:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SES-best-fish-and-chips-recipe-434856-hero-01-27d8b57008414972822b866609d0af9b.jpg)
Fish and chips are traditionally regarded as a British staple, but their popularity has spread globally! You can’t walk past a local takeout or pub without smelling a whiff of this fried delicacy. However, if you are tempted to enter this flourishing industry, there are several important things you must consider!
Below, we’ll go over some useful and cost-effective marketing strategies to reel in more customers to your fish and chips stand without breaking the bank.
1. Set Up A Physical Sign
A physical sign may seem like a minor detail, but it can make a significant difference for a street food business like yours. Sure, there are numerous great digital restaurant marketing techniques available, but when it comes to catching the attention of passersby, it’s hard to beat the old-fashioned signage.
It not only allows your company to engage with a large audience in a cost-effective way, but it can also serve as a physical representation of your company. At the very least, people will remember your company as “the stand with that colorful sign”.
Can I just do it myself? Such questions may be popping up in your head right now. While you can certainly go to a craft store and buy several brushes and paints, it may be best to get professional help this time. Despite how simple the sign-making process may appear to you, it’s your chance to strike a lasting impression, so investing in a really memorable one can turn it into an actual marketing tool instead of just a functional or decorative piece.
2. Hop On Social Media
Even with a ZERO marketing budget, social media can be a huge help in spreading the word about your fish and chips business. Popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are totally free to use. Start sharing delicious food videos consistently and feel free to get creative to attract maximum discoverability.
To really make an impact, however, you can’t just upload photos and videos without a clear aim. Instead, you must always keep an eye out for new trends and challenges. For example, if a TikTok trend revolves around people trying unusual food combinations, consider featuring your unique dipping sauces or a fun twist on classic fish and chips. On Instagram, leverage Stories and Reels to showcase behind-the-scenes kitchen prep, customer reactions, or even short interviews with your staff.
3. Distribute Food Flyers
A lot of food and beverage marketing experts might tell you that using digital promotion techniques is the way to go these days. However, you should not underestimate the effectiveness of handing out physical flyers. They are tangible and can be distributed in nearby parking lots, shopping malls, or other strategic locations to draw in potential customers.
Another benefit of using flyers to promote your fish and chip stand is that they are fairly cheap to produce. In fact, you do not need to hire a professional graphic designer. You can simply visit sites like PosterMyWall.com and begin experimenting with a plethora of small business flyer templates. There are also numerous useful features that you can use to improve your design.
You can distribute them to people on the street or post them on community boards. This direct approach works especially well if you’re targeting a specific neighborhood. Furthermore, you can incorporate these flyers into your digital marketing strategy by sharing them on your social media accounts. You can either post them on their own or include them in short videos.
4. Enlist Your Stand
Google Maps is another excellent tool for increasing your fish and chip business’s online presence and visibility. It allows your business to come up whenever someone searches for “fish and chips near me” or any other relevant keywords.
If your business is already listed on Google Maps, you can claim it with Google My Business, also a free tool. Once you’ve successfully claimed your location, you can begin adding important information. Start with the basics: your address, phone number, website link, and operating hours. Then, go beyond that by uploading high-quality photos of your menu items, interior, and exterior to give customers a clear idea of what to expect.
5. Encourage Positive Online Reviews
Encouraging customers to leave positive online reviews for your fish and chips stand is similar to asking them to recommend your business to others, except they only have to write about it once.
Positive feedback can also benefit your online reputation. When people see all of the positive reviews people make about your business, they will be likely to try what you have in store. The best part? It costs nothing to encourage people to leave positive online reviews, especially if they’re already your loyal or repeat customers.
All you have to do is politely ask customers to share their feedback online. You can also provide incentives to customers, such as a price cut on their next order, for each five-star review they leave. Just make sure to respond to each review they leave!
The Takeaway
Are you ready to gain more customers for your fish and chips stand? This industry may be competitive, but with the tips listed above, you’ll have a great chance of success. Furthermore, do not be afraid to experiment with available online tools, which allow you to create engaging promotional materials without the hefty price tag. As long as your products are solid and your marketing efforts are consistent, you’ll soon gain more traction and attract more brand advocates along the way.