Boost Your Catering Business With These Marketing Suggestions

When devising the proper market strategy to use for your marketing plan, keep in mind that you should choose one that is appropriate for your target market. In the following paragraphs, we'll show you some common marketing techniques and ideas on how you can use them to your advantage.

Print Publications and Internet Sites

Having your name visible in popular event magazines and websites makes you more accessible to event planners and other professionals who may need or refer your services for their client. Although it doesn't guarantee that your company will be hired instantly, having your company constantly visible to event planners will make it more possible for your company to be short listed in the bids. However, if your location is outside the city, this may not do much good for your business as event publications and websites are more inclined to feature events in the city.

Press Coverage

One advantage of being a caterer is that you could garner some free publicity when you cater to high profile events in your community. Some non-profit organizations hold gala events annually, and one way to get you hired as the caterer would be to offer a large discount to the organizer. Once you've secured the offer, this would be a good opportunity for you to present yourself as one of the sponsors of the event. Having the right to give out notices to the media would help a lot in making sure that you generate media advertisement, that's one reason that we advice that you include that clause in your regular contract with the clients; your client would also gain from this arrangement as it will put their event on the limelight. On the other hand, your client may not want any media attention on their event so be ready to cross out that particular clause.

Establish a Formal Referral System

Referrals from satisfied clients are one way to promote your business, but if you create a formal referral system then it would have a bigger impact on your business. One way you could do this would be to give referral packages to clients who can bring in more customers; you could also instruct your people to ask your clients for direct referrals. The client should be aware that you are thankful for the referral they had brought to your business; if not for them then the new customer might not have sought your services at all. It is important that your client realize how much you appreciate their effort, so instead of just calling or emailing them, send them a handwritten note expressing your gratitude - or a gift would be even better.