Call Sales: +1 (833) 437-3835
Call Sales: +1 (833) 437-3835
Ahmad Benny | July 14, 2022 |
Owning a restaurant is one of the toughest jobs out there. There are thousands of competitors fighting over the same customers every day, with many similar offerings available at every turn. As an up-and-coming hospitality venture, you'll have to fight tooth and nail for every penny and second of customer interaction.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of restaurant marketing techniques that you can employ to get ahead of the competition in 2022. Some of these strategies may be familiar to you, but we think at least a few will be new.
So read on and get inspired!
People are more likely to respond positively to marketing messages that are personalized and relevant to them. Therefore, in 2022, one of the best things you can do is collect data about your customers and use it to create targeted content.
For example, if you know someone who frequently orders take-out from your restaurant, you could send them an email with a coupon that offers free delivery just like this one from Legal Sea Foods.
One way to encourage customers to keep coming back is by offering loyalty rewards. This could mean giving them discounts, special treatment, or access to exclusive events. Whatever form it takes, a loyalty program is a great way to show your customers that you appreciate their business and encourage them to continue supporting your restaurant.
There's one challenge that often goes hand-in-hand with a growing customer base, and that is: staying in touch. Connecting with your customers is crucial to becoming a successful restaurateur. Look at how Not Your Average Joe’s pulls this off with their email marketing.
Many restaurants, however, do not utilize email marketing, largely because of how much time it takes to set up an effective email marketing campaign. That's where email marketing tools come in. Tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo can help you stay in touch with your customers while lowering the amount of effort it takes to communicate effectively. In addition, Klaviyo experts made it clear what to expect from their email marketing software.
There are a lot of great ways to get involved in your local community and promote your restaurant at the same time. One great way is to support local events and organizations. You can sponsor a little league team, participate in a charity walk, or have a food drive at your establishment. By doing this, you are able to show your customers that you care about your community and that you're invested in your neighborhood.
As the owner of a restaurant, you already know just how valuable social media can be for attracting new customers and creating a buzz about your business. But with so many other demands on your time, it's tough to keep up with all the latest trends and post regularly enough to make a difference. Fortunately, you can solve this problem by hiring a trusted social media marketing agency.
A good agency will have a team of experienced professionals who are up-to-date on all the latest platforms and trends.
They can help you create compelling content that’ll connect with your local target audience. When hiring an agency like this, it’s important to give them as much information as possible to prevent endless back and forth discussions on your campaign. Look for agencies that have a solid onboarding process and don’t be afraid to shop around to find one that works for you.
If your restaurant hasn't made the leap to an online menu, you're missing out on some serious business. An online menu is a perfect way to show off your culinary creations to potential customers. Here's an example of Claim Jumper's online menu you can use for inspiration. Their menu offers clear, concise descriptions of each dish in an easy-to-follow format. 
Online menus also make it easy for customers to place orders, whether they're dining in or taking their meal to go. And since customers can browse your menu at their leisure, they're more likely to order larger meals and add on additional items like dessert or drinks.
Let's face it - people are busy nowadays. They don't always have time to come into your restaurant to eat during their lunch break or dinner time rush hour. According to Meal Delivery Trends Research, 55% of respondents prefer when food is delivered to them, rather than when they have to pick it up. Offering delivery service gives them the convenience of being able to enjoy your food without having to leave their office or home.
Plus, by partnering with delivery companies, you're essentially opening up your restaurant to a whole new group of potential customers. No longer will your customers be limited to those who live or work near your restaurant - they'll now be able to order from anywhere in the city.
The average person remembers only 10% of what they read or hear. However, when paired with a relevant image, that percentage jumps up to 65%. In other words, now is the best time to start shoring up your visual content marketing with mouth-watering recipe shots. Featuring aesthetically pleasing dishes on your website, social media channels, and online listings will make potential diners hungry for what you have to offer.
A restaurant's marketing budget is often a finite resource, so it is important for restaurant marketers to allocate their funds in a way that will maximize the return on investment. By being strategic with how you manage your team resources and external partnerships, you can get the most bang for your buck. Planning your marketing campaigns is crucial in today’s data-driven, omnichannel environment. So try to avoid rushing into paid advertising campaigns before you do your homework.
Marketing is a challenge that every top entrepreneur and business leader faces. And as the hospitality industry is highly-saturated and offers a level of competition no other industry can compete with, it's important for your marketing approach to be unparalleled. By implementing the above marketing techniques, you will set yourself apart from the pack and pull in more customers in addition to repeat visits from your regulars.
Looking for a cloud point of sale that supports integrated solutions for these marketing tactics, order channels, and more? Get a free demo of Revel's restaurant POS today.
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