8 Cool Restaurant Promotions (Number 4 is really cool)

As a local restaurant operator, you have a direct connection to your local guests.These are people you know and can carry on a meaningful conversation together.

Here are 8 Restaurant Promotions that you can execute in your restaurant that will capture the attention of your top guests. 

1. Networking Events: Attend or host networking events in your community to connect with potential customers and partners, and promote your business. Hosting the local clubs, associations and groups for a special lunch or dinner can do a lot to get people excited about your business.
   

   Approach these groups with a special sell sheet that outlines the investment in the event. My advice is to discount the event. It’s about getting a large group of people to try your business for the first time, or the first time in a long while.

2. Exclusive Previews: New products are the lifeblood of any restaurant. When you come up with a new item on your menu, offer exclusive previews or early access to new products or services for your loyal customers or email subscribers.

3. Collaborative Giveaways: Partner with other local businesses for joint giveaways, combining audiences and increasing reach for all participants. Go to car dealerships and real estate salespeople and offer them $10.00 off coupons that they can send out with their thank you cards. In this way, you are getting new customers in, and they will have a recommendation from someone they already trust.

4. Themed Pop Culture Promotions: Align your promotions with popular cultural events or trends, such as movie releases or sports events, to attract attention. This is particularly effective with ‘dinner and a movie’ or ‘dinner and a play’.

5. Customer Feedback Campaigns: You have to be careful with this idea, as sites like Yelp will punish you for running them. But if you position and run campaigns encouraging customers to leave feedback and reviews in exchange for a discount or small reward, that can work. Just set it up as an educational program and that you’re asking for their help. And, make sure they don’t all say the same thing. This will get you banned altogether.
   

   Again, this can be one of the most powerful programs, but it has to be handled carefully or it can have some negative implications for the review sites.

6. Limited Time Products: Release limited edition products to create exclusivity and urgency, encouraging quick purchases. This is especially important over slow periods in your business.

7. Content Collaborations: Work with bloggers, vloggers, or podcasters to create content that features your business, reaching their established audiences. Offer tit-for-tat incentives for their collaboration in the program.
   
8. Silent Charity Auctions: Host silent auctions for catering events or exclusive experiences, with proceeds going to charity, attracting attention and goodwill. These can be simple, like offering a catering event for 20 people, to something more elaborate that includes a local band and up to 50 people.
   

Give Mark Laux a call (920) 420-2076 or reach out through his website of some expert advice.