1 – Run a contest
You could do something simple like a T-shirt giveaway, or get creative and let people create a new cocktail or dessert flavour combination.
2 – Give people an incentive to follow you on social media
Offer 10% off if they subscribe to your newsletter, or give them free WiFi for liking your page on Facebook — there are lots of ways you can get people to engage online with your restaurant.
3 – Train your staff on etiquette and polite behavior
It’s surprising how many rude waiters there are out there. But it’s easily fixable, as a lot of them probably don’t realize how off-putting their behavior can be. Do a quick training and give them pointers on proper etiquette.
4 – Visually emphasis the things you want people to buy on your menu
Some of your dishes will have higher profit margins than others. The best-designed menus make sure that guests’ eyes land right on that deliciously profitable meal.
5 – Give away T-shirts for a special occasion
Free tees equals people walking around with your restaurant’s logo or name on their backs…which equals free advertising! Need help finding the perfect tee? Get in touch with us.
6 – Create a loyalty card
These can be as simple as your regular business card with a grid of 10 squares on the back. For every 9 meals a guest buys, they could get 1 free (or something along those lines).
7 – Pimp your Instagram account
Instagram is such a great opportunity to get people’s mouths watering for your food. If your photography isn’t your strong point, team up with somebody who can show off your dishes to their best extent. Don’t forget to tag your photos with the location so everybody knows your restaurant is in X town or city.
8 – Add all the details to restaurant review sites (like Yelp and TripAdvisor)
Who hasn’t looked up a restaurant on one of these sites to find out if they want to go? Add as much detail and information as you can, especially nice photos of your food. Hours, address, phone number, and any perks (like WiFi or free parking) are also good to list.
9 – When somebody says something good about you, share the news!
Did you get a mention in a local magazine (or even a national one)? Share the news online, and if you can, get a clipping to put on display in your restaurant.
10 – Have an online menu available
Lots of people like to check out the offerings before they decide to visit your restaurant. Maybe they’re choosing between yours and another restaurant, and the deciding factor is how delicious your shrimp special sounds on your online menu, while the other place doesn’t say what they have. Websites like OpenMenu can help you post your menu online and have it look good.
