As the seasons change in Australia, it's important to be aware of the impact seasonal changes can have on your business. The weather, holidays, and even the availability of certain ingredients can all affect customer behaviour and preferences. That's why it's essential to adjust your marketing strategies to accommodate these changes and ensure your restaurant stays relevant and appealing throughout the year. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to adjust your marketing for your restaurant to accommodate for seasonal changes.

Seasonal Menu Changes

One of the most significant ways to adjust your restaurant's marketing for seasonal changes is to update your menu. Incorporating seasonal ingredients and flavours can pique customers' interest and keep them coming back for more. For example, in the summer, you could add more salads, light pasta dishes, and refreshing cocktails to your menu. In the fall, you could incorporate seasonal ingredients like pumpkin and butternut squash into your dishes.

Make sure to promote these changes through your marketing channels, including social media, email newsletters, and your website. You can also consider creating seasonal menu items with limited availability, which can create a sense of urgency and excitement for customers to try them before they're gone.

Seasonal Promotions and Events

Seasonal promotions and events are another way to adjust your marketing for seasonal changes. For example, you could offer a special dinner feast or a holiday brunch during the winter months. You can also promote happy hour specials during the summer months or offer discounts on certain menu items during the slower season. Creating seasonal events and promotions can generate excitement among customers and keep them engaged with your restaurant. Make sure to advertise these events and promotions through your website, social media channels, and email newsletters to get the word out.

Update Your Marketing Materials

Updating your marketing materials to reflect seasonal changes is another effective way to adjust your marketing. This could include updating your website's homepage banner, social media profiles, and even your restaurant's physical signage. Use seasonal imagery, colours, and messaging to make sure your marketing materials are aligned with the current season. For example, during the cooler months you could update your website's homepage banner with an image of colourful autumn leaves and promote the seasonal produce on the menu. During the summer, you could use images of the beach or a refreshing glass of orange juice to promote your seasonal dishes and drinks.

Online Ordering and Delivery

With more people staying home and ordering food online, it's essential for restaurants to have a strong online presence. Offering online ordering and delivery can help your restaurant stay competitive during the changing seasons. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and mobile-friendly, and consider partnering with popular food delivery services to reach a wider audience. Solutions like OrderUp! allow customers to order online for pick up without using an app.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Social media is a powerful tool that can help you adjust your marketing for seasonal changes. Make sure to post regularly on your social media accounts, and use seasonal hashtags to reach a wider audience. You can also use Instagram and Facebook Stories to promote your seasonal menu items or events.

Another way to use social media to your advantage is by collaborating with influencers or other businesses in your community. For example, you could partner with a local farmer's market or a nearby winery to promote your seasonal menu items and offer special promotions to their customers.

In conclusion, adjusting your marketing for seasonal changes is crucial to keep your restaurant relevant and appealing to customers. By updating your menu, creating seasonal promotions and events, updating your marketing materials, and using social media to your advantage, you can make sure your restaurant stays top of mind all year round. Remember to stay creative and think outside the box to keep your customers engaged and excited about what your restaurant has to offer. Customer engagement platforms like Liven incentivise repeat visits by rewarding customers for dining at the venue. By joining, customers become part of your restaurant's community, allowing you to communicate your seasonal campaigns, events, and other information through an array of engagement tools.

To find out more about how Liven can help your business grow, get in touch today.