| I had a recent talk with a group of restaurateurs | | | | people never leave home without; their cell phone |
| who had questions about social media, (the myths, | | | | What can a restaurant owner do with text |
| the possibilities and the actualities) responses to | | | | marketing? |
| which I posted on my own blog. | | | | Create a long-term positive cash flow with minimal |
| Text message marketing was of particular interest | | | | investment |
| and I've posted some of the general points that we | | | | Cut traditional marketing costs and reduce time and |
| covered to give restaurant owners and managers a | | | | money spent on social media sites |
| quick overview of what text marketing can offer. | | | | Segment your mobile list into applicable marketing |
| Common Sense Facts to consider with text | | | | groups so they get pertinent messages |
| marketing for your restaurant. | | | | Send event reminders to reduce no-shows. |
| 67% of women said they would be interested in | | | | Receive and confirm reservations via text messages. |
| receiving text/mobile coupons & notices about | | | | Highlight specials, special occasions, wine pairing |
| services and women tend to be the dominant | | | | dinners, or charity events |
| decision makers for both spending and dining out | | | | Send scheduled messages to increase traffic on slow |
| Only 8% of Facebook and 9% of Twitter consumers | | | | days |
| ever follow a restaurant on-line and while we consider | | | | Offer special incentives for your best customers to |
| social media a very important aspect of your | | | | return more frequently |
| marketing strategy, it should not be your only | | | | Communicate with staff instantly and easily. |
| strategy. | | | | What does text messaging offer the restaurant |
| Teens send 3000 text messages a month and | | | | owner? |
| actually prefer text over Facebook, Twitter or email. | | | | Low Cost, High ROI, Ease of use. |
| Think future customers here, and acknowledge that | | | | The ability to reach your customer anywhere, |
| teens tends to be freer with spending than any | | | | anytime, anyplace (even at a competitors) |
| other demographic group | | | | Your message ALONE, no competitors ads are |
| 97% of your customers have a cell phone that | | | | displayed with yours |
| receives text messages | | | | An open and read rate of 94% (check that against |
| 77% of mobile phone subscribers regularly send and | | | | your email campaign open rate) |
| receive text messages | | | | A measurable return on investment. |
| Text messages go directly to one of three items | | | | |