Month: December 2022

The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and it’s important for business owners to stay on top of the latest trends to ensure they’re reaching their target audience effectively. Here are the top 10 restaurant digital marketing trends to watch in 2023:

1. Personalization
   Consumers today expect a personalized experience, and this is especially true in the restaurant industry. By collecting data on customer preferences and purchasing habits, restaurants can tailor their marketing efforts to individual customers, offering personalized recommendations and promotions. Move away from “one-size fits all” marketing campaigns and start segmenting your audiences.

2. Mobile Ordering and Delivery
   With the rise of mobile ordering and delivery services, it’s important for restaurants to have a strong presence on these platforms. This includes optimizing your menu for mobile viewing and offering contactless payment options. People won’t order what they can’t see, so quality photography of every dish is a must. Never underestimate the power of these delivery platforms as a marketing channel and brand awareness tool.

3. Social Media Marketing
   Social media is a powerful tool for restaurants to connect with their customers and promote their brand. It’s important to have a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok, and to regularly post engaging content that showcases your food and atmosphere. Also make sure to respond to guest comments and like posts where your restaurant is featured. Remember, social media is meant to be “social” – simply posting the occasional photo or video will not suffice.

4. Influencer Marketing
   Partnering with influencers can be an effective way to reach a new audience and build brand awareness. Look for influencers in your local area or in your specific niche (such as food bloggers or Instagrammers who specialize in restaurant photography) to help promote your business. Also remember influencers are business owners too – so negotiate terms and look for mutually beneficial relationships.

5. Virtual and Augmented Reality
   Virtual and augmented reality technology is becoming more accessible, and restaurants are starting to incorporate it into their marketing efforts. For example, you could use VR to give customers a virtual tour of your restaurant or event spaces, or AR to create interactive menu experiences.

6. Customer Loyalty Programs
   Customer loyalty programs are a great way to reward and retain your most loyal customers. Consider offering discounts, special deals, or exclusive experiences to members of your loyalty program. Getting a guest to their third visit can convert them from a customer into a regular.

7. Email Marketing
   Email marketing is a tried-and-true method for reaching and engaging with customers. Consider sending newsletters with updates on specials and events, or personalized recommendations based on past orders. Reservation platforms like SevenRooms and OpenTable have automation tools for sending personalized emails at just the right time.
   • Just getting started with Email Marketing? Make sure to checkout the recommendations in this post: “How To Create A Successful Email Marketing Campaign”

8. User-Generated Content
   Encourage customers to share their experiences at your restaurant on social media or review sites by re-sharing and engaging with their content, as well as testing the waters with various offers. User-generated content can be a powerful form of social proof and can help attract new customers.

9. Interactive Menus
   Interactive menus, such as those on tablets or touchscreens, can enhance the dining experience and make it easier for customers to place orders. Not only can this relieve staffing issues for fast-casual businesses with high turn-over, it can also provide guidance and education to new guests both prior-to and during the dining experience.

10. Chatbots
    Chatbots can be an effective way for restaurants to interact with customers and provide quick, personalized service. Whether it’s answering frequently asked questions or helping customers place an order, chatbots can improve the customer experience and help drive sales. With AI chat making huge advances, a digital concierge trained on your menu and cuisine is going to be a “must have” for any restaurant website.

By staying on top of these trends, you can effectively market your restaurant and stay ahead of the competition. We’ll be diving into each of these with longer posts over the coming weeks, so stay tuned! Wishing you and your team a healthy and profitable new year!

Digital marketing has become an essential component of any successful restaurant or hospitality business. From social media to email marketing and websites, there are countless ways to reach your target audience and drive sales. But with so many different channels and strategies to choose from, how do you know what is working and what isn’t? Measuring the success of your restaurant’s digital marketing efforts is crucial for making informed decisions about where to focus your limited resources.

Here are some key metrics to track when evaluating the effectiveness of your digital marketing efforts:

1. Website Traffic
   Your restaurant’s website should be the hub of your online presence. Tracking the number of visitors to your website and where they are coming from (e.g. search engines, social media, etc.) can give you valuable insights into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and where to focus your resources. Google Analytics is free and can provide a ton of insights into your website traffic.
   • If you’re not familiar with Google Analytics, make sure to check out this post: “Key Performance Indicators to Monitor in Google Analytics for Website Optimization”
2. Social Media Engagement
   Social media is a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with your target audience. Tracking metrics such as likes, shares, and comments on your posts can give you a sense of how your audience is responding to your content and which messages are resonating with them. Both Facebook and Instagram have free tools for measuring these basic KPIs. Content should be posted consistently with clear, measurable calls-to-action (make a reservation, view the menu, etc.).
3. Email Open and Click-Through Rates
   Email marketing is an effective way to stay top-of-mind with your customers and drive repeat business. Tracking the open and click-through rates of your emails can give you a sense of how well your messages are being received and whether your subject lines and content are compelling enough to get your audience to take action. This is important for both standard newsletters as well as any automations you have setup on your reservation or ordering platforms.
4. Online Reviews
   Online reviews are an important factor in driving new business to your restaurant. Tracking the number and average rating of your online reviews can give you a sense of how your restaurant is perceived by your customers and whether you are meeting (or exceeding) their expectations.
5. Reservation Sources
   If you use a platform like OpenTable or SevenRooms to book reservations, you’ll want to setup specific tracking links for all the channels discussed above to measure bookings. Website traffic and email opens are great, but reservations are what bring guests through the door. While it’s not always possible to track every reservation that comes in back to their original source, the more clarity you can have on which channels are converting to reservations, the more you can invest in those efforts.
6. Sales and Revenue
   Ultimately, the success of your digital marketing efforts should be measured by their impact on your bottom line. Tracking sales and revenue data can give you a clear picture of whether your marketing efforts are driving real results and contributing to the overall success of your business.

Measuring the success of your restaurant’s digital marketing efforts is not a one-time exercise. Regularly tracking and analyzing these key metrics can help you fine-tune your strategy and make informed decisions about where to focus your resources. By understanding what is working and what isn’t, you can continually improve your digital marketing efforts and drive better results for your business.

Video content is a powerful marketing tool for restaurants, as it allows them to showcase their offerings in a more engaging and immersive way. Here are 10 creative ways to use video in your restaurant’s marketing strategy.

1. Create a virtual tour of your restaurant.
   Showcase your restaurant’s ambiance, decor, and unique features through a video tour. This can give potential customers a sense of what it’s like to dine at your restaurant and encourage them to make a reservation.
2. Share behind-the-scenes footage of your kitchen.
   Showcase the passion and dedication of your chefs and kitchen staff through a video that takes viewers behind the scenes of your kitchen. This can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
3. Create a video showcasing your signature dishes.
   Use video to highlight your restaurant’s signature dishes and show off their flavors, textures, and presentation. This can help entice potential customers and make them want to try your dishes for themselves.
4. Share customer testimonials and reviews.
   Use video to showcase customer reviews and testimonials. This can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, as they are more likely to trust the experiences of real customers over traditional advertising.
5. Create instructional videos for your menu items.
   For customers who may be unfamiliar with certain dishes on your menu, create instructional videos that show them how to properly enjoy and savor the dish. This can help customers feel more confident in their ordering decisions and encourage them to try new dishes.
6. Share videos of special events and promotions.
   Use video to promote special events and promotions at your restaurant. This can help generate excitement and anticipation for the event and encourage customers to make a reservation.
7. Create video tutorials on how to pair your dishes with the right wines.
   For customers who may be unsure of how to pair their dishes with the right wines, create video tutorials that show them the best combinations. This can help customers feel more confident in their wine choices and encourage them to try different wines with their meals.
8. Share videos of your team in action.
   Show off the passion and dedication of your team through videos that showcase them in action. This can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, as they can see the hard work and care that goes into every dish at your restaurant.
9. Create a video showcasing the local ingredients you use.
   For customers who value locally sourced ingredients, create a video that showcases the local farms and producers you work with. This can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, as they can see the care and attention you put into sourcing your ingredients.
10. Share videos of customer experiences at your restaurant.
    Use video to showcase the experiences of your customers at your restaurant. This can help potential customers envision themselves dining at your restaurant and encourage them to make a reservation.

Overall, video is a versatile and powerful tool for restaurants looking to showcase their offerings and build trust and credibility with potential customers. By incorporating video into your marketing strategy, you can create engaging and immersive content that will help attract new customers and drive business to your restaurant.

Reservation platforms have become an essential tool for restaurants looking to streamline their operations and improve the customer experience. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult for restaurant owners to decide which platform is the best fit for their business. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast some of the most popular reservation platforms for restaurants: OpenTable, SevenRooms, and Tock.

OpenTable is a well-known reservation platform that has been around for over two decades. It allows customers to easily make reservations at participating restaurants through its website or mobile app. OpenTable also provides restaurants with a range of tools to manage reservations, including the ability to set seating preferences, customize confirmation emails, and track customer loyalty.

One major advantage of OpenTable is its large network of participating restaurants. With over 53,000 restaurants in its network, OpenTable has a strong presence in the market and is a go-to platform for many diners looking to make a reservation. However, this wide reach also means that restaurants may have to compete with a large number of other establishments for reservations.

SevenRooms is a newer reservation platform that focuses on providing restaurants with a comprehensive reservation, seating, and guest management system. In addition to traditional reservations, SevenRooms allows restaurants to create custom reservation types, such as private events or special menus. It also integrates with point-of-sale systems and has a robust reporting system to help restaurants track performance.

One unique feature of SevenRooms is its guest relationship management system, which allows restaurants to create profiles for their customers and track their preferences and past visits. This can be a valuable tool for restaurants looking to provide a personalized experience for their guests. However, SevenRooms may not be as widely recognized as some of the other platforms on this list, so it may not have the same reach as OpenTable.

Tock is a reservation platform that focuses on helping restaurants manage reservations and ticket sales for special events and tasting menus. It allows restaurants to create custom ticket types and set different prices for different times or seating options. Tock also integrates with point-of-sale systems and provides detailed reporting to help restaurants track performance.

One key advantage of Tock is its ability to handle reservations and ticket sales for special events and tasting menus, which can be a lucrative source of revenue for restaurants. However, Tock may not be as well-suited for traditional reservations as some of the other platforms on this list, as it is specifically designed for these types of experiences.

There are many other reservation platforms on the market, each with their own unique features and target audience. Some other popular platforms include Resy, which focuses on providing a seamless reservation experience for customers and restaurants, and Yelp Reservations, which is integrated with Yelp’s popular review platform.

In conclusion, when choosing a reservation platform for your restaurant, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals. OpenTable has a large network of participating restaurants and a wide range of tools for managing reservations, but it may be more competitive for reservations. SevenRooms offers a comprehensive reservation and guest management system, but may not have the same reach as OpenTable. Tock is specifically designed for managing reservations and ticket sales for special events and tasting menus, but may not be as well-suited for traditional reservations. It’s a good idea to research and compare the various platforms to find the one that best fits your restaurant’s needs.

Email marketing is a powerful tool for restaurants looking to attract and retain customers. By sending targeted, personalized emails to your audience, you can promote special offers, announce new menu items, and keep your customers informed about what’s happening at your restaurant.

But with so many other businesses competing for attention in people’s inboxes, how can you make sure that your restaurant’s email marketing campaign stands out and is successful? Here are some tips to help you create a successful restaurant email marketing campaign.

1. Define your target audience.
   Before you start sending out emails, it’s important to know who you are trying to reach. Are you targeting local customers, tourists, foodies, or a specific age group? Understanding your target audience will help you create emails that are relevant and appealing to them.

2. Create an email list.
   To start sending emails, you’ll need a list of email addresses. You can gather email addresses from customers who visit your restaurant, or you can offer a sign-up sheet or online form on your website or social media pages. You can also purchase email lists from reputable vendors, but be sure to follow all laws and regulations regarding email marketing, including the CAN-SPAM Act.

3. Write compelling subject lines.
   Your subject line is the first thing that your customers will see when they receive your email. Make sure it’s clear, concise, and compelling, and avoid using spammy words or phrases that could trigger spam filters.

4. Use a clear, attractive design.
   Your email should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use a clear layout with plenty of white space, and include images or graphics to break up text and make the email more engaging. Make sure to use a consistent design throughout your emails to build brand recognition.

5. Personalize your emails.
   Personalization can be a powerful way to make your emails more relevant and engaging to your audience. You can use personalization tags to include the recipient’s name or location in your emails, or you can segment your email list and send targeted emails based on customer preferences or past purchases.

6. Stay focused.
   People are busy, and they don’t want to spend a lot of time reading emails. Keep your emails concise and to the point, and only include information that is relevant and useful to your audience. You can always provide more details on your website.

7. Include a call to action.
   Your emails should have a clear purpose, whether it’s to promote a new menu item, promote an event, or invite customers to make a reservation. Make sure to include a call to action in your emails, such as a button or a link to a landing page, to encourage your readers to take action.

8. Test and optimize.
   To see what works and what doesn’t, it’s important to test different versions of your emails and track the results. Use A/B testing to compare different subject lines, designs, or calls to action, and analyze the data to see what performs best.

By following these tips, you can create a successful restaurant email marketing campaign that helps you attract and retain customers. Remember to define your target audience, create an email list, write compelling subject lines, use a clear and attractive design, personalize your emails, keep it brief, and include a call to action. And don’t forget to test and optimize your emails to see what works best for your restaurant.