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Try counting the number of customers you have on any given day and then determine the percentage that have a cell phone in hand. From older children to teens to adults and seniors, everyone is staying connected.

Gone are the days when a panic stricken face co-related to a wallet gone missing – now it’s the disappearance of our ever depended upon cell phone/iPhone/Blackberry/smart phone.

So if this is the preferred device, let’s put it to work for us! 

Cell phone savvy

If you’ve been savvy enough to start collecting cell phone numbers, text message campaigns are an inexpensive and instant way to send quick messages to your highly-engaged customers (assuming they have opted into your program). I guess if this is something you haven’t yet embarked on, it’s a great time to start collecting that information. 

I have personally witnessed a database grow from zero to over 20,000 opted-in subscribers in less than one year. With that campaign, it’s costing less than six cents per text message to reach customers who – YES – want to hear from us! Once a month we stay in touch with these valued customers. 

Getting started is as simple as having your staff ask for participation. Capturing the cell phone numbers on a list isn’t difficult. Chances are, it’s an option on your P.O.S. cash system. Then it’s easy to quickly get a message out, create some buzz and watch for a stream of familiar faces to come through the door!

New for CRFA members! CRFA partners with CMSText to launch mobile marketing

See also:

• Tips for attracting diners during the fall season
• Is mobile marketing for you?
• Social media marketing 101

About the author

Barbara MacDonald is President of Brand Culture, a dynamic team of foodservice marketing and advertising professionals. Brand Culture works with a range of clients to ensure they achieve growth through the promise of their brand. Feel free to reach Brand Culture at (905) 361-0305, email: bmacdonald@brandculture.ca or visit: www.brandculture.ca.