How Do You Organize a Ribbon Cutting for Your Business?

If you’re brand new to an area or are just opening a business, a ribbon cutting is a solid way to make everything official. It is the perfect opportunity to get the community together to celebrate another economic win. But how do you put one together and what’s necessary for it to be successful?

 

Organize a Ribbon Cutting in 5 Easy Steps

1. Contact your local chamber of commerce. They are the ribbon cutting people, after all. They will walk you through their steps. If you don’t have a chamber or don’t have a relationship with a chamber, you’ll have to host a ribbon cutting on your own. If that’s the case, you’ll need to:
2. Select a date that is in keeping with your goals. If you’re looking to bring in foot traffic an evening or weekend time slot is fine. If you’re hoping the mayor and other community VIPs will attend, try scheduling it during traditional business hours during the week. Make sure you give some thought to other things going on in your community at the same time. Sometimes competition brings foot traffic. Other times it detracts from your event.
3. Use swag. You’ll want giveaway swag for your big event and all your attendees but you could also order flags, banners, employee shirts, table cloths, even branded ribbon to cut through for your ribbon cutting. If you’re not going through a chamber, don’t forget the scissors.
4. Market and contact the local press. If the chamber isn’t doing your ribbon cutting, you’ll have to do all the marketing on your own. Use all of your social media platforms, print and video. Don’t forget targeted advertising to reach your desired audience. When you contact the local press don’t just tell them you’re having a ribbon cutting. Explain to them what is so special about your business. Tell them your story. The press needs stories not advertisements so frame it that way. Also, do your research and find out who covers business in your area. Sending your event information to the person who can best use it is more likely to result in success on your end.
5. Invite everyone you know. Make sure you tell everyone you know about the ribbon cutting and let them know why they should come. Being clear about what’s in it for them will bring a larger crowd. Are you giving away free food? Is there a discount on services or products that day? Are you having door prizes or swag?

 

Finally, build on the momentum from your ribbon cutting. Post it to social media. Create content from it in multiple media formats. You put in a lot of work to arrange a ribbon cutting. Make sure you don’t let people forget you after that initial effort.

The easiest way to arrange a ribbon cutting is to go through your local chamber but if you’re on your own, you can still host one. The biggest concern is getting the word out but with social media and signs, you’d be surprised how many people will stop by to learn more about you and find out what you’re offering. Free food is always a big sell as is swag.

Let us know how we can help.