Insights from Customers at a Shaved Ice Stand

I came across this article this morning. It's from 2006, so it is old. However, what struck me as most important about the entire article was the quotes from customers. There are some good nuggets for insight in this article. It's always helpful to know what your customers are thinking.

I would encourage you to take a moment and read this article. I consider this one of those "magic lanterns" for concessionaires. It's just an opportunity to gain more insight into how you may be able to serve the absolute best products to your customers.

Holiday Gift Idea

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Another Unique Take on Cotton Candy

I also found this interesting blog post at Annna.net discussing cotton candy. Not only does she have some great cotton candy pictures (check out the huge witch hat), but some cool video as well.

Enjoy!

A Unique Version of Cotton Candy

Here's a twist on normal cotton candy that sounds pretty tasty to me! Check out this article about Maple Cotton Candy that is sold in North Carolina at the State Fair. It may just inspire you to get creative with your products and menu!

Proselytes: Creating "Evangelists" for Your Company

So, we're ready to delve into proselytization. But first, what does that mean? After looking through several definitions, I decided that the best one I could find was just what Guy Kawasaki used: "the process of converting others to your belief, doctrine, or cause." Most likely, you have heard the term proselyte or proselytize connected with religion. While it is most commonly used in conjunction with religion, it is certainly a word that may be used in other circles. In our case, we're going to apply it to creative marketing.

"Proselytization, or evangelism, represents the core of branding for startups in today's highly competitive world, in which information is free, ubiquitous, and instantaneous. The art of branding requires creating something contagious that infects people with enthusiasm, making it easy for them to try it, asking them for help in spreading the word, and building a community around it." Guy Kawasaki

How do you apply this to shaved ice, snow cones, and cotton candy? It's not hard when you start thinking creatively. Guy goes on to list some product characteristics which will help generate the positive "buzz" that you want for your business.

1. Cool. Your product/company needs to look appealing.
2. Effective. Your product has to produce positive results. In our case...it has to look good and taste good!
3. Distinctive. Your product has to be different and unique from that of your competitors. Signature flavors, unique combinations, different presentation...something creative.

There are more characteristics that he lists, but these three are the easiest and what I feel the most important ones that apply to concessionaires. These three characteristics are, I think, directly related to your products. There are several articles in the blog that touch upon using quality ingredients, excellent equipment, and unsurpassed customer service. I would encourage you to go back through some of the older articles and re-read some of those posts.

We have also touched upon ways to introduce your company to potential customers. Free Day is one of the best ways that we have found to create the 'evangelists' we're discussing now. Community involvement is another critical way to grow your business. Schedule fundraiser nights at your stand for Little League Baseball or Softball teams, a church youth group, Boys and Girls Club, the list is endless. This only leads to bringing in more and more people to your location, which ultimately will yield routine customers...some of whom will become the best advertising and referral tools your business will ever have.

In the past, we discussed the concept of rewarding those loyal customers through the use of loyalty cards. This is something that every customer enjoys. The idea of getting something for FREE is always appealing!

During your off season, I would encourage you to think about your products and what you can do to make them unique and appealing. Also think about strategies to increase the public's awareness of your business. Creative work in these areas of your business will yield long term customers and boost profits for your company. It's well worth the time invested!

Branding: What's Your Plan?

Branding is a critical component of any company's marketing strategy. Since the fall and winter are the off season for most concessionaires, I thought this would be a good time to put together some information on the subject of branding. My goal is that you will be able to use the off season to think about your own branding and how effective it is for your business. In doing this, you have some time before next season starts to work on new marketing strategies to effectively reach more customers.

In the past I have mentioned Guy Kawasaki here in the blog and recommended his book to you, "The Art of the Start." I still highly recommend that you purchase the book and read it. The following information about branding is taken from one of the chapters in his book. I want to take some of the points he makes and expound on them a little bit as they relate to concessionaires.

Guy brings out five major points that are critical to branding, 4 of which are well known, universal marketing principles. The fifth point that he brings in is what I think is extremely important to concessionaires.

1. Product
2. Place
3. Price
4. Promotion
5. Proselytization

Throughout the blog and in our business manual, Cold Cash, we discuss points 1 through 4 at length. However, we have only touched on a few ideas related to point number 5: Proselytization.

In the interest of not creating a HUMONGOUS article, I'm going to stop here and create a new article that solely discusses Guy's fifth point.

Thanks!

12 Volt Shaved Ice and Snow Cone Machines

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1-800-Shaved-Ice.com features 5 12v Shaved Ice machines and 3 12v Snow Cone Machines! These powerful, heavy duty machines are perfect those concessionaires who need to have completely portable set ups without worrying about an on-location power source. All of these machines will operate perfectly from a heavy duty, deep cycle battery.



So, if you need to have true portability in a shaved ice or snow cone machine, please visit 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com for more information about these fantastic machines. Now's the perfect time to purchase one while our fall sale is running too!