Below are some initial marketing ideas you could think about to get you started.
Advertising & Promotions
- Create a take away format of your menu and flyer to deliver to local households, this could include a special offer or discount.
- Members of staff can hand out flyers and/or samples from the new menu outside your pub or in the local high street.
- Flyer & take away menus could be handed out or delivered to local businesses such as offices and shops/hairdressers.
- Invite local businesses to lunch and make this a regular weekly event.
- Place an advert in the local newspaper or on the notice boards in local supermarkets.
- Free publicity in the local papers may be possible – they are always after interesting local stories, so, if you’re doing something newsworthy, tell them about it. You could sponsor the local football team or help a local charity.
- Advertise via the local radio station: take sample dishes from the new menu down to breakfast and drive time shows to get airtime.
- Invite the local press and VIP's from the local ara down for new menu tasting evening to gain additional publicity.
- Collect customer data and send out communication to them via email or direct mailshots.
- Ensure the new menu is clearly advertised through internal and external banners and boards and posters.
- Introduce food promotions targeted to your customers, for example 2-4-1 on main meals, seasonal promotions for Valentines, Easter etc, free desserts for kids.
Customers
- Encourage customer feedback through comment cards or simply talking to them. How are they finding the variety of food, the quality, price and portion size?
- Know your customers and ensure your menu reflects their needs – for example tourists will want traditional English meals, whereas business people may want food that can be prepared and served quickly.
Competition
- Maintain a competitive edge by being aware of what other local pubs are doing, visit them as a customer and observe what they are doing – and take away some of their menus and other printed items with you.
Visit the Business Link website for some great tips on marketing your business, as well as a wealth of other information on all other aspects of running your own business which you may find helpful.
