13 Affordable Events to Attract New Customers to Your Small Business

I’ve got some awesome ideas to help you bring in new customers to your small business without breaking the bank. Check out these budget-friendly events that are sure to grab people’s attention:

1. Happy Hour Hangout: Why not host a fun after-work gathering? Offer discounted drinks and snacks to entice people to stop by and unwind after a long day.

2. Community Giveback: Show your love for the community by organizing a charity event. Whether it’s a food drive or a fundraiser, people will appreciate your business’s commitment to giving back.

3. Workshop Wonderland: Share your expertise with others by hosting a workshop or a mini-class. Teach people something they’ve always wanted to learn and watch as your business gains loyal fans.

4. Themed Trivia Night: Spice up a regular trivia night by adding a theme. Encourage participants to dress up and showcase their knowledge in a fun and interactive way.

5. Pop-Up Shop Party: Collaborate with other local businesses to host a pop-up shop event. It’s a win-win – you get to promote your own products while attracting customers who are interested in what other businesses have to offer.

6. Art Showcase: If you have a creative business, why not organize an art showcase or gallery night? Display your own work and invite other local artists to join in. People love supporting local talent!

7. Social Media Contest: Get people talking about your business by running a social media contest. Offer a prize or a special discount to winners, and watch as the likes and shares start pouring in.

8. DIY Workshop: Tap into people’s desire to create something with their own hands. Host a do-it-yourself workshop where participants can make and take home their own unique creations.

9. Live Music Jam: Bring some energy and excitement to your business by hosting a live music event. Local bands or musicians will appreciate the opportunity to showcase their talent, and customers will have a blast dancing and enjoying the show.

10. Food Truck Festival: Partner with local food trucks to create a fun-filled food festival. People love trying new and unique culinary experiences, so this event is sure to attract a hungry crowd.

11. Product Launch Party: If you’re launching a new product or service, throw a party to celebrate! Offer exclusive discounts or special offers for attendees, and make sure to generate some buzz before the event.

12. Networking Mixer: Bring local professionals together by hosting a networking mixer. Create a relaxed environment where people can connect and collaborate with others in their industry.

13. Social Cause Event: Show your support for a social cause that aligns with your business’s values. Whether it’s organizing a charity run or participating in a community cleanup, people will appreciate your commitment to making a positive impact.

So there you have it – 13 budget-friendly events to help attract new customers to your small business. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank to stand out from the competition. Give these ideas a try and watch your business thrive!

I want to talk to you about how getting involved in your local community can be super helpful for your business. It’s a great way to make friends and find loyal customers. Hosting a community event is a fantastic way to start building those relationships. The only problem is that events can cost a lot of money, and when you’re just starting out, you might not have the cash to spare.

No worries though! I’ve got you covered. I asked some smart folks from the Young Entrepreneur Council for their ideas on budget-friendly events that any small business can host to attract new customers. Check out their awesome suggestions below:

“Being active in the community is really smart for local small businesses. What’s a cheap and effective event that any small business can host to bring in new customers?”

Ready to hear these awesome event ideas? Let’s go!

1. Value-Aligned Events

I’ve got a great idea for you – organizing a local event that combines education, fun, and giving back. It’s a win-win situation! Let me break it down for you.

1. Education, Fun, and Philanthropy

Events can be a fantastic way to bring people together and showcase your company’s values. Start small, but make sure there’s something worthwhile and enjoyable for everyone. People are eager to get out and socialize again, so take advantage of that desire in a safe environment.

Education, fun, and philanthropy — one or all of those can be packed into a fun local event. Start simple, provide worth and fun and show off your company’s values. Live events are coming back strong and people want to get out and socialize again in a safe environment. Take advantage of that desire. ~ Jeff Cayley, Worldwide Cyclery

2. Contests

If you’re looking to engage the locals and customers, hosting a fun contest is a fantastic idea. Give them a chance to participate and show off their spirit, all while tying it into your brand. There are so many creative options to consider! For example, you could have an Edible Book Festival at your library, where patrons create displays inspired by their favorite stories. Or why not organize a thrilling scavenger hunt that gets people exploring the area? It’s a low-cost option that might even allow you to partner with other local stores.

Host a fun contest where local neighbors and customers can participate. You can tie in the theme to your brand, and invite people to submit entries and show off their spirit. For example, some libraries host an Edible Book Festival and invite patrons to create displays based on their favorite stories. Scavenger hunts are a low-cost option and may allow you to partner with other stores in the area. ~ Duran Inci, Optimum7

3. Shredding Events

You know, on-site shred events are just incredible! They bring people together and really make a difference in our local community. I mean, everyone has a bunch of papers at home that need shredding, right? So why not turn it into a fun occasion and also raise money for a local charity? It’s a win-win situation, I tell ya! My business actually organizes one of these events every year, and let me tell you, it’s a blast and it makes a huge impact in our community. – Kyle Clayton, Team Clayton of RE/MAX Professionals

4. Workshops

Here’s an idea to get involved in our local community – host a free workshop right in your own business space. It’s a great way to get people interested in what you do and what you have to offer. They can come over, learn about all the cool things you teach or do, and maybe even sign up for your services. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with the folks around here! – Andy Pandharikar, Commerce.AI

5. Volunteering

As a small business owner, it’s important for me to take care of my local community and environment. One way I can do that is by organizing fun events that bring people together to make a positive impact.

For example, I could plan an old-fashioned beach cleanup or a garbage pickup along local hiking trails. These activities not only help to keep our environment clean, but they also provide an opportunity for people to connect and work together for a common goal.

When I organize these events, I have the chance to meet people who share a desire to make a positive impact in our community. It’s a great way to form connections and build relationships, all while doing something helpful.

6. Trying Before Buying

Another idea I can implement is sponsoring small community parties and offering samples of my products or services. This allows people to try out what I have to offer before making a purchase.

During these parties, I can hand out flyers and have meaningful conversations with members of the community. It’s important to make sure that the target audience is right for my products or services and that the timing of the event is perfect.

7. Events Based on Hobbies

I’m going to share an idea with you that can help you make a positive impact in your community. It’s as simple as creating a Facebook group centered around a specific interest or hobby. For example, if you have a craft store, you can create a group for people who are passionate about crafting in your area. This group can serve as a platform for people to learn new things, share information, and connect with others who have similar interests. The best part is that you can use this group to strengthen your brand image. As more people join and engage in the group, it will ultimately drive more traffic to your website and attract potential customers.

8. Hosting Events Related to Your Industry

Why not organize an event that is related to your business and will be enjoyable for your customers? If you’re in the health or fitness industry, you could put together a 5K run or another type of sporting event. For those in the food industry, a food or wine tasting event could be a great choice. To lighten the load and increase the impact, consider partnering with other local businesses in your industry to make the event even more exciting. By hosting these industry-specific events, you’ll not only engage with your customers but also showcase your expertise and strengthen your connections within the community.

9. Public Speaking Events

Did you know that small businesses like ours can organize speaking events where our own team members become experts on our products? We can even offer a special discount code as a reward for attending. And after the presentation, we can have a live demonstration where customers can try out our products and have a chat with our experts. This way, we can attract new customers with the promise of a discount and give them the chance to interact one-on-one with industry professionals.

10. Exciting Giveaways

Listen up! How about hosting a contest or giveaway to create a buzz around our brand and bring in new customers? Everyone loves winning prizes, right? By offering this opportunity, we give our audience a reason to participate and spread the word to their friends, who also want a chance to win. It’s a win-win situation!

11. Sports Events

Wanna boost your business? Here’s a cool idea: sponsor a local sports event like a high school or college baseball or football team. It’s a win-win situation because not only does it give you some awesome exposure, but it also gives you the perfect excuse to take a day off and enjoy some sports action! ~ Bryce Welker, Beat The CPA

12. Making a Difference

You can make a positive impact on your community and get your brand noticed by hosting philanthropic events. By supporting a good cause that aligns with your product, you can promote it while also raising awareness and giving back to the community. It’s a great way to build brand recognition and encourage others to join in too! ~ Jared Atchison, WPForms

13. Interactive Online Workshops