Do’s And Don’ts Of Creating A Mailing List That Will Keep Your Business Hopping

 Image courtesy by yorksolutions.net

Perhaps you’ve had a person or two tell you that you need to create a great mailing list for clients for your restaurant but you’re unsure of where to begin.  There are some easy steps that can get you started down the path to creating a list of clients that will help you be able to market more effectively and therefore keep your restaurant full all the time.  Here are some ideas to consider if you don’t already have a list of people you mail and email.  

Here are a few things you don’t want to do when it comes to creating a mailing list:

• Don’t keep your mail sign-up sheet at the cash register and nowhere else. 
• Don’t make a sign-up sheet and never utilize it.
• Don’t make a sign-up sheet and spam your clientele.
• Don’t make an email list and sell it off to other people. 
• Don’t create a mailing list and never do anything else with it and expect to get results.  

Some of the above may seem like no-brainers but they can be easy mistakes to make.  Often people don’t realize they are over-mailing their clients with items that aren’t even useful.  In addition it’s easy to make a quick sheet for people to sign up on and then never have sign-ins anywhere else.  

Take a look at some of the things you should really ‘do’ when it comes to creating a great mailing list.  

•  Do think outside of the box and have places people can sign up outside of your restaurant; think hotel rooms, businesses and convention centers.
• Do offer incentives for signing up to a mailing list like coupons, specials and birthday deals.
• Do consider how you email or mail your clients so you don’t look like average junk mail. 
• Do consider hiring a professional company to help you get the responses you deserve.  

One of the most important things about creating great direct mail marketing is to be unique and stand out from the crowd of junk mail people receive on a daily basis.  One easy way to do this is to make sure to offer value in each of your mailings.  This can come in the form of tips, coupons or specials offered.  Another important tip is to be as personal as you can with each message.  

If you are unsure if you’re on the right track or how to get started with any form of marketing it’s good to contact a professional for guidance.  Marketing is the heartbeat of your restaurant and without it you’ll be more likely to sink than swim.