Getting catering clients can be tough, but the right marketing strategies can help you grow your business. From developing a unique selling point, to creating a referral program and building a social media presence, here are some ways you can market your catering business.

Setting goals and planning how to reach them can impact the marketing strategies you use. For example, a production catering by crateful may set a goal to provide food for conventions in their area.

Identify Your Target Market

Depending on how much time and money you have to devote to marketing, there are many ways to promote your catering business. Identifying your target market is an important first step.

The market segment(s) you choose will influence your business model, service offerings and pricing. For example, a catering company that serves only gourmet foods might have a different customer base than one that focuses on budget-friendly homestyle meals.

Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to promote your business. Facebook and Instagram offer targeted ads, which allow you to reach potential customers in a specific geographic area. These ads can include a call-to-action like “book now,” or “find us on Facebook.” Using this tool can help you get your name out there in a cost-effective way.

Invest in a Website

Having a website that showcases your menu options, pricing packages and service details is a must. You can also include customer testimonials and a referral program to boost catering sales.

Depending on your goals and how you plan to reach them you may also want to use other marketing techniques like local mailers or radio commercials. These traditional marketing methods may seem outdated but they still work to bring in new clients.

Another way to attract new customers is by offering a free tasting event, where potential clients can sample your food and get a discount on their first catering order. You can also create a referral program that rewards current customers for their recommendations. This will not only help you grow your catering business, but it’ll also boost brand loyalty.

Create a Social Media Presence

A catering website is a great way to share pricing packages, menu options, decoration ideas, staff information and much more. Many catering businesses also feature video content such as recipe tutorials, practical advice clips, staff intros and catering event videos.

Another effective way to spread the word about your catering business is through press releases. These can be distributed to local media outlets such as the event section of newspapers, culinary magazines and bridal journals.

When marketing a catering business, it is important to focus on a niche market. Trying to appeal to everyone will not be successful and may even end up costing more than it makes. Focusing on a targeted market will help to increase revenue and improve sales. This approach is also helpful in reducing operating costs.

Be Creative

An effective catering business can stand out from the competition by establishing a unique identity in the market. This could be achieved by focusing on a specific type of food, aiming for a certain audience or providing innovative services.

Finding a competitive advantage in the industry is also a great way to attract clients. Some examples of this include offering a different type of menu, hosting tasting events, or creating partnerships with complementary businesses like wine stores and paint-on-pottery venues.

Another important marketing strategy is to optimize your website for mobile users. This will allow people to easily browse and interact with your site on their mobile devices, increasing the likelihood that they will use your catering services. Lastly, it is important to set both long and short term sales goals. This will help you to manage your budget effectively and ensure that you are always making a profit.

Get Involved

Getting involved in local marketing can be an effective way to grow your catering business. Reach out to venue event planners, breweries, wineries, tourist attractions, and restaurants in your area for opportunities to work with them.

Another option is to offer bundled discounts for businesses that need a number of different services. This can be a great way to attract new clients and build brand loyalty at the same time.

Clearly defining your unique selling proposition can help set you apart from the competition and bring in more revenue. Also consider a specific market niche like vegetarian or gluten-free catering to attract even more potential customers. Finally, remember to always carry business cards and post event photos on your social media accounts (both the hard work behind-the-scenes as well as the big, splashy images). Also be sure to add your catering business to online directories for a boost in traffic.