If you own a food truck then you don’t need me to tell you that the competition out there is fierce. I’m not even going to get started about the social media frenzies, search engine brawls, and guerilla marketing tactics that are used so avidly amongst people in the know. Just taking a look at how many food trucks there are on the streets you can clearly see that you need to distinguish yourself as “not just another food truck”.

Much of this comes organically with sheer staying power. So many food trucks come and go that simply being in the game for a while helps you build up brand recognition, making you the more likely choice for street diners out on the prowl. Great food is obviously paramount as well, that goes without saying. Of course, we always want to do whatever it takes to get a competitive advantage. Here are some measures you can take to help leave your competitors scratching their heads.

Crank Up The Beats

When you’re out on the streets it’s may seem like you’re at the whim of the city. You do have some control though and many food truck owners might not realize that. You can create an ambience in and around the vicinity of your truck so that people passing by know that you’re there and get a first-glance impression of what you’re all about.

One great way to turn heads even from a distance is to play music from a high quality sound system. You don’t want it to be so loud as to make your actual customers uncomfortable, but you want to make sure that people can hear you and take an interest in your presence. Get creative with the types of music you play too. Something calm and soothing on a hot summer afternoon might work well, but something entirely different is likely to be the fan favorite in the evenings.

Turn Up The Heat

Another amenity that you can provide for your customers is a warm place to stand while they’re eating the food you’ve just served them. This can be achieved by installing a space heater on the exterior of the truck. This comes in particular use in the evenings when the temperature can get a bit on the chilly side, and also in places where the weather gets a bit cold in the winter.

Want to take it one step further? When you’re buying a heater you can opt for an electric fireplace instead of a traditional space heater. This not only provides your customers heat but also gives your truck some additional flare that is sure to be a talking point. Check out Tim Arnold’s site, BEFR for some ideas.

Light Up The Streets

You already have the beats and the warmth, so why not run with it? Nothing says party light strobe lights, laser beams, and disco balls. Granted, this isn’t going to be for every food truck and for every situation, but used wisely it could really bring in some extra attention.

This is a particularly effective tactic late in the evening when your customers have been out at bars or clubs. Eventually they’re going to need some food, and if you’re in the right place at the right time at the helm of your very own party, the odds of them loving what you’re doing are extremely high.

These are just some basic ideas to help you get your mind working. Obviously, once it’s been written about it’s no longer original and unique. Find what works best for you and your hungry customers and get out to the streets!