Electric scooters.
You have seen them zipping up and down roadways in your city. They came out of seemingly nowhere to disrupt an already-evolving transportation industry. Like ride-sharing and bike-sharing before, brands such as Bird, Lime, and Blue Duck have made a major impression on users, who view them as an affordable, efficient mode of transport.
If you own a business that sits in the pathway of these electric scooters, you are sitting at a competitive marketing advantage.
Don’t let those dozens, possibly hundreds, of daily scooter commuters pass you by.
Give your marketing the Bird. Here’s how:
Canvas Your Territory
Do you own/operate a retail business located in dense urban areas? Need to get menus, coupons, or other marketing collateral distributed to other businesses, hotels, etc., but walking is too slow or driving is impractical?
Assign an employee – or yourself – to spend 3 hours a week zipping around on a scooter, leaving your marketing material at places of interest. We estimate you can cut delivery time by 75%, reach exponentially more businesses, and have way more fun, of course!
Make Your Business a Destination
Want to make your place of business a destination for scooter commuters? It’s easier than you think.
Create a window of opportunity – ex. 10% off purchase for scooter riders – and promote through social media. Because the scooters are dockless – meaning they can be parked anywhere – make your business a “dock.”
Tell customers: “Dock your Bird here and get _______________ special.” This can be especially effective in tourism-driven cities such as San Antonio, where people are looking for new experiences. The possibilities are endless.
Create a Mobile Billboard
Don’t have a budget for large billboards? Give it the Bird.
Assign an employee or two – or yourself – to wear a branded t-shirt and scooter around your area of business. Pick high-traffic areas, such as tourist attractions or busy office buildings. Have your team zip around for an hour a day and hand out coupons or other incentives. This tactic builds what we call “impressions” and is organic and personable.
Create a “Safe Space” for Scooter Users
While many businesses would frown on having scooters “docked” in front of their business, you can embrace it!
Actively promote your storefront as a “Bird’s Nest,” where riders can park without hassle. You can even tie this into Tip #2. This has an added benefit: The more scooters you have available, means more people discovering your business when they search for a scooter. Find a creative way to bring them into your business before they grab their ride.
These are just a starting point. Electric scooters can open a world of possibility for businesses with limited marketing budgets. With an average price of $1 to start and just $.15 a mile, you can make every cent count, improving your acquisition rate. Please ensure your safety and your employee’s safety. Always wear a helmet and practice the safety rules stated by the scooter provider.
Want to discuss more creative publicity and marketing ideas, contact me at mario@sammisochoa.com or 210.390.4284. Together, let’s give them the Bird! Cheers. -Mario
