8 Top Social Media Strategies For Restaurants

As most of my restaurants have slashed their ad budgets, many are using social networking as a major element in their marketing mix. Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are found to be the best marketing tools out there to use for free, although incorporating blogs and several other sites will add to your overall social media marketing plan.

Here are some specific techniques and strategies to get you good results:

1. Social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. are free and being used by many businesses, small and large. On all sites, just upload your address book and see who is already socially networking and add them as ‘friends’.

2. Send updates to consistently grow your fan base, send updates of specials and events as well as get fans to join your regular email lists. It is easy to start and use on a regular basis. Anything you write spreads information about your restaurants like wildfire!
3. Create a blog and tag stories with key search words.

4. Do you have a current commercial already filmed? If so, get it on You Tube, your website and post on your social network profiles.

5. Add a sign up button on your website and send specials, events or news to your customers via email.

6. Design a postcard or brochure with an offer for your business. Distribute at trade shows, networking events, to local convention centers, visitor bureaus, concierges, area businesses, event gift bags, etc.

7. Get involved with a non-profit. You will get great press while giving back to the community.

8. Read the fine print at the end of newspaper and magazine articles. Writers are always looking for ideas and suggestions for stories. Pitch an idea and you may get free press.

According to research, businesses that advertise in a recession usually come out of it ahead of their competitors who cut advertising. It is important to stay visible and not rely solely on your current customer base to make it through the slow times. If there is no money available for advertising, there are many resources to keep your business visible but you must be creative.

These are just a few ideas of keeping your business in the eye of the consumer in a cost effective manner. Whether you have the funds to advertise in traditional media or not, the key to being successful in marketing your business is to make the time, put a plan in place and execute it effectively.

By the way, do you want to learn more about Social Media?

If so, download my brand new free white paper Social Media: A Primer Click Here [http://drdavehaleonline.com/blog/new-social-media-research-white-paper/]

Dr. Dave Hale, specializes in the integration of Web 2.0 strategies into corporate marketing and HR management systems.
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