Jul 30, 2009

Promote a Restaurant Creatively

By Jose L Riesco

Only your creativity and imagination can restrict you when looking for ways to promote a restaurant. What ever drove you to open a restaurant in the first place should inspire you to come up with a long list of ideas. Set yourself apart from the competition in this challenging business with your unique selling proposition.

In addition to being a nice way to spend your spare time, you should try and visit the establishments promoted by your competition. Sample their dinner menu - determine their strengths and weaknesses and pick up some good tips. Anyone who wants to promote a restaurant must study the business in-depth and this is a good way of doing so.

As a promoter, remember two things. First you have to get new people into your establishment and secondly you need to make sure that they come back! Go out into the marketplace and try to get samples of your product in front of new people. This might mean co-promoting with another business for mutual advantage.

Consider offering specials for certain demographic groups if you find that you have a slow night or two. This is a good way to promote a restaurant and can have a viral effect, as people may make it a regular date because of the social interaction. For example, offer early bird specials for senior citizens.

People want social proof, to hear that their peers also like the same things that they do. Remember to post any testimonials that you get on your website and include pictures as visual images are very strong. One of the latest trends, and a great way to promote a restaurant, is to post video testimonials on YouTube. This will definitely get you good results.

Star power can help you. One of the great ways to promote your restaurant is to attract some local celebrities with the offer of a complimentary meal. Take some photographic evidence of their visit and display prominently. Believe me, this exposure will be productive.

Marketing is your lifeblood in times of recession and you should never cut your budget at these times. If faced with a downturn, you should promote a restaurant as aggressively as possible as this is surely the right approach.

To promote a restaurant successfully takes a dedicated plan. It is not done overnight, but you should not be swayed by the many setbacks that you encounter along the way. Employ numerous different strategies and have short, midterm and long-term review points where you can tweak your initiatives as you go.

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