Restaurants these days need to be creative to attract more customers. Delicious Marketing Ideas for Restaurants . Here are some restaurant marketing ideas you can implement on a budget to get started.
1. Make it a habit to ask your customers for their email.
This isn’t easy and it may feel awkward. But it’s so important for your business. Here’s an idea: ask every new customer to give you local marketing email list their email address in exchange for a free meal on their birthday. This will give you a chance to connect with them throughout the year, and they’ll be able to bring their friends when the big day arrives (more foot traffic, brand awareness, word of mouth, etc.). Talk to me about how to make this process as easy as possible.
2. Run local advertising.
Unless you run a very expensive restaurant, your core clientele will be local, so there’s probably no point in promoting your creating remarketing lists restaurant nationally. So keep your PPC campaigns geo-targeted. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting a lot of money on clicks that are too far away to travel to your restaurant for dinner.
3. Launch online special offers.
Offer a discount if the user shows the ad in person. This could be a phone call or even a printout.
4. Allow your customers to book meals online.
Consider joining an online booking service like OpenTable . This will bring you into the spotlight of out-of-town travelers who might not otherwise find you, and you can also offer special deals through the site.
5. Constantly ask for feedback.
Reviews are the pillars of word of mouth marketing these days. Ask for them constantly. You can even incentivize users to leave bgb directory reviews of your establishment by bribing them with a free coffee when they show you their (hopefully positive) review online.
6. Host mini-events on slow days.
Consider hosting special “theme” days or nights on slower days to boost business (a themed kitchen or even an event like Trivia night – whatever fits within your brand).
7. If your brand allows, organize children’s parties.
Providing balloons, small gifts, streamers, etc. can make the day truly special for the child. This will lead to repeat business from the parents of other guests.
8. Hold monthly raffles.
Place a large bowl by the cash register and collect business cards (or handwritten notes) from customers, and hold a monthly drawing for a free meal or a free bottle of wine or champagne – this is another way to build a database for future marketing efforts.
9. Invite guests.
For special occasions, such as when you’re remodeling a restaurant, throw a party inviting local press, radio, community leaders, neighbors, and previous customers from your database to show off the new space and launch the new menu.
Let us know if you need help implementing any of these strategies. Remember to always offer something in exchange for the customer’s contact information. It could be as simple as a chance to win a free meal once a month. Or the ability to receive this month’s specials via email. The sky’s the limit on what you can offer.
