9 budget-friendly marketing ideas for Indian restaurants
There’s more to Indian restaurants than just finger-licking good food! If you’re low on funds but want to come up with compelling marketing ideas without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 9 cost-effective promotional techniques for your Indian restaurant.
- Stay consistent on social media
You might have been able to create a brand perception for yourself but the key to success is consistent branding. Staying regular and up-to-date on social media is just one aspect to effective social marketing. Implementing consistent branding throughout your content is crucial. Leverage your social media pages to create a following for your drool worthy food. Add your logo and tagline to your posts, use consistent colors in your graphics, posts, and profile design, stick to specific fonts for text-based content and ensure images and videos align with your brand aesthetic.
- Create interesting videos for your feed
Creating behind-the-scenes videos keeps your audience engaged and makes them feel connected to your brand and recipe videos are always a good idea. Teach people how to make crispy puris and tangy pani or fluffy, buttery naan at home. Show a quick look at your chef preparing a signature dish or showcase the must-have Indian spices used in your dishes. Take your audience on a tour of your kitchen and show them where the magic happens.
- Distribute flyers and menus
Flyers are a great multipurpose marketing material. Whether you’re giving something to take home to customers, or reminding passersby to stop at your restaurant nearby, flyers and menus do a compelling job at attracting customers and promoting your restaurant. Make sure to use bold colors and high-quality images of your food and keep it simple, easy to read, and well-organized. You can also include a QR code linking to your online menu or ordering system. If you’re unsure how to design a flyer or menu or add a QR code to it, try a professionally designed menu template from PosterMyWall. Just replace the information with your own and you’re good to go!
- Give email marketing a shot
Email marketing is one of the cheapest and most cost-effective digital marketing strategies, especially compared to paid ads or traditional marketing. You can reach thousands, millions of people without the costs going too high. Most email marketing tools offer free plans or low-cost paid plans. You can collect email IDs of customers who order from your website or visit the restaurant, and keep them updated on deals and promotions.
- Host events at your restaurant
Bollywood dance night, 80’s trivia, karaoke evening and more. Possibilities are endless when you’re at an Indian restaurant! With so much culture, history and pop-culture themes to choose from you can host successful events at your restaurant, making it the place to be for entertainment as well as good food. You can also open up your venue for birthday parties, wedding events and so on.
- Expand your reach with delivery options
If given the choice, I’d prefer ordering in most days rather than dining out and I’m sure many others feel the same. In today’s world, not being listed on popular delivery apps means missing out on a significant number of potential sales. Additionally, offering direct delivery to customers in your area can help you maximize revenue and retain more business. This will help in promoting your restaurant and building a loyal clientele.
- Partner with food bloggers
Collaborating with food bloggers is a great way to increase your restaurant’s visibility and attract new customers. Invite local influencers to experience your menu and share their honest reviews through social media posts and blogs. Offering a complimentary meal or an exclusive tasting can help generate buzz, as their audience values their recommendations, making this a cost-effective marketing strategy.
- Use Whatsapp marketing
Almost everyone has WhatsApp. It’s a super easy way to stay connected with your customers. You can send out daily specials, discounts, and updates straight to their phones. With WhatsApp Business, you can even set up quick replies and a digital menu to make ordering a breeze. Plus, people love the personal touch. It makes them feel valued and keeps them coming back!
- Get listed on Google
If your restaurant isn’t on Google, you’re missing out! Getting listed means people can easily find you on search and Google Maps. Just set up your profile, add some mouth-watering photos, and keep your info updated. And don’t forget to ask happy customers for reviews—it helps build trust and brings in more diners!
Marketing your restaurant doesn’t have to be expensive. Small, strategic efforts can make a big impact. Try out these strategies, see what works best for your restaurant, and keep adapting to grow your business!
