Last Minute Restaurant Valentine’s Day Marketing

Its one of the biggest weekends of the year for restaurants, and it is only days away. Are you doing what you can to make it the best it can be? At GuestFeed we are working overtime to help our clients capitalize. Here are four things you can do yourself starting today to make this weekend all it can be, it is time to get cracking.

1) Understand the Male Mentality: Last minute planning is the way guys operate, they will be looking for a miracle on Monday afternoon. BE THERE FOR THEM. Leverage your social media with posts like: “We have two openings at 5pm, call quick to get them.” After years of working this holiday I can tell you that the last minute calls of desperation are some of the most intense of the entire year, one after another.

2) Use your email list to share the specials and remind everyone to make a reservation, the earlier that you can get them booked the sooner you can fill up your book, by sorting people into the less desirable times. Rewarding your email list members who have been loyal to you all year with a bonus dessert for coming in before 6pm is a good idea one of our clients is using this year.

3) Watch for local reporters who are talking about Valentine’s day on Twitter. One of our clients ‘Evenfall’ has gotten three stories written about it’s Be Mine Mojito, the single ladies at the bar, and one of the dinner specials for Valentine’s Day this week. Reporters love a local tie in to a major story. @ Mention them and tell them on twitter what you are doing.

4) Use the EFT ratio and make sure you are sharing links to your reservation system, V-day menu, and providing easy ways for guests to reserve.

This is what we do everyday for our restaurant and retail clients, if you think we could help you, let me know: @spirocks on Twitter, spiro@ guestfeed.com, or here in the comments.