Advertising is expensive and whilst it is essential, it becomes increasingly difficult for a business to advertise through the traditional mediums when advertising budgets are being slashed. Companies are looking for more cost-effective ways to promote their brands. There are lots of marketing options and some can prove to be just as effective. This is in part due to the changing times (people absorbing media in different ways) and the improvement of the channels for advertising online etc. This is compounded by the fact that most people now spend time looking for the exclusive discounts available not just the brands they are familiar with.

In a report researched and compiled by the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) on behalf of the Advertising Association (AA), it was found that the total UK adspend fell by 3.9%, but when separated and analysed by medium it revealed that while newspaper expenditure fell the most (12%) and spend on every other medium also fell, internet expenditure was up by 17.3%.

Internet advertising is an attractive media choice and marketing option at the moment because it can be more cost-effective than other forms of advertising. The rise to stardom of sites such as Facebook and Twitter just add another dimension which is yet to be completely and successfully tapped into.

Another cost-effective option is to look at the free marketing options. Loyalty and membership programmes offer a way to market a brand for free and are operated by a third party, meaning minimal human resources for the business involved. All the business has to do to feature in a loyalty and membership programme is offer an exclusive discount to the club members. This also answers the public’s demand for exclusive discounts on the items/ services they purchase. The members use a directory and/or website featuring all the businesses and their exclusive discounts, to look through when they want to shop or plan an experience. The Rocket Marketing Group operates a number of different loyalty and membership programmes including The Big Savings Club, The Entertainment Club, The Home and Garden Club and JML VIP Club. These clubs collectively have a membership base of over 100,000. The captive audience is considerable, so surely this is something that most businesses offering products and services would benefit from?

Contact Us if you would like to discuss how a Rocket Marketing Group, loyalty and membership programme can be a good marketing option for your business.

The media will have you believe that we’re all sitting at home afraid to spend any money, amid the fear of redundancy and destitution. How true is this? In reality how is the recession really affecting the way people dine? And what can restaurants offer the public to turn the tide?

A recent survey conducted by the business advisory firm Deloitte found that: “Cost reduction is the top priority in 2009 for senior executives in the food and beverage industry.”

Livebookings, a marketing and real-time booking service for restaurants and diners have analysed their UK figures to monitor the amount of discounts used in their restaurants. Below is the table of results.

The amount of people using offers when booking through Livebookings has clearly increased dramatically. These results are echoed through the many things we hear and read in the media, as prudence seems to have become the latest trend, whatever your financial situation. It is clear that restaurants have taken note as there is a noticeable increase in the number of discounts and ‘credit crunch deals’ available. A popular way restaurants have found to channel these discounts, is through a dining club such as The Midweek Dining Club, Top Table, Taste London. The clubs give its foodie members a full directory of restaurants and special member discounts, easily accessible from comprehensive websites. Dining club membership figures have rapidly increased in the last few years and restaurants are recognising them as an essential tool for promoting their brand and combating the public’s reluctance to spend money.

Lawrence Hutter, Global Head of Food and Beverage at Deloitte, said: “The economic downturn has presented food and beverage companies with new challenges. It is impacting how much money consumers spend but also the way in which they spend it. Footfall in discount grocers is rising and many shoppers are trading down.”

Recognising the need for restaurants to promote their businesses in a different way, based on special offers, The Rocket Marketing Group set up and currently operates The Midweek Dining Club. Our clients have found that it is a great way to promote their restaurants by encouraging potential diners to take advantage of some fantastic discounts. With over 25,000 members, restaurant brands are promoted to a vast customer base. The special offers and discounts range from 50% off the food bill to a free bottle of wine. The best thing is that it’s completely free to register a restaurant with The Midweek Dining Club. All restaurants have to do is provide an offer for club members. It is an effective marketing tool especially for independent restaurants that don’t have a large advertising budget. And because we also pride ourselves on excellent customer service, a partnership with us is a happy experience.

So visit The Midweek Dining Club website for a taste of what we do.