If you own a catering business, you’ll know how hard the industry can be.
From the fluctuation in ingredient prices to high gas and rent prices. Keeping your head above water can be difficult, especially if you’re a startup.
The answer to your cashflow woes is cash on the table. It’s as simple as that. Cash in hand can help you overcome the challenges most fledgling businesses face today.
So here are 5 tips that you can implement to help you earn that all-important moolah.
Marketing Tip 1: SEO Optimization
It might be a surprise that our first tip is digital. But hear me out.
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. The process includes many different aspects – some of which are pretty simple to implement yourself, and others will probably be quite boring to you. But the overall goal remains the same.
Optimizing your catering website to rank higher in Google Search Results.
The importance of this is pretty clear: Most people only ever stay on the first page of search results. Almost nobody scrolls to the second or third page of search results. Why?
Trust.
People trust the websites that appear on the first page of search results. A recent case study noted the following figures regarding SERP positions:
“…a result in position #2 will generate an average of 3x more clicks than a result in position #6.
A result in position #1 earns a CTR over ten times higher than a ranking at position #10.”
So, as a catering business owner, you need to do whatever it takes to rank at the top of search results if you want to convert searches to clicks. But how do you do it?
How Can Catering Businesses Optimize their Sites?
Let’s take a closer look at the actionable steps you can take to optimize your catering business website.
Step 1 Do Keyword Research Specific To Catering Services
Keyword research involves identifying and analyzing words and phrases used in search engines to find relevant content.
For a catering website, this means finding terms that potential customers might use when looking for catering services.
For example, keywords like “wedding catering services,” “corporate event catering,” or “local party caterers” could be relevant. Conducting keyword research helps prioritize content creation and optimization to attract relevant traffic to the website.
But here’s the kicker: Some keywords are much harder to rank for than others. The word catering by itself has a difficulty rating of 61/100.
Ahrefs Keyword Research Report – Catering
So, doing effective keyword research will help you not only identify the search phrases that people are using in your niche but also help you determine the likelihood that you’ll be able to rank on the first page for those searches.
This can be a bit tricky, but the payoff is well worth the effort. You might not be interested in tackling this yourself, which is fair enough.
If so, rather invest in a solid SEO campaign that would include keyword research as part of the plan. Leaving it to the pros also pays off in the long run. It frees you up to focus on the more pressing day-to-day activities…and having fun in the kitchen.
You might enjoy: Catering Keywords That Will Get You Clients
Step 2 Focus On Your On-page SEO
On-page SEO generally refers to everything completely within your control on your website. This includes, but is not limited to, the meta tags used to describe your pages, the quality of the pictures you use in blog articles and service pages, the specific keywords you use, and more.
You’ll be surprised at the significant impact a solid on-page SEO strategy can have on your search results.
Not only does it help you tidy up your pages, making it easier and more enjoyable for users to navigate, but it also assists search engines in navigating your pages more efficiently.
This is beneficial because the better search engines understand what each specific page is about, the more likely they are to index these pages and recall them when someone searches for a specific phrase on the web.
On-page SEO can be quite difficult to understand and implement effectively. If you’re interested in this process or could use some guidance during this step, reach out to Batlinks.io, one of the best catering SEO companies around.
We can create a custom plan that caters (excuse the pun) to your specific needs.
Step 3 Initiate a Link Building Campaign
One of the main factors of a solid SEO game plan is and has always been gaining backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites.
This is because search engines use backlinks to indicate that a website is relevant and authoritative. Backlinks can be generated through different means, but the most popular link-building campaigns include Guest Posting and Link Inserts.
With Guest posts, you’re flexing your catering knowledge and asserting yourself as an expert in your field. Guest posts require a bit of effort as you’ll need to develop a segment or article to post on a website, but the payoff is always well worth the effort, as this case study shows.
If you’re not interested in creating guest posts, you could reach out to articles that have already been published on websites within the catering niche and inquire about a niche edit or link insert. This approach would have a quicker turnaround time as there is no time spent on creating content, and the linked content would already have been indexed by search engines.
Either way, a solid link-building campaign can help you take your catering business to the next level; don’t neglect this valuable marketing avenue.
Marketing Tip 2: Social Media Marketing
A social media presence is probably one of the most important ways to market yourself and build your catering brand.
We live in the digital age, and people buy with their eyes. Instead of reading reviews and going by word of mouth, people seem to be going for what they like to see.
As a catering business owner, you need to explore this marketing avenue to the full. You can use many different platforms to advertise your latest cooks, each with its target audience and pros and cons.
Instagram is one of the best platforms for catering marketing. There are an estimated 2.4 billion Instagram users today. Each one is a scrolling, liking, and reposting opportunity.
Why not share pics of your best bakes on an Instagram account? Post about the little wins for your company. You could, for instance, post about the latest event you catered for and take it a step further by tagging some of the local businesses that would be interested in your catering services.
Another social media platform that any catering company can use to gain more exposure is Facebook.
Yes, Facebook is still relevant and doing well, with approximately 2.9 billion people use this platform each month.
The platform offers unparalleled reach and targeting capabilities, allowing catering businesses to connect with their target market while specifically targeting potential clients based on location, interests, and behaviors.
Through visually appealing content, such as photos and videos showcasing food presentations and event setups, caterers can captivate their audience and effectively highlight their offerings. This visual engagement not only attracts new customers but also reinforces the brand’s credibility and expertise in the catering industry.
Moreover, Facebook facilitates direct engagement with customers through comments, messages, and reviews, fostering trust and loyalty. It serves as a platform for promoting special offers, discounts, and events, driving sales and encouraging repeat business.
MarketingTip 3: Content Marketing
Effective content marketing for catering businesses involves creating and sharing valuable, relevant, consistent content to attract and engage potential clients.
This can include blog posts on food trends, recipes, event planning tips, and visually appealing photos and videos showcasing past events and menu options. By offering useful information and showcasing expertise, you can position yourself as a trusted authority in your field, appealing to both individuals planning events and corporate clients seeking catering solutions.
Actionable steps include maintaining a content calendar to ensure regular posting, optimizing content with relevant keywords to improve search engine visibility, and encouraging audience interaction through polls, Q&A sessions, and recipe contests.
Collaborating with influencers or industry experts for guest posts can also broaden reach and credibility. Additionally, repurposing content across different platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ensures maximum exposure and engagement, catering to diverse audience preferences and behaviors.
Marketing Tip 4: Network With Local Businesses
Building strategic partnerships and networking within the community is essential for catering companies to expand their client base and enhance credibility.
This involves attending industry events, joining local business associations, and participating in community gatherings where potential clients and event planners may be present. Actively engaging in networking allows caterers to forge meaningful connections, exchange referrals, and stay updated on industry trends and opportunities.
Practical steps include hosting tasting events or collaborating with event planners, venues, and other vendors to offer bundled services. Cross-promoting with complementary businesses such as florists, photographers, and event decorators can create mutually beneficial partnerships, expanding visibility and attracting clients who value integrated service offerings.
Moreover, volunteering to cater for charitable events or local fundraisers not only supports the community but also showcases catering capabilities to a wider audience, potentially leading to future bookings and referrals.
MarketingTip 5: Customer Testimonials and Reviews
Customer testimonials and reviews are powerful tools that can significantly influence potential clients’ decisions.
Positive feedback acts as social proof, reassuring new clients about the quality and reliability of a caterer’s services. Encouraging satisfied customers to share their experiences on platforms like Facebook, Google My Business, and specialized review sites builds credibility and trust, particularly when accompanied by authentic photos or videos from events.
Caterers should regularly request feedback from clients post-event and ask permission to use their testimonials in marketing materials and on social media.
Featuring testimonials prominently on the website and in marketing collateral reinforces the brand’s reputation and expertise. Responding promptly and professionally to reviews, whether positive or constructive, demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and transparency.
Implementing a system to gather and showcase testimonials systematically ensures a steady stream of social proof that resonates with potential clients, ultimately driving conversions and fostering long-term client relationships.
Conclusion
There you have it, 5 marketing strategies that any catering business, big or small, can implement to reach its target market.
With so many overheads and small things to worry about, your marketing budget might not be big enough for all of the above. So, prioritize what’s most important for your business.
Do the things that cost little to nothing, like a good social media presence. And if you’re going to invest in anything, invest in a marketing strategy that will pay off long after you’ve decided to cancel the campaign.
Effective SEO is truly one of those marketing strategies that keeps on delivering results indefinitely.
Ready to see what SEO can do for your business? Fill out this form, and let’s tailor a link building strategy that fits your unique needs.