Every brand has a story to tell, but without a strong public relations (PR) plan, that story may never reach the right person. At Fort Lauderdale PR agency Durée & Company, which has been serving local, national and international clients for nearly 20 years, our main goal is to put the most effective PR strategies in place for our clients.
At Durée & Company, we’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best restaurant brands, concepts and culinary start-ups in Florida and nationwide. We know what works and what doesn’t work, and this comes from our PR plan.
Here are four PR strategies that we use to generate awareness for restaurants:
Collaborate with Influencers
In the age of social media, influencer marketing is the most effective way of creating awareness in the digital world. Having bloggers visit your restaurant for a complimentary meal in exchange for an honest blog post and social media posts is a great way to show them firsthand what you have to offer while also reaching their followers. After you provide them with a great experience, they will likely post on their social media platforms and encourage their followers to come to your restaurant and try the delicious menu items themselves! However, make sure you vet the influencers first to make sure your restaurant is appropriate for the influencer’s brand and also that their followers meet the demographic you are trying to reach.
#Holidays
If you’ve noticed that there is a day dedicated to almost every food, place and object, you’re right! To say that hashtag holidays are growing in popularity and reach is an understatement. A hashtag holiday is a trending theme on social media on a designated day, week or month. Utilize these hashtags for your brand. For example, with our experience of working with BRIO and BRAVO, we always promote #NationalRavioliDay with a special deal to encourage guests to come in on that day.
Utilize Video Content
Just about every modern phone today has a video camera feature. You don’t have to invest in expensive, produced videos when it comes to social media. Take advantage of the live feature on Facebook and Instagram along with Facebook and Instagram stories. Video allows you to engage with your audience and is a great tool for the chef of the restaurant to connect with your customers. Share a few promotions items or mix up a drink for your guests. These videos can be as short as ten seconds long!
Repurpose PR Wins
Once your story runs online or in print, the next step is to repurpose this PR win to make sure your customer sees it. Utilize your social media, blog and email blasts to increase your views of any positive news to a broader audience. Fans will spread the word and share your news, encouraging new customers to visit as well.
There always is a strategy behind a public relations genius, whether your client is a restaurant, museum, non-profit, realtor, etc. Get creative when it comes to creating your PR plan!
About Durée & Company
Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Aspen, Colorado. The firm serves the corporate, agency and non-profit arenas for local, national and international clients focusing on public relations for real estate, public relations for restaurants, public relations for law firms, public relations for charities, public relations for healthcare, and many more. Durée & Company services include Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, Special Events, and Radio Promotions and Outreach.
