Email marketing is a powerful way for quick service restaurants to stay in touch with their customers. With just a few clicks, you can let customers know about your new products, specials, and upcoming events.
But, you need people on your list to send them messages. Here’s how you can boost your subscriber numbers and take advantage of QSR email marketing.
Promote Your Newsletter in Restaurant Signage
The first place your customers should learn about your QSR email marketing newsletter is on your in-store print and digital signage. When customers walk in, promote your newsletter next to the menu (where they are probably looking) and around the counter and pick-up area.
It doesn’t hurt to place calls-to-action in multiple locations in case your customers miss your signage the first time. These advertisements can range from quick CTAs to in-depth instructions on how to sign up.
Visual calls-to-action are effective because customers can see exactly what they need to do to subscribe for your newsletter.
You can share your web address and show the steps they need to take to receive your messages. You could also add a QR code that they can scan to sign up. Roughly 65% of the population consists of visual learners, so your customers are more likely to remember what you need them to do if they can see and read it.
Add a CTA to Your Overhead Announcements
Once you have your signage in place, connect with customers through your overhead announcements. If you have overhead music or make announcements through an audio system, make sure your customers know about your email marketing list. Mention the list a few times per hour and provide information on how to sign up.
Even if your customers see your signage when they come in, it’s easy to forget about your email newsletter when they’re focused on what they want to eat.
Your in-store audio content serves as a gentle reminder to sign up, and it can reach customers after they placed their order or after they finished their meal. It’s not uncommon for customers to need multiple reminders before they take action. They are likely to be more receptive to your marketing messages after they eat and more likely to convert.
Generate Newsletter Sign-Ups Through QSR WiFi
There are multiple reasons why you should tap into WiFi marketing in your quick service restaurant. Not only do customers spend more and stay longer, they can also boost your business. They can post about your brand on social media, leave reviews, or simply let their friends know where they are with a few clicks on Snapchat.
Free WiFi can also help grow your QSR email marketing list. When customers log-in to your WiFi, they will load a landing page inviting them to like your business on social media or sign up for your email list. You can even make email registration a mandatory part of logging-on
As customers log on to your WiFi, you can watch your email marketing list grow.
Offer Incentives to Customers
If you find that you’re still struggling to grow your QSR email marketing list with these tactics, consider offering an incentive to get customers to sign up. For example, offer discounts on their meals if they show that they joined your email list, or offer secret codes that unlock free items.
When your customers think they will benefit from subscribing to your emails even if it just means an immediate discount or free item, they’re more likely to do it.
Set Up Online or In-Store Surveys
It’s possible to kill two birds with one stone by offering customer surveys. Not only will customers submit valuable feedback on ways you can improve, they will often also give you their contact information via email and can opt-in to receive your newsletter promotion.
There are multiple ways you can set up your survey so customers give you their email addresses. You can offer discounts or coupons for those who complete it, or ask for their emails to follow-up on any ideas or concerns they might have had. This also proves that you are listening to customers through the surveys you offer and are likely to take action based on their ideas.
Show What Your Email Offers Include
The era where customers hand over their email addresses to anyone is over. Today’s consumers are picky about what they accept in their inboxes need concrete reasons to accept your messages.
The best way to grow your email list is to show customers what they’re missing.
Throughout your signage, WiFi landing pages, and overhead announcements, take time to highlight what your newsletters include. A few options for email content are:
- Exclusive discounts and specials for email subscribers.
- Invitations to private events and priority access to public ones.
- Updates about the business, including seasonal specials and menu changes.
- Tips and advice for living in the area or eating well.
If you want to make your email efforts more effective, allow subscribers to opt-in to certain content types and opt out of others.
For example, some people might be interested in discounts and events, but not news about your store. Your customers feel like they have more control over the messages they receive, and you can guarantee your messages are going to people who are interested in listening to you.
Use Our In-Store Tools To Grow Your QSR Email Marketing List
At Spectrio, we offer a variety of in-store marketing tools you can use to get customers to sign up for your email list. If you want to grow your QSR email marketing list, let us know so we can help. Sign up for a free consultation and one of our marketing experts will reach out to learn about your business.
Or, download our free guide on creating exceptional customer experiences using audio and video to discover more ways to engage and connect with your in-store customers.