Think of Different Ways to Promote Your Restaurant

There are so many different ways to promote your restaurant, what are you waiting for? Engaging in a public relations campaign, an advertising campaign or a direct marketing campaign can all be fun if you remember that the concept of eating out is supposed to be a great social occasion. Don't look at this as a chore, but rather as one of the most pleasant jobs associated with running your business.

If you have a good reputation and some loyal customers who you may also be on rather friendly terms with, why not engage them to help you promote your restaurant? Recruit customers to write reviews, contribute blog posts, "tweet" or place posts on their Facebook pages from time to time. This is a very effective way of getting the word out on the street and can be cost effective for you - just give them free appetizers or desserts.

You should go out of your way to get the e-mail address of your customer. This may mean that you have to give away something valuable, a two for one or something to entice them to give you the address. E-mail marketing is surely one of the best ways to promote your restaurant as once they have agreed to receive information from you this opens up a whole world of possibilities.

When you are in the possession of e-mail addresses for your clients, remember to find out their birth dates or any other special occasions. Set up a system to automatically fire out an e-mail a few days before these occasions and offer a freebie to get them to come in on the special day. The chances are they will be celebrating with friends and this could represent a nice little party for you.

Think about themes. Do a little research online and you will find out that there are special occasions, holidays, "gimmick" days, religious days - some special occasion every week. If you are creative, you will come up with ideas to link your restaurant, a menu item or some co-promotion to create interest in the neighborhood.

Promote your restaurant with a PR campaign, especially if you are launching a new menu, welcoming a new master chef or engaging in a charitable affair of some kind. Press release distribution is relatively straightforward and cost effective these days and will invariably result in exposure for you if well presented.

Consider how many local newspapers, radio stations or other media outlets you have in your location. Pick up a copy of the publication or tune into the radio station as appropriate. If you cannot see any evidence of a food critic or a restaurant expert, it is time for you to really promote your restaurant by getting in touch with the editor and offering your services for free. Take time to show him or her that you are an expert in your field and they will turn to you for any food related questions or news items that they have.

Social media is the buzzword these days and anyone who has a business should be involved. Promote your restaurant by creating a Facebook page in the name of your business. Start a blog and keep it maintained with regular menu items ideas, articles about types of food and so on. The secret here is to make sure the program is maintained regularly.

Happy Meals,
Jose L Riesco
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