Free Publicity for Restaurants

One of the best ways to get a restaurant free publicity is bytaking advantage of events and seizing the opportunity.For example, February 5th is Television Weather Persons' Day!Bet you didn't even know such a day existed, but it does, andit can give you free publicity. How? Weather people are theforgotten people at television stations. Deliver one of yourspecialties at the station. There's a good chance the weatherperson will be so delighted with the attention, he or she willmention you on the air. Even if they don't mention you, yourgoodies will be shared with the others on the staff and you'llget your name out there. When you call to let them know about anewsworthy event (and you will call, won't you?), they'll knowabout your restaurant.

Actually, it's not a bad idea to deliver goodies regularly orperiodically to a television station or a radio show host.Remember, nobody ever says no to food. People love to eat,especially when it comes gratis.

If your restaurant serves breakfast, or, even if you don't servebreakfast but your kitchen staff comes in early,, here's anotheridea. Send breakfast (juice, pastries, coffee) each morning tothe host of your local Morning Drive show on radio. I guaranteeafter a few times he'll look forward to it and mention you onthe air. Then you can start sending hot meals of pancakes, eggs,etc. He'll constantly talk about you or perhaps evenhave you on as a guest.

If there's a special radio or television show on during theafternoon that everyone watches, send lunch. You don't haveto feed the entire staff, but do send enough for the hostand a couple of others.

I frequently bring my restaurant chefs to a television program where they prepare food on the air. They always bring enough for the staff to devour (and I do mean devour)after the show. The hosts and staff cheer when they see us because they've come to expect good food. And it's easy forme to get the producer to agree to use my clients!You might consider trying to lure a radio program to yourrestaurant to actually broadcast or possibly even a television program. Years ago Sherman Billingsly made afortune going on television from his Stork Club. He intro-duced his celebrity guests but you don't have to and you may not even have any celebs. It could be a talk show or musicor morning drive, whatever. The host will have to say wherehe's broadcasting from and people will want to come to therestaurant during the broadcast.

Of course, you will put the host, desk, mic, etc. in thewindow, right? Or at least a prominent place and not stuckaway in the corner.

Even after the broadcast is over, this will increase yourbusiness enormously. By having someone mention you on the air or broaadcast from your restaurant, this conveys thatyou are important. You are one of the best in your fieldbecause, after all, a famous person is not going to go justanywhere, right?

Miriam Silverberg is the president and founder of the New YorkCity publiciy firm, Miriam Silverberg Associates and has vastexperience publicizing some of the City's best restaurants.