Month: May 2018

Tips to market your restaurant well

 

Tips to Market Your Restaurant Well

Cost-effective strategies to make your restaurant the most happening place in town.

 

Introduction

Opening a new restaurant in a competitive market can be challenging, especially with a limited budget for marketing. However, you don’t need expensive television or billboard advertisements to attract customers. Here are some cost-effective tips to help you market your restaurant effectively and stand out in the crowd.

1. Host an Event

Hosting events is a great way to attract customers. Consider these ideas:

  • Organize small gigs or karaoke nights to appeal to college students and young couples.
  • Offer your space to charitable organizations for fundraising events, boosting your reputation among philanthropists.

2. Reward Loyalty

One-third of your business comes from regular customers. Build loyalty by:

  • Creating membership cards with reward points for frequent visits.
  • Offering exclusive discounts to loyal customers.

3. Build an Online Presence

Take advantage of social media to promote your restaurant. Here’s how:

  • Keep your Facebook page updated with events and specials.
  • Post mouth-watering photos of your dishes on Instagram to attract followers.

4. Partner Up

Collaborate with local businesses targeting similar audiences:

  • Partner with tourist programs, theaters, or cinemas to exchange free food for advertisements.
  • Create joint promotions to mutually boost visibility.

5. Start a Blog

Invite local bloggers to review your restaurant. Offer them a free meal in exchange for a positive write-up that can attract new customers.

6. Show Off Your Staff

Highlight the smiling faces of your employees. Display their photos on social media or your website to showcase the welcoming environment of your restaurant. Happy employees will attract happy customers.

7. Organize Contests

Engage customers with fun contests, such as:

  • Sharing a photo of their favorite meal at your restaurant.
  • Taking pictures with their meals for a chance to win prizes.

These contests encourage repeat visits and customer loyalty.

8. Promote User-Generated Content

Encourage customers to share their experiences online. Reposting their content on your social media pages shows appreciation and fosters a dedicated clientele.

9. Partner with Flash Deal Sites

Collaborate with online food apps and flash deal websites that offer special discounts. This modern strategy can drive traffic to your restaurant and expand your customer base.

Conclusion

Marketing your restaurant doesn’t have to break the bank. By implementing these cost-effective tips, you can attract customers, build loyalty, and ensure long-term success. Don’t forget to offer promotional deals and discounts periodically to create a win-win situation for both you and your customers.

 

© 2018 Cameo. All rights reserved.

 

Designing for Millennials – Why is it Important?

Designing for Millennials – Why is it Important?

Millennials, although not have much of the spending power currently, are said to dominate the consumer behavior in the near future. The trend has started to take place and it will continue to grow. A restaurant operator must connect with the millennials for a successful run.

Five defining characteristics of Millennials have been presented in a research by Nielson.

  1. Millennials are divers, expressive and optimistic:

Not all millennials are the same, they believe in self-expression and their level of education has really a say in their choices.

  1. They are urban thinkers:

Most of the Millennials prefer living in big cities, away from their parent’s home. They have an urban though process and way of living. They are in the quest of vibrant energy when it comes to housing, shops, and offices.

  1. Desire to authenticity and care:

Locally produced and high-quality items are preferred by the Millennials. The places that have a social impact; Millennials are drawn towards them.

  1. Millennials are well-connected and they look for the personal touch:

Millennials depend largely on the technology gadgets in almost every aspect of their lives. Social media has enabled them to communicate on a personal level with brands.

  1. Millennials are struggling, yet climbing the ladder:

Millennials had to struggle hard because of the Great Recession. Their economic position may not be so strong, but they always prioritize value when it comes to purchasing decision.

A restaurant operator must be aware of these above-mentioned five characteristics in order to understand the needs of Millennials. If you are opening up a restaurant targeting Millennials, you must set your core values according to their characteristics. Creating a brand image requires everything in your business and restaurant reflecting that image.

To get start with, your brand should cater the passions of Millennials. Setting the core values that are relevant to them will be beneficial in creating a long term relationship with them. You should make particular efforts in respecting their diversity, creativity, and authenticity.

This generation is really active on social media networks, you can reach up to them through such means. Create value by supporting their causes, and offer them those deals which give them a great value. All this will help in catching their attention through which you can convert them into long term customers.

Read on to know some additional ways through which you can cater the millennials.

  • Communicate your Causes:

Make them known what social causes you are supporting. This can be done through social media networks or at the point of purchase. You can highlight the ingredients in your menu that you have purchased from local suppliers to support the local industry or the items that benefit a charitable organization.

  • Variety:

Provide your target customers with a variety of food and settings. You can have different types of settings in your restaurants to cater people with different interests such as lounge areas with soft seating, community tables, counter tops with bar seating.

  • Show what you are offering:

The design and food of your restaurant must be clearly communicating the concept and brand image. If you claim your restaurant to be a healthy one; you need to show the way it’s healthier like having fresh and organic options in the menu and the setting should display a healthier style.

Knowing these things will definitely give you a better idea of dealing with the target customers (Millennials) in a better way to gain the better outcome.