Fall is in full swing. In our last blog, we listed some ways that restaurant owners could take advantage of the new season. Getting people to fall in love with your restaurant, we asserted, can be achieved by updating your restaurant’s website, promoting your restaurant’s gift cards and offering daily specials. In today’s blog, we’ll continue our look at how to fill the seats of your eatery this fall.
Launch a campus advertising campaign.
With each fall comes a new school season. With students having returned to the classrooms this month, it’s clear that there are a lot of people to advertise to on campuses throughout the country. Invest in a school banner that plugs your restaurant this fall. Get in contact with the universities and colleges in and around your eatery’s location. Inquire about buying some ad space where there is high foot traffic each day.
“With school back in session, new advertising channels are open again for your restaurant to pursue,” says Anna Ruby of IndoorMedia, “Many schools sell banner space on the fences and walls at their stadiums; your ad there is good exposure and reminds spectators that they might be hungry and can visit your restaurant after the game. Printed programs for games and plays may also include advertising and give you another way to market your restaurant this fall.”
Offer monthly promotions.
While it’s wise to launch a fall marketing campaign, it should not remain stagnant over the course of the next three months. Changing up your promotions on a monthly basis is an effective strategy. It will keep the public aware of your eatery’s fun and exciting nature. Naturally, your October specials can revolve around Thanksgiving and Halloween. However, it only makes sense to switch things up during the months that follow.
According to Arizona’s Cactus Mailing Company, “November and December are hosts to a plethora of food-oriented fall marketing tie-ins. For instance, November is The Month for Banana Pudding Lovers, Georgia Pecans, Peanut Butter Lovers and Vegans.”
Host a Halloween party.
Who doesn’t love Halloween? For many people, the annual celebration of ghosts, ghouls and goblins is the most anticipated day of the fall season. Advertise a Halloween party at your restaurant and host a contest for best costume. Update your menu to include “spooky” selections. In lieu of a party, run Halloween-based promotions that can be enjoyed in the weeks leading up to the big day.
“September will end, and come October, families start gearing up for Halloween,” Ruby reminds us, “This is a fun time of year—and a time of year that restaurants can take advantage of creative marketing. (In addition to offering) pumpkin-based dishes…you can also run and advertise Halloween-based promotions (e.g., free appetizer for families dressed in costume!).”
Is your restaurant’s menu online?
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