Starting a restaurant is still one of the most popular entrepreneurial ventures in this country. All sorts of people do it, from trained chefs with experience in other restaurants to immigrants straight off the boat looking for the American dream. Tons of factors go into whether a restaurant will succeed, from location and ambiance to the quality of the food. Of course today they also have to compete against the chains who have every part of the consumer experience down to a science. But still, many can succeed with hard work and the right formula.
Still, another important factor includes marketing and the intelligent use of promotional dollars. In today’s world, there’s a huge opportunity with social media. It’s no longer sufficient to just have a website. You need to have a Facebook page and a Twitter account, and you better be on top of what customers are saying about you on Yelp. Of course, older methods still matter. Menus can be like print brochures for your establishment, and you can save a ton of money with online printing. Radio and TV advertising can also help. But the best use of time and resources today just may be social media. Learn it, or find someone who knows about it to help you.
