Although building an email marketing list takes time, here are some easy ways for you to begin building your list for your restaurant.
Create easy ways to opt-in
Your customers should have ways to sign up for your email marketing list through all of your marketing channels. Include a subscribe field on your website, add a tab on your Facebook page and include an opt-in checkbox on your online ordering system. Most email management software offer tools for users to automatically subscribe themselves from your website and various social media platforms.x
Get to know your online ordering and POS systems
Technology you already use in your restaurant may already be collecting valuable customer data. In most cases, email addresses may be exported from these systems. Make sure your customers have opt-ed in to be contact by you for marketing purposes, in accordance to the CAN-SPAM act.
Create a business card drop with a compelling offer
A weekly drawing for lunch by dropping a form or business card in a box in your restaurant can help build your list. Be sure to include a compelling offer that customers will be willing to participate in and outline if, how and when they may be contacted in the future.
Trade-ya! Campaigns
In exchange for a customer’s email address you may “trade-them” for a discount on a future purchase, a free drink or menu item.
Third-Party Participation
Let your vendors do the hard work for you. Negotiate with event planners and online deal websites to have customers opt-in to your email marketing list in order to attend an event at your location or purchase a deal online.
It is most important to remember that a customer needs to voluntarily provide you with their email address- “the opt-in”. The most effective list building initiatives are when you are completely transparent as to how/when/and why you will be contacting your customers by email in the future.
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