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How well would it work to walk up to a stranger and ask them to marry you?
You will get rejected 99.9% of the time; however, if you introduce yourself, start a conversation and then ask them for a phone number, it may lead to something more.
Maybe they give you a fake number, perhaps they never answer when you call, or maybe you connect and build a fantastic relationship. See, getting the phone number is a small commitment, and it's easier to say yes to a small commitment and build on that than it is to commit to a marriage proposal from a stranger.
When your marketing strategy is all about creating a direct call to action to visit the restaurant, you are doing the same thing. You need to add a softer sell with a smaller commitment, like getting an email address before asking for a purchase.
Now that you have a direct way of communicating with a potential new guest, you can build trust and commitment through engaging personalized connections.
Got 60 seconds? Check out the video
Weekdays suck; what can we do to make them busier?
I need to increase my lunch sales?
These are common questions, and there is no magical answer. There are many factors in the peaks and valleys of your restaurant.
The more important thing to ask yourself first is, are your peak times full? If you can answer yes, we are on a waitlist all the time, or we continually turn away reservations, then start thinking about those non-peak days and hours.
However, if the answer is no, think about what you can do to maximize the peak hours.
Here are the facts about marketing peak times vs marketing non-peak times.
Peak times, you have a full staff on so extra guests won't increase labour.
Non-peak times, if you get too busy, you might not be prepared and give a bad experience, or you may be over-prepared in anticipation your marketing is going to work and blow your labour budget.
Peak times create anticipation; if you are booked on a Friday night weeks in advance, you will naturally have spillover to non-peak times.
Peak times mean more diners are going out.
Let's do some math. If there are 10,000 potential diners on a Friday night and your marketing brings in 1% of them, that's 100 people.
Non-peak times, like Monday at 3pm, there may only be 50 potential diners. The same marketing effort and cost brings in 1% of them, that's only 5 diners.
Which has the better ROI?
No matter which way you look at it, work on increasing your peak times, your bank account will thank you!
It's hard to imagine turning away business or leaving money on the table but sometimes trying to be something you do not cost you in the end.
Many restaurants are redefining who they are and becoming something that they are not just to get business.
Yes, you need to do whatever it takes to survive, but where does it stop?
As more districts start to open up and we head into spring, you need to take a look at what you have been doing and if it makes sense to do going forward.
Can you be a busy dine-in restaurant while still offering your Sunday meal boxes?
Does offering delivery make sense when you are always on a waitlist Friday and Saturday night?
There is no clear answer, and maybe you and your restaurant have superpowers;
however, trying to be everything to everyone doesn't work, you will have more success being something to someone!
When do you start marketing for Valentine's day?
Why not right now.
Maybe you don't have your menu finalized, or perhaps you don't even know f your restaurant will be open then, but you can start a conversation today.
Send your email list a poll.
Hi [Firstname]
Valentine's day is a great way to show your partner how much you care. Everyone does it differently, and I was wondering how do you celebrate Valentine's day?
1. Go out on the day
2. Go out within the week
3. Do something at home
4. I Don't celebrate
The first goal was to see how many people are engaged, and the other purpose is to plan your next email to send targeted follow-ups to each group.
1. Hurry up reservations are going fast for Valentine's Day
2. Our special Valentine's menu is available all weekend
3. We deliver, perfect to stay at home and cuddle on the couch
4. We will not bother these people
Now we are creating a message that will resonate, and we aren't bothering people who don't celebrate.
If you need help getting this set up, just schedules some time with us.
