I owned a bar in Moline, IL. Here is what worked best for me... I never advertised my happy hour, but I always had one. But to advertise was hit and miss for bringing in anyone new because every bar advertised theirs also. So,I decided this, that for one hour, I put up signs and had my servers promote INSIDE my place, ONE HOUR where drinks, all drinks were $1.00. I did that for two weeks. No outside advertising. I decided when. That way, the people who were frequenting my place took advantage and TEXTED ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS. By the time their friends got their DOLLAR HOUR was almost over but Happy Hour Continued. And people stayed to drink. They also learned, that I made Happy Hour Rules. When I needed to. Yes, regular happy hour was still a decent discount, typically two for one. But once or twice a week, out of the blue, I would announce HAPPY HOUR DOLLAR HOUR. Everyone texted their friends and filled the place up. THAT was my advertising cost. Had a ton of new people come and see my place. And a lot of regulars who would always ask, When is Dollar Hour? I'd say, hmmm, come back tomorrow and find out.
The best thing you can do is learn how to create PPC ads on social media - Facebook, Instagram, etc. OR partner with a digital marketing company that will create highly targeted ads for you.
Also try Facebook events to draw attraction in your local community! Everyone loves happy hour and specials.
-From a Digital Marketing Specialist in your Target Demographic that Loves Happy Hour
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
A great way to advertise Happy Hours and Specials, not to mention everything else for your business, is to invest in a Full Color LED Digital Message Display
for On-Premises advertising to drive more traffic to your business. The SBA has researched and reported that the Effective use of an LED display will increase your business 15%-150%. I have been working with small business owners for some years now, and they all have reported a significant increase in their business as a result of utilizing the LED Displays at their business locations.
I can provide more information to you regarding LED Displays and how they can significantly benefit your business as well. Financing is also available as well.
Also, incorporating EFFECTIVE Social Media marketing with the same promotions as on your LED Display is a very powerful way to advertise your specials as well by keeping your promotions and specials uniform.
Please reach out to me with any additional questions or concerns regarding the LED Displays at No Obligation to purchase.
Have a great Happy Hour 4-6:30 so they are leaving by the time most people want to come in and have dinner. Good drink prices, good drinks, small plates and great food specials. Forget giving away the farm. Advertising costs exceed your prime costs when you are giving away drinks and or food that is already discounted. Too many coupons are for second rate places.
1 Social Media is awesome as long as you have a LOCAL following built up. You should keep pushing for followers until you get into the 30K range. Use a bot if you don't have time to cultivate your pages all day.
2 If you are in a major city, flyers still work. Hit the corner.
3 Chalkboard paint! You can turn anything into a chalkboard, walls, windows, any surface. We have them everywhere.
One last important note on happy hours. Use flat prices $4/$5/$6. Research shows people remember and respond to this much better than a percentage discount.
Hi, The social media is the best advertisement for your specials and your business. We use it a lot. For sure, we make sure to tell each customer during their visit to our restaurant.
If you are a one location restaurant, I would suggest looking into cable advertising. It gives you the option of only advertising in your immediate area. Typically, people who frequent a restaurant come from a small geographic radius, and cable gives you that option and helps you maximize your dollar. Good luck!
The answer to you question is relatively simple. Essentially you are looking at 2 segments of customers - existing ones and new ones. The new ones are a far more expensive proposition to obtain and market to and they're nowhere near as receptive as the existing customers.
What you're trying to do is build relationships, that in time foster trust and thus business. That's the simplest way to put it. It's not just about Happy Hours and Specials - you want to promote anything and everything for the sole purpose of generating business.
Instead of going long-winded here - I'll share with you a link to a webinar I recently held which explains the concept and shows a couple of tools my company developed that do exactly what you're asking.
Answers (1-10)
I owned a bar in Moline, IL. Here is what worked best for me... I never advertised my happy hour, but I always had one. But to advertise was hit and miss for bringing in anyone new because every bar advertised theirs also. So,I decided this, that for one hour, I put up signs and had my servers promote INSIDE my place, ONE HOUR where drinks, all drinks were $1.00. I did that for two weeks. No outside advertising. I decided when. That way, the people who were frequenting my place took advantage and TEXTED ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS. By the time their friends got their DOLLAR HOUR was almost over but Happy Hour Continued. And people stayed to drink. They also learned, that I made Happy Hour Rules. When I needed to. Yes, regular happy hour was still a decent discount, typically two for one. But once or twice a week, out of the blue, I would announce HAPPY HOUR DOLLAR HOUR. Everyone texted their friends and filled the place up. THAT was my advertising cost. Had a ton of new people come and see my place. And a lot of regulars who would always ask, When is Dollar Hour? I'd say, hmmm, come back tomorrow and find out.
Steve Sapato profitbuildercoaching.com
The best thing you can do is learn how to create PPC ads on social media - Facebook, Instagram, etc. OR partner with a digital marketing company that will create highly targeted ads for you.
Also try Facebook events to draw attraction in your local community! Everyone loves happy hour and specials.
-From a Digital Marketing Specialist in your Target Demographic that Loves Happy Hour
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
Hi Kathleen,
A great way to advertise Happy Hours and Specials, not to mention everything else for your business, is to invest in a Full Color LED Digital Message Display
for On-Premises advertising to drive more traffic to your business. The SBA has researched and reported that the Effective use of an LED display will increase your business 15%-150%. I have been working with small business owners for some years now, and they all have reported a significant increase in their business as a result of utilizing the LED Displays at their business locations.
I can provide more information to you regarding LED Displays and how they can significantly benefit your business as well. Financing is also available as well.
Also, incorporating EFFECTIVE Social Media marketing with the same promotions as on your LED Display is a very powerful way to advertise your specials as well by keeping your promotions and specials uniform.
Please reach out to me with any additional questions or concerns regarding the LED Displays at No Obligation to purchase.
Take care ~ Keith Lisk
American Graffiti Signs & Digital Displays
Have a great Happy Hour 4-6:30 so they are leaving by the time most people want to come in and have dinner. Good drink prices, good drinks, small plates and great food specials. Forget giving away the farm. Advertising costs exceed your prime costs when you are giving away drinks and or food that is already discounted. Too many coupons are for second rate places.
Be a great place, Be the best place, Clayton
Claytons Siesta Grille, Siesta Key
1 Social Media is awesome as long as you have a LOCAL following built up. You should keep pushing for followers until you get into the 30K range. Use a bot if you don't have time to cultivate your pages all day.
2 If you are in a major city, flyers still work. Hit the corner.
3 Chalkboard paint! You can turn anything into a chalkboard, walls, windows, any surface. We have them everywhere.
One last important note on happy hours. Use flat prices $4/$5/$6. Research shows people remember and respond to this much better than a percentage discount.
Eric
We just took out a radio add. We also use social media, word of mouth, promo's from the beer and or liquor reps.
I was under the impression that we cannot use the term Happy Hour anymore.
TABC rule. Am I wrong?
Hi, The social media is the best advertisement for your specials and your business. We use it a lot. For sure, we make sure to tell each customer during their visit to our restaurant.
Good luck. Noura
If you are a one location restaurant, I would suggest looking into cable advertising. It gives you the option of only advertising in your immediate area. Typically, people who frequent a restaurant come from a small geographic radius, and cable gives you that option and helps you maximize your dollar. Good luck!
Hello Kathleen,
The answer to you question is relatively simple. Essentially you are looking at 2 segments of customers - existing ones and new ones. The new ones are a far more expensive proposition to obtain and market to and they're nowhere near as receptive as the existing customers.
What you're trying to do is build relationships, that in time foster trust and thus business. That's the simplest way to put it. It's not just about Happy Hours and Specials - you want to promote anything and everything for the sole purpose of generating business.
Instead of going long-winded here - I'll share with you a link to a webinar I recently held which explains the concept and shows a couple of tools my company developed that do exactly what you're asking.
You can view the FREE webinar at URL https://youtu.be/FRxZmQ_dOlI
If you have any questions - please don't hesitate to reach out. We'd be glad to assist.