You could be really creative when it comes to the different approaches to promote your restaurant and choose from several different campaign types to start off with. Whether you think about direct marketing, public relations or advertising always remember that you are fundamentally serving a need for people to mingle socially. This should be at the forefront of your mind when you are devising these campaigns and remember to have fun and enjoy it from your point of view as well.

You have probably built up a good relationship with certain customers over time and if you feel that you know some that are particularly loyal then you could get them to help you promote your restaurant. Ask them to contribute posts which you can put on your blog, write reviews, be active on their Facebook pages, for example. Not only can this be a great "word-of-mouth" exercise, but it can be very cost effective, for just the cost of an odd appetizer here or there.

Always try and retain the details of a new prospect whenever you can. This should include their e-mail information as well as important other items such as the date of birth and so on. Be prepared to give them something of value in return for this information and understand that it can then be converted into a long-term asset. E-mail marketing is very valuable and you can do a lot with their information.

Once you're able to get information about potential clients and hopefully their birthdays, consider setting up what is known as an autoresponder system. This system is designed to send out e-mails in advance of special dates which you specify and in this case you might offer a free meal to the birthday person. Almost always they will come in to the restaurant with another group of people, anyway.

Theming is a great way to come up with some special gimmicks surrounding holidays, special occasions, religious days. By looking online you will find that there are such occasions available to you every week and you can link your restaurant through a menu item or some other kind of promotion to stir interest.

A PR campaign is known as one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your restaurant as it is fairly easy to set up if you have something special to say. For example, you have just launched a new list of menu items or are employing the services of a particularly famous chef. Approach this correctly and it will work wonders.

How many media outlets have you got in your neighborhood? The chances are that there are a number of radio stations and some free newspapers around. Do some research and look to see whether they have any existing food critics or restaurant reviewers in evidence. If not, get in touch with the editor and they will almost certainly be willing to listen to you if you offer to provide your services as an expert for free.

In our modern world, social media is very important and if you have a business you must be engaged. Create a Facebook page to promote your restaurant, keep a well maintained blog with current menu item ideas, food news and so on.