• Hold weekly or monthly events at your coffeehouse bakery.Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Coffeehouse bakeries can be warm, comfortable shops that appeal to a wide variety of customers, such as college students, business professionals and freelancers. If you have or are planning to start this type of business, you may be worried about how you'll be able to compete with large chains that already have established brands and name recognition. You can set your independent shop apart from competitors by choosing a few simple, yet creative, marketing strategies.
  
  

Food and Drink Pairings

• Restaurants and bars have been pairing wine and beer with food for ages, and you can do the same with your coffee and bakery items. This type of offering is not that common, and many coffee connoisseurs will appreciate your efforts. Choose simple pairings, such as seasonal-focused food and drinks, to start off with. For example, in the wintertime, you could pair warm pumpkin bread with a gingerbread latte. In the summertime, choose an iced coffee that goes well with a fresh fruit pastry. If you want to venture into more complex pairings, banana bread goes well with Ethiopian Sidamo, according to New York Serious Eats. Other elegant pairings include Brazilian coffee with pecan pie or flourless chocolate cake, and Costa Rican coffee with oatmeal cookies or granola muffins.
  
  

Special Events

• Many coffeehouse bakeries have cozy seating areas that beckon customers to sit and relax while they enjoy their coffee and baked goods. If you want to create this type of atmosphere in your shop, consider planning weekly or monthly special events that focus on your own personal interests or your specific target market. For example, if you have outdoor seating and are a dog lover, plan a weekly dog-owner event during the pleasant spring and summer months. Offer freshly-baked dog treats and encourage your regular customers to bring their favorite furry friends. If you cater to a soccer mom crowd, plan a Mommy-Child tea party event in the after-school afternoon hours once a week. Be sure to have kid-friendly treats, such as hot chocolate or chocolate milk along with cookies or cupcakes.
  
  

Promotional Offers

• If you want to attract new customers or get more business from current customers, choose a promotional offer program. An example of this includes a loyalty card that gives a customer a free cup of coffee or pastry after he has purchased 10 cups or cookies. Offer free refills to customers who purchase both a drink and a food item, or offer a "Buy a cup of coffee and get a pastry half off" deal.