Introduction
When you think "cafe" you think warm, cozy, friendly, social and community. A place where people can gather with a common interest and interact with each other. Well, a successful cafe doesn't just happen, there are many factors that contribute to its success. Let's take a look at what a thriving cafe community looks like and discuss some things that you can implement in your own cafe.
Your Brand
Cafe Name and Look
Your cafe name will be the first thing people see, so make sure its good and describes the cafe accurately. For example, "English by Jane" is far more to the point than, "Let's talk". Your name doesn't have to be boring, just appropriate to its function. Likewise, banner and profile images should reflect the cafe's personality and be of high quality.
Set-up
Completing all the set-up steps correctly will ensure you have all the information available for new comers and make you familiar with the cafe tools. It ensures that your cafe runs smoothly and is easy to navigate. Write a great "about" section to let people know who you are and what you offer.
You can take a look at this guide to get the most from your set-up:
Starting a Cafe on Hilokal
Rules and Expectations
Every establishment has rules and expectations that people should follow. This is not to spoil anyone's fun, but rather to set boundaries for social interaction. For example, a few rules or expectations could be:
1. Be kind
2. No swearing
3. Treat others with respect
4. Have a process for reporting unsavoury people
The Vibe!
You are more likely to return somewhere if you were treated well and the atmosphere was pleasant. If there was drama, ill-mannered people or you were ignored, you would more than likely not return (ain't nobody got time for that!). Make sure you welcome new people, send them a personal message, let them know about your classes and what's coming up. Keep up to date with announcements so people are aware of the cafe's direction, possible events etc.
And any drama ... nip that in the bud quickly!
Growth
So, how do you grow your audience? Here are are few tips to help:
Consistency
Be active in your cafe. Engage with members regularly.
Sharing
Encourage members to share your cafe link with their friends or other language learners. If you run a successful cafe people with talk and promote it on their own. Word of mouth can be a big contributor to organic growth.
Promote Others
As your cafe grows promote your most loyal students to help you. They will feel involved and rewarded.
Promote your Cafe
Promote your cafe in your classes or your social accounts so new users can join.
Quality Coffee!
As much as the other points we have covered makes for a good cafe, if the coffee is horrible it will be hard to stick around! Make sure you have great content in your lessons. Always schedule tables in advance so people can see your upcoming classes. If you walk into a coffee shop and there are no tables available, you're going to turn around and find somewhere else to go. So make sure tables are always available!
Conclusion
Simply think about how you would like to be treated and what would make you happy, and then do those things. Your cafe should be a reflection of you. It should be a space that encourages participation and allows for the educational and social needs of it's members to be met.
Now, for another Cappuccino!
