There is no doubt that every industry faces a tough market to crack. Competition is fierce and small business owners are likely to find themselves competing against established high street brands. Even if you are in a great location, with tasty food and competitive prices, it won’t guarantee customers will come flocking through the door.
Your first challenge will be making people aware of your business and then giving them a reason to come to you, rather than a competitor. It is fair to say, without a marketing campaign it is unlikely your business will survive the first year.
Logo
An effective logo is the first step to build your brand and it is probably the single most important element of your initial campaign. A logo is so much more than your company name. Over time it will evolve to signify what your business stands for. It will be used to create eye-catching display materials, from signage and point-of-sale to leaflets and advertisements. At the very least, ensure your logo is designed by a professional graphic designer.
Website
Your website is key when it comes to promoting your food establishment. It will give customers an idea of your menu, prices, location and opening times. Encourage customers to sign up for your newsletter by offering an incentive and add some relevant content written by affordable content writing services provider to your website so that it looks more appealing.
Décor
You’ll want to create a warm and inviting environment that will encourage repeat visits and customer recommendations. A theme can help to captivate your audience and give your establishment a unique feel. Comfortable seating can encourage customers to remain longer, whilst display fridges can provide an attractive way to present your food items whilst keeping them cool.
Embrace the Media
Local newspapers will often do a story if you have an interesting angle. Consider inviting a local personality to open the establishment or tie up with a local charity. Anything you can do to make your launch more interesting will be likely to secure coverage. Get to know the local editors and invite them for a free lunch or deliver one to their offices, free of charge to write a professional press release.
Be Sociable
Don’t ignore social media. A Facebook page and Twitter account can be set up for free. Regular tweets and updates will enable you to communicate ‘daily specials’ and other promotions to new and existing customers.
Owning and managing a cafe or sandwich bar can seem like a dream job. Not only is it fun, but it also gives you an opportunity to socialize with many different people. The reality is that many cafes and sandwich bars struggle to survive and the high street is littered with closed down premises that have failed to even make it through the first year.
On the other hand, if you have the determination, along with certain business attributes and a willingness to work long hours, owning a food establishment could offer a rewarding and lucrative career.
