Back of House Staff | July 10, 2020, 02:28 PM CDT
COVID-19 has completely changed the way independent restaurants do service. So, it’s no wonder that the pandemic has also shifted the way you market to your guests. As history tells us, now is the time to be more vocal than ever. Here are some tips on how to create the right channels and strategies to connect with your guests in this new normal.
Times have changed, which means maybe your reasons for communicating with your customers have too. Take a moment to establish why you want to be marketing to your guests at this time. Goals can include things like:
Establishing a goal helps you identify what you are working towards and allows you to define what metrics of success you want to be tracking. When you can track your progress you’ll be more able to adapt your marketing strategy over time.
As you begin to reach out to your customers during COVID-19, start with the basics. Make sure to cover:
If your restaurant is open, it’s also incredibly important to share what safety precautions you are taking to ensure the safety of your staff and customers.
Pro tip: If you don’t have these measures and communication in place, you are not ready to reopen. Trust20 offers tons of useful tips and resources for restaurants looking to set the bar higher for staff and diner safety.
All that being said, make sure your rotate your content and messaging to balance between the pandemic, interesting stories going on at your restaurant, and the everyday food or interactions you are still able to offer. Switching around topics will keep our feeds fresh, but never stray too far from the reality of your day-to-day.
Once you’ve sorted what you want to be communicating with people, it’s time to get your message out there. Here are some of the best channels to market to your guests through:
Pro tip: Coordinate your messaging. If you are posting about your new online ordering options on your website, be sure to push them to your social and email the same day or week for maximum impact.
You have enough to navigate as an open restaurant during a pandemic. Keep these tips in mind to get maximum impact from your restaurant’s marketing efforts:
[Photo: Norma Mortenson via Pexels]
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