The restaurant industry can feel cramped, which leads to a high level of competition between businesses. To be successful in such a competitive space, you need to differentiate your restaurant from the competition, but what are the most effective strategies to do so? It can seem a lot easier said than done.

To maintain a successful restaurant, you need creative marketing initiatives to generate buzz and bring in new customers to your business. Luckily, there are plenty of simple and inventive ideas out there that you can implement to ensure your restaurant marketing efforts are on the right track. Let’s delve into some of the unique and exciting ways you can promote your restaurant to attract new customers, boost revenue, and foster growth.

Encourage Reviews

In an increasingly digital world, having a strong online presence is essential for your restaurant to succeed. One aspect of digital marketing that restaurant marketing teams may overlook is reviews. Before coming to your restaurant, a good chunk of potential customers will flock to TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, and Facebook in search of reviews. After all, if they’re going to invest in a night out at your restaurant, it makes sense that they would want to see if other patrons have found the experience to be worthwhile, and the statistics back it up. 92% of all restaurant patrons read reviews, and 77% prefer peer reviews to critic reviews.

While some restaurants ignore reviews, you should be active in trying to get new reviews and monitoring the ones you receive. They provide potential customers with insights into your restaurant and can be a key factor in influencing those customers’ decisions. If negative reviews pour in, people are more likely to avoid your restaurant. On the flip side, if you have five-star reviews, the odds of filling your restaurant increase.

So, how should you encourage customers to leave reviews? The easy answer is to ask at the end of the meal. Additionally, you could promote your want of reviews on your table tents or indoor signage. However, to provide your customers with an extra incentive, you could offer a discount to customers who fill out a review. Discounted food is always a good motivator.

It’s not enough just to ask for reviews; you should also engage with the reviews that you receive. If a customer has a negative experience, reply to their review with an apology and offer to try to make things right. Going out of your way to get involved in reviews shows that you care about your restaurant and the customer experience you provide. 71% of customers are more likely to recommend a restaurant that is quick to respond online, and reviews are the place to show that you value both potential and current customers’ experiences. 

Get On Social Media

It’s 2020, and everyone uses social media; that means your restaurant should consider using it too! Learn the ins and outs of the different social media platforms and decide which are the best fit for your brand. Some of the platforms you’ll want to look into include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

One great way to build a following and attract new customers is to highlight the different food that you serve with mouthwatering videos or pictures sure to inspire an appetite. Find someone on your staff who’s great at taking photos, or considering a professional to take high-quality shots. Most of the time, customers don’t get a chance to experience your food until they visit your restaurant, but with appetizing photos and videos serving as a sneak peek, they get an idea of what you have to offer.

Additionally, promote happy hour deals or other discounts at your restaurant. Price is a huge motivating factor, so advertising a good deal on social media can drive customers toward your business. No matter what you’re posting, the key is to be active on social media. Social media should be a big focus for your restaurant marketing team; create good content, and customers will most likely follow.

Host Special Events

At most restaurants, you have the same experience every time you come in. While there’s something to be said about consistency, you should also consider changing things up to encourage customers to come back. One way to do that is to host special events at your restaurant.

There are a million different kinds of events your restaurant could hold, but let’s highlight a few of them. First, there’s live music, which is always fun and draws in a crowd that’s looking to be entertained. Along with live music, karaoke is an excellent way to engage with customers and provide a fun night. Another possibility could be hosting sports watch parties. People love to watch the game while hanging out with friends and enjoying some good food and drinks. Another event you can host is a themed day. Pick a theme and decorate your restaurant, and maybe come up with some food and drink specials to fit in with the special day.

Kid-friendly events can be a big draw, as well. For many children, going out to eat isn’t always a great experience because they are forced forced to sit still for an extended period of time. So, appeal to families by hosting a kid-friendly event filled with activities that kids love like games, crafts, or live entertainment.

Hosting events is a great way to lure in new customers while also drawing in existing customers as well. Promote your events at your restaurant, post on social media, or put up flyers. Events can be a lot of work, but to boost your restaurant marketing, it’s worth it.

While the restaurant industry is highly competitive, these restaurant marketing ideas should help your business stand above the rest. Need some promotional tools to help enhance your restaurant marketing? Give the experts at Plastic Printers a call; we have the perfect customizable products to fit your every need.