Historically speaking coupons have been an effective way for restaurants to promote themselves and gain new and repeat customers. Although continuing to offer print coupons is a great idea for certain markets it is important to know there is a whole new market you might be missing out on.
It doesn’t take a genius to know that technology is the way of the world. Why not combine that fact with how you offer coupons and start offering them digitally? Why not reach out to your smartphone and tablet using customers by offering your coupons via email, text, social media or your website?
There can be great benefit in digital coupons but only if you deploy an effective strategy. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Identify your target market and mediums your target uses to receive coupons.
It is critical to understand your target market and how that market would prefer to receive digital coupons.
The beauty of digital coupons is you have more options in distributing your coupons as opposed to standard print.
Keep in mind though where your target is spending their time. Email? Social Media? Do they prefer to text?
Target your target audience.
Start by putting your promotions on a platform where your target audience spends most of their time.
We’ve found that college students spend a lot of their time on social media. So if you’re customers are mostly college age offer your coupons via social media.
If you have an older adult crowd that frequents your restaurant on their lunch hour maybe email is a better option.
The key is to think like your target and distribute your coupons accordingly.
Don’t skip visual appeal.
It can be as simple as including your company logo and colors. Keep your brand visually in your customer’s mind.
Have a beautiful signature dish? Something well known that is frequently ordered? Memorable to customers? Run a special on it using digital coupons and include an image of that dish!
Exploring offering digital coupons can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be off to a great start.
If you are still unsure of how to deploy an effective digital coupon campaign we’d love to help you get started! Contact us today!