ALT PRO Expo Magazine ISSUE 1

UPSELLING IN SMOKE SHOPS

HOW RETAILERS CAN INCREASE THEIR AVERAGE REVENUE?

The recent increase in the demand for tobacco products and smoking equipment has brought more competitors to the industry. Considering the situation, business owners have to find ways to stand out, expand, and grow their customer base to sell more- and even more.

Making all that possible comes down to their marketing methods and strategy. How a brand communicates with its audience and prospects creates more exposure and determines how much sales it makes. It’s no longer enough to go digital or have a walk-in shop. Nowadays, businesses must explore other creative and innovative avenues to sell more. Getting an edge in today’s dynamic, it’s all about the details.

UPSELLING IN SMOKE SHOPS

4 WAYS TO PROMOTE A SMOKE SHOP AND GET CUSTOMERS TO BUY MORE

Running a smoke shop is not exactly a straightforward task. Unlike any other businesses, Google and some popular social media platforms have strict policies against promoting tobacco and smoking equipment. That makes it hard to run ads or promote products freely, especially in the digital spaces potential customers might inhabit.

However, those are not the only ways to create exposure for a smoke shop. Business owners can still showcase their products in the biggest markets and spaces despite the prevalence of these restrictions within the industry.

Visibility

Prospects are always out there, but it’s unrealistic for a brand to reach every customer individually. Any business looking to grow first needs to consider how to increase its visibility.

Leveraging a company’s local area is one of the best ways to ensure it starts growing. This same tactic saved many brick-and-mortar businesses when the worst of the pandemic shut down many physical companies.

It’s not just about having a walk-in shop; it’s about increasing its presence. Business owners should take advantage of any opportunity to get the word out about their store, whether that comes in the way of displaying different pointers, like flags, fly banners, and other signs to announce their presence.

One of the most critical aspects of increasing online visibility is staying on top of local search engine results through SEO. Many paid ads services now also have geo-fencing tools that allow specific areas to be prioritized, effectively cutting down on the competition.

UPSELLING IN SMOKE SHOPS

Keeping track of a customer base

Collecting customer information allows businesses to give their audience more incentive to return. Customers like to feel appreciated, and it’s easier to appeal to an audience already familiar with a company than to sway new people in.

There are many ways to nurture existing relationships. For example, simply creating a campaign list to send emails and other important information goes a long way toward making sure customers feel appreciated.

Hosting Events

People love partying, especially when it is a theme-based get-together. For example, hosting an event specifically for vape lovers and smokers is one way to attract that specific crowd of customers. That means there will be more chances for attendees to spend more in a said smoke shop.

There are many ways to host an event. Some can be held locally or even in collaboration with other businesses so they can leverage each other’s crowds.

Some brands would even sponsor such events once in a while. The key to success here is to include exciting games and items, like live bands, vape competitions, cookouts, and other things that interest a specific target audience.

UPSELLING IN SMOKE SHOPS

Joining Trade Shows

Having a booth at conventions and Trade shows is one of the biggest ways to increase average ticket sales and sell products on the largest markets. These events make it easier for companies to connect with new potential customers, network, and build relationships while increasing their revenue.

Before choosing a tradeshow to exhibit products, it is crucial to know how they operate. While some organize the tradeshow for diverse industries, some focus on a specific industry. Because of the nature of smoke shops and their challenges, it is better to use an organizer that focuses on their particular industry.

Leveraging industry-specific Trade shows

Cigar retailers, CBD product sellers, Smoke shops, and Vape and Hookah stores all face strict advertising restrictions from different angles. As a result, it is not easy to put such businesses out there. Even when business owners find ways to promote their stores online, there are still restrictive rules to worry about.

However, trade shows provide an escape from limited expansion and channels to increase sales for smoke shops and others in the industry.

WRAPPING UP

Marketing a smoke shop can be challenging, but nothing compensates the effort better than a big increase in sales.

Finding what marketing method maximizes resources the most might require a bit of trial and error, but it’s well worth the time and resources.

Finding the right channels to promote products is crucial to the success of a business. Hosting and participating in events is key to this success, as they enable brands to cater to their target audience.

UPSELLING IN SMOKE SHOPS

BRING YOUR SMOKE SHOP TO THE LARGEST MARKETS WITH ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS EXPO

Looking for the best trade show to bring your smoke shop to the largest markets?

Get a booth with Alt Pro Expo to connect with potential customers and sell more. We are not your usual organizers of exhibitions and trade fairs, our events usually target a specific crowd- Those who need your products.

At Alt Pro Expo, we organize events that feature the most sought-after innovative products, brands, and services. Booking our booths will help boost your revenue, increase awareness and generate more leads for your smoke shop business.

S

Stop in the name of the e -law

How alternative product companies stay on the legal side of the internet .

B y: Brendan Loughrey

Inwhat is becoming a classic Covid era origin story, a small group of entrepreneurs turned impossibility into opportunity. “ We had to do something. Our businesses at that time were going to disappear.” states Devin

at Canvast Supply Co.

“We worked in horticulture, including our family’s legacy biomass business. When Covid shut everything down we pivoted to our passion, cannabis cultivation ” Ms Aracena, along with her husband, had made connections with others sharing a unique background they had all previously worked in one of the “capitals of cannabis,” Humboldt County, CA

Soon, the Aracenas, along with co founders Christie & Will Tarleton opened what they hope will one day be their multi generational, cannabis-based business based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Their mission was to do things the right way and create the cleanest products they could cultivate. But working in an

industry as heavily regulated as alternative product consumer goods, they knew they needed to partner with companies as dedicated as themselves if it would ever work.

“Right away, we decided on Token of Trust for age verification.” said the company’s fif th and final co founder, Destiny Young. “With our goals of holding our product to the highest standard, our customer service to the highest standard, we knew our partners had to believe in the same levels of operational compliance

Token of Trust is exactly what we needed ”

A sof tware leader that helps regulated eCom merce businesses comply with the law, Token of Trust Inc, works to help automate age verification, excise tax calculation, state and federal tax collection, and PACT Act regulation compliance.

seller presented his company with a laundry list of regulations. Mr. Winfrey states “We quickly found ourselves dealing with not just one set of rules, but 5, then 10, then 18. Token of Trust was the obvious choice for us to scale our business Frankly, we see them as a member of our team ”

A change in regulations can wreak havoc on any business, but to a smaller business with limited resources, it could be so disruptive as to sink it For many business owners, that is a chance they just refuse to take

Token of Trust knows what they’re doing, are always available to answer questions, and seem to know what is going to happen before it does. They’re lifesavers.”

— Devin Aracena CEO at Canvast Supply Co

“Tax and compliance automation sof tware is an absolute necessity for eCommerce retailers and wholesalers selling regulated products. State-specific regulations on vape, CBD, cannabis, and hemp products have made it run their business online – even forcing some merchants to withdraw their ability to sell into certain states. Token of Trust takes care of that for countless companies throughout North America ” states Darrin Edelman, CEO of Token of Trust.

Adam Winfrey, CEO of Big D Vapor in Dallas, Texas, explains how expanding his online presence as an age restricted, alt pro goods

Canvast CEO Ms Aracena notes, “Having this partner in our ‘brain trust’ helps us see around the corner as to what might be coming up next. Being nimble has been imperative for us to operate so successfully in this space Token of Trust knows what they’re doing, are always available to answer questions, and seem to know what is going to happen before it does They’re lifesavers. As we move into more

them as long term partners They’ve alleviated huge compliance headaches so we can grow our business the way we want to. Honestly, I don’t see how we could have been as successful operating without them ”

Questions about how to grow while staying compliant?

Visit TokenOf Trust .com or Call 833 738 0038

TASTES GREAT AND MAKES YOU FEEL EVEN BETTER

YOU’VE NEVER TRIED HEMP LIKE THIS

GREAT TIPS FORGREAT TIPS FOR PROMOTING A SMOKE SHOP BUSINESS

It goes without saying that it is essential for businesses to promote their products and services if they wish to be profitable. However, this can be quite challenging for smoke shop owners, considering the public’s attitude towards smoking. The matter is compounded by the severe restrictions placed on advertising products in this industry.

However, this doesn’t mean that store owners can’t promote your business successfully.

Here are some great strategies that will help in promoting a smoke shop business, and improve it’s in the process.

FOR PROMOTING

Go Online

Nowadays, going online doesn’t necessarily mean having a website, though it’s a part of doing so. Listing a store on Google Maps will have more of an impact on its reach, allowing local shoppers to find a given store more efficiently.

Simplifying The Shopping Experience

Many smoke shops today resemble hobby shops from the 70’s. We are in a period when most people are accustomed to the tidy, well-lit supermarket-esque stores.

It might not seem like much, but making a smoke shop inviting can make customers feel at ease. Some great ideas include the use of incense, background music, and good lighting.

An overlooked strategy is to have a logical arrangement for the store’s products. It is common practice among smoke shops to have products arranged randomly, with only the storekeeper knowing the location of every product.

A website enables smoke shops to display their inventory, deliver valuable content, and lets users order online. Beyond websites, social media pages enable customers to know what a business is all about. It allows the store to post videos, pictures, and stories to give potential customers an idea of the services and products they have to offer.

CONTINUES

GREAT TIPS FOR PROMOTING...

Using Email Marketing

Creating an email database is one of the excellent ways to get new customers and keep old ones. There are many tools available to gather email addresses from customers or potential customers. This information enables businesses to offer a discount or gifts for them on signup.

Marketing via email is very effective if used correctly. However, incorrect use of email marketing can be very potent in driving customers away. Here are some basic strategies for effective email marketing.

Provide Value

Make Emails Appealing:

Emails should always be visually appealing to your recipients. They should not rely solely on pictures to understand a message. They should be well arranged and easy to read. Use captivating titles that will make them want to know more. Most importantly, they should be kept short and to the point. Most people do not have time to go through lengthy write-ups, so try to make your points in as few words as possible.

Most people get turned off when they feel they are being marketed to. That’s why it’s important to deliver valuable content to your customers from time to time. It can be in the form of a write-up on important issues your customers might be facing.

Address Customers Personally:

Several studies have proven that emails which address users by their names are more effective than those which do not. Getting customers’ names when they sign up for your email service proves to be essential.

Give Bonuses to your Subscribers:

Birthdays and festive seasons are great times to give bonuses and discounts. It is advisable not to include the bonus email in the festive greetings. The email containing the bonus can be sent a bit later, referencing whatever they are celebrating. This will ensure that you are always on their mind when they need to make a purchase.

Always Include Calls To Action (CTAs):

Calls To Action are simply prompts that allow customers to directly access the products or services described in the email. CTAs are particularly effective for those who have an online store, but can also be used to some degree by owners of brick-and-mortar shops.

GREAT TIPS FOR PROMOTING...

A good CTA could go like this: “Get these awesome offers immediately by clicking here”, followed by a link to the products or services. For businesses with an online store, these can include promos with time limits.

Email marketing requires a lot of carefulness and cannot be learned overnight. However, it can increase a business’s reach.

Organize Promotion Events

Hosting events are a great way to get people to check out a store and try its products. These events do not have to be elaborate. A simple vape competition or cookout are great ideas. The options are endless; it can be a radio show, a live band performance, or even a game competition like chess. Ultimately, it’s important to make sure your company’s role and presence are known.

These events are also great times to run promos, such as the classic ‘buy one get one free promos. Store owners can also offer discounts as part of the event. Another great idea for a promotion event is to allow customers to try out multiple products, and then give them discounts on the bundles.

HIre The Right Team

A store’s staff is one of its greatest assets since they will mostly be in contact with most customers. It’s not essential to hire marketing or sales gurus to build the right team. What any company needs it’s people who want to learn and grow

with the business. Encouraging employees to develop skills that they can use anywhere.

Having A Store Membership

A store’s membership is a great way to keep customers coming back. This strategy is used by the largest commerce stores around the world. Basically, it involves giving customers an option to subscribe to a membership program by paying a small periodic fee (usually monthly). Members get exclusive access to bonuses, deals, discounts, and other things which are not accessible to non-members. In addition to being an additional source of income, membership programs ensure that customers remain loyal to a business.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately it’s the sum of small details that leads a business to success.

Learning from other successful people, their stories, their business models, and their mistakes allows you to make better choices. It’s said that imitation is the biggest form of flattery, so combining both networking with the power of internet presence is a combination for success.

WITH OUR

RANKED

TABLETS CAPSULES

OUR EVOLUTION

GET TO KNOW ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS EXPO AND WHAT WE USED TO BE!

Our first ever event was launched in Colombia, to a lively and vibrant audience that left us coming back in the years to come.

After Vape South America’s success in Medellín and growing demands in the city’s skyrocketing vape market, we returned to yet another successful event!

After two consecutive wins, we decided to cross the pond and take over the European vape market! In the end, it proved to be the right choice!

Returning to South America, we dove directly into the blossoming Paraguayan market at Asuncion and kicked off our year the best way possible!

Continuing our presence within Latin America, we hit up the City of the Eternal Spring and its blossoming market once again!

Following Copenhagen, Europe left us wanting more! With vape and smoke shops in every corner of Spain, we knew exactly where to go on our next stop!

After years of working with the vape industry and learning about the growing demands for a Cannabis-focused event, in 2019 we launched USA CBD Expo in Miami!

Next up in our journey across South America, we hit up the capital city of Peru and its enthusiastic audiences who welcomed our show like no other!

Viva Las Vegas! We lucked out at the Gambling Capital of the World with an amazing audience and tons of exciting exhibitors!

Medellín

The best of both worlds collide! We decided to mash up our two events into one dynamic show featuring vaping and cannabis, and the two got along just perfect!

After the pandemic shook our world, we knew our comeback event had to be epic. That’s why we chose Atlanta as our opening event of the year!

The windy city blew us away when our show quickly packed up with exhibitors, speakers and thousands of attendees. This was the moment we decided to transform our event into something bigger: Alternative Products Expo!

Years after our first Florida show was declared a triumph, The Sunshine State once again found its way into our hearts in Broward County!

Once again in the city that has seen our growth like no other, Medellín 2022 has been our largest show to date!

TRINITY HEMP

Trinit y Hemp was for med and founded with the idea of the consumer in mind. Our industr y exper ts br ing a combined k nowledge of 30+ years in the hemp, CBD and cannabis industr ies. Our roots run deep at Tr init y Hemp, and our passion and commitment to creating qualit y and value in our produc ts is the core foundation of what we do.

With lots of other produc ts to choose from you may ask yourself why cho ose Trinit y Hemp?

Q UAL I T Y

To maintain the highest quality standards Trinity Hemp is ver tically integrated. All products are created in-house and never outsourced. Trinity Hemp’s Motto is “Quality Never C ompromised” this is not only a bench-mark for our products, but also for how we conduct business and treat our par tners and customers

S AT I S FAC TIO N

to your customer needs. Your satisfaction is our top priority

VA LU E

We strive to deliver high quality products that increase the value proposition for retailers and consumers. We keep our

TESTIN G

TIME L INES S

When you ’ re waiting for products you ’ re not making money products purchased from Trinity are shipped within 72 hours.

MARKETIN G M ATER I A L S

We’re happy to provide you with the marketing materials you need to ensure a successful experience for both of us that leaves your customers walking away impressed. it we got you covered

INSU R ANC E

We carr y product liability insurance on all of our products so you can feel safe selling Trinity products

PAC K AGIN G

Our creative team is always at the foref ront of coming up with attractive and uniquely designed product packaging that stands out to the end user

RE L IA B IL I T Y

To ensure quality and performance, we rigorously test all devices we use with our products to ensure quality and performance

VARIET Y of choices.

RETAIL

Packaging designed to maximize retail store’s ROI.

MEDELLIN

RECAP

1. We Have Your Best Interest in Mind

Are Always Available

Inventory is Always Growing

4. We Are Just One Call Away

Trained, personable, and ready to help you solve any issues with your order, our in-house customer service team is just one call away.

5. We Are With You Every Step of The Way

When you order from us, you’ll receive tracking information for all your orders on our website. No need to jump from website to website to get tracking information.

6. We Are Ready To Lend A Helping Hand

Find vape news, the latest in vape regulations, vape business guides that will boost your vape sales, and much more. All in our industry insights content library, updated weekly.

Visit us at www.vaperanger.com

And see for yourself why we are one of the best wholesale distributors in the vape industry.

Seeds are sold as collectible souvenirs. They must not be used in conflictwith local, state or national laws. 1776 Naturals accepts no responsibility orliability for the misuse or germination of this product.