Although it can be very stressful when you feel your hospitality business is actually running out of business, with the right strategies, it’s easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!
Here are some very effective hospitality marketing strategies that will place the perfect magical touch on your hospitality business needs:
- Seasonal promotions
Using seasonal specials to improve sales during the slow season restaurant can be extremely effective.
- Create exciting deals that correspond to the current season or special events, appealing to current as well as prospective customers.
- Make your menu seasonal by presenting limited-time meals that capture the essence of the season.
- Use social media channels and email marketing to reach a larger audience with these exclusive deals.
- Work with local businesses and influencers to expand your reach and attract new customers.
By integrating seasonal enchantment into your hospitality business, you can attract more customers.
- Loyalty Programs
Implementing a well-thought-out loyalty programme can create a spell on clients, tempting them to choose your restaurant over and over again.
- Create a tiered rewards system with attractive perks like exclusive discounts, free appetisers, or birthday goodies to keep customers coming back for more.
- To properly track and reward client purchases, use digital tools such as mobile applications or membership cards.
- Personalise the rewards based on the preferences of the clients to make them feel special and appreciated.
- Encourage referrals by providing incentives for bringing in new clients.
Loyalty programmes help build a deeper relationship ensuring long-term client loyalty and an increase in sales during the slow season.
- Online Marketing
Online marketing will do wonders. It’ll help bring in more reservations and orders even during the dull season. First thing first, create an interesting website that highlights your cuisine, ambience, and seasonal deals. Make it optimised for mobile devices to guarantee that clients on the go can browse easily.
Furthermore, use social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to publish your business on the web. Encourage online evaluations as well as timely responses to customer comments.
Fact Check: Approximately 80% of customers expect restaurant companies to be active on social media and communicate with them. This underscores the importance of an online presence in the eyes of the modern consumer. Remember that your customers are more likely to learn about you through social media than through any other traditional approach.
- Collaborations and events
Establish partnerships with local hotels, theatres, and tourist destinations to generate exclusive bargains and incentives that entice their patrons to dine at your restaurant.
Innovative and customised events, such as engaging wine tastings, soulful live music nights, or exclusive chef’s table experiences, will increase the range of dining encounters, enthralling a wider audience. This will increase your restaurant’s online visibility and recognition. As a result, there will be a significant increase in foot traffic, bringing in a slew of new and enthusiastic customers.
- Takeout and delivery
Make it easier for customers to place orders by improving your online ordering platform with user-friendly navigation and a smooth checkout procedure. To differentiate yourself from the competition, draw customers with exclusive deals and discounts available only through your website or mobile app.
Use social media and digital marketing to promote your takeaway and delivery services, reaching a larger audience and increasing restaurant sales even during slow times. Offering both convenience and excellent meals delivered right to customers’ doors can do wonders for your business’s revitalization.
- Upselling and cross-selling
Use the power of upselling and cross-selling to make more money. Train your employees to suggest higher-priced menu items or additional add-ons that complement customers’ orders and improve their dining experience. Create tempting combo meals or tasting menus to entice customers to try new foods.
Display attractive deals and upgrades on tabletop displays, menu inserts, or digital screens. To entice clients to make great choices, emphasize the value and benefits of these goods. This will boost your restaurant’s sales performance even during the slowest seasons by weaving the magic of upselling and cross-selling.
- Focus on customer experience
This is the most important and easy strategy you’ll have to do. Train your personnel to provide warm, personalised service, leading to a friendly atmosphere that appeals to guests. To maintain a favourable reputation, actively listen to consumer input and respond to problems as soon as possible.
To make customers feel valued, provide unexpected joys such as complimentary snacks for birthday celebrations. Implement reservation systems to cut down on wait times and improve convenience. Enchant guests with a spectacular dining experience that will leave them spellbound by your hospitality, ensuring repeat business and increased sales.
- Employee incentives
Create a performance-based incentives system that stimulates and recognises employees for outstanding service and upselling successes. As incentives, offer bonuses, gift cards, or more paid time off to keep the workforce motivated and engaged. Your EPOS will save you from having to calculate staff payrolls and dealing with rotas.
This way, you can focus on encouraging a friendly and supportive work atmosphere to boost employee morale and dedication. By providing incentives to your team, you will see an enchanted metamorphosis of inspired employees and higher restaurant sales.
- Special events and theme nights
Create themed evenings such as “Shawarma Tuesdays,” “Wine and Dine Wednesdays,” or “Live Music Fridays” to attract an array of people. Create one-of-a-kind and immersive events by collaborating with local artists, musicians, or performers.
To encourage guests, offer exclusive menus and discounts matched with each theme. Promote these events via social media, email marketing, and in-store displays to generate excitement and improve foot traffic, transforming regular nights into beautiful celebrations of magic and increasing sales.
- Community involvement
In order to enhance sales during the slow season, infuse your restaurant with the magic of community involvement. Participate in or sponsor relevant efforts through local charities, schools, or events. Organise fundraisers or donation campaigns that appeal to your customers and are consistent with your brand values. This neighbourhood connection creates goodwill and positive word-of-mouth, attracting loyal customers who appreciate your efforts.
Conclusion
Adaptability and creativity become the pillars of success during hard, slow months for restaurants. To stay on clients’ radars, embrace marketing and dare to be exceptional. The options are endless, whether it’s redesigning menus or presenting one-of-a-kind events – and the greatest part is, all of these unique ways to increase sales can be fitted to your “complete EPOSNOW System,” providing a seamless and personalised experience for your restaurant business.