The most successful hotels use high-tech social media to reach out to guests, as well as a server on the restaurant floor who uses an upsell technique. How can you create a catering marketing strategy that effectively offers your banquet goods and outlets at the highest possible profit margins, hence enhancing your bottom line?
Investigate options for developing a social media strategy for catering sales.
1. The most important factor is performance.
When it comes to choosing a restaurant, people still rely on internet reviews. Make certain that your service is flawless and that your product is deserving of praise.
“There’s a lot of chatter about social media,” Andy Labette, General Manager, The Benjamin Hotel, NYC, said in Cohen’s piece. It must, however, be linked to performance. High Yelp ratings are linked to increased restaurant sales year over year.”
Consider client complaints as chances for better customer service and gifts to help you develop. With the use of smartphone applications, customers may leave evaluations right away. Make every effort to offer a client a positive experience that will result in a positive review.
2. Make Use of Social Media to Establish a Presence
Ideally, you have someone who is solely responsible for developing your social media presence. With so many sites to establish connections and material for, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, this could easily be a full-time job. You can post content like your catering menu list, your promotional video, and post with discounts that will help you to grab customers’ attention.
If you’re unaware of how to create marketing content then use online graphic design tools to create menus, videos, and infographics. You can also use mobile apps like restaurant menu maker, video promotion and infographics app to create content on your phone.
What if you can’t persuade your bosses that you really need the extra help? Troy Clarke, Director of Food & Beverage, Royal Sonesta Hotel, advocates reaching out to local media to assist convey your narrative and leveraging their power to keep things going, according to Cohen’s piece.
3. Get Creative With the Comment Card
The classic paper comment card is going by the wayside. With more people using mobile devices, paper cards are not netting results. Some restaurants are bringing a mobile device with the check and getting better responses, as high as 40%. Using a mobile device for comment cards allows for you to tie the server into the comments as well. You can build a recognition/incentive program into the results and achieve better productivity.
Clarke holds a meeting with his staff weekly and provides training at that time. During training, the staff is provided the reviews for the week. They learn where they could use improvement and make changes where needed. They learn what they did right so they can repeat that behavior. Their review scores have increased. 46% of his restaurant referrals are coming from Facebook.
Also read: How to Manage inventory Business
4. Keep an Eye on Your Social Media Accounts
To see and be noticed, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is critical! However, once you’ve taken care of that crucial aspect of your social media project.
keep an eye on whether or not your participation in social media is affecting your bottom line. What is your profit margin when you conduct promotions? You’ll be able to see what’s working and what isn’t in your social media marketing efforts if you track them.
5. Keep Up With The Times
Making your messaging and advertising relevant and engaging is part of managing them. Assign someone to collect and share the articles that will help you succeed on a daily basis. That individual should also keep note of your remarks. Every day, comments should be handled. Use the bad feedback as an opportunity to express your thanks for someone taking the time to help you improve, and then tell them how you plan to do so.
Prepare by ensuring your performance is top-notch before you begin using social media to increase your bottom line with food and beverage. Use social media to establish a presence by hiring a full-time social media manager or enlisting the help of local influencers.
