Risk-Taking Makes Sense for Restaurant Marketing…To An Extent
No, McDonald’s does not need chicken wings – and no, customers don’t flock to Applebee’s for premium hand-cut stakes. Unfortunately, both of these flops were actual mistakes that cost restaurant businesses millions. In an industry with tight margins and where every marketing idea could make or break the business, it is critical for savvy restauranteurs to learn from others’ mistakes and failures. How can you make sure your restaurant’s campaigns are set up for success?
- Pay Attention to Social Media Engagement. Many restaurants fail in their marketing efforts by neglecting to engage effectively on Instagram, TikTok, Google Business, and more. Social media is a powerful tool for building customer relationships, sharing engaging content, and promoting offers, but it requires consistent and strategic engagement.
- Put Effort Into Your Website Design and Functionality. Restaurants are more likely to experience marketing flops if their websites are outdated, slow, or difficult to navigate. A well-designed and user-friendly website is essential for attracting customers, providing information, and facilitating online reservations or orders.
- Be Careful in Planning Your Email Marketing. Email marketing can be a valuable tool for restaurants, but it must be executed effectively. Email marketing can fail due to irrelevant content, excessive emails, or poor segmentation and targeting strategies.
- Engage With Online Reviews – Good and Bad. Negative online reviews and poor reputation management can harm a restaurant’s image and deter potential customers. Restaurants should actively monitor and respond to reviews, address customer feedback, and strive to maintain a positive online reputation.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Innovate. In other words, don’t be too risk-averse! It’s important for restaurants to stay fresh, experiment with new strategies, and be willing to adjust their marketing approach based on feedback and performance metrics.
If you’re looking for an experienced partner to prop up your restaurant marketing, ASTRALCOM is here to help. Learn more about the full suite of services we provide to our restaurant clients.
