Archive for Internet
August 16, 2006 at 1:42 pm
· Filed under Article, Internet, Marketing, Tools
excerpt:
“Google Inc. will offer printable discount coupons to local shoppers, in a promotional bid that aims to drive U.S. online shoppers using its Google Maps service to visit stores, the company said.
The world’s top Web search supplier is taking advantage of the marketing tool, which is traditionally used by small businesses, to entice U.S. consumers to seek out savings from local retailers such as dry cleaners, pizza delivery restaurants and auto repair shops.
Google has partnered with Valpak, the top U.S. supplier of coupon advertising, to provide more than 20,000 coupons from current Valpak advertisers when consumers search for relevant stores using its Google Maps map and local directory service…”
source: “Google Maps offers discount coupons for US stores” by Eric Auchard (Reuters, Aug.14,2006)
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August 2, 2006 at 4:10 pm
· Filed under Free, Internet, Networking, knowledge
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July 28, 2006 at 3:08 pm
· Filed under Blogs, Free, Internet, Marketing, Tools
excerpt:
“On June 7, Reams started posting to the Mothership blog — and soon began counting down to opening. Then, on Friday, June 9, Reams announced on the blog the restaurant would be open the next morning. To his surprise, 50 customers came in for pulled pork barbecue and ribs – and their positive posts on his blog followed.
In simple terms, Reams managed to get Mothership off the ground and exceeding sales projections almost immediately without spending a penny on conventional advertising; only his blog, maintained by the free, Google-owned Blogger service, served as a sentinel for Mothership’s opening. He says he is Nashville’s only restaurateur using blogging as a method of publicity…”
source: “Businessman blogs boldly toward BBQ restaurant success” by Will York (The City Paper, Jul.24,2006)
Related links:
Free Blog Software / Hosting (About.com)
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July 18, 2006 at 9:46 am
· Filed under Internet, Marketing, Media, Tools, knowledge
Podcasts are significant because it opens access to radio shows and restaurant industry content that were only available locally. This is a new and interesting media resource for restauranteurs in a portable format. You can download the show and listen to it in the car, during lunch, or in the gym. Also, these podcasts are also marketing vehicles for restaurants and related businesses.
NRN Podcast Central (created by Nation’s Restaurant News)
“Foodservice News Delivered in Fresh New Ways”
Podcast Grill
“Where restaurant meets business – trends, expert interviews and more to make your restaurant more profitable than ever”
Pizza Radio
“Pizza Radio is your source for sound bytes from pizza experts.”
The Restaurant Guys
“Co-hosts Francis Schott and Mark Pascal—who own Stage Left Restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ—have interviewed food luminaries like Gourmet editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl and chef Charlie Palmer in between other animated discussions. Their podcasts are adaptations of three 40-minute episodes from their radioshow on WCTC-1450 AM.”
BarServ’s Raising the Bar on Service
“Raising the Bar” tackles a variety of topics relevant to the hospitality service industry and occasionally features high-profile industry guests from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The program will offer insightful ideas to empower hotel, restaurant and bar owners and managers to improve service and increase profitability.
Read the rest of this entry »
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July 17, 2006 at 11:16 am
· Filed under Internet, Low cost, Marketing, Media, Tools, Video
excerpt:
“Findley’s meat market in suburban Atlanta had always relied on newspaper ads, direct mailings and quick radio spots to reach consumers. But after discovering Spot Runner’s do-it-yourself commercial tool for small businesses, the butcher shop ran a commercial on local cable TV ahead of Easter and again before Mother’s Day.
The commercials cost Findley’s $349 and $499 and the shop spent about $2,100 in March and $1,100 in May to air the spots on ESPN, Food TV, Fox News Channel and Fox Sports.
“We found out that it was very affordable and they help you work with a small budget,” said Findley’s owner Dolores Barr.”
source: “TV ads on the cheap for small biz” by Jessica Seid (CNNMoney.com, Jul.14,2006)
“At Spot Runner we make it easy, simple and affordable for everyone to take advantage of local TV advertising. We started Spot Runner because we saw three important opportunities:
- Small and medium-sized business people want to advertise on TV but the costs of creating ads are prohibitive.
- Choosing a media plan, negotiating the price, and tracking your advertising can be time consuming and difficult.
- Great TV advertising could be made more quickly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising agencies.
We put these elements together and Spot Runner was born.”
link: SpotRunner.com
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May 29, 2006 at 8:01 pm
· Filed under Headlines, Internet
Use the right technology, not just the latest gadgets (May 29, 2006)
"The role of technology in foodservice is constantly changing, forcing companies to adapt regularly if they are to benefit from the latest advances. Today, technology plays a role in nearly every aspect of the business." (Nation's Restaurant News)
Many wi-fi spots vulnerable to hackers (May 28, 2006)
"Computer security specialist Cory Michal needs only five minutes, using store-bought technology, to access credit card information from a downtown Milwaukee restaurant." (The Business Journal of Milwaukee) [via MSNBC]
NRA Touts the Latest in Innovation (March 2006)
"…it’s rare to see a show devote separate time and floor space to truly new and advanced equipment. And that’s what makes the Kitchen Innovations program, launched last year at the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, so exciting." (Foodservice Equipment Reports)
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May 21, 2006 at 1:32 am
· Filed under Internet, Low cost, Marketing, Programs
excerpt:
"Think what a Web site could do for a restaurant: It could inform potential customers, like myself, of the restaurant's dress code, wine list, opening hours, ambience, reservation policies and menu (with prices … though we know most chefs think their culinary creations are priceless and talking about money is pedestrian, I’d like to know in advance how much a meal is going to set me back).
I could put my e-mail address on a mailing list via the Web site, and the restaurant could send me an e-mail update periodically: “Chef’s Special Today: Sea Scallops!” “Every Tuesday Night: A Complimentary Glass Of Wine With Every Entrée.” “We Have Added New Low-Carb Menu Items!” A more sophisticated restaurant Web site could even allow diners to book their own reservations and automatically e-mail reminders the morning of the reservation date.
The restaurant could post coupons for slow, early-midweek nights to tempt diners: “Every Monday And Tuesday: 15 Percent Off All Entrées.”
source: "Do Restaurants With No Web Sites Have Something To Hide?" by Tracey E. Schelmetic (May 18,2006)
You want a web site, but you don't have the programming skills or the money for software, web designer, and a hosting service, no problem. The one thing that will cost you money is your domain name (e.g. www.your-name.com) which can cost you as little as $10 a year.
There are many ways to put an acceptable restaurant web site for $10 in less than 24 hours. While web design may impress some customers, many times people are looking for general information about your web site.
For restaurant owners who would like to test the web waters before making a bigger investment, or for those stretching dollars, we will be posting a small guide to get your restaurant online with a fast, cheap (in cost, not look), and effective web site.
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