If you’re a restaurant owner, then you know that marketing your establishment can be challenging. There are so many different ways to market a restaurant that it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 23 restaurant marketing ideas to help get you started. From online marketing to traditional methods, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading for tips on how to market a restaurant successfully.
1. Create a sleek website:
Having a website that works and is optimised for mobile users is a key component in your restaurant marketing plan. This will be the main hub of your digital marketing, so it needs to have all the information for your restaurant such as online menus, photos of the restaurant and food, restaurant location, contact information, social media links, and your brand story.
2. Create a Google My Business Profile
Google My Business is a free listing that appears on Google Maps and in the search results when potential customers search for your restaurant. This is a great way to increase your visibility, especially in your local area. Be sure to include accurate information such as your opening hours, address, contact details, and website link. You can also add photos of your restaurant, menu, food and accessibility/parking information to make your restaurant stand out. Read more on how to use and set up Google My Business here.
3. Make a Facebook page and post updates regularly, including events, menu changes, etc.
Want to know how to advertise restaurants for free? Social media is the key and it’s becoming more and more crucial for restaurant marketing. Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms and is a great way to connect with potential and current customers. Creating a Facebook business page and updating your Facebook posts regularly keeps your restaurant business top of mind, plus it’s an easy way to share information about menu changes, events, and promotions. If you’re new to social media, Facebook marketing is a great place to start.
4. Start a Twitter account and tweet about your restaurant (specials, menu items, etc.)
Twitter is another popular social media platform that can be used to share information about your restaurant. This is a great way to reach a wider audience and interact with potential customers who might not be aware of your restaurant. Some good and successful examples of this can be found here.
5. Use Instagram to showcase photos of your food, drinks, and ambience.
Instagram is a visual platform that is perfect for sharing photos of your food, drinks, and restaurant ambience. Be sure to use hashtags and location tags to reach a wider audience, and consider using Instagram Stories to share behind-the-scenes content or special promotions.
6. Get involved in the local community by joining local Facebook Groups in your Area
Local Facebook groups can be more active than you think. Bolster up your Facebook marketing strategy by posting about your restaurant, engaging in conversations, answering questions and sharing recommendations with other Facebook users. This is a great way to introduce your restaurant to potential customers who might not be aware of it. Be sure to stay on the guidelines of each group as you don’t want to come off as too salesy.
7. Post flyers and menus in your area
It’s old school, but flyering and menu posting are great ways to increase awareness of your restaurant, especially if you’re located in a busy area. Be sure to ask permission before posting anything and make sure the flyer/menu design is professional and on-brand. You can even give out a discount code to entice customers to come to try your restaurant.
8. Sponsor a local event
Sponsoring a local event or team is a great way to get your restaurant’s name out there, especially if the event/team is popular in your area. This can be anything from sponsoring a little league team to sponsoring a 5k race. You can also hold your own events at your restaurant such as fundraisers, trivia nights, or live music. Another great idea is offering a free meal or gift voucher as prizes for those who are organising fundraisers themselves.
9. Run paid ads on Google, Facebook Advertising, and Instagram for restaurant advertising
Paid ads are a great way to reach potential customers who might not be aware of your restaurant. You can target your ads to people in your local area or people who have shown an interest in similar businesses. Paid ads can be very effective, but they can also be expensive, so be sure to set a budget before you start. You can start by running a paid Facebook ad to get started.
10. Start a blog and write weekly content in your niche:
Posting blogs on your website can help boost its SEO, making it easier to find on search engines like Google. By offering valuable content like tips and recipes, you can also help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
11. Use hashtags on all platforms
Hashtags are a great way to reach a wider audience on social media, and using relevant hashtags can help you connect with potential customers who are interested in your restaurant. Why not make your own hashtag to help organise content or even start viral campaigns to further boost your social media marketing efforts?
12. Create downloadable content like PDFs, e-books, or checklists:
By creating downloadable content, you can offer potential customers valuable information in exchange for their contact details. This is a great way to build your mailing list and connect with potential customers who might be interested in your restaurant.
13. Make videos showcasing your best dishes and upload them on YouTube, TikTok & Instagram Reels.
Record videos on your phone and upload them to social media platforms such as Youtube, TikTok & Instagram reels. The best thing about this is that you can repurpose the same videos for each platform to save time.
14. Host cooking classes or wine tastings.
This is a great way to attract potential customers who are interested in learning more about food and wine. It’s also a great way to build relationships with customers and create a memorable experience. You can even host online events for an even wider reach.
15. Give out free samples of your food.
Who doesn’t love free food? Most restaurant owners know that giving out free samples is a great way to introduce people to your food and get them hooked. You can set up a booth at a local event or hand out samples in front of your restaurant.
16. Keep on top of your customer service, online
Responding to customer queries, comments, and most importantly online reviews is a crucial part of most restaurant marketing strategies. These reviews are for everyone to see, so it’s important to show that you’re listening and taking action when it matters.
17. Make use of search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques
SEO is the process of optimising your website to rank higher in search engine results. This can be done by using relevant keywords in your content, improving your website’s design and user experience, and building backlinks from high-quality websites.
18. Connect with food bloggers/influencers and invite them to write about your restaurant
Bloggers and influencers can help promote your restaurant to a wider audience, and they often have a large social media following. This is a great way to get some promotion and reach potential new customers who might not be aware of your restaurant.
19. Set up a food truck or stalls at festivals and events
Food trucks and stalls are a great way to reach potential customers who might not be aware of your restaurant. You can set up at local festivals and events and hand out flyers or samples to attract new customers.
20. Create downloadable content like PDFs, e-books, or checklists:
By creating downloadable content, you can offer potential customers valuable information – in exchange for this, ask for their emails. This is a great way to build your mailing list and keep in touch with potential customers who might be interested in your restaurant.
21. Create an email marketing campaign.
After collecting your customers’ emails, you can use mail marketing to keep customers up-to-date on specials, events, and promotions. You can even offer discount codes or coupons to entice customers to visit your restaurant or introduce new menus and products. This is a popular restaurant marketing strategy that you should not overlook!
22. Encourage user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is a great way to show potential customers that your restaurant is popular and well-loved. You can encourage UGC by holding competitions or giving out discounts for customers who post about your restaurant on their social media. This then gives you content that you can share on your page, promoting it even further to your own followers. UGC tends to go very far for your social media strategy.
23. Give out discounts and run promotions
Discounts and promotions are always popular with customers, and they can be a great way to increase traffic to your restaurant. You can promote your discounts and promotions online, in-store, or through email marketing campaigns as part of your sales plan for restaurant-type businesses.
Whatever you do, do it regularly.
Like many things, consistency is key when it comes to marketing, so make sure you’re regularly creating and sharing content, engaging with customers, and monitoring your progress.
With so many competitors in the restaurant industry, it’s critical to make a splash and be innovative with your marketing tactics. There are many traditional and digital marketing techniques that you can use to market your restaurant. Try out a few of these ideas and see what works best for you!
With a little effort, you can reach new heights and attract even more potential customers to your restaurant.
Looking for more restaurant marketing help? Check out our blogs on them.
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If you’re looking for help from an experienced restaurant marketing agency, contact us today.
Marketing restaurants by yourself can be hard. We can help you create a tailored marketing strategy for restaurant businesses that will help you reach your goals. You can read more about our restaurant marketing services here.
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