Marketing is important for a catering business.
Catering business can live and die by the strength of their marketing efforts, particularly in areas with high levels of competition. As you plan a marketing strategy for your catering company, consider how you can make the most of your customers and other local businesses to spread the word about your delicious cooking. An effective marketing plan can lead to the growth of your customer base, larger catering jobs, and increased profits.
Instructions
1. Make a website. Because consumers tend to research services and products online before purchasing, a website should be your first marketing objective. Hire a web design firm to design and build a professional site that includes sample menus, photographs of the food, sample prices, and package information. Customers should get a sense of the types of food you create to see if your style fits with the event they are planning.
2. Start a referral program. Word-of-mouth advertising is priceless for a catering business: keep your customers happy and offer incentives to make sure that they pass on positive recommendations. You might offer a cash bonus to a customer who refers a friend or family member, or give a discount if a customer will allow you to discreetly display business cards or a small business sign on the catering table at an event.
3. Partner with event planners. Customers who can afford to hire event planners are more likely to have the budget for larger catering jobs; if you form a successful partnership with planners in your area, you can get jobs without a great deal of effort. Consider holding a tasting dinner for event planners in your city so you can show off your skills, and offer a discount for customers of a certain event planning company so that you will be more attractive to those customers.
4. Spread the word about your business. You and your staff can be the most important marketing tools for your catering company. Build awareness of your services, foods, and prices by telling everyone you know. Hand out business cards to friends and family, wear branded clothing when serving at events, or set up a booth at a local wedding show.
5. Advertise locally. Because catering businesses are often restricted by location, focus on creating brand recognition in your area. Focus on distributing posters and brochures in places that will attract customers who will need catering: wedding planning offices, formal wear stores, florists, cake bakers, and reception halls are good places to start. Pass out brochures to organizations and corporations who throw events that require food service.
Tags: event planners, about your, business cards, catering business, catering company, catering jobs