How To Market Your Thanksgiving Dinner

If you own a restaurant then you have probably considered staying opening on Thanksgiving Day. This could turn out to be one of your most profitable business days of the year, so if you decide to go for it, you will want to take full advantage of all it has to offer. There are a lot of things to consider if you decide to be open on this day. You have to take into account staffing needs; planning your menu; how much food to order; and even what the proper décor should be.

However, none of that will matter if you do not market your restaurant properly. Until you become an establishment that is known for being open on Thanksgiving Day, and have a following, you will have to proudly and loudly let customers know that you plan on being open for business this Thanksgiving Day.

Doing this can be done in many ways, from utilizing tried and true methods such as word of mouth, flyers and signs, to social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Writing Thanksgiving blogs, sharing your menu and cooking ideas, and talking up a storm about your great Thanksgiving day menu, will stir the pot and get people excited about your Thanksgiving dinner. 

Social Media

The fastest way to get messages across to your target audience is via social media, and this should be your go-to tool for everything going on in your restaurant. If you plan on opening up on Thanksgiving day, the social media platforms that you use everyday, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, should be used to broadcast this news months in advance. As the day gets closer, keep on pumping out information by posting images of your menu on Instagram and Pinterest, tweeting information about how you are sourcing the food for your Thanksgiving dinner, and creating relevant hastags that can bring users to your Twitter account.

Paid ads can also be helpful if you want to spend some money advertising your special Thanksgiving opening, Running ad campaigns on your Facebook business account, or Waze ads where pins inform shows users your restaurant when they drive near your business. The opportunities for social media marketing your restaurant's plans for opening on Thanksgiving day are many, and you can either do it yourself, or ask your teenager to help you get started.

Word of Mouth

While social media is all the rage, and people are constantly on their phones looking, searching, ordering and purchasing, good old-fashioned word-of-mouth is also effective, especially when it comes to restaurants. Spend time spreading the word to your loyal customers about your planned Thanksgiving Day menu. Place placards on the tables advertising your hours, prices and menu plans. Hand out little cards when customers leave inviting them to join you for Thanksgiving dinner, and do email blasts to your customer base advertising your plans. As people begin to hear that your restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving day, they will start making their plans to join you, and tell their friends as well. This is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to get your business advertised.

Hand out Flyers

Another tried-and-true method of advertising for local restaurants is via flyers. Make and distribute flyers to potential customers that inform them of your plans to be open on the holiday. You can mail these to local residents; have them placed on cars in parking lots; or hand delivered to home addresses near your business. You can even ask other local businesses if you can hang up flyers in their business. Many times this form of advertising will bring in quite a few people that otherwise never would have known that you existed. And, if they did hear of you on social media, seeing flyers in print will reinforce the message they already received on their phones.

Place Signs in Strategic Locations

Purchase or rent a sign that prominently features your Thanksgiving Day specials. Place it in a visible location that is certain to attract the attention of passersby. Many people will see your sign and make a note to visit your restaurant for Thanksgiving. This is a quick way to reach a lot of people at a low cost. A sign is another way to reinforce social media messages, as people see with their own eyes, what they heard about on social media.

Local Newspaper Ads

If you have a large budget, in addition to social media marketing, you can run an ad in the local newspaper. This can also apply to those with a smaller budget. You can take out a classified ad or look for a section that offers announcements. Either way you can get some print exposure about your restaurant. Another way to use the newspaper is to contact those who talk about local businesses. Let them know what you are doing and see if they will do a short piece on your business. This will get your name out there and let others know that you have a terrific Thanksgiving Day dinner planned for your customers.