3 BIZ LESSONS COFFEE SUBSCRIPTIONS CAN TEACH YOU
T he prospect of having coffee delivered directly to your home every week without fail is an enticing one. No one wants to wonder where their next cup is going to come from. This demand made subscription services a no- brainer for companies like Driftaway coffee. More and more businesses are turning to subscription-based services, and coffee is no exception. Considering the predictable revenue source it provides and the sense of community fostered between consumer and business, it’s easy to see why. Here are a few things you can do to keep up with the industry’s move toward subscriptions. UP QUALITY AND ADD VALUE With some coffee subscriptions, subscribers can opt to have a bag delivered directly to their door from the company itself. This kind of service not only adds a personal touch; it offers more predictability, so the customer knows when they’ll receive their next bag. Some companies even include samples of new roasts to try. How will your service add value to your clients? Could you do weekly check-ins or include a bonus template that’s not available to nonsubscribers? Give subscribers the inside treatment they’ve signed up for. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUSTOMIZATION Although this is a subscription, each one doesn’t have to be identical. The most popular coffee subscription companies
offer consumers a few choices: Whole beans or ground? Dark roast or light? The same variety each week or a surprise waiting for you in the mailbox? Customization helps consumers feel like you’ll provide services that fit their needs. What you choose to customize might depend on your industry. Maybe it’s the number of one- on-one meetings they have with you or a logo customized specifically for them. Go for quality over quantity. Too many options can also be overwhelming. CREATE BUY-IN Like the community-supported agricultural programs before it, a key part of coffee subscription is feeling like you’re part of something bigger — a community. When they drink that cup of coffee, subscribers think about the farmers featured on the bag. Driftaway Coffee takes this one step further. Their website includes a “Farmers Feedback” button, where members can share their thoughts about the coffee directly with the farmers who grew it. It’s that sense of community and relationship that clients crave when they sign up for your service. Their interactions with you and your staff, from email to in-person meetings, should be positive and easy to access. Put systems in place to create channels of open communication between you
and your clients. After all, they’re already your fan, so let them become the No. 1.
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. • 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt DIRECTIONS
the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes.
4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
3. In a small saucepan over low
heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add
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