restraunts

help a lot.



call the local chamber of commerce and get

an interview done for the local paper.



having a raffle for a great sytem that features

your equipment will draw floor traffic.



good luck!

Answer 33

Send Flayers out to every1 you know pin em up on bulletin boards and business cards with a advertising animal or some kind of happy creature~

Answer 34

get surveys from the customers to invest in the publics requests and advertise and supply those products in the rear of the stor . they would have to pass other merchandise as they walk through and 1/5% of the time they will grab some other items as well.

Answer 35

I'd say your in the wrong business. My computer lasts 3 or 4 years. When I can't fix it myself - I go and buy a new one. I look for the cheapest price when I buy too - meaning I go to Wa-Mart or Circuit CIty or shop the internet. You can't compete with those folks.

Answer 36

get some really awesome enthusiastic employee and put him in a computer costume with flyers. he could stand out in the street and hand the flyers out

Answer 37

Every computer geek young and old ... they want one thing... we'll well exclude sex, but other than sex they want on thing and one thing only... to Frag, host either weekly or bi-weekly LAN parties, this will get the word out within the computer community(target consumer) in a hurry, hold monthly tournaments that players have to pay to take part in and offer prices.



personally being in IT I wouldn't and don't shop mom and pop, but good luck to you guys!

Answer 38

On line, post it at colleges and dorms,thrifty nickel ads, have a plane fly over town with a banner with your store name and addressee, mail in store coupons to residences in your area, call your area news and tell them it"s your grand opening, put your ad on the Jumbo Tron at your baseball stadium or football stadium.Hope it helps!!

Answer 39

Why don't you just spread the word through relatives. What you should have done is a grand opening of your store...that would have caught attention.



Anyways, try hiring an ad agency. they probably have better ideas than I will ever have :))

Answer 40

i suggest some kind of a mobile advertising.

it might cost you a lot.

try to put a graphic ad of your store on a bus. i mean, the whole side, both left and right. it's big, bold & mobile. or,

try to sponsor a motocross or BMX team or rider. or, an skateboarder.

Answer 41

Make up a character or mascot for your shop. Maybe have him stand out front and hand out flyers or entice people to come inside.

Answer 42

yellow pages of phone book, big sign on farm land property where people can see it,newspaper,advertiser,inc paper,flyer's,out of state papers, get it on your own website,have customers advertise by bringing you in 5 new names when those people purchase your items then give the person who got you the new customers a discount or a movie voucher, or meals voucher. magnets to customers,pens with your business,match books with your business names, business cards,TV commercials. advertise by having your business written on one of your vehicles with phone number this is great my boyfriend gets alot of business this way. word of mouth.bulletin boards. free scheduled maintains contracts. Christmas cards. advertise on your local cable channel.this is highly effective. it goes out to alot of people. here it is $6.00 dollars for 2 weeks $12.00 a month. after your name is out you can then cancel. better business bureau. radio advert zing(sponsor the homeless,or missing children,domestic violence,etc then at the end of the advertisement they give your business name and address.make sure your name is on the computers when others see this they will call you. especially one that is sold i notice this off of things in others homes and call to purchase myself. more ideas e-mail me [e-mail] also,advertising stickers.

Answer 43

if you have an upscale computer store then use some upscale money for advertising. guaranteed to work every time. especially if you have all you say you have.

Answer 44

Have some 'cool' stickers with your logo and store name printed on them. Then on the back, have your address, website, etc. Distribute them at local, trendy hotspots like coffee shops.

Answer 45

A really BIG inflated compute with a smile on it and waving it outside or near your store, free sample (can be anything)

Answer 46

Read some tips and articles on advertising

Answer 47

A guy in a chicken suit. Folks love giant chickens. It's a fact. Look it up.

Answer 48

Some coffee shops post advertisements on their coffee cups. See if you can have one for your store posted.

Answer 49

lease a Rolls Royce and plaster it with one of those big wrap around vinyl printed stickers with your logo and whatever.. and market your store as the "Rolls Royce of computer stores"



- I dunno something like that - Rolls Royce will no doubt involve trademark issues if you market with their name - but a high end luxury car like taht will ceratinly draw attention..



but further to the other poster's comment - she's right - you really should hire a professional!

Answer 50

write in spray paint on the side walk along with an arrow that says "this way to computers"

Answer 51

You can try to make a big sign with lights.

For Example:

(Your Name Idea)' S

COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC STORE

Answer 52

Offer FREE classes. Everyone is not created equal when it comes to computers.

Answer 53

Have your husband down load his scuzzy in a bit stream.

You're in business? And you have to ask a dumb question like that?

Answer 54

In lieu of flyers, imprint CDs with your logo and info.

Answer 55

Whatever you do, no false advertising, own up to your mistakes and generate trust with your clients.



Hope that helps.

Answer 56

you could put a character crying or sad and have him say " these r tears of joy bcause the prices are lower than walmarts" or somethin like that

Answer 57

Thats what your customers will be paying UPSCALE prices for....for you to be the brains of the operation. GEEZ!

Answer 58

give out free food, everyone likes it. and play really popular music in the store.

Answer 59

make flyers or get some one famouse to advertise it for you

Answer 60

Have you thought about sending spam messages to your client's email inboxes?

Answer 61

you could have a sale and give out cute flyers, you could have a party!?

Answer 62

Sell it

Answer 63

have your friends tell their friends about it etc. word will get out fast!

Answer 64

Geeky girls in bikinis.

Answer 65

how about mixing it up with an wine tasting ...

Answer 66

advertise! advertise! advertise!

Answer 67

do you only sell macs?