Valentine’s Day is just around the corner which presents the perfect opportunity to boost sales and attract more customers. So, what can you do to help your business this Valentine’s Day? asks Marine Grangier, Senior Marketing Manager, Foodbomb.

Interestingly, studies have shown people are spending less on gifts this year, but fear not, eating out is still an Australian favourite for the holiday, with 70 per cent of people choosing this option for the day of romance. With a possible recession on the horizon, now is the time to take advantage of opportunities to attract customers to your venue to see you through slower periods in business.

So, here are a few tips to help you attract customers and take advantage of the romantic occasion.

Offer special menus, packages or set courses

On Valentine’s Day, most people are looking for something a little special for their dining experience. If possible, try to offer a special menu with themed dishes, along with wine pairing options, to create a memorable experience for those dining out. If you’re worried about the expense of this, and having to stock additional foods, repurpose the ingredients you use on a day-to-day basis into a set menu. Likewise, offering different packages which have add-ons like champagne, desserts or special courses, is a good way to increase spending and keep your clientele feeling special. Don’t forget about non-couple Valentine’s Day deals too, like ‘Love you mates’ packages or ‘Mates dates’ deals that cater to families and friends going out.

Make reservations as easy as possible

Whatever you do, ahead of Valentine’s Day this year make sure to have an easy and convenient reservation system in place to avoid any confusion or disappointment on Valentine’s Day. Many people book last minute dinners, so keeping your customers informed online, even through social media, is a great way to manage customer numbers. Most people expect to be able to make a booking online, so if your digital presence isn’t up to scratch, consider fixing this ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Promote your deals, special packages and set courses through digital marketing

Social media is a powerful tool for attracting customers particularly for holiday events. Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram provide you with platforms which link directly to your customers where you can advertise special Valentine’s Day packages and menus. Likewise, if your venue is decorated in a special way for the holiday, you might also encourage customers to take photos and tag your business to generate greater brand awareness.

Get creative with your decorations and styling

Create an atmosphere that your customers will love, by adding elements your restaurant wouldn’t normally display. If the cost is concerning you, remember you can recycle these items for the following calendar year. Creating an atmosphere within your venue, even if it’s only with music and lighting, will create intimacy and put your customers into a more relaxed state of mind. Likewise, it may encourage people to post photos of your venue on social media, creating more exposure for your brand. Ultimately, you want to keep your customers dining (and spending) for as long as possible, so making your venue attractive and comfortable is one way to do that.

Offer exceptional customer service

Whilst customer service is always important, Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity to step this up a notch! Brief your wait staff on any upgrades, add-ons, specials and dietary adjustments ahead of service, so they can easily inform customers. Anticipating your customers’ needs by offering sides, alternative dishes, filling water continuously and being attentive will go a long way. For many this holiday marks a special occasion, so making your customers’ experience as memorable as possible will influence their opinions of your business and likelihood of returning or recommending you.

If you think you’ve missed the boat and it’s now too late to put these strategies in place, it’s not! Some people will be scrambling at the last minute to book something and they’ll be grateful to find a suitable venue with availability. You might even get spontaneous walk-ins on the day whom you can surprise and delight!

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