Marketing begins in the bathroom

When I am faced with an uncomfortable question like: I need to do some marketing because customer counts are down, a few thoughts come to mind. Has your market suddenly moved away? Is there more competition out there?

These are legitimate reasons but often they are not the cause. Sales and customer counts are generally influenced by the quality of the operations of the restaurant. If your front of the house is messy and cluttered, your customers will notice.

How do you know the impression you are creating with your customers? Go to your bathroom and take a look around. If you fail to keep your public bathrooms in respectable condition, what does that say about your kitchen? Why would I think that the Kitchen is in any better shape?

Take the time to survey your bathroom. Never let your customers decision to return or spread the glorious word of mouth about your restaurant be based on a poorly kept bathroom. Get that in order and then we will talk about Marketing/inviting people in to create positive experiences.

Service - I don't get it!

Service. I don't get it. I mean... I get it, occasionally when I go out to eat, but not like I'd like. What I don't get, is why you (the customer) don't get service.

Clearly you don't get it because you continue to tip the "good lookings" before you tip the "good servants". Are we of some ridiculous mindset that tipping the "good lookings" is going to make us cool with the "good-looking" crowd?

I certainly hope that you don't think you are going to get lucky with the "good-looking" because they have a "good looking" waiting for them at home.

So what's the issue (problem) here. Waitress, Waiter, Server, whatever. They are not potential dates or lovers so get yer head out of the gutter and start appreciating what you go out for...good food, good prices and great service.

Joey's Restaurants is offering a $1000 tip for the best service testimonial from their customers. This is a great way to "up" the overall quality of service system-wide and it is a great opportunity for Joey's customers to start realizing the true quality of service they receive each and every time they step into a Joey's Restaurant.

Now yer smart marketing!

How to Wow!

Welcome to my glob.

A great big glob of my thoughts - put out there for you to comment on. Am I ready for this? Let's see. I am a promotions guy who learned marketing by shaking hands of bus drivers and tour operators in Banff, Alberta and touted for backpackers along the Cairns Esplanade in Australia.

Face to face is the way it has to be. Relationships, no matter the level, create a personal connection that is best developed face to face.

I am not afraid of anyone. This is not my childhood mantra but my professional one. It allows me to step up into anyones face and tell them what I think. I also have tact so I know when to step up. Time and place is important.

This is important to anyone who want to get into the community and market their wares. They (you) need not be afraid to be judged. Fear of being judged has caused many businesses to close. It's all in yer head.

Many of the upcoming posts will be based on Purple Cow Marketing - Thanks Seth! Looking forward to reading your thoughts on mine.