Not many businesses haven’t felt the effects of COVID-19, and the mobile bar business is no different. Events-based businesses have taken a hit, largely because lockdown orders and restrictions on events means there haven’t really been many events to get business from. As mask-mandates and vaccines are helping to open the country back up, businesses will again be sought after for their services, but there are plenty of things that have changed.
Today, we will take a look at how to ease into the transition to a post-COVID-19 world so you and your business can thrive.
1. Expand Your Horizons
There are many types of events you can tap into — maybe you’ve just done weddings previously, and that was enough before COVID. But now, you may need to broaden your scope to bring in some extra income. Branch out and start doing pop-ups, craft markets, farmers markets, gallery openings, etc. There’s a whole world of interesting events to reach new customers with and make your business boom again.
2. Mask Up
Masks are now a fixture of households, next to our keys and wallets. While sometimes they may be cumbersome, wearing masks ensures your customers you are following protocol and respect the space you are sharing. Make it fun and personalize your masks or make some to sell as merch as well! While masks may be a new accessory for everyone now, they don’t have to be boring or restrictive!
3. Disposable Drinkware
Selling perishables and drinks can make contamination an issue, so using plastic (recycled if possible) drinkware is a good way to make sure contaminants aren’t going to be a problem. Always keep up to date on your locations’ health code updates when it comes to COVID-19 as they may change due to new local measures being issued.
4. Get In Touch With Local Event Venues/Contacts
Many venues will start opening and keeping up contacts for when they may need you at an event or extra help is key. Being well-known in your community is a fantastic asset as people talk and you could be recommended for events you didn’t even know about! Now is the time to get in the good books of your local hotspots so that you’re top-of-mind when it comes time to throw their next event.
5. Promote Your Heart Out
It is so important to stay up to date on trends. Maybe dragon fruit is all the rage, so make a dragon fruit infused cocktail and market that delicious drink as much as you can. Make a TikTok account and post videos of your skills, putting your spin on classic cocktails. You don’t need a focal point if you are a little camera shy, make your business and what you sell the star! Get the online community talking and creating buzz for you for free! Consider hiring a marketing firm if you need to put a little extra pizzazz into your media this season. Start a blog about your business or your events. Let people know how you stand out from the crowd.
6. COVID-Compliant Events
As the country opens up and allows for larger and larger gatherings, make sure your business is aware of the protocols for the area you are in. Keep your customers happy by showing them you will be safe during their event, no matter how big or small. Post your rules (or the event rules) on or near your trailer, so that every set of eyes knows how they may interact with you and your team to keep themselves and your staff safe. When drinks are involved, inhibitions can run wild, so you may have to be extra vigilant so your customers can chicken-dance the night away.
7. Stay Positive
You aren’t a failure because a pandemic came and locked away your clients for a year. It is important to know that everyone is struggling to get their business back to where it was and you should be proud of where you are and how far you’ve come. You could see some slower times due to not as many events, but now is the time to keep pushing! The country is opening up and you are going to be dishing out drinks at this season’s hottest events before you know it.
8. Follow The Competition
If there’s a business that is killing it in the mobile bar game, make sure to take pointers and see what they are doing right and wrong. There’s always new things to learn and grow from when you have healthy competition in your field.
9. Branding Is Important
Make sure to have some fun extras for customers to buy. Create clever and Instagram-worthy branded items that come with every drink, whether that be a screen-printed cocktail napkin or your logo seared into every fruit rind garnish. Team up with local artists and make fun shirts or enamel pins. Supporting local artists and other small businesses can help get the spotlight on your business and get people interested in you, while boosting other local creators as well.
Triple B Has Your Mobile Bar Ready to Roll
If you’re ready to go with your new mobile bar business, we can help you obtain what might be the most crucial tool to your business — the trailer itself.
Triple B Trailers has been in business for over 60 years and we’re here to help you get the perfect trailer to meet all of your and your customer’s needs. Our trailers are bar-ready and come in 6 different models for exactly the setup you need.
Ready to get your mobile beer bar on the road? Check out our website today and take a look at our selection! You handle the paperwork, and we’ll handle getting you the trailer of your dreams.