In response to Rachel's Post...

Question: What was your New Year’s resolution? And have you stuck to it?

My New Year's resolution was to start eating healthier. The problem with this resolution is I am a college student on a tight budget who is living off-campus. Therefore, when I go shopping for groceries I tend to buy the cheapest things that last the longest and you can imagine those items aren't usually apples and bananas. I did start eating healthier for awhile when I was still home at my parent's house for the rest of winter break. Unfortunately, as soon as I returned to my apartment I was only able to eat healthy a few times a week which then turned into once a week and now I eat healthy once in a while when my finances allow me to.

*What ideas would you suggest to someone trying to eat healthier on a very slim budget?

10 Ideas for Restaurant Marketing

According to foodservicewarehouse.com there are many marketing strategies for restaurants in today's society but the most important and innovative ones are:

1. Get good press

2. Create a website

3. Redesign the menu

4. Implement frequency marketing

5. Host events

6. Try up-selling

7. Market your take-out and delivery service

8. Promote through email

9. Commit to going green

10. Involve customers in a contest

I think all of these are good ideas to help restaurants market themselves but the one that I believe is the best one is to create a website. It seems as though every restaurant has a website these days but you'd be surprised at how many don't have one or if they do it's not very well put together. Not only having a website but having a well presented and appealing website is very important to draw customers in because a lot of people search the web to find a good place to go out to eat before they actually make a decision and head to the restaurant.

*What do you think is the most effective/useful technique mentioned above?

Source: http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/education/restaurant-marketing/top-ten-techniques.aspx