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How to make 2023 your most
successful year yet

The Christmas tree has been taken down, the Quality Street have all been eaten, and the excess wine and beer bottles have been strategically put in the neighbour’s recycling bins.

Goodbye Christmas 2022, hello New Year 2023!

We’re not one for new year’s resolutions at Ohm Brew; we’ve broken way too many of them over the years. However, if your resolution is to make your vape store stand out and increase your revenue, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that will help you achieve your goals.

Deep breath… and let’s begin!

Plan ahead

We all have that one friend that writes a ‘to-do’ list every morning and has to consult their calendar to see if they can join you for a coffee.

However, being organised isn’t a bad way to be. Planning in advance means you can prepare for all eventualities and anticipate the future.

Motivational speaker Brian Tracy once said: ‘Every minute you spend in planning saves ten minutes in execution’. We’re pretty confident Brian never had to do a stock take ten minutes before closing, but the point still stands; the more you plan, the more time you save.

Here are some ways you can plan for the year:

Identify the events you want to prepare for

Look at what national and global events are taking place over the upcoming months. For example in 2023, you’ve got the rugby World Cup, Eurovision in Liverpool, the women’s World Cup, and for those who love a bit of pomp and circumstance, the royal coronation.

Pick a few events and see how you can use them to promote your store – we’ve got a guide with a few good ideas here. Then, use social media, blogs, and the local press to tell the good folks what you’re up to!

Don’t forget events like Stoptober, No Smoking Day, and World No Tobacco Day too. These are the perfect opportunities to connect with people that want to stop smoking and give vaping a try!

See what's happening locally

Everybody wants to shop a little closer to home these days, so use this to your advantage. Check the local papers and your council website to see what special/seasonal events are happening over the course of the year. You can then tie your promotions in for a little extra publicity.

For example, check ahead to see when your Christmas light switch on takes place this year. You can then make sure you’re open late, get your promotion in place, and have lots of festive present options available for shoppers.

Think ahead to what's happening in your store

Understand what is happening to your store and staff over the year and how it might affect you. For example, are any of your team going on holiday or planning to go back to college? You can then work out if you need any extra cover or need to take on any additional responsibilities.

You can’t prepare for every eventuality, for example, your favourite supplier running out of stock or your number one staff member quitting. However, by planning for the stuff you know will take place, you have more time to spend on everything else.

Outline your goals

We all have goals in life that we want to achieve. Some are sensible. Others, not so much. Hey, Idris Elba might want to go windsurfing with us in the future… right?

Defining a goal for your vape store gives you something to aspire to. That way, every decision you make will drive you that little bit further towards your grand aim.

Here’s an interesting fact for you; did you know that people that have goals are ten times more successful than those that don’t? People like Jeff Bezos didn’t get to where they are today by winging it after all.

The critical thing is getting your goal right. This is where SMART goals come in. With a SMART goal, you’re putting parameters in place to make sure your ideas are attainable and ensure you can monitor progress. SMART goals are:

You’re creating a goal that is clear and understandable
You’re creating a goal that can be measured and has a tangible outcome
You’re creating a goal that you can definitely attain
You’re creating a goal that is worthwhile and aligns with your efforts and needs
You’re creating a goal with an end date in sight

So for example, let’s say your goal is ‘I want to increase revenue in my vape store.’ While this is an admirable goal to have, it’s not a very clear one.

However, let’s say you use the SMART methodology to adapt your goal to: ‘I want to increase revenue in my vape store by 15% by the end of December 2023. I will do this by promoting new e-liquids to existing customers.’

This is a much better goal as you’ve not only put an outcome and timescale in place, but you’ve said how you will grow your revenue. Gold stars all round.

Here are some ways to ensure you stay on track when it comes to achieving your goals for the year ahead.

Don’t be afraid to break your goal into smaller goals if it makes it easier.
Tell everyone who is willing to listen to your goal, whether that’s friends, family, employees, or the sweet little old lady who lives next door. This makes you more accountable and puts pressure on you to achieve it.
Take time to see how you’re getting on with your goal on a regular basis. That way, you can make changes if you’re not entirely on track.
Keep going! Don’t panic or throw in the metaphorical towel if you’re not quite where you want to be; just persevere.
Celebrate when you achieve your goal – whether that’s a takeaway, a bottle of fizz, or treating yourself to the book you’ve had your eye on for ages. Take the time to think about what worked and what you’d do differently if you had to do it all again.

What will your goal for 2023 be?

Review your marketing

When many people think of marketing, they think of glossy ads in fancy magazines and million-dollar advertising campaigns during their favourite shows.

However, the truth is that marketing is all around us. Even this blog, which is packed full of handy business tips, is a marketing tool! We bet we had you fooled for a second there.

One out of every ten small businesses doesn’t invest in any kind of marketing, with 36% of small businesses not even having their own website. This means that if you utilise marketing correctly, you can get the edge over your rivals.

You can use marketing to your advantage when it comes to your vape store, and the good news is, that there are lots of different marketing channels you can take advantage of. So why not review your current marketing strategy and see if there are any new marketing ideas you can add to the mix?

Websites and blogging

You might think you don’t need a website if you don’t sell vaping equipment online, but a well-designed and structured website can be a great way to drive customers to your store.

You can use your website to:

  • Target the keywords that prospective customers might use to find your business and help you appear on the first page of the search engines
  • Showcase the products you sell as well as your unique selling point as a vape store
  • Introduce your business as a thought leader in the vaping industry
  • Increase brand awareness and boost credibility
  • Get an advantage over your local competitors

So if you haven’t got a website, make 2023 the year you get one! The good news is that it’s easy to create a website. Just choose a domain name and platform (for example, WordPress) and get building! Alternatively, you can get someone to create an awesome site for you.

Social media

Social media is an excellent option for vape stores as it’s low-cost, easy to manage, and means you can target a wide range of customers.

While you can’t take advantage of paid social media ads as a vape store (sorry!), you can use free social media accounts to promote your business and the products you sell. You can even partner up with influencers and do collaborations.

The key to social media success is choosing the right platform for your needs. The best way to do this is to go where your target audience goes. For example, older vapers may prefer Facebook, while younger vapers may prefer TikTok. Ask your customers what social media channels they scroll through in their downtime, and take it from there.

Email marketing

One of the things we love about email marketing is that you can use it to keep customers up to date with who you are and what you do. You can tell them about your latest products, send them recommendations… even a cheeky money-off voucher on their birthday!

Email marketing has one of the best return on investments out there. For every £1 you spend on your email marketing efforts, you can expect to get £36 back.

There are a lot of free email marketing platforms available, including Mailchimp, Sendinblue, Omnisend, and Mailerlite. Just sign up, build your marketing list, and you’re good to go.

The average person receives 120 emails a day, so if you go down the email marketing route, it’s essential to stand out. Think about the words, images, and headline to create a message that prospective customers can’t help but click on!

And of course, if you want to get some top inspiration for your email marketing, why not sign up for our very own mailing list?

Offline marketing

Your marketing doesn’t have to be digital to succeed. It might be that offline marketing can help your vape store be successful too.

The great thing about offline marketing is that you’re building relationships with other people that might help you in the future, from local politicians to journalists.

So attend that networking event, send that press release, and give out those business cards like they’re going out of fashion!

Which marketing strategy is right for your vape store? It depends on how much time you have, how much money you have, and most importantly, your target audience. It’s always better to choose one channel and do it well rather than try (and fail) to get set up on multiple channels.

Join forces with Ohm Brew

(We’re not even out of January yet, and here we are with the shameless product plugs!)

When you run a vape store, it’s critical to work with suppliers that understand you and will give you all the help and support you need to succeed. We’ll work with you to provide everything you need to not only understand your customers, but keep them coming back for more.

We’ll supply you with top-notch e-liquid blends that will get your customers’ tongues tingling, as well as plenty of promotional and training materials.

You’ll also get a specialist account manager who is only an email away if you have any questions. (About all things vaping and e-liquids, of course. Please don’t confuse them by asking them about the meaning of life or anything like that!)

Want to know more? Ping us a message, and let’s see how we can help you grow in the year ahead.

And finally… take time for you

Running a business is hard, especially if you’re doing it alone. It’s estimated that over half of UK SME owners have experienced burnout since the start of the pandemic.

If you’re not in a good place, you can’t expect your store or staff to be in a good place either. Here are our top tips for ensuring you stay gold through 2023.

  • Take regular breaks where you don’t think of anything business-related. Even going for a quick walk or zoning out for five minutes can clear your head and make you feel better
  • Don’t be afraid to delegate. Are there any tasks that you can give to someone else to free up your time? For example, you could let another member of staff or a marketing agency look after your social media profiles. Not a fan of filing taxes? Let an accountant do the hard work for you
  • Unplug from your phone. Whether you stick it in a drawer or turn it off, powering your phone down can reduce stress and let you focus on your wellbeing
  • Take care of yourself. Do regular exercise, eat well, and drink lots of water. Yes, we might sound like your mum, but it’s important to keep healthy. We worry about you, you know
  • Talk to someone. A problem shared is a problem halved. If you can’t talk to a family, friend, or professional, there are lots of listening services available that can help you

All the resources to make your vape store a success

We hope this comprehensive guide has given you all the information you need to be successful in 2023. Go forth and make this year the best one ever!

Want to know more about running a vape store? We’ve got you covered. Here are some blog posts you might find of interest. And don’t forget that if you have any specific questions, we’re only a click away.

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Health & Wealth

How Much Does Smoking Cost Britain?

How much does smoking cost Britain? We all know smoking is bad for your personal finances. If you’re smoking 20 a day, you’re spending nearly £5,000 a year. That’s enough for a fancy all-inclusive holiday or to buy takeaway pizza for tea every single night. However, did you know that smoking affects everyone’s finances, even people that don’t smoke? Yep – sad but true. Smoking is that much of an expensive habit. It costs the NHS lots of money, means people have to take time off work, and causes damage to infrastructure and buildings. ‘Hang on’… you might be saying. ‘Don’t the taxes on smoking help fund things in the country?’ Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, often mumbled by your Uncle Dave in the pub after half a bottle of Teacher’s and a 20 pack of Silk Cut. It’s true that tobacco duty goes back to The Government, which uses it to fund the NHS and other public health initiatives. With the increase in duty announced in the 2023 budget, tobacco duty currently accounts for about £4.90 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, plus 16.5% of the retail price. So while The Treasury does get just over £10 billion a year from tobacco duty, it’s still running at a loss when you consider the overall impact of smoking on the economy. Let’s do a deep dive into some of the ways smoking can affect the country’s coffers. Smoking and the NHS Smoking and productivity in the workplace Smoking and environmental cleanup Smoking and fires So can vaping turn things around? In summary: Is smoking the reason why we can’t have nice things? Smoking and the NHS This is the biggie – smoking costs the NHS in England £2.6 billion a year. And that’s just one part of the country – it costs the Scottish NHS £780 million a year, the Welsh NHS £302 million a year, and hospitals in Northern Ireland £164 million a year. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, causing a myriad of diseases, from COPD and stroke to heart disease and cancer. This puts a lot of pressure on the NHS in helping to cure and alleviate these diseases. Not only this, but smoking adversely affects the healing process. This means smokers are more likely to experience complications after surgery and require longer hospital stays. Smoking also indirectly causes other health problems. For example, smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to brittle bones and conditions like osteoporosis. Smokers are twice as likely to have problems conceiving than non-smokers, and women are more likely to experience menopause sooner. These issues cost the NHS money to manage, not just through surgery but medication and therapy. Second-hand smoke is also a major issue – when people smoke, they’re harming not just themselves but their family and friends. It’s estimated that people exposed to second-hand smoke have a 30% increased chance of developing lung cancer and a 35% increased risk of heart disease. It’s vital to throw social care in the mix here too. It’s estimated that smokers need help ten years earlier than non-smokers. This puts the strain on local authorities and adult social care services to the tune of £1.2 billion a year. Smoking and productivity in the workplace Most people just think of the NHS when it comes to how much smoking costs Britain. However, there are other things to consider as well. Smokers are more likely to be absent and take sick days at work, as well as cost more in pensions and benefits. Studies have shown that it costs companies £4,600 more to hire a smoker than a non-smoker a year. Not only this, but smokers are more likely to experience irritability and impatience at work, potentially affecting performance and output. Nobody wants to go into a Zoom meeting with someone going through nicotine withdrawal! Let’s talk about smoke breaks at work. It’s estimated that smoke breaks throughout the day cost businesses £8.4 billion a year in lost time. And if your non-smoking staff demand to take breaks at the same time in order to ensure equality, that figure only goes up! On a more depressing tangent, smokers are more likely to die or have to take long-term sickness when they’re still of working age, meaning a further blow to the economy. Smoking and environmental cleanup Have you played ‘avoid the soggy cigarette tabs’ on the commute to work or while taking the kids to school? If the answer is yes, you’ll know all about the environmental issues that smoking can cause. It’s estimated that cleaning and disposing of cigarette butts costs local councils about £40 million a year. And while councils do come down hard on those that they catch littering, most people are unfortunately getting away with it. Cigarette butts contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals that can pollute the earth and waterways, causing damage to wildlife and destroying our fragile ecosystems. So while we have an idea of how much it costs to clean up cigarettes, we don’t completely know the cost in terms of long-term harm to the environment. There are also more minor costs involved in removing smoke from homes, vehicles, and buildings too. Nobody wants to smell like they live or work inside an ashtray, after all! Smoking and fires We’ve all seen the ads on the telly where someone lights a cigarette in bed, and boom – the whole house is on fire before you know it. Unfortunately, smoking remains the top cause of fatal fires, with about 25% of fire-related deaths caused by cigarettes. While we don’t have specific statistics for how much fire damage costs fire and rescue services across the UK, callouts aren’t cheap. Plus, as fires caused by smoking are preventable, it means that fire and rescue services may not be able to attend other emergency situations, compounding the damage even further. When you factor in insurance costs, loss of livelihood, and property damage, it’s easy

Health & Wealth

Are you Eligible for a Free Vaping Starter Kit?

Are you eligible for a free vaping starter kit? What do you have a one in five chance of being? For example, you have a one in five chance of having hazel eyes. If you’re over the age of 65, there’s a one in five chance you don’t know how to swim. There’s also a one in five chance that you’ll think that Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster will be discovered by science. Right, hands up if you believe that one… There’s also a one in five chance you might be eligible for a free vaping kit in the near future. Earlier this month, the UK Government announced that it was providing funding so one million smokers could stub out their cigarettes for good and give vaping a go. The scheme, called ‘swap to stop’, has been described as the first of its kind in the world. So if it works, there’s the possibility that other countries could follow suit. The swap to stop scheme is estimated to cost £45 million over the course of two years. Let’s be honest; we all love a freebie. With this in mind, you’re probably wondering if you’re eligible for some free vaping goodies and if so, when you can get your hands on them. Keep reading because this article will explain everything you need to know! Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? Will I get a vaping starter kit? What will be in the vaping starter kit? Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? When will I be able to see if I’m eligible? Has anything else been announced as part of the scheme? But I can’t wait! I want a vaping starter kit now! In summary: will you be getting a free vaping kit? Why is The Government giving out vaping starter kits? Excellent question. The UK Government is giving out vaping starter kits because it wants the country to become smoke-free by 2030. (Okay, 5% of the population isn’t technically ‘smoke-free’, but it’s better than nothing, right?) At this moment in time, The Government will miss this target unless it takes drastic measures. The primary focus of the smoke-free initiative is young people and people living in deprived areas. To combat young people taking up smoking, The Government has raised the legal smoking age from 16 to 18, and there are talks of increasing it even further. People in deprived areas are four times more likely to smoke than those in more affluent areas. This might sound counterproductive as smoking costs money, but people in low-income households are more likely to smoke as a coping mechanism and to relieve stress. Plus, it’s a vicious cycle. People smoke because they have financial pressures, further exacerbated by spending money on cigarettes. But why vaping? Why not just encourage people to quit smoking? The UK Government wants people to quit smoking for good. Getting people to stop smoking cold turkey may sound impressive, but if they’re back on the cigarettes two weeks later, it’s all been a waste of time and money. Vaping is the most effective smoking cessation tool on the market, even more so than gum or patches. Studies have shown that people who vape are more likely to eventually quit smoking. The great thing about vaping is that you can gradually cut down on nicotine without inhaling any disgusting chemical substances in cigarettes like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tar. Plus, as vaping gives you something to do with your hands and mouth, it feels like a proper alternative to smoking. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should give vaping a go! Will I get a vaping starter kit? Honest answer… we’re not sure yet! The Government will encourage councils across the UK to apply for funding. The councils will then determine which residents are eligible for a vaping starter kit. We strongly believe that local authorities will prioritise low-income households and people living in deprived areas. This has been done before with great success. For example, in 2022, Norfolk County Council gave vaping vouchers to residents in certain areas, with 15% of people quitting smoking for good. However, some local councils may use different criteria, for example, targeting young smokers or people with chronic health conditions. Others might even have a ‘first come, first served’ approach. What will be in the vaping starter kit? Again, the UK Government hasn’t gone into the nitty gritty. It’s highly probable that local councils will decide what to include in the kits. It’s likely that the kit will contain a piece of hardware that’s easy to use and maintain, like a vape pod or vape pen, as well as a couple of e-liquids. Essentially everything that a smoker needs to get started with vaping straight away. Some councils may even give customers vouchers for a local vaping store, meaning they can buy what they want – this is what they did in Norwich. Customers get the freedom of choice, and the nearby vape shops get a nice bit of well-deserved promotion – everyone’s a winner! One thing that is highly likely not to be included in a vaping starter kit? A disposable vape. These single-use vapes have got a lot of flak recently for not just being bad for the environment, but encouraging kids to try vaping. So if you’re hoping for a neon pink Gnome Bar or two in your starter kit, you’re probably not going to get one. And in our honest opinion, that’s a good thing. Is anyone guaranteed a vaping starter kit? Not a starter kit as such, but as part of the Government initiative, pregnant women will be offered up to £400 to stop smoking. Details on this aren’t entirely clear just yet, but it looks like all pregnant women who smoke, regardless of where they live, will be offered vouchers as well as support to quit. It’s estimated that about

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