2006-12-22 05:42:58 · 9 answers · asked by Abdullah 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Use the local media -- newspapers, TV channels, radio. Before the actual opening, have a soft launch for the reporters, maybe even the restaurant critics, feed them well, put on your best display to impress them. Favourable press coverage invariably draws in customers. It will pay in dividends in the future. In fact, always keep the press in your pocket. Make sure you always invited a few selected journalists to your special lunches, new offers, charity dinners, etc. Positive press is one of the biggest bosts your restuarant can have from Day One.
2006-12-22 05:52:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Local Network Television. Get to know your neighbors, business, and fellow restaurants. Let them know you exist. Bring by a sample plate of menu items to local business. Don't forget to include copies of your menue with all contact information, including fax number. Perhaps, throw in some coupons.
Most towns have a network community of small businesses. Since you are a small business owner, you should already belong to them. If not, contact your local SBA office and check out their website for useful tools and companies who produce coupons to the surrounding areas. Make an indroductory dine in coupon. You can also do this online, if you purchase a list of people in your area, or puplich a list for snail mail and send it out yourself-but that is costly. If you have a flyer permit, you can always do the annoying flyer on car thing-but make sure you have a permit! Invite friends and family. They make great sources for word of mouth! Post something on Craigslist. Citysearch or other local sites in your area, even chambers of commerce or your citys' Web site.
Congratulations and Best of Luck!!!
2006-12-22 06:59:36 · answer #2 · answered by apesee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make an advertisement on a local radio station. If is it a lil country restaurant, try a country station. If it is a "fancy" restaurant, try a staion with more "pop" music..,etc.
But remember, word of mouth is always your best attention getter. Maybe give a few meals away to town gossips, but make sure the food is good, and in no time you will have it packed.
2006-12-22 05:53:40 · answer #3 · answered by Karen Elaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Advertise in the local paper a couple of weeks in advance, print off a few A4 flyers or leaflets to be delivered through people's letter boxes, get it listed in the GOOGLE LOCAL directory (+ similar sites), advertise on local radio.
And start up a small website.......... doesn't have to be anything too elaborate......... just a few pages to let people know you exist, e.g.
- a front page with a picture of the place + contact address, link to a map site to make it easier for people to find it.
- a page describing the restaurant in a bit more detail (e.g. type of food, bit of background on the kitchen staff, etc)
- page with a copy of your menu on it
2006-12-22 07:09:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to open promotions like 50% off on beers from 7pm-9pm. i dont really remember how the called it.. oh yeah!! its HAPPY HOUR!
not only in beers.. if you can... offer it with juices, cocktails, iced tea and a one free apetizer for a minimum ammount of say $30 or so... it will attract customers and regulars as wel.. i dont know what kind of restaurant do u have but.... a good music inside,, and out a speaker outside as well so passers will be attracted... to visit your restaurant and to try your food as well
2006-12-22 06:41:53 · answer #5 · answered by sweetvanilla2228 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have a grand opening special do it for about a weekend, send out flier, get as much pr as possible. You might take a loss the first week, but this is your chance to get people hooked on ur place, but only do this if you are truley prepared for the customers.
2006-12-22 05:57:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send employees out to street corners with handouts. Give away free dinner, or 25% off coupon, 2 for 1 specials.
2006-12-22 05:53:14 · answer #7 · answered by ThinkaboutThis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In small towns the word of mouth is always good. Get to meet the neighbors and talk to people. Get some advertising in the local paper and everything. If its good, people will suggest it to their friends.
I wish you good luck!
2006-12-22 05:52:53 · answer #8 · answered by always under siege 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always radio the first media for advertising. It is the best way to go because people listen to radio more than they read the paper.
2006-12-22 05:52:26 · answer #9 · answered by john h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋