So we all know that the current economic climate and the rising cost of living has left everyone a little strapped for cash at the minute. And when times get tough, eating out is normally the first expense to get cut back.

But the exception to this rule is birthday and celebration dining. No matter how people are doing financially, they will always want to mark birthdays with a celebratory meal out, and will be willing to splash out on it. So even when customers are less likely to dine as often, you can always count on birthdays to fill up your bookings.

So how can you capitalise on this I hear you ask? 

Here are a number of ways that you can get your restaurant to the forefront of people’s minds:

• Collect your customer’s dates of birth

This is a really simple criteria that you can add to your email marketing sign up form. With this data you can then send out email campaigns to everyone that has a birthday coming up that month to remind them to get booked in! 

• Do something memorable

An obvious way to increase your birthday bookings is to do something memorable so you build a reputation. And we’re not talking about all the waiters singing happy birthday to you in TGI Fridays here. Maybe you have a special dessert or a fancy cocktail? Something that will make customers want to come to your restaurant for that reason. 

• Incentivise 

This one can tie in nicely with the first point. Have an incentive for customers to persuade them to dine with you. Whether it’s a percentage off the bill, a free main or maybe the birthday guest dines completely free! Whatever your offer is, make sure people know about it by advertising it through social media, email marketing and paid ads.

So isn’t it time you worked on your birthday marketing strategy?