If you own a restaurant, chances are you need to continuously come up with fresh ideas for your menu printing to draw customers in, especially if you are in an area that is surrounded by other restaurants. Even when the food is great and you provide excellent customer service, you may still have empty tables during dinner time. If you are looking for new ways to attract customers, printed
marketing materials and creative menu printing may be the answer. Here are 5 effective printed marketing methods that can help you fill the tables.
Direct Mail
Studies have shown that the majority of households scan or read their advertising mail, and many find direct mail quicker and easier than searching online. There is a host of printing options to choose from when it comes to marketing restaurants through
direct mail. For example:
- Postcards. Use postcards to promote customer specials or to promote events. Postcards can be used to offer a discount as a thank-you to loyal customers, to announce a new chef or a new menu item.
- Branded Envelopes and Letterhead. This is a great way to make a good first impression when sending out direct mail campaigns. These items also work well for mailing out invoices, correspondence to suppliers and gift cards.
Comeback Coupons
Encourage customers to dine with you again with a comeback coupon. Simply decide on a suitable promotion, print the coupons and make sure every customer that comes in leaves with a comeback coupon. For example, if your breakfast crowd is large, but your new dinner menu hasn’t increased traffic, offer your breakfast diners a comeback coupon with a discount for dinner. This is a great way to market a new idea for your restaurant as well as keep track of the response because you will get the coupon back.
Business Card
As a restaurant owner or manager, it is important to have and use business cards. A business card is a source of information about your restaurant as well as yourself. Most business cards are in a standard format, which includes your name, the business name and contact information. When ordering business cards, ask the printing company for suggestions on how to make your card unique to you and your restaurant. For example, is there an unusual design you can use or will bold letters and bright colors help you stand out?
Leaflet
Leaflets are basically printed advertisements that emphasize specific benefits offered by your restaurant, such as the menu, customer service or specials. Leaflets can be used to get a sample of your menu out to the public or they can be used to announce a special offer or event. They can be placed under the wiper blades of vehicles in a parking lot, handed out on the street or mailed in a direct mail campaign. A leaflet should include the benefits of dining at your restaurant, your business hours, your specials and the quality of service.
Menu Printing
A new
menu printing design can not only ensure your current customers stay loyal, it can increase your restaurant traffic. Your menu should visually "sell" your food and beverage items. A menu can be an extremely successful marketing tool if it is clear, targets a specific group of customers and, most of all, is visually appealing. Use your menu to promote the restaurant as well. For example, smaller versions of the menu can be mailed, placed under the wiper of cars or handed out.
Printing is a fast source of advertising and it allows you to begin marketing your restaurant within days. When you use an aggressive printing campaign to promote your business in the correct way, you can end up far ahead of the competitors. At AlphaGraphics, we have talented, skilled designing professionals that can help you turn your marketing campaign into a success.
Are you ready to show off what your restaurant has to offer? If so,
contact AlphaGraphics at our new location at 444 Michigan Ave. to find out how we can help you with all of your restaurant marketing needs. We offer custom quotes and quick service!