JESSICA HUGH

14 tips toMarket YourRestaurant,Bakery or Cafe

THANKS FORDOWNLOADING THISGUIDE TO MARKETINGYOUR FOOD &BEVERAGE BUSINESS.

You may not know this, but I LOVE FOOD... I love to cook it, eat it,and take pictures of it. Nothing in this world gives me greater joythan my relationship with food..

Unfortunately, it drives me completely crazy when I can't find areview, listing, or even a menu online when making a decision abouttrying out a new location.

Restaurant marketing isn’t the same as it has always been. It iscritical that restaurants embrace Internet marketing and cultivatea presence online.

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THE NEXT FEW PAGESHIGHLIGHT MY 14 TIPS

ON GETTING YOURA-GAME ON IN THIS

INDUSTRY.

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TIP 1

Have a functional website.

Can local customers find your restaurantonline? Seriously! Where are you!?!? Makesure new customers are landing on a well-optimized website that does what itneeds to do. The key is to get them toyour website before they find yourcompetitors. You can create a food blog,list daily specials and direct visitors toyour social media profiles and onlinereview sites.

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TIP 2

Engage in local SEO practices.

Websites aren’t just for big companies,trust me; now more than ever, small localbusinesses are realizing the importanceof having a website and implementing anInternet marketing strategy. Since 72%of all searches are related to a search forlocal content, you should be 100% surethat your website will show up for thosesearches relevant to your restaurant.

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TIP 3

Enlist local food bloggers.

Ask local food bloggers to review yourrestaurant in return for a free meal. Theoutside link will help with rankings, andthe positive review will help yourreputation.

I know more than handfuls of themacross North America, so if you need helpwith this, drop me a line.

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TIP 4

Monitor review sites.

You live or die on your reputation (this is ano brainer), so pay close attention towhat people are saying about yourrestaurant online. This is where youroffline visitors can tell the online worldabout their (hopefully positive)experience at your restaurant.

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TIP 5

Use an online restaurant reservationtool.

Invite your customers to make areservation on sites like OpenTable. Youneed an online restaurant reservationtool to make it easier for your customersand easier on yourself. And sometimespeople just don’t want to pick up thephone – they’d rather make theirreservation in just a few clicks.

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TIP 6

Grow your email database.

If you compare it to direct marketing,email marketing is more efficient,environmentally friendly and a faster wayto keep your customers in the know.Promote your e-newsletters throughsocial media, on your website, and insideyour restaurant. You will need to decidewhat will work best for you.

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TIP 7

Get a social media presence.

Strengthen your word of mouthmarketing with an interesting, interactivesocial media presence. This gives you theability to engage your customers 365days as year, represent your brand andenlist customers to share their stories.That’s priceless.

(I highly recommend Instagram,Pinterest and Facebook - if you're noton them, GET THERE NOW!)

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TIP 8

Don’t disregard anything too quickly.

The online world is always changing, so it’simportant to keep your eye out for newmarketing ventures that have the potential tostick around. Foursquare, for example, isn’t aswell-known as Facebook, but that doesn’t meanthere isn’t ample marketing opportunity forrestaurants. This social platform enablesrestaurants to offer a variety of deals (for free)that users must check-in to take advantage of.This – along with the fact that users can earn“badges” for checking-in so many times –makes Foursquare a viable marketing option forrestaurants.

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TIP 9

Provide enough incentive for people to payattention.

Give your patrons incentive to follow you onsocial media channels or to come into yourrestaurant, and make it simple for them to doso. If you constantly put up your restaurantspecials on Facebook, your fans will loseinterest. Mix it up, don’t be afraid to have fun,and be a part of the local community.

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TIP 10

Run contests.

This is a great way to reward social media fans,grow your fan base, bring in more customers,and promote loyalty. Give customers a chanceto win a great prize and you’ll give them anotherreason to come back again.

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TIP 11

Create and implement a customer loyaltyprogram.

Send out e-newsletters to those who sign up tobe in the program, highlighting exclusive deals.Promote your loyalty program offline and online.

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TIP 12

Give your menu a fresh look.

If you already have a great design that workswell, this may not be necessary. If you have aboring or outdated menu, however, customersmay think your food is not enticing as well.

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TIP 13

Just ask!

Ask your regulars and loyal fans offline to ‘Like’you on Facebook, follow you on Twitter andPinterest, and help spread the word. Send anemail, call those you have a good relationshipwith, and walk right up to their table whilethey’re enjoying what they love about yourrestaurant.

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TIP 14

Manage your online reputation.

Review sites have become an integral part of abusiness’s reputation, and negative reviewshave the potential to harm your business. Toomany negative Yelp reviews, whether true ornot, will turn business away. Asking happycustomers to write you a review, as well asresponding personally to any negativefeedback, is the best way to maintain a positiveonline reputation.

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LOOKING FOR MORESUPPORT? I'M HERE TOHELP!

Drop me a line at:

jessica@inyourpocketconsulting.comOR call 778-385-9634, and we can chatabout ways to market your food relatedbusiness the right way!

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