I am interested in how everyone markets their business. Do you use coupons? Punch Cards? Advertising? Have any gimmicks that have worked in the past for you?

I've recommended using our flower drip trays. Since our trays are so durable, you can offer shave ice refill at a cheaper cost! Make sure you have your shave ice sign out where everyone can see it.

There are various ways to market your business but I found the best way is through word of mouth. It is also probably the cheapest and most efficient way. When I first started, I use to do small events pro bono just to get the word out about my services and my ice. Most of my customers are from referrals from my other customers. Since I am mainly mobile, coupons and punch cards didn't work as well for me. If your business is stationed in a fixed area, mailing coupons and cards to residents and businesses in your neighborhood is a great way to start. But remember, initial impression is very important! So make the shave ice as generous as possible and you will get better results.

I agree with Capitalist! "So make the shave ice as generous as possible and you will get better results." This is so important that I can't agree more! Everyone wants to see that their pennies are well spent. So making generous portions will definitely met your customer's expectation. Aside from pro bono, you can also try contacting your city hall and join their special events. That's a great way to get your name out to your community!

Thank guys for all the tips! This will be my first full season. Last year I opened the last week in June and got in on the tail end of the season here in Texas. I was told by many other shave ice dealers that once school starts in August, you may as well lock up for the winter. That was sooo true! I have a trailer that I set up as stationary thru Mid march to Mid August. After that, I plan to take it to local events. Im thinking in the future, I want a staionary building and have my trailer to use as a mobile unit for flea markets, events, and such only. Gotta make enough money to do that first though!

Wish you the best of luck!

should i go for banners or posters??

Aloha, Here is a little thing that I started whenever I book an event for my services here in Hawaii. When a customer is booking their event and they seen so much referrals that have been booked and paid they receive a 5% coupon for under $1000.00 and 10% coupon for over $1000.00 of all the booking that were paid from the referrals
Here is an example:
You $200.00
then you refer 5 people that all booked and paid $250.00. That's $1250.00 and 10% is $125.00.
So you will then get a $125.00 coupon that will be good on your next booked event. So if 1 of your referrals did the same thing it will be the same for them also. It's a great way to help benefit all clients. And your business benefits with free advertising and increase in income

^^^
Just as Mparty says, word of mouth is the best form of advertising.

watss wrote:should i go for banners or posters??

They are both good! If you have a big open area, you can do both!