Restaurant Promotion This Holiday Season

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'Tis the season to be jolly and yes, it is time to be jolly indeed! The holidays are here again and many of us will surely be going out with families, dear friends and loved ones. Buying gifts for and treating them out to restaurants are one of the familiar ways we usually do to let our loved ones know that we remember and cherish them especially this time of year.

As for business and restaurant owners; it is still business as usual but it is also during this time that the sales are going up, up, up as long as necessary steps are taken to ensure customers' satisfaction. True, restaurant owners in particular are going to experience how the holiday season can become extremely generous. People will flock but when they do, meeting their needs and expectation is a criteria that doubles its importance.

As a restaurant owner, consider what strategies you can think of to help maintain the positive feedback of your customers towards your establishment. Always remember that happy customers mean that you have done something right. Impress only in the most honest and effective way and you can expect to be talked about by holiday goers in no time.

Reinventing what people have been accustomed to eating has always made a mark in the minds of the people. If you have so much time to think about it, create your very own "a la" recipe from an already existing one. It doesn't have to be 90% original, just whip up your own knowledge and expertise in preparing the said menu dish and make sure that it tastes as good as how your mom cooks it. Surprise your customers and you may be surprise with the overwhelming response.

Since the holiday season is a time for sharing and giving, why not take advantage of it too? Put up stands with your food samples in public places such as the shopping mall for example and let everybody know that you have a spectacular collection for this season. It's a great marketing approach without actually detaching your establishment from the true spirit of the holiday season.

Shareen Aguilar is a writer for Restaurant Business which has information about restaurant management and restaurant operation techniques.

Holiday Marketing 101 - Tastefully Simple

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Marketing has hit an all time high. The shopping frenzy has begun. With less than three months until the gift giving season is here every day wasted counts heavily towards your income potential for the year.

I cannot think of a better time to make use of your marketing dollars than to put your money where their mouths are. That is why when your customers insatiable appetite for a deal has been raised to an all time high, I ask you, why not take advantage of their desire by offering a taste of things to come.

You might assume that what I am suggesting only applies to you if you have a food oriented business. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Businesses of all venues can make use of this "teaspoon" marketing style.

If you have been in business for any length of time at all I am sure you have received the card friendly catalogue with the sample card enclosed. So how do you turn this buying frenzy to your advantage? How about following the trend of the retail stores that offer you buy one get one free deals? Then there is always the free shipping offer that you could make. You might set it up as a minimum purchase required to make it worth your investment. I would classify those as samples too. I have even heard of service oriented businesses offering the first hour free. Now there's one I can sink my teeth into. How about you?

If neither of those appeal to you why not try offering a before you buy choice? This is a win-win offer; better known as Risk Reversal in the marketing world. Are their people who have raised their hand in interest throughout the year? Maybe they contacted you, or even purchased a product or service, in the past; they might be good sources of new or repeat business? It has been proven that people who buy once are more likely to buy from you a second and third time if you merely market to them. The Boston's Consultant Group states in their article Retailing Online: Coming of Age, "Retailers, on average, generated $7 in revenue for every dollar invested in acquisition and $25 for every dollar spent on retention, each nearly double the previous year's averages of $4 and $13, respectively." Now how can you not like those stats?

We all love contests and prizes. Do you know of an event that is accepting prize donations? Be the first to step up and give a little taste of your wares as a prize. Not only will the winner enjoy your gift but think of the free publicity! Haven't heard of any? Start your own. If you need or want help, partner with another like-minded business owner and make it a joint venture. You have just doubled your exposure by marketing to each other's lists.

There are many marketing techniques that fit into this category. No one marketing technique will work for everybody. Find the ones that fit your business and personality and utilize them again and again to ensure your business success. Every once in a while stretch your taste buds and try something just a bit different. Hey, you might just find something that works even better than a system you have used in the past.

These are just a sampling of how you can increase your bottom line with a few simple solutions. So before it's too late get your holiday marketing plan set and in motion. Consider your customer; if you were trying to decide which product or service to use and one offered a sample or trial and the other didn't what would you do? Think like your customers and your marketing results are sure to fill your plate.

Ginger Marks is the founder of DocUmeant Designs, "We Make YOU Look GOOD!". For more information, visit http://www.documeantdesigns.com Mrs. Marks is currently working on her second annual Holiday Marketing Guide. Look for it soon at http://www.HolidayMarketingGuide.com/