6 Cost-Effective Ways to Market Your Commercial Chocolate Fountains in 2009

Even though chocolate continues to sell well, marketing your commercial chocolate fountain is still important. Following are six ways to increase your chocolate fountain rental business with minimal out of pocket expense.

Sponsor a Charity

Consider volunteering to help sponsor a charitable event by offering one of your chocolate fountains.  This marketing strategy allows you to create an attractive display, as well as feature business cards or promotional material so guests can contact you.  Secondly, from a PR standpoint, potential customers appreciate that your business supports important local or national charities. People like hiring a company who has a social conscience.

Work with a Local Wedding Planner

Since chocolate fountains are especially prevalent at weddings, consider teaming up with a local wedding planner business, especially one that is well-established and possibly has more than one wedding planner. They tell their clients about your chocolate fountain rentals (and catering service if you provide that as well) and you, in turn, tell your clients about them. You can even offer the wedding planner a percentage commission for their referral.  Usually, it's a winning situation for everyone.

Contact Local Restaurants and Businesses Who Host Events

Any restaurant or business that has rooms to rent for parties could benefit from your commercial chocolate fountain rentals. Offer to suggest their venue to your clients if they include your chocolate fountains in the party package. You could also lend them one for an upcoming event so they can see firsthand the positive responses they always generate.  You may even want to give them a "wholesale" discount rate so they can markup the rental price to their customers - generating more profits for all involved.

Rent Space at Bridal Expos

Bridal expos are especially popular and give you instant exposure to hundreds or thousands of brides-to-be.  Rent a booth at the next local bridal expo and set up a beautiful display using a chocolate fountain with a bride and groom topper and a tiered food display. Then, hand out samples and information. You'll not only dazzle prospective brides with your display, but tantalize their taste buds with Sephra's delicious chocolate.  If your local bridal expo has high booth rental charges, then consider splitting the space with another wedding vendor, such as a caterer or florist.

Visit Local Corporations with Samples

Most towns have an area with a concentrated amount of corporate businesses. Since businesses often host corporate events that could benefit from your chocolate fountain rental, talk to a manager and offer to set up a chocolate fountain display in the lobby or a conference room. Then, tempt employees and anyone walking through the door with an eye-catching, professional display and the enticing aroma of chocolate. Of course, have promotional material available, and after the tasting is over, contact the business and offer your services for their next event.

Referral Program

Word of mouth referrals are important, and you can establish a referral rewards program that makes sense for your business. You could offer a discount on future chocolate fountain rentals if a referred client rents a fountain for an event.  Or you can create another type of reward program that ties in with your business and keeps clients coming back with their friends for more.

Marketing your delicious chocolate fountain rental business does not need to be expensive.  With a little creativity, you can easily and affordably increase the exposure for your business in 2009.