Running and owning a restaurant, is at the best of times a challenging role, but when the economic climate of the country is forcing your customers to think twice about how much and how often they dine out, the pressure really starts to mount.
Its a catch 22 situation as far as advertising costs are involved, when things are going to plan and you have more customers than you can deal with, the need for advertising seems a wasteful use of money and time. Its also easy to make the mistake that because things seem to be going so well that the good times will always be there.
But how fickle the eat out crowd are, especially when mortgage rates, credit card charges and low pay increases put their partying on ice for a while.
So then reality hits and you are suddenly not turning customers away because you have no tables left for them, istead you are struggling to put bums on seats no matter how many 2 for 1's you offer them.
Its a lesson that is hard to learn because now you have to spend a fortune on advertising to try and get customers in when you yourself are feeling the pinch.
It does not have to be this way however with some careful and thoughtful hindsight.
One of the most untapped sources of good regular all year round trade has to be your local bed and breakfasts.
All of their customers need to eat somewhere apart from breakfast, so although they could be small establishments, anywhere between 2 and 12 rooms, there is a need for 2 -24 people to eat out every night.
If you digest the fiqures, it suddenly becomes apparent that your local small accommodation provider is your key to a regular supply of local customers.
How do you get these customers, easily, you've been creating your own advertising champion by wining and dining the B and B owner all year.
They are the key to influencing nearly every guest they have in visiting you for a meal whilst they are staying locally to you. Treat your local owners correctly and you will see the results when other restaurant establishments are struggling fill their table when the unpredictable changes in the hosiptality trade produce a downturn in trade.
So for a little expenditure in your part,a little effort, and you will create a new trade partnership of enormous value. You might also start to enjoy a new friendship outside your workforce to boot as well.
Another way to tap into to this essential market is to be seen by the B and B clientelle before they have already arrived. Impossible I hear you say. Usually, yes, but now there is a way.
A good percentage of these potential customers book and search for their B and B accommodation online through website directories. One of these has can provide you with a link to these customers, so that they have looked at your restaurant details before they have left for their destination.
When they arrive and get hungry, who's the first name that their stomach forces their brain to think of, YOU.
Costly I hear you say. NO. for only £20 + Vat, www.bbyourway.co.uk provide your information on every B & B's homepage in your area. These details contain your contact details, tels no's, a link to your website, if you have one, a picture image and text information about your establishment.
Hassle I hear you say. No. You go to their website, click on new advertiser fill out some online forms, pay your £20+vat, upload your details, image and text, and hay presto, your done. They look after the rest.
Thats got to be the best investment your'll make this year.
What's even more amazing is that you are given login details, so that you can change your text information whenever you want to, to add promos or specials etc.
From personal experience I would say to every restauranteur that when it comes to advertising your establishment, if you do not start with your local B and B's and their customers you a creating a recipe for regret.
And if you do not take advantage of this amazing new way of marketing through B and B websites before the idea is stollen by the major advertising companies, so benefit from this exceptional cost per ad opportunity now before everyone is doing it.
Visit www.bbyourway.co.uk NOW.
