The Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Marketing in 2022 {Updated}
There are many restaurant marketing strategies that can be used in order to increase sales and profits. Some of these strategies include advertising, online marketing, word-of-mouth marketing, and public relations. Knowing some of these restaurant marketing methods might help you improve the number of customers who visit your establishment. You can have a direct impact on the efficiency of your restaurant’s marketing activities, regardless of your position on the marketing team. Implementing marketing tactics successfully is a crucial talent, but it necessitates study. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most effective and simple restaurant marketing tactics.
In this article, we will be breaking down all of the different marketing ideas into one of 4 categories: Internal, Local, Social Media and Online. If you feel your restaurant is lacking in just one or two of these areas, skip to that section and see what tricks and tips you can pick up on.
Restaurant strategies to improve their marketings internally
Reward customers for their loyalty.
There are different ways to show customer appreciation, but a loyalty program is one of the most effective methods. It rewards customers for their continued patronage by giving them incentives, such as discounts, points, or special privileges.
Developing a loyalty program can help restaurants attract and keep customers. In fact, a study by Colloquy found that 66 percent of consumers participate in at least one loyalty program, and they’re worth an average of $2,417 per year to companies.
Loyalty programs don’t have to be complicated or expensive to design and implement. In fact, many restaurants use simple programs that offer customers a free item after they’ve purchased a certain number of items. Others create loyalty cards that give customers points for each purchase which can then be redeemed for discounts or free items.
Some examples of restaurant loyalty programs include programs like Hot Take, Personica, and Owner.
Run specials and offer coupons
Restaurants have relied on specials and coupons to bring in customers for years. And while digital coupon platforms have made it easier for consumers to find and use coupons, they’ve also created some challenges for restaurants.
The good news is that specials and coupons can still be an effective way to drive traffic, provided they are well executed. The key is to make sure you are targeting the right customers with the right offers and using the right channels to promote them.
Here are a few tips for running successful specials and coupons:
- Make sure your offers are relevant to your customers. Don’t offer a discount on steaks if your restaurant specializes in seafood. Instead, offer a discount on a specific type of steak or on items that are not typically as popular as others on your menu.
- Make sure you set your prices appropriately. You don’t want to lose money on every offer because of a discount, and you also don’t want to over-inflate your prices to attract customers who are not interested in the coupon or special.
Use influencer marketing
Restaurants have long relied on advertising and marketing techniques to bring in customers. However, in recent years, a new form of marketing has become popular among restaurants-influencer marketing. Restaurants are now working with social media influencers to promote their businesses. So, what is influencer marketing? Influencer marketing is when a business partners with an individual who has a large following on social media to promote their product or service. The goal of influencer marketing is to reach a large number of people who may be interested in what the business has to offer.
There are many benefits to using influencer marketing for restaurants. First, it is a great way to reach a large audience quickly and easily. Second, social media influencers have a trust factor with their followers that businesses can take advantage of.
Make visually appealing dishes and encourage customers to show them off
One trend that is sure to continue in the restaurant industry is the use of visuals. Plating food in an attractive way can make all the difference when it comes to enticing customers to order. Restaurants can also encourage customers to share photos of their dishes on social media. This not only helps promote the restaurant but can also lead to others discovering new and interesting dishes they may want to try.
Have limited-edition seasonal menu items
As we move further into the 22nd century, restaurants are getting more and more creative with their marketing tactics. One of the most popular trends is limited-edition seasonal menu items. This gives customers a sense of urgency and excitement, as they know that the dish or drink will only be available for a short period of time. It also encourages them to visit your establishment more often, as they want to make sure they get to try everything on the menu.
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a seasonal menu. First, make sure the dishes are appropriate for the season. For example, you wouldn’t want to serve soup in the middle of summer, or a frozen drink in the middle of winter. Second, use ingredients that are in season and readily available. This will help keep your costs down and ensure that your dishes taste fresh.
Have special menu items for different holidays
In the coming years, it will be increasingly important for restaurants to have special menu items for various holidays. Many consumers will be looking for unique dining experiences that they can only find during specific times of the year. Restaurants that take advantage of this trend will be able to attract more customers and generate more revenue.
One strategy that restaurants can use to create special menu items for holidays is to partner with local farmers and food producers. This will allow them to get access to fresh ingredients that are specifically tailored for certain occasions. For example, a restaurant could work with a local farm to get ingredients for a Thanksgiving feast, or with a producer of Christmas cookies.
Another approach is to design special menus that are themed around popular holidays. This can be a lot of fun for both customers and restaurant employees. It also gives people something to look forward to each year.
Showcase your chef
In order to market a restaurant in 2022, you’ll need to showcase your chef. Showing off your culinary skills is one of the most important ways to market a restaurant. That’s because diners want to know that they’re getting their money’s worth by eating at your establishment. In order to make sure that your chef is the star of the show, you’ll need to make sure that they’re well-known and respected in the culinary community. You can do this by featuring them in local newspapers and food magazines, or by having them appear on cooking shows or podcasts. You can also post pictures and videos of them cooking on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. By doing all of this, you’ll create a buzz around your restaurant and help attract new diners who are looking for a great meal.
Give your customers a birthday discount
One of the most popular restaurant marketing trends in 2022 is birthday discounts. Many restaurants will offer special discounts to customers on their birthdays. This can be a great way to show your appreciation for your customers and to encourage them to visit your restaurant on their special day. There are several ways to offer birthday discounts, and you can tailor the offer to fit your restaurant’s specific needs. You can offer a percentage off the customer’s meal, a free dessert or appetizer, or even a free entrée. Be sure to let customers know about your birthday discount policy well in advance, so they can mark their calendars and plan to visit your restaurant on their birthday.
See what your competitors are doing and do it better
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, you need to know what they’re doing. Research their marketing strategies and try to exploit any weaknesses you find. For example, if they’re using social media marketing, look for ways to make your social media strategy better. If they’re using print advertising, find ways to make your print advertising more effective. The key is to always be one step ahead.
Obsess About Word of Mouth
Restaurant marketing is evolving and in order to stay ahead of the curve, you need to be obsessively focused on word of mouth. Here are three tips to help you do just that:
- Deliver an amazing experience that leaves customers raving about your restaurant. Make sure everything from the food to the service is exceptional.
- Use technology to amplify your word of mouth marketing efforts. Tools like social media, review sites, and email marketing can help you reach more people with your message.
- Be proactive about engaging with customers online. Respond to reviews, thank customers for their feedback, and join the conversation on social media channels.
Marketing and advertising your restaurant locally
Small businesses should consider advertising in local newspapers and on billboards. These are great ways to reach a local audience that is likely to be interested in what your restaurant has to offer. Newspaper ads can be relatively affordable, and billboard advertising can be very effective at reaching people who are driving by.
Pay for local online ads
Restaurants are always looking for new and innovative ways to market their businesses. One way that is growing in popularity is advertising through local online platforms. These platforms allow businesses to specifically target customers in their area.
There are a few things to consider when advertising through a local online platform. First, be sure that the platform you choose reaches your target audience. Second, make sure that the price you pay for ads is worth it. Some platforms charge by the number of impressions, while others charge by the click. Finally, always test different ad campaigns to see what works best for your restaurant.
Overall, advertising through a local online platform can be a great way to reach potential customers in your area. Just be sure to do your research and measure the results of your campaigns so you can continue to improve your marketing strategy.
Make partnerships with other local businesses
The restaurant industry is booming, and with it comes an influx of new restaurants. As a restaurateur, you need to do everything in your power to set yourself apart from the competition. One way to do this is by forging partnerships with other local businesses.
Partnerships can take many forms. You could collaborate on a special menu item or event, or simply cross-promote each other’s businesses. Whatever form they take, partnerships are a great way to reach new customers and build relationships with other business owners in your community.
One word of caution: make sure your partnership is a good fit for both businesses. If you partner with a business that doesn’t align with your values or that offers services that compete with yours, the relationship will likely not be successful.
Get involved in your local community
The best way to promote your restaurant is by getting involved in your local community. This can be done by participating in local events, sponsoring a charity or getting involved with the chamber of commerce. Being active in your community will help you build relationships with potential customers and create awareness for your restaurant. It can also help you form partnerships with other businesses in your area.
Host local events
One of the best ways to bring in new customers is to host events. This can be anything from a wine-tasting night to a beer-pairing dinner. Choose a theme for your event and get creative with your menu. You can also partner with other local businesses to host a joint event. Events are a great way to get people in the door, and they can also help promote your restaurant on social media. Make sure you promote your event well in advance and send out invitations to local residents and businesses.
Ways restaurants can improve their marketings through social media
Using social media to reach customers.
Restaurants have been using social media as a marketing tool for years. However, with the rise of new technologies and platforms, it is more important than ever for restaurants to stay ahead of the curve. In 2022, social media will be the most important way to reach customers. Here are some tips for using social media to reach customers:
- Use Facebook to create a page for your restaurant. This page can be used to post menus, photos of your restaurant and food, and promotions.
- Use Twitter to post about specials, upcoming events, and news related to your restaurant.
- Use Instagram to post photos of your food and restaurant interior. Make sure to use appropriate hashtags so that people can find your posts.
- Use Pinterest to create boards with images of your food and restaurant interior.
Constantly post new food images on social media
In order to stay ahead of the competition, restaurants must constantly post new food images on social media. This will help keep customers engaged and make them excited about trying new menu items. Additionally, it will create a sense of urgency and encourage them to visit your restaurant sooner rather than later. You should also experiment with different types of content, such as short videos or GIFs, to keep things interesting. By using creative visuals and engaging copy, you can attract new customers and boost sales.
Use social media stories
As social media continues to evolve, restaurants will need to find new and innovative ways to use the platforms to connect with customers and promote their businesses. One growing trend is using social media stories.
Social media stories are a great way to share your restaurant’s personality and connect with customers in a more personal way. They can be used to post photos and videos of your food, behind-the-scenes footage of your kitchen, or sneak peeks of upcoming menu items. You can also use social media stories to announce special events or promotions, or just give customers a little glimpse into what goes on at your restaurant.
One thing to keep in mind when creating social media stories is that they should be short and sweet. People are more likely to watch a short video than read a long text post.
Use Professional Photos
Almost every restaurateur knows that photos are important for marketing their establishment, but what many may not know is that using professional photos can make a world of difference. Professional photographers have the skills and tools necessary to capture your restaurant in its best light, whether it’s an image of the food or the interior.
The right photo can attract attention to your restaurant and inspire customers to take a closer look at your menu or website. Conversely, a poor-quality or amateurish photo can do more harm than good, making your restaurant appear unprofessional and undependable.
That’s why it’s important to invest in quality photography if you want to make a good impression on potential diners. Professional photographers know how to create beautiful, eye-catching images that will help your restaurant stand out from the competition.
Ways to market your restaurant online
Offer online ordering to increase convenience
As technology advances, more and more people are choosing to order their food online. Restaurants that don’t offer online ordering are missing out on a convenient way to reach customers. By offering online ordering, restaurants can provide a better customer experience by making it easier for customers to place orders. Additionally, online ordering can help restaurants save time and money by reducing the need for phone orders and in-person visits.
Use email marketing
Email marketing will continue to be one of the most effective restaurant marketing strategies in 2022. Restaurants can use email marketing to cultivate relationships with diners by sending them special offers, announcing new menu items, and providing sneak peeks of upcoming events. Additionally, email marketing can help restaurants keep their customers updated on changes in hours or location due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Some of the better platforms for restaurants to use for email marketing are Mailchimp and Constant Contact among others.
Encourage your customers to leave online reviews
One of the most important things you can do to market your restaurant is encourage your customers to leave online reviews. Good reviews will help attract new customers, and bad reviews can hurt your business. Here are a few tips for encouraging your customers to leave online reviews:
- Make sure your website has a link to review sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google My Business.
- Include a call to action on your receipts, such as “Please write a review on Yelp.”
- Ask your customers if they enjoyed their meal and if they would recommend you to their friends. This gives them an opportunity to share their positive experience with others and potentially write a review.
Interact with online comments
As a business owner, it’s important to be aware of the conversations happening around your brand online. Comments can provide valuable insights into what customers are thinking and how they’re reacting to your marketing efforts.
Reading and responding to comments is also a great way to show customers that you’re paying attention and care about their opinions. However, it’s important to be thoughtful in your responses. Negative comments can be addressed constructively, while rude or offensive remarks should be deleted.
By engaging with customers online, you’re showing them that you value their feedback and want to build a relationship with them. This can help create loyalty among customers and encourage them to return in the future.
Work on your website’s search engine optimization
The website’s search engine optimization (SEO) is an important part of its marketing strategy. There are a few things that the website can do to improve its SEO. First, it can make sure that its title tags and meta descriptions are accurate and descriptive. It can also add keywords to its website’s content and titles. Additionally, the website can create backlinks to other websites. By doing these things, the website will improve its SEO and will be more likely to appear higher in search engine results pages.
Have a good-looking website and easy-to-read online menu
In order to have a successful restaurant in 2022, you’ll need to have a great website that looks good and is easy to navigate. Your online menu should also be easy to read and include all of the information your customers need, such as prices and descriptions of dishes. You’ll also need to make sure your website is up-to-date with the latest trends in restaurant marketing.
Start a blog on your website
Blogs are a great way to show off your culinary skills, share recipes, and give customers a behind-the-scenes look at your restaurant. They also provide an opportunity to connect with customers and keep them up to date on news and events.
When creating a blog for your restaurant, be sure to include interesting and engaging content. Share recipes, food photos, cooking tips, and insights into the restaurant industry. You can also use your blog to offer discounts and coupons to customers.
Be sure to keep your blog updated regularly, and make sure it’s SEO friendly so that potential customers can easily find it online.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly
By 2022, it is estimated that there will be more than 5 billion active mobile devices in use around the world. This means that if your restaurant isn’t optimized for mobile users, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential customers.
Luckily, creating a mobile-friendly website is easier than ever. All you need is a responsive design template and some basic coding knowledge. If you don’t want to create your own website, there are plenty of companies that offer mobile-friendly templates and themes.
Once your website is ready for mobile users, make sure to test it on different devices and browsers. Google offers a free tool called Mobile-Friendly Test that will help you identify any potential issues.
There are also a number of other ways to make your restaurant more accessible to mobile users.
Conclusion
As technology continues to evolve, the restaurant industry must adapt to changes in order to remain successful. One way to ensure success is through effective marketing. By 2022, there will be new and innovative ways to market restaurants that restaurateurs should be aware of. This guide will provide an overview of the most effective marketing strategies that will be popular in five years.
Restaurant marketing is constantly evolving, and in order to stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to understand where the industry is headed. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most important restaurant marketing trends for 2022. We will discuss how technology will continue to play a role in marketing, and we will also explore how restaurants can use social media to reach new customers.