There was a time when receiving an email was very big news. But that was a long time ago. Today, people are now used to email overload. People can receive a dozen or so emails an hour. That’s because many brands have resorted to the so-called email marketing. If you’ve a restaurant and have taken the email marketing route, it is best to ensure you run your campaigns in the best way possible. These days, big restaurant chains are increasing their market share by day, making it almost impossible for small restaurants to get more customers to help boost their sales. These chains have all the resources in the world, and this makes it possible for them to mount serious marketing campaigns.

With email marketing, however, even small restaurant businesses can run better campaigns than these giant businesses, as long as the have the right brains behind their marketing campaigns. Here are the email marketing best practices to take advantage of if you want to run the best and fruitful campaigns for your restaurant.

Holiday offers: Giving your customers holiday gift cards will mean that they can only use that card in your restaurant. And, most people would not pass up that chance of dining in your restaurant; it may not matter how far it is from where they live. Not many restaurants reward their loyal customers with such cards, so, if you include the holiday gift card system in your email marketing, your restaurant is likely to have a good reputation out there.

Referral program: Restaurants too can have a referral program. This will allow your existing customers to refer leads to your restaurants, and this will boost your sales. Design a referral program with a good reward system, which will incentivise people to refer others. I know of a restaurant which allows its customers to have a free meal every time they refer five buying customers.

Birthday rewards: This is yet another smart way of running email marketing campaigns for your restaurant. And while some of us don’t bother about celebrating our birthdays, the majority of people take these occasions seriously. When giving out birthday offers, it is best to give your customers enough time to claim these offers. A week or so can be great. Remember, you’re not the only one offering such rewards, so your customers may need time so that they don’t miss out on your rewards.

have a referral program. This will allow your existing customers to refer leads to your restaurants, and this will boost your sales. Design a referral program with a good reward system, which will incentivise people to refer others. I know of a restaurant which allows its customers to have a free meal every time they refer five buying customers.

Birthday rewards: This is yet another smart way of running email marketing campaigns for your restaurant. And while some of us don’t bother about celebrating our birthdays, the majority of people take these occasions seriously. When giving out birthday offers, it is best to give your customers enough time to claim these offers. A week or so can be great. Remember, you’re not the only one offering such rewards, so your customers may need time so that they don’t miss out on your rewards.