Did you know that 75% of restaurants fail due to poor branding and lack of online presence? Don’t be a statistic, take control of your business’s brand by following the steps outlined in this article below.
Branding is a key component to business, have you ever seen a commercial with the Swoosh symbol and instantly recognized it as Nike, without even seeing a shoe or their name in the ad? I have, and that is the power of proper branding. Branding is the process of creating your image, and by use of repetition, branding it into your audience’s mind. Successful branding leads to recognition among consumers, which is in turn great for business. The more recognizable you are as a business, the more likely you are to stay at the forefront of your customer’s minds. If you think about it, every time you see a pair of Golden Arches, you will realize most people think of McDonald’s. Is it because they have amazing food? No, their marketing campaign has spent decades cementing those Golden Arches into the minds of consumers across the world, to the point that they are recognizable virtually everywhere. You too can achieve this same level of recognition in your area as a small business when you spend the time creating a brand and sticking to it consistently.
Content Marketing
Content marketing is one of the biggest ways to build brand awareness, content marketing is one of the biggest pieces of digital marketing. Without engaging and riveting content, you will not see the same level of reach digitally on social media or your website. So many business owners feel they have to be word smiths to generate content when their audience is looking for reliable, consistent, and helpful content. As a restaurant owner, content marketing can seem incredibly hard, but it can be so very easy. Information blogs about specialty menu items, and the differences between types of meats, the ideas are endless. Content marketing also includes the ads you post both in print, online, and on social media.
Telling the story about how your restaurant came to be, the journey you have been on, and even the everyday ins and outs of being a restauranteur, are all subjects that can provide ways for you to connect with your audiences, bring them in, grab their attention and entice them to visit you and your establishment.
Being aware of the content on your website is also a very big point. Taking the time to lay out the information that people will want to know about your establishment is a big component of website content. Things like FAQs, dish descriptions, reviews from diners, location and hour information, and details about you and your business are all valuable pieces of information your customers and diners will love to read about. You don’t need to be a wordsmith to write about these things, so long as they remain relevant and helpful for your audience, however, if writing isn’t your style, there is no shame in hiring a marketing firm that can take the time to create a good content marketing strategy for your small business.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is one of the marketing components that restaurants and eateries can cash in on. So many people use social media for questions, insights, referrals, and recommendations. Food-based businesses need to be cashing in on a good social media marketing plan. Social media is an incredible tool when used properly to help build brand awareness and an online presence. Social media allows businesses to reach their target audiences, hold conversations, talk about specials and events, and so much more.
Creating a strong and strategic social media marketing plan can sound overwhelming, but it is worth the investment. Flavor Fusion Marketing will be offering classes on social media marketing strategies soon, to help businesses learn how to develop their unique strategy and elevate their business on a local level.
Public Relations
Never underestimate the power of good PR. Making the time to ensure good public relations can be an incredible help when it comes to brand awareness. Issuing press releases about news like new locations, renovations, changes in management, and other big news, to your local news outlets can be one way to keep people aware of your business, and put your name out there on different platforms to reach new audiences. Sharing the big news with the community via the media and press is one easy way to make sure that people are seeing your brand, hearing your news, and taking notice of your business.
Building good public relations with other companies, influencers, groups, and organizations is another great way to bring awareness to your brand. Whether it is partnering with a charity to sponsor an event, or partnering with another business to create a collaboration of service, good public relations with others in your community is a great way to build your brand’s awareness.
These are all great ways that you can build brand awareness on an organic level. There are many other possible ways to build brand awareness, like ad campaigns, advertising in local media outlets, and networking with local groups, however, those can come at a cost. All of these methods are fantastic ways to increase your brand awareness, and every business, restaurant, and eatery should weigh the pros and cons of all of the options before they commit to a plan.
We always recommend implementing the organic methods first, adding in other options as you continue to grow. These organic methods are typically free, and they are a great way for a business to build brand awareness in its community.