Restaurants, marketing , 23 February 2024
If you own a restaurant, we'd bet you've heard every get-rich-quick marketing story out there.
"Huge growth is just around the corner!", if you pay SEO experts for the next six months, with no guarantees. Or maybe you've heard "constant streams of customers will come pouring out of Google Ads!", once you spend $2500 a month... before retainer, that is.
The reality is that as an operator, setting money aside for marketing is a risky operation.
To save you the headache (and cost) of investing in expensive strategies that might work, we've laid out some of the bulletproof methods First Table customers are using to grow that are free - or near enough.
This is where the "almost" comes in - investing in a photographer does cost you a couple of hundred dollars, but once you've paid for a shoot, you own the content forever. Once you've had a shoot, you'll be amazed where you can place your photos - not just Facebook and Instagram, but Tripadvisor, Google My Business, delivery apps and more.
Placing professional photos on platforms that enable you to reach thousands of people for free, forever, is the most cost effective marketing strategy you could ask for. Heck, you could even put your snazzy new photos on First Table!
Harness the power of customer reviews without spending a dime. Encourage your guests to share their experiences online, and offer simple rewards like discounts on future visits. This cost-free approach not only builds customer loyalty but also enhances your online reputation, crucial for attracting new diners. Plus, featuring these reviews on your social media or website can provide authentic testimonials that new customers trust.
Adopt First Table, a restaurant discovery platform that promotes your restaurant to thousands of diners near you. This innovative tool helps fill seats during slower times and introduces new customers to your restaurant, all without any additional marketing costs.
Furthermore, it offers diners a sense of exclusivity and urgency, encouraging them to explore new dining options they might not have considered otherwise. Restaurants across the globe have embraced the platform as a pivotal tool for revenue generation and marketing, significantly boosting their bottom line.
Leveraging these free and readily available digital marketing tools can dramatically improve your restaurant's visibility and customer engagement. From customer reviews and influencer collaborations to making use of platforms like First Table, these strategies are not only cost-effective but also powerful in reaching wider audiences and building a strong online presence. They represent a savvy way for restaurants to maximise their marketing potential with minimal financial investment.
