Publicans always say November is a bad month for business.
“It’s the run up to Christmas and customers just won’t come out, they are saving up for the expense to come in December.”
My response is give them a reason to come out to your restaurant or pub!
There is so much happening in November but you need to plan ahead and promote your events. November has National Curry Week, Children in Need and British Sausage Week along with Bonfire night. That’s at least 3 weeks of November where you can really make some good money but it must be promoted well and you must give the people a reason to spend their money with you. Don’t just hang around next November waiting for Christmas to come along and hope for the best.
Planning doesn’t just mean decide on an event and write up your A board and maybe an internal poster. There are so many more ways to promote your events.
You need somewhere for customers access ALL the information -
Your website for example. Ensure you have a dedicated page for all future events then a link to a dedicated page for each individual event with dates, times, menu, offer and all details
Use social media to but be sure to keep the momentum, don’t just mention it once. Create an event, start competitions, ask questions, write a note, use the discussions page, post photos and so on.
Use your database. Every business should have a database of ALL their customers. You should be emailing events out in the form of a newsletter with links back to your website for all the info and encourage people to follow you on social media. A database needs managing effectively but worth the effort as it really is one of the most important marketing tools you can have.
Printed material. Create a printed version of your newsletter for customers to take away. Maybe, depending on the event, create some flyers and distribute around your local area, ask the local newsagent to put them in their shop or even inside the local newspaper. Ask other local business to distribute too.
Local Press. Now I don’t mean pay for an advert, I mean create a great story with an attention grabbing headline that the Journalists will take notice of and print (online and offline) for FREE! Yes they do this… they are always after a good story!
There are many other ways to ensure your events are a real success and make you some money. The ideas above should be a good starting point. You just need to plan carefully and have a marketing strategy in place.
Need more help and advice? Give me a call 07875 175994 and we can discuss how 2011 can be a great year for you.
Cary
Publicans always say November is a bad month for business.
“It’s the run up to Christmas and customers just won’t come out, they are saving up for the expense to come in December.”
My response is give them a reason to come out to your restaurant or pub!
There is so much happening in November but you need to plan ahead and promote your events. November has National Curry Week, Children in Need and British Sausage Week along with Bonfire night. That’s at least 3 weeks of November where you can really make some good money but it must be promoted well and you must give the people a reason to spend their money with you. Don’t just hang around next November waiting for Christmas to come along and hope for the best.
Planning doesn’t just mean decide on an event and write up your A board and maybe an internal poster. There are so many more ways to promote your events.
You need somewhere for customers access ALL the information -
Your website for example. Ensure you have a dedicated page for all future events then a link to a dedicated page for each individual event with dates, times, menu, offer and all details
Use social media to but be sure to keep the momentum, don’t just mention it once. Create an event, start competitions, ask questions, write a note, use the discussions page, post photos and so on.
Use your database. Every business should have a database of ALL their customers. You should be emailing events out in the form of a newsletter with links back to your website for all the info and encourage people to follow you on social media. A database needs managing effectively but worth the effort as it really is one of the most important marketing tools you can have.
Printed material. Create a printed version of your newsletter for customers to take away. Maybe, depending on the event, create some flyers and distribute around your local area, ask the local newsagent to put them in their shop or even inside the local newspaper. Ask other local business to distribute too.
Local Press. Now I don’t mean pay for an advert, I mean create a great story with an attention grabbing headline that the Journalists will take notice of and print (online and offline) for FREE! Yes they do this… they are always after a good story!
There are many other ways to ensure your events are a real success and make you some money. The ideas above should be a good starting point. You just need to plan carefully and have a marketing strategy in place.
Need more help and advice? Give me a call 07875 175994 and we can discuss how 2011 can be a great year for you.
Cary
Now you may be asking why on earth you should be considering your Hotel or Restaurant Christmas 2010 marketing when you are still busy with Christmas Parties in 2009!The answer is simple really…..Now is a great time to be building up material to use for next year. What better way to promote your Christmas parties and packages than to show people having fun, and your hotel or restaurant in all its Christmas splendor?
Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:
Photos
Take photos at every opportunity!
- Restaurant set for dinner – different angles, large tables, private dining areas – show what you can offer!
- Christmas parties – groups having fun to show the experience.
- Staff dressed in Santa hats – to show their dedication.
- Christmas tree, decorations and lighting to show the atmosphere.
- Winter scenes – frosty mornings or better still when it snows to show the Christmas feel.
- The food – Good clear shots, these can be staged at a later date if you are too busy with service.
- Guest Rooms – If you decorate your rooms for Christmas, show them off!
Video
Video can be edited so don’t risk missing a moment!
- Party nights
- New Years Eve (midnight)
- Kitchen preparation – Even some chefs Christmas food tips to share!
- Guest reviews
Be sure to obtain guest’s permission before using video. Video and pictures can be used in all your online activity to promote Christmas 2010 for website, Christmas brochure, newsletter, blog, facebook and twitter links etc. They can also be used for offline activity too including printed menus, flyers, posters and of course editorials. If you are using photos for printed material please ensure they are of quality. I recommend using a professional photographer if your budget allows (or offer goods in exchange for their services).
Feedback
Use feedback forms or online survey. Ask your customers what they liked and disliked. Ask them for suggestions for next year and if they would return!
Testimonials
Customers who give you great feedback, ask them if they would give you a testimonial to use in your marketing literature. Real testimonials from real customers are credible. If business customers ask if you can include a link to their website. These can be used in your marketing for next year plus January’s newsletter.
Follow up
Follow up as soon as possible. This will build relationships and increase chances of repeat business throughout the year and next Christmas.
Make notes
Keep a customer profile. A name and address is fine but better to expand on this by noting numbers, dates, times (lunch or evening), age range, preferences i.e. did they enjoy wine, cocktails or entertainment. Were they high or lower spenders? This can all be used for marketing throughout the year as well as next Christmas.
Your Team
Get feedback from your team. Ask them for ideas for next year whilst Christmas is still fresh in their mind. If you leave this until next August they will certainly have forgotten Christmas 09. Keep a staff ideas book in your staff area. Offer incentives for all ideas used.
And Finally…
Ensure you have all the details in your database and marked Christmas!
It’s worth mentioning that probably 70% of customers who visit you during the festive season will not be regular customers. They may have been with a work party and never visited before. Will they visit again? Have you collected their contact details? Have you given them a reason to return? Will you start to build a relationship with them? Will you convert them into regular customers?
Too many Restaurant and Hotel managers seem to be so busy at Christmas that they forget one of the most important parts is to generate business for next year! Take this opportunity to build for the future.
Learn from your success and failures.
Plan early.
Generate a buzz.
Set targets and goals.
Budget and measure ROI.
Now you may be asking why on earth you should be considering your Hotel or Restaurant Christmas 2010 marketing when you are still busy with Christmas Parties in 2009!
The answer is simple really…..
Now is a great time to be building up material to use for next year. What better way to promote your Christmas parties and packages than to show people having fun, and your hotel or restaurant in all its Christmas splendor?
Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:
Photos
Take photos at every opportunity!
- Restaurant set for dinner – different angles, large tables, private dining areas – show what you can offer!
- Christmas parties – groups having fun to show the experience.
- Staff dressed in Santa hats – to show their dedication.
- Christmas tree, decorations and lighting to show the atmosphere.
- Winter scenes – frosty mornings or better still when it snows to show the Christmas feel.
- The food – Good clear shots, these can be staged at a later date if you are too busy with service.
- Guest Rooms – If you decorate your rooms for Christmas, show them off!
Video
Video can be edited so don’t risk missing a moment!
- Party nights
- New Years Eve (midnight)
- Kitchen preparation – Even some chefs Christmas food tips to share!
- Guest reviews
Be sure to obtain guest’s permission before using video. Video and pictures can be used in all your online activity to promote Christmas 2010 for website, Christmas brochure, newsletter, blog, facebook and twitter links etc. They can also be used for offline activity too including printed menus, flyers, posters and of course editorials. If you are using photos for printed material please ensure they are of quality. I recommend using a professional photographer if your budget allows (or offer goods in exchange for their services).
Feedback
Use feedback forms or online survey. Ask your customers what they liked and disliked. Ask them for suggestions for next year and if they would return!
Testimonials
Customers who give you great feedback, ask them if they would give you a testimonial to use in your marketing literature. Real testimonials from real customers are credible. If business customers ask if you can include a link to their website. These can be used in your marketing for next year plus January’s newsletter.
Follow up
Follow up as soon as possible. This will build relationships and increase chances of repeat business throughout the year and next Christmas.
Make notes
Keep a customer profile. A name and address is fine but better to expand on this by noting numbers, dates, times (lunch or evening), age range, preferences i.e. did they enjoy wine, cocktails or entertainment. Were they high or lower spenders? This can all be used for marketing throughout the year as well as next Christmas.
Your Team
Get feedback from your team. Ask them for ideas for next year whilst Christmas is still fresh in their mind. If you leave this until next August they will certainly have forgotten Christmas 09. Keep a staff ideas book in your staff area. Offer incentives for all ideas used.
And Finally…
Ensure you have all the details in your database and marked Christmas!
It’s worth mentioning that probably 70% of customers who visit you during the festive season will not be regular customers. They may have been with a work party and never visited before. Will they visit again? Have you collected their contact details? Have you given them a reason to return? Will you start to build a relationship with them? Will you convert them into regular customers?
Too many Restaurant and Hotel managers seem to be so busy at Christmas that they forget one of the most important parts is to generate business for next year! Take this opportunity to build for the future.
Learn from your success and failures.
Plan early.
Generate a buzz.
Set targets and goals.
Budget and measure ROI.
Welcome to Pub Marketing Promotions new blog.
The aim of this blog is to help all those Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels and Inns out there by offering free marketing advice.
There are many areas we will cover and some are listed here below:
- Social Media
- Email Marketing
- Customer Databases
- Using your website as a sales tool
- Promotion / Event Ideas
- Customer Service
- Customer Loyalty
- Measuring ROI on Promotions
- Staff Training
- and much much more
This list could go on and will be added to as time goes on.
I try to keep blog posts as short and to the point as possible for quick and easy reading.
There will be ideas for strategies and solutions you can apply to your business for very little or no cost at all.
I hope you enjoy reading the posts and they help you drive your business forward.
Cary
Welcome to Pub Marketing Promotions new blog.
The aim of this blog is to help all those Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels and Inns out there by offering free marketing advice.
There are many areas we will cover and some are listed here below:
- Social Media
- Email Marketing
- Customer Databases
- Using your website as a sales tool
- Promotion / Event Ideas
- Customer Service
- Customer Loyalty
- Measuring ROI on Promotions
- Staff Training
- and much much more
This list could go on and will be added to as time goes on.
I try to keep blog posts as short and to the point as possible for quick and easy reading.
There will be ideas for strategies and solutions you can apply to your business for very little or no cost at all.
I hope you enjoy reading the posts and they help you drive your business forward.
Cary
