Marketing Ideas for Pubs

Owning a pub can be a gratifying business and a successful one, too. Getting the word out to your potential customers involves marketing ideas. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, but there are other ways to market your pub through promotions and advertising resources. Whether it is for a grand opening or just a special event, utilizing marketing ideas will increase your pub's business.

Budget for Marketing

Figure out how much money you can afford to pay for marketing ideas. Prices for advertising can range from under $100 for printing flyers to several thousand for renting a billboard or making a television ad. Decide on the amount you want to spend on promoting your pub. Choosing your marketing methods will be easier if you know ahead of time how much money you have to draw on. Some can be immediately eliminated for the cost involved.

Marketing Materials

Use basic promotional materials like business cards, flyers and a website. Make these yourself or get a professional to create them. Check around for references, look at past work and get several estimates to compare when hiring. Include all the vital details about your pub, like location, hours and any specials or announcements (such as Grand Opening or Ladies Drink Free After 9). Put the website on all marketing materials, keep it updated, and include a map on it for easy reference. Give these cards and flyers to employees to hand out and place some around the area on vehicles or in business windows. If you can afford it, purchase a mailing list and mail the cards and flyers. Choose the specific area or character profile of your expected customer. Use email lists, newsletters or other online sources to spread the word.

Marketing Gifts, Billboards and Media

Purchase extra marketing gifts or promotional items to hand out, such as key chains, T-shirts, and calendars. Select some more costly marketing ideas for you pub, if possible. Locate several permanent or mobile billboard companies and ask for prices. Check various locations in areas around your likely clients. These types of advertisements typically call for a down payment, a signed contract and monthly payments. Run ads in area publications, on radio stations or other media outlets that are affordable.

Marketing Promotions

Come up with a theme to advertise for your pub's opening day, weekend or week-long event. Choose something that fits the pub or the special occasion, such as costume party around Halloween or green beer on St. Patrick's Day. Make it a fun event, have contests and give prizes out. Invite the local newspaper, radio and television stations for some potential free advertising. If this is not possible, find out how much it would cost for these promotional services. Hold a "trial run" for invited guests prior to opening to provide your workers with helpful practice and to generate early buzz about your pub.

References

• Entrepreneur: Fresh Ideas for Innovative Marketing
• Small Business Administration: 100+ Marketing Ideas

Resources

• 297+ Marketing Ideas
• rushIMPRINT: Promotional Items
• Superior Promos: Promotional Products

[ynohtna]

on 7/19/2009 Thank for the article good info!