Marketing Your  Bar or Club

Building a customer base is easier than ever in the digital age, but marketing a bar or club can still be tough. If you live in a well-populated area, chances are there’s a lot of competition from other cafes and bars, whereas if you’re the only one for miles, you will struggle with lack of footfall.  What’s more, people have certain expectations when they come to a bar. Most people are reluctant to spend money on a new business, as they don’t know if their consumer needs will be met. As the owner, it’s your job to convince them they’ll have a great experience, and you do this through dedicated marketing. Here are five steps to help you make an impression.

Know Your Brand

Just like any other business, your bar or club needs a brand. So before you market your business (or ideally before you open your doors), you should know these three things: what you do, who you do it for, and what makes you stand out.  In other words, you should come up with a concept that’s as niche as possible, for example, locally brewed craft ales, and then identify your target market. Your USP (unique selling proposition) is what makes your business stand out from the competition. Make sure every piece of marketing material you put out there reflects your brand and ethos, from your menus and signs to your social media posts.

Perfect Your Website

These days, if you want to market your business successfully, you need a functional website with responsive design so people can use it on their phones and tablets. This website needs to be clean, precise and easy to navigate. What’s more, your home page should include photos of your establishment, so people know what to expect when they visit you, and your contact details should be clearly visible. If your interiors are looking shabby, you may wish to redecorate or invest in some new pub furniture and have professional photos taken.

Optimise Your Signage

Signs both inside and outside your establishment can generate lots of business, so it’s worth investing in a graphic designer to make yours stand out. Everything from your menus, receipts, promotional boards and outdoor signs will help promote your business, so be sure to capitalise on these opportunities.

Boost Your Online Presence

What do most people do when they’re looking for somewhere to eat or drink? They look online. Therefore, you need to make sure your bar or club appears in search engines and on social media so you can connect with prospective customers. Your contact information, opening hours and menus should all be easy to find. If you serve food, you want to enable online reservations to make booking a table even easier.

Monitor Your Reviews

Reviews can make or break a business, so it’s important to take them seriously. Monitor your pages on Google and Trip Advisor, and take time to respond to comments – both positive and negative. Doing so gives you control over your reputation and helps you deal with any complaints head-on. Keeping in touch with your customers will help foster conversation about your business and show the community you care what they think.