What will keep your customers coming back?

[ICP]

In order for your shop to be successful, you will need to have a solid product and something that is unique about your shop. You need some sort of hook to keep customer coming back and spread word of mouth. People need to feel an experience when they purchase your ice cream.

Marble slap was one of the first to use the frozen marble counter tops to add the "mix ins" which added an entertainment factor to getting your ice cream.

Coldstone ice cream scoopers will sing you a song which leaves a lasting memory.

Thats all fine and good, but this place called Amy's ice cream shop in Austin, Texas takes the entertainment factor to a whole new level. It has inspired many people to video the scoopers at Amy's and post it on Youtube - free advertising. Here is what one youtuber had to say about Amy's:

If you've never been to Amy's Ice Creams, I'll break it down:
-You choose your ice cream flavor and size
-You choose what sort of goodies to mix into your ice cream
-Scoopers beat the heck out of your ice cream and mix in the goodies.
-Talented Scoops have fun with your ice cream before handing it over.
If you're ever in Austin... you MUST stop by Amy's Ice Creams on the corner of 6th and Lamar- that's where the ice cream fun always lives!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-KHFqWBR8w


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgqV8JHfv0

Do any of you do something like this in your shop? What makes your shop unique?

[Character & Co.]

The above post had great ideas and I'd like to add another. When customers walk into your shop, they should know IMMEDIATELY that the experience is going to be different...that you are offering more than a cone with some ice cream (which they could get at home cheaper!) -- that you are offering a complete experience of interesting sights, sounds, smells etc that will make an impression.

They should love it so much that they want to feel proud that THEY got to be a part of it and feel connected in a personal way.

I've always thought it would be a good idea to have a photo area, where customers had their photos taken and posted up...there's an strange feeling of ownership/connection that happens when someone sees their own picture (think myspace, facebook etc.). Behind glass on the wall....or I kind of like the idea of under glass on the table tops....makes it interesting to see who was there and just do people 'watching'.. (make sure you take really complimentary, well-lit pics)

Also the whole decor should be fun and unique. And this is where my shameless plug comes in. You MUST check out our website because business decor (custom MENU BOARDS; witty, funky, charming, painted WALL ART, exterior SIGNS etc) is what we specialize in. And they definitely are not your typical signs---you will feel like you just made
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Look forward to hearing from you!