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5 top tips on how to successfully manage bookings this Valentine’s Day
They say you can’t put a price on love, however that’s not always strictly true. It was predicted that the UK public spent a whopping £1 billion on our loved ones in 2019. Reassuringly, many believe the best way to someone’s heart is through the stomach, as £391 million of that was expected to be spent on dining out.
This gives operators a prime opportunity to attract many first-time diners and convert them to regulars. If done right, Valentine’s Day can bring in significant, long-lasting additional revenue.
We’ve pulled together five top tips on how to make it a more memorable experience for your guests, while maximising profits for you
1. Give bookers enquiry options
45% of consumers prefer to make their booking online – compared to 20% who prefer the telephone. So, ensure your booking experience is consistent and availability is up to date on all booking channels. If you have multiple venues or brands, why not suggest another venue if one is fully booked? It gives them the opportunity to enquire for another venue and ensures you don’t miss out on the revenue.
2. Upsell special packages, menus and optional extras
With the shift towards customers seeking ‘experiences’ in the past 12 months, diners are looking for more than just a meal. Look no further than a Valentine’s special menu - make it an extra special occasion by upselling optional extras such as champagne, flowers and much more.
3. Take pre-orders electronically ahead of the day
For many, Valentine’s Day may be the one day of the year that couples get to spend quality uninterrupted time together. So why not help them maximise their time by taking pre-orders ahead of the big day. Your guests can concentrate on whispering sweet nothings to each other, while your kitchen ensures everything is in stock, and you can spend more time providing a great customer service. Everyone is a winner.
Zonal’s Events & Pre-Order solution enables you to take pre-orders electronically ahead of Valentine’s Day. A Guest Portal gives customers the ability to view menus, pre-order food and drink and even pre-pay for their meal all in advance.
4. Manage deposits
Deposits undoubtedly reduce no-shows, especially for key dates such as Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day where they could prove extremely damaging for your business. However, managing and reconciling deposits can be a painstakingly monotonous task for both diners and staff at the end of the meal. Zonal’s EPoS-integrated Events & Pre-Order solution allows you to manage deposits electronically. Email reminders encourages guests to pay their deposit or even final balance, which is then automatically redeemed at the till. Quick, easy and pain-free for everyone!
5. La touche finale
A French term for the final touch, guests love the little details that make them feel special. With EPoS integration to your booking platform, you can seamlessly connect spend and behavioural data, giving you a detailed picture of each customer and their preferences. This valuable data enables you to incentivise guests to come back after Valentine’s Day – perhaps with a free glass or bottle of their favourite wine?... Et Voila!
How well is your venue set-up to manage bookings around special occasions such as Valentine’s Day? Take our short checklist
