Navigating the Search for the Perfect Restaurant PR Partner
Restaurant owners, operators and chefs,
I know your plate is full (I love a good pun!) - you have people to hire and train, supplies to order and menus to develop as well as construction and design timelines to manage. Opening a restaurant is hard even when everything is done right. Even when your menu items are top-notch, your staff is energetic and eager, and you have your permits in hand, if customers don’t know about you or where to find you, it will be hard to succeed.
In the competitive world of the restaurant industry, where exceptional food and outstanding service are not always enough, effective PR is a crucial ingredient for success. As restaurant owners, operators, and chefs navigate the complexities of opening and running a business, the significance of a well-crafted PR strategy cannot be overstated.
Short of managing your restaurant’s PR and marketing yourself, consider hiring a firm. Before you do though, here are a few tips for working with a firm and ensuring the firm works for you.
Hire a firm that understands restaurants
It is imperative to choose a firm that understands the nuances of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Inspire PR Group, for instance, boasts over 100 years of combined experience specifically working with restaurants, ensuring a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the field.
Prioritizing your time
Recognizing where your time is best spent is another critical aspect. Prioritize aspects such as food quality, staff training and customer experience, and entrust the PR firm to handle the intricacies of getting your message across effectively. A good PR firm will ask insightful questions, actively listen, and then communicate your restaurant's stories and information in a compelling manner, leveraging various media channels.
When it comes to messaging, a good firm doesn’t stay in one lane
Messaging is a multifaceted endeavor, and a competent PR firm will adeptly navigate Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned media. From strategic advertising and media relations to social media engagement and website optimization, a good PR firm will create a comprehensive approach that ensures maximum visibility for your restaurant.
Message delivery
Identifying a spokesperson for your restaurant is crucial, and your PR partner should assist in selecting an articulate and confident individual capable of effectively engaging with reporters.
Think beyond a ribbon cutting
Ribbon cuttings are nice, especially when you engage a local chamber to bring those fabulously large scissors, but your community outreach should not end there. A good firm will devise creative community engagement strategies, extending your restaurant's reach through sponsorships, events and support for charitable causes.
Remember your website
In today's digital age, the importance of a well-crafted website cannot be overstated. A staggering 90% of visitors research a restaurant online before deciding to dine there. A good PR firm can contribute to website design, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO), ensuring your online presence effectively complements the positive media coverage generated.
The success of a restaurant extends beyond the kitchen and dining room. The right PR firm can be a valuable partner in ensuring that you can concentrate on the food and service experience. To elevate your restaurant's visibility, engage with your community, and ultimately enhance your chances of long-term success in the competitive restaurant landscape, a PR partner is the answer.