| There is more to managing a restaurant than just | | | | members and followers that you can interact with |
| opening the doors and waiting for customers to walk | | | | and update them on special events and promotions. |
| in. A big part of running a restaurant is marketing and | | | | You can also create a Blog that focuses on your |
| promotion. Without the right adverting plan, the | | | | restaurant and you can Blog about issues that relate |
| success of a restaurant is greatly reduced. | | | | to restaurants such as healthy eating, recipes...etc. |
| Fortunately, there are a number of effective | | | | Make sure you use plenty of keywords that target |
| strategies you can implement to increase exposure | | | | your geographical area. As well, it is important to post |
| for your restaurant. | | | | your business to online local business directories. Many |
| 1. Create Customer Incentives: Most people will say | | | | directories even provide an online map where people |
| they are more likely to frequent an establishment | | | | can get directions to your restaurant. |
| that offers special deals. For instance, you can offer | | | | 3. Local Promotion Strategies: There are a number of |
| such deals as 'free appetizers,' 'kids under a certain | | | | things you can do to promote your business locally. |
| age eat free,' 'buy one get one free,' 'free soda | | | | For instance, place business cards and menu fliers in |
| refills,' 'free meal on your birthday,'...etc. As well, you | | | | hotels, tourist bureaus, supermarkets... etc. You can |
| can sell gift cards and give out free gift vouchers. An | | | | also hold a special buffet event where people can |
| example of a free gift voucher can be 'buy an entree | | | | pay a small fee to sample various types of foods |
| and get a free salad.' Offering customer incentives | | | | that you serve. Make your restaurant available for |
| encourages repeat visits and customers will bring | | | | charity, sporting, and community events. As well, you |
| other people with them to dine. By making a small | | | | can sponsor public events where you can post a |
| investment in incentives, you will earn big rewards. | | | | banner of your restaurant and give out free items |
| 2. Online Promotion: The internet contains a wealth of | | | | with the name of your restaurant. Examples include |
| resources that a restaurant can use to increase | | | | mugs, T-shirts, notepads... etc. |
| exposure. It is important to create a website where | | | | The key to improving restaurant exposure is to be |
| you can talk about your restaurant and provide | | | | constantly engaged in activities that keeps your |
| updates about upcoming events and special deals. | | | | restaurant in the public eye. You want people to think |
| You can also collect email addresses where you can | | | | of your restaurant first when they decide to dine |
| send out newsletters. You can offer online members | | | | out. Being active in the online and offline community, |
| of your website special discounts through email that | | | | offering unique specials and events, and showing |
| they can print off. You can also join such social | | | | customer appreciation, will all go a long way to |
| networking sites as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. | | | | increasing your restaurant's exposure. |
| You can use these networking sites to gather | | | | |