"When I was catering, we often would package up a meal for 10-15 people and drop it off a local law firm, real estate office, etc to 'introduce' ourselves. As a result, when they need catering we were in the door... most of the time. Also, on Secretarys' day ("Administrative Assistants' day") we would blanket our current customers and potential customers with something special for the Secretarys... like a little choclate cake or chocolate covered strawberries, etc. This isn't earth-shattering marketing, but it was effective and really didn't cost nearly as much as print or radio advertising."

Did you know that according to PMQ's Pizza Magazine, of the total guests who will not return to your restaurant, 14% is due to poor food quality and 68% is because of service?

Customer service issues will occur. When they do, are your employees equipped with the authority and abililty to do the right thing? Empower your servers, hostesses, and managers to solve customer service issues with discounts, free food, and gift certificates. Follow these common-sense customer service guidelines and watch as your reviews shine, repeat business grows, and customer base expands. In the new "user-generated" age, the impact of good customer service is magnified.

Its important that you have a customer database. This can be as simple as having a feedback card on your table. The feedback card should include your customer's review on your restaurant, and their contact details. Every once in a while when you feel that you need to increase sales, you can write them a letter or postcard.

It's very possible that people miss out emails. Many emails end up in the SPAM or JUNK folder. Some emails simply don't get noticed because they are hidden under hundreds of other emails to read.

But receiving a letter or postcard hardly will be missed. In fact, it is more exciting to receive letters than email in this era. Simply writing a thank you letter, will increase customer confidence and boost customer relationships.

Here's an example of a letter you can use:

Dear Fan of Your Resturant Name!

It is always a thrill to get feedback from a fan, particularly when it is as positive as your experience was in our restaurant.

We strive every day to ensure our guests have a wonderful meal, and marvelous time and it is extremely encouraging for someone to tell us. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us. It really means a lot to me and to every staff in Your Restaurant Name.

While compliments are always appreciated, we would like to reward you with a thank you card along with a redemption coupon for a complimentary starter.

Thank you again for your kind comments and patronage. We look forward to serving you again soon.

Best regards,
XXXX

Here's a good tip. When you have a group of people at your restaurant on one table, take out your best finger food dish and give some free samples while they are waiting for the main dish. This will work only if the samples are good. The trick is, just give enough samples for half of the group.

A group of people having a good laugh among themselves often like to munch on tidbits, especially if its a young group. Once the samples have finished, they would probably crave for more. If they don't order any themselves, go up to them and ask! There's a good chance they'll say yes!