OFFLINERS: Want to get in the door at more restaurants?
A lot of times it's hard to get to the decision makers at a business. Especially at restaurants because almost all of them have a hand full of employees and a manager who is normally just an employee too.
If you just walked in (or called) and asked to speak to the person in charge you'd probably just be directed to the manager, and even if he is interested in what you sell, he'd still have to take it to his boss and re-pitch it. Not a very high chance of sale there.
So how do you get to the owner? More importantly how can you make the owner eager to talk to you??
Here's a little trick that might help you get in the good graces of restaurant owners, and hopefully turn into some business.
I don't really care what you're selling at this point, be it SEO, web design, or if you're one of the few who thinks outside the box and has their own unique offer - doesn't matter. This approach will work with all them.
1) Go to the BBB website and find out the name and phone number of the restaurant you want to target. (It's a rare occasion that the BBB doesn't have this info.)
2) Call him up and tell him some version on the following:
What restaurant owner is going to turn you down?? Who's going to say "No way, I don't businesses using us for catering".
Actually what that restaurant owner is going to say is "Where have you been all my life?!"
No other professional is first enhancing the revenue of the restaurant before asking them to buy their service. Guaranteed.
But I'm serious, you aren't there to push your service right now. You're there to help that eatery find more business. Yes, it's very possible that the local restaurant owner will be so blown away that they'll feel they should do something for you in return (either have you do their SEO or refer someone who needs SEO to you), but don't push it. You're just getting your foot in the door. You can come back to them later and actually sell them.
How do you keep good on your word you ask? How do you actually bring that eatery more business? Well... in all honestly most people are just going to be blown away by the offer (because "it's the thought that counts") and if you never send them any business they'll still think of you kindly... But if you do want to actually follow through and bring them more business it's super simple.
At your next appointment with another business simply ask "Do you ever have events for your employees?"
If they say yes, tell them you know a great place that caters
If they say no, tell them you asked because many businesses do and you know a great restaurant who caters (and leave it at that)
It's that simple. You've got your foot in the door at a restaurant and they were happy to meet with you. It may or may not turn into work directly, but it's networking and if the restaurant doesn't buy, they'll be so thankful you offered to help them, the Law of Reciprocity will ensure they suggest you to other people they know.
If you just walked in (or called) and asked to speak to the person in charge you'd probably just be directed to the manager, and even if he is interested in what you sell, he'd still have to take it to his boss and re-pitch it. Not a very high chance of sale there.
So how do you get to the owner? More importantly how can you make the owner eager to talk to you??
Here's a little trick that might help you get in the good graces of restaurant owners, and hopefully turn into some business.
I don't really care what you're selling at this point, be it SEO, web design, or if you're one of the few who thinks outside the box and has their own unique offer - doesn't matter. This approach will work with all them.
1) Go to the BBB website and find out the name and phone number of the restaurant you want to target. (It's a rare occasion that the BBB doesn't have this info.)
2) Call him up and tell him some version on the following:
|
Hi Mr/Ms. Business Owner, My name is James Foster and I (whatever it is you sell), but that's actually not the reason I'm calling you. I'm calling because as a (web designer, consultant, or whatever you do) I spend a lot of time working with local businesses - and many of those businesses have events for there employees and need places to cater for these events... So I'm wondering if you'd like to get together at your restaurant so I can see your set up, and we can talk about what you offer for catering... that way, if you don't find it presumptuous, I can recommend your fine establishment to these other businesses for their catering needs. |
Actually what that restaurant owner is going to say is "Where have you been all my life?!"
No other professional is first enhancing the revenue of the restaurant before asking them to buy their service. Guaranteed.
But I'm serious, you aren't there to push your service right now. You're there to help that eatery find more business. Yes, it's very possible that the local restaurant owner will be so blown away that they'll feel they should do something for you in return (either have you do their SEO or refer someone who needs SEO to you), but don't push it. You're just getting your foot in the door. You can come back to them later and actually sell them.
How do you keep good on your word you ask? How do you actually bring that eatery more business? Well... in all honestly most people are just going to be blown away by the offer (because "it's the thought that counts") and if you never send them any business they'll still think of you kindly... But if you do want to actually follow through and bring them more business it's super simple.
At your next appointment with another business simply ask "Do you ever have events for your employees?"
If they say yes, tell them you know a great place that caters
If they say no, tell them you asked because many businesses do and you know a great restaurant who caters (and leave it at that)
It's that simple. You've got your foot in the door at a restaurant and they were happy to meet with you. It may or may not turn into work directly, but it's networking and if the restaurant doesn't buy, they'll be so thankful you offered to help them, the Law of Reciprocity will ensure they suggest you to other people they know.
OFFLINE Marketing Strategies For The OFFLINE Warrior