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Not trying to spook you, but Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Sad singles, over-enthusiastic couples and the regular madness will probably be part of the next few days. So, if you want to make sure your relationship makes it through the next year, get off the internet and buy some chocolates and roses! But in case you like to play with fire or have a passion for bizarre presents, here’s our list of carefully selected gift ideas.

<h3>Snapchat Spectacles 
</h3>
The first present is meant for people who need a subtle hint about their (probably excessive) use of the Snapchat App. Usually used to share pictures and short texts, the use of Snapchat has gotten out of hand for a lot of people. Taking pictures during lunch and when spending time with friends can be annoying for non-users. In case you know that feeling, look no further than Snapchat Spectacles. These <a class="" href="https://www.spectacles.com/uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">handy specs</a> enable the wearer to take Snaps from their perspective and send those pictures around, simply by clicking on the spectacle frame.
These glasses probably won’t stop your Snapchat-addicted friends, but at least the glasses make them look funny and you can have a good laugh at their expense.
<h3>Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder</h3>
I first discovered PicoBrew, when I read articles about the yearly <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/ces-2018-wpa3-smart-tattoos-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Consumer Electronics Show</a>. Since then, I think about buying one for myself about five times a day. In case you have a loved one that has a passion for beer, a brewing device might be the right thing to make his (or her!) heart skip a beat. Being able to brew your favourite drink on your kitchen counter is a dream come true for some people. The PicoBrew is able to brew five liters of the beer of your choice and the brewing process takes approximately 10 &#8211; 14 days. Furthermore, you’re able to track the brewing, fermentation and carbonation process over your smartphone and watch your own brew getting ready. As the brewing devices are quite costly, make sure you’re getting it for the right person (or the person who always hosts parties).
The PicoBrew is an expensive but rewarding device that makes German childhood dreams come true. Have a look at the latest brewing equipment <a class="" href="https://picobrew.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here </a>and become a master of mixtures.
<h3>Scavenger hunt</h3>
This little helper is the suitable present for people who tend to forget their keys, purse, backpack or any other items. The Tile is here to help your forgetful loved one through the daily struggle of not losing the keys again. Tile is basically a small device that can be attached to a keyring, a rucksack or stuffed in your wallet. Once the item is lost, you can use your phone to make it ring and help you find your lost treasure. For example if you’ve lost your phone, you can press the Tile to make the phone right &#8211; even if it’s switched to silent. Furthermore, you can use the app to track the last place your Tile was seen to find it more easily. You can even ask other Tile Community members to help you look for your missing item . 
As the gadget is pretty affordable, we advise you to <a href="https://www.thetileapp.com/en-gb/products#tiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have a look</a> which one suits your or your loved one’s needs. Maaaybe it might be worth getting several ones, just in case he or she is forgetful multiple times a week.
<h3>Watching a dog is a full-time job</h3>
Is your partner thinking a bit too much about the dog being home alone while you’re out enjoying dinner? Or do you need to get a present for that crazy cat lady in your circle of friends? This present is absolutely perfect for both occasions. Let us introduce you to a gadget that might help your partner to actually enjoy date nights, the <a class="" href="https://petcube.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Petcube</a>. 
This invention enables you to stalk your pet, even if you aren’t home. Set up in your flat, the Petcube can film your pet and send real time data straight to your mobile, making it possible to watch a live stream of your furry friend. In addition, some of the cubes have a built in laser, so you can play with your dog or cat. Others have an integrated treat dispenser to train your dog. Just imagine &#8211; you can use the pet cam during lunch breaks at work to <a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqhC9o3kQI" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">check if your loyal companion at home is doing alright</a>. Furthermore, alarms will be sent out for any unusual behaviour at home or other major disturbances that the camera tracks. 
No matter whether you decide to go for one of those rather odd presents or if you stick to something a little more basic to surprise your Valentine, we hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!
In case you run a business that provides Guest WiFi, feel free to get in touch with us. We are here to make sure you provide a safe and seamlessly working WiFi experience to your customers.
Hit the button below!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

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WiFi Gifts for the Love of your Life

2019 is proving to be our busiest year for recruitment yet. Since March, no less than 10 new members of staff have joined Stampede across a variety of roles.



This growth is the beginning of big expansion plans for the company this year, which will inevitably include a new office space soon (but we&#8217;re staying in Leith!).



New team members include several Business Development team members, including an Enterprise Specialist; two new Support Team members; a new Customer Success and Marketing Manager and a new Head of Growth Marketing.



James, our COO said &#8220;It&#8217;s a really exciting time to join Stampede and the wider tech industry in Edinburgh. Our new recruits bring a wealth of experience from different industries, which really expands our capabilities and knowledge base as a whole.&#8221;



&#8220;We&#8217;ve hired tech-savvy high school leavers, people from the beer industry and from the motor trade &#8211; the range is awesome&#8221; James continued.

Team Update

Gift cards sales in hospitality were a key revenue driver during the last year. But how many of your customers have actually redeemed their vouchers yet? They could well have bought them months ago, only for them to gather digital dust in their email inbox.



Time to unlock some hidden gift card revenue now that venues are reopening. Let’s remind those gift card holders that it’s time to redeem their cards and reap the benefits for your business.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-reminders-can-get-you-more-customers-and-more-money">Why reminders can get you more customers and more money</h4>



<a href="https://enjovia.com/make-more-restaurant-profit-with-vouchers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stats show</a> that 72% of customers actually spend more than the value of the voucher. This offers a great opportunity for you to upsell.



What’s more, 60% of customers say that they’ve been introduced to a new brand through a gift voucher. In addition, 18% of those have now become regular customers as a result.



So, don’t miss out on that extra spending and those new customers. Use this opportunity and turn those gift card customers into loyal ones.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-send-your-reminders">How to send your reminders</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messaging-channels">Messaging Channels</h5>



Utilise your common marketing channels to send reminders, i.e. email and SMS. Think of employing a combined campaign approach of email and SMS for a better response rate. For example, SMS is the perfect medium to promote last-minute availability.



Don’t forget your social media accounts and schedule in some reminder posts on a regular basis. Insta stories are great to boost last-minute bookings from gift cardholders. It’s likely those with gift cards are in those follower lists on social media!&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-to-send-it-to">Who to send it to</h5>



If you’re using a digital gift card solution, you can simply target your buyers as a “segment”. This way you can send your reminder campaigns to gift card buyers only.



What’s more, you can easily track the results coming from the campaign and include special promotions only relevant to this customer segment.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reminder-message-content">Reminder message content</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subject-line">Subject line</h5>



Your subject line should be straightforward and on point. Something along the lines of: “Reminder &#8211; don’t forget to redeem your gift card” or formulated as a question: “Have you redeemed your gift voucher yet?”.



If your gift cards come with an expiration date, you can include this in your subject line: “Only … left to redeem your gift card”.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-message">Message</h5>



Don’t just simply send a short reminder email. You’ve got your customers’ attention, so use it wisely.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Promote any offers or special deals</li><li>Feature upcoming events</li><li>Highlight any new menu changes and create some sense of urgency “only available for …”</li><li>Boost downtimes “last-minute bookings left for this …”</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-action">Call-to-action</h5>



Ideally, you’d want your customers to making a booking straight away so your CTA can simply be: “Book Now/Here”. Also, consider including more than one CTA (e.g. underneath the header image and after your main body).



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extra-tip-last-minute-cancellations">Extra tip &#8211; last-minute cancellations</h5>



Have an email template ready for last-minute cancellations that you can send out to your gift card holders to fill in any empty spaces.&nbsp;



Have a look at our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-time-saving-newsletter-tips-to-keep-people-engaged/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 Time-Saving Newsletter Tips</a> for more quick writing and design hacks to kick-off your gift card reminder campaign. And <a href="contact@stampede.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team for support on anything email and SMS marketing related.&nbsp;

How to Unlock Hidden Revenue From Your Gift Cards

So you’ve just signed up for Stampede. Congratulations! Now you’re collecting marketing data from all of the customers that visit your venue and use your WiFi. The problem is, now you’ve got all this valuable data collected and don’t quite know what to do with it. No worries, we’re here to help. Here are some tips that will help you increase conversion rates with the Stampede <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2019/">automated marketing feature</a>.







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">SMS vs Email</h4>



A common question that business owners have is ‘Shall I send out SMS texts or emails to my customers?’ and we have to admit &#8211; good question. 



Both methods are widely used by businesses around the globe and both methods work perfectly fine. The reason for the popularity of these marketing methods is easily justified with the fact that customers can be reached easily on their phone, as they are online and available 24/7. 



Whereas emails are more strongly associated with spam and obvious advertising, SMS texts are more personal and feel like a friend sending a message. That doesn&#8217;t necessarily make SMS superior to emails, as mails can include pictures or links.



In order to improve your marketing conversion rate and get the most out of the two methods, we recommend you to make use of them both, depending on the content you want to convey to your customers.



If you want to find out which of the two methods is more suitable for your business, click right here and have a look at our <a rel="noopener noreferrer" class="" href="http://get.stampede.ai/sms-vs-email-marketing-ebook" target="_blank">eBook.</a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Schedules &amp; Timing</h4>



The first question we need to answer here is ‘How often should I reach out to my customers and send them promotional material?’ 



Studies revealed that 61% of interviewees preferred to receive <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/infographic-how-likely-are-people-to-act-on-promotions/">promotional material</a> at least once a month. Therefore, we’d recommend you to stick to that rule of thumb. Of course, it’s difficult to come up with a general rule for this, and we are convinced that you have a better understanding of your business, your customers and their expectations.



Another important aspect to consider is the local time of recipients. Try and schedule your campaigns depending on the local time of the people who are the ones reading your message. Nobody wants to be woken up in the middle of the night by a promotional text message.&nbsp;



Timing also comes into play when asking your customers to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-power-of-reviews-and-recommendations/">leave reviews</a>. The best time to ask someone to leave a review is just after they’ve visited your business. Use the automated marketing feature of Stampede to send an email or SMS asking your customer for a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">review on TripAdvisor</a> or simply to remind them of the good time they had with you. 



Timing can be considered crucial to increase marketing conversion rates for your business.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Segmenting the list</h4>



Using the Stampede&nbsp;software will supply you with powerful customer insights in the form of data. And the best part of data gathering in Stampede is that it’s all automatic. 



We understand that you’re excited to make use of all this data, but remember that some content is more relevant for certain segments of your customer base. Therefore, we advise you to segment your customer list in order to send out specifically targeted messages. 



To give you a quick example, customers can be asked to choose their favourite sports in the splash screen when they login to your WiFi. Depending on which sporting event is coming up next, invite the Rugby/ Football/ Hockey fans to your pub to enjoy the match and a cold pint. As easy as that!



Segmenting a list and putting it to work, basically aims at approaching customers in the most personal manner. This personal approach can help your business improve marketing conversion rates. Remember &#8211; nobody wants to miss a message from an old friend. Also, the more personal you are in making the customer experience memorable, the greater the likelihood of them <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">coming back</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Never stop testing</h4>



To improve your marketing conversion rates, it is important to keep track of how successful your campaigns are. 



Easily <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">check your reports</a> on the Stampede dashboard and learn which campaigns are successful and which ones need improvement. Unfortunately, we can’t give you the perfect tailored message, as every customer group is unique and different. Therefore, we recommend you to send out different messages for each customer group and test them against each other. Some will fail, others will be successful- the important thing is that you try and take as much as you can from the reports and keep on testing and improving.



In case you want to grow your business with a smart Guest WiFi solution, you shouldn’t waste another day. Hit the link below and let us introduce you to an easy-to-use software that can make all the difference. Getting you the highest marketing conversion rates you have ever seen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#schedule-demohttps://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>

Improving Conversion Rates in Marketing

All aboard the hype-train, it’s time to take a ride into the near future and show you what we’ve got coming up in our wonderful platform. So, get excited and have a little sneak peek of our upcoming features. Here comes the&nbsp;Stampede Spring/Summer product look ahead.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Stampede Digital Voucher Codes</h4>



A nicely segmented audience, a tailored offer and….what’s missing to make that campaign really sing? How about a&nbsp;unique voucher code&nbsp;for each member of that audience. Make them feel really special and drive those repeat conversions.



Our first new product feature will allow you to send voucher codes in your email and SMS campaigns. Once the voucher is redeemed in-venue it will&nbsp;automatically get logged&nbsp;to the campaign it came from.



As always with Stampede you’ll be able to track the results of those campaigns with supreme accuracy. Granular level conversion tracking will show you exactly how many people came back and whipped out their voucher.



No more matching codes and campaigns, no more rough ideas of what worked (or didn’t). Just easy digital marketing.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stampede-bookings">Stampede Bookings</h4>



The second exciting addition we’re currently building is a&nbsp;fully integrated table booking system&nbsp;for venues.



Stampede bookings will include all the important features you’d expect:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Manage reservations, walk-ins, waitlists and table allocation</li><li>Get notified on reservations, cancellations and dietary requirements</li><li>Send automated email and SMS booking confirmations as well as review requests post-visit</li><li>Control your cover capacity and no-shows</li></ul>



… and much more



This adds another data capture string to your bow. But it can also&nbsp;take away a lot of hassle.&nbsp;



Many hospitality operators depend on a variety of connected platforms from different providers for their technology. Our integrated bookings system will take away lots that complexity. Everything will be in one place, one tab, one login, one monthly bill.



Keep an eye out for more updates on these features over the next few weeks.



If you’d like to be an early tester of any of these new product features (with a little incentive of course) then&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch.</a>

Stampede Spring/Summer Sneak Peek – More Tools To Help You Grow

Over the past few years, hospitality businesses have been in a rush to get up to speed with all the tech tools the market has to offer.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Many businesses, therefore, have ended up with a stack of technologies that all serve individual purposes. Most of these are haphazardly interconnected or worse not integrated at all.



What’s more, those digital tools each come with costs which can add up quickly.



With budgets being tight this year, time to review your tech solutions and find ways to reduce excess costs whilst growing your business.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-tools-fit-for-the-industry">Find Tools Fit For The Industry</h5>



It’s tempting to go for the big household names we are familiar with. If it’s working for other businesses, it clearly has to work for yours as well, right?



However, contemporary online businesses, such as e-commerce, come with different tech needs compared to offline i.e. brick-and-mortar ones.



Most of the time those tools are not designed specifically for industries like hospitality. They are there to satisfy the mainstream online market.



How do you find industry-specific tools?



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Ask for referrals within your industry</li><li>Be specific in your Google search terms &#8211; ‘for hospitality/restaurant/hotel…’</li><li>Do detailed research and compare tools on tech directories like <a href="https://www.g2.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G2</a> or <a href="https://www.capterra.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capterra</a></li><li>Check testimonials on the websites &#8211; are those from companies similar to yours?</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Save Money With An All-In-One Solution</h5>



Think about how many repeat customers you would need to pay for your monthly subscriptions and how much effort it takes to generate those visits.&nbsp;



Another important cost factor to consider is time. Syncing and managing multiple data sources from various integrated systems is often inefficient, as well as a potential GDPR risk.



Instead, industry experts are now advocating for multi-function smart tools and technology that can pay for itself.



Simplification is the way forward here. Rather than custom building a mix and match solution from different providers, choose one platform that can do everything you need in one place.



This way you’re no longer relying on costly and complex integrations and can focus on bringing more customers back.



Looking for a <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smart all-in-one solution</a> to grow your business? <a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> to find out more.

How To Save Money On Your Digital Tech Tools

Fliers, table-toppers, menu inserts, posters and trained staff are all well-established methods of increasing spend per head or spend per visit. However, the right technology setup&nbsp;can give you even greater control over customer purchase behaviour in the venue.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-landing-page-redirects"> Landing Page Redirects</h4>



 Many apps, including <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guest WiFi</a>, offer the ability to redirect customers to a website landing page of your choice as part of normal use. These pages function as an interactive flier or poster, and are cheaper, faster and easier to update than a whole venue full of printed materials.



 A special offer only available on that page can be used as an incentive to capture more customer data or make customers feel extra special by finding a secret offer.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-email-and-sms-marketing"> Email and SMS Marketing</h4>



 With the right messaging system and guest data on hand, you can send promotions and offers to customers whilst they’re in the venue.&nbsp;



 Reward or encourage loyalty with special offers for returning customers. Certain apps will even allow you to target big spenders with marketing campaigns.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upsell"> Upsell</h4>



 Landing pages, while useful, don’t guarantee that customers will pay attention. Stampede’s <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upsell</a> feature works like Stories on social media to deliver digital fliers to return customers right on their phones. It’s fast to set up and you can change the offers as often as you need. Increase offer uptake, test new offers and save money on printed materials.



To find out more about how to increase customer spending in your venue, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team.

More Touchpoints, More Sales

<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-content-inspiration-for-a-new-month">Fresh Content Inspiration for a New Month</h4>







This week marks the beginning of a new month! We had a little sneak peek for you and March is full of exciting topics and events to look forward to. Mother’s Day is less than a fortnight away! Get your customers prepped with brunch and gift ideas and don’t forget to promote your offers.



But let&#8217;s jump straight into this week’s topics. National Nutrition Month meets Pie Week and Peanut Butter Day. Healthy vs. no regrets? Take your pick!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nationalnutritionmonth">#NationalNutritionMonth</h4>



This year’s theme is “Personalise Your Plate” by making informed food choices, committing to healthy eating and physical activity. The campaign also features <a href="https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekly key messages</a> with inspiring ideas on how to commit to eating and living healthy.



Tips to encourage and support your customers:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Share your favourite healthy recipes</li><li>Share healthy snack ideas</li><li>Share hacks around meal planning &amp; cooking</li><li>Share daily exercise tips from your staff</li><li>Start a ‘real food’ challenge and provide tips on how to swap&nbsp;processed with real food</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1st-to-7th-of-march-britishpieweek">1st to 7th of March &#8211; #BritishPieWeek</h4>



The saying goes that: “We in Britain stopped evolving gastronomically with the advent of the pie.” It’s true: we Brits just love our pies and we’re a well-known pie nation. So why should we come up with anything more than that?&nbsp;



Pies brighten our dinner tables, complement a perfect picnic and make the most delicious dessert (apple pie!). <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/our-best-pie-recipes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pie variations seem to be endless.</a> It’s not only about choosing the right filling, but also deciding on the right base. Just no soggy bottom, please! And to stick to British Pie origins, there should be a top and a base involved.



Get your customers engaged in pie week:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Offer a pie meal kit</li><li>Share your chef’s best pie recipes</li><li>How to get the perfect crust/bottom</li><li>Poll &#8211; what kind of pie lover are you?</li><li>Competition &#8211; share your homemade pies with us and win</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monday-1st-peanutbutterlover-sday">Monday 1st &#8211; #PeanutButterLover&#8217;sDay&nbsp;</h4>



It can be crunchy or smooth, rich and intense. It can go sweet or savoury. But it is definitely indulgent and comforting. Peanut butter! I would say, there’s (almost) nothing a spoonful of peanut butter can’t fix. No doubt, peanut butter is one of the world’s most favourite spreads.&nbsp;



Keeping National Nutrition Month in mind, there are lots of delicious <a href="https://www.self.com/gallery/healthy-peanut-butter-snacks-under-250-calories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy peanut butter snack recipes</a> out there! After all, peanuts are a good protein source and high in healthy fats.



Peanut butter is also part of some iconic duos &#8211; Which one is your favourite?



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Peanut butter &amp; toast &#8211; the straightforward one</li><li>Peanut butter &amp; jelly &#8211; the classic one</li><li>Peanut butter &amp; chocolate &#8211; the match made in heaven one</li><li>Peanut butter &amp; pork &#8211; the Asian-style one</li><li>Peanut butter &amp; pizza &#8211; the more adventurous ones</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-content-ideas-for-this-week">More Content Ideas for This Week</h4>



Friday 5th &#8211; Employee Appreciation Day (Employee spotlight!) Saturday 6th &#8211; National Oreo Cookie Day Saturday 6th &#8211; White Chocolate Cheesecake Day Sunday 7th &#8211; National Cereal Day 



If you&#8217;re looking to get your stories and promotions in front of your customers <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with our team. We’re here to help with your email marketing and much more.

What’s On This Week? – 01/03/2021

British public stuck in food and drink venue routine

November – December 2024 Social Media Calendar

October – November 2024 Social Media Calendar

Free September – October 2024 Social Media Calendar

August 2024 Hospitality Email Marketing Guide

August – September 2024 Social Media Calendar

July – August 2024 Social Media Calendar

June – July 2024 Social Media Calendar

May 2024 Hospitality Email Marketing Guide

May – June 2024 Social Media Calendar

April 2024 Email Marketing Guide

April – May 2024 Social Media Calendar

F&B Event Promo HTML Email Template

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Sports Fixture HTML Email Template

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Shortcut Your Way To 6x Higher Conversion Rates

February – March 2023 Social Media Calendar

January – February 2023 Social Media Calendar

Hospitality Hashtag Cheat Sheet

8 Tactics to Increase Customer Spend

The Direct Booking Checklist for Hotel Operators

The Reviews Toolkit

Word of mouth. The holy grail of marketing, the primordial promotor and notoriously hard to measure driver of new business. But what about the power of online reviews and recommendations?







Business owners and marketing professionals have always sought out word-of-mouth as the best method to attract new business. With all sorts of digital tools available nowadays designed to make word-of-mouth easier to generate than ever before.



In the hospitality industry, the task of getting new business from word-of-mouth depends heavily on reviews and recommendations. And normally these come from well-known websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook, making these websites pivotal in generating new business for hospitality venues like bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-research">Recent Research</h4>



In a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="recent survey (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/British-social-routines-and-connectivity-report.pdf" target="_blank">recent survey</a> we commissioned, 65% of respondents said that they never or rarely try new venues without a review or recommendation. Every review or recommendation counts when it comes to encouraging new business.



&#8220;But,&#8221; I here you say, &#8220;Don&#8217;t most people only leave a review when they have a bad experience?&#8221; &#8211; A natural thing to worry about, as these reviews would naturally count against your business.



Interestingly, we discovered that the notion that people are more likely to spread the word of negative experiences vs positive ones may not be entirely true.



Dispelling this myth, we found that almost the exact same number of people had reviewed their favourite restaurant as had reviewed their worst eating experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="501" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12582" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-300x147.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-768x376.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1536x752.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1200x587.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-150x73.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1920x939.png 1920w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-592x290.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-123x60.png 123w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-184x90.png 184w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



 At 36% and 35% respectively, this number is still lower than many restaurant owners may like, such is the importance of good reviews and recommendations. However, it goes to show that people won’t just leave reviews when they have something to complain about – they also want to give praise when it is warranted.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-online-reviews-and-recommendations">Increase online reviews and recommendations</h4>



Given these findings, venues should be doing all they can to increase the number of people leaving reviews. And whilst there is a risk of negative reviews, there&#8217;s an equally good chance of a positive reviews coming in too. The important thing is to understand the value of reviews and the power they have in reaching and attracting new customers.



Find out more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-reviews">Reviews feature</a>.



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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>

The Power of Reviews and Recommendations

“Yelp gave it 4.5 stars, but Sarah said the soup was bland, but John raves about the atmosphere…” We are living in an era where the age of information has made decision-making processes just a tad more complex. Back in the day, patrons would trust newspaper reviews to guide them to the most elite and fascinating restaurants. Today, there are a bunch more factors that come into play.&nbsp;But how do customers actually choose their next restaurant to go for?







We know that getting customers through the door is half the battle of running a thriving restaurant business. So, we decided to do some deep research into how today’s restaurant-goers choose the places they dine at.&nbsp;



Below we have listed the factors that our current generations base many of their dining decisions on.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quality-and-innovation-of-food">Quality and Innovation of Food</h4>



According to a census run by <a href="https://www.touchbistro.com/blog/how-diners-choose-restaurants/">TouchBistro</a>, 70% of the participants agreed that they would re-visit a restaurant that made great food even if the customer service was bad.



Now, this is certainly no excuse to let good customer care fall to the wayside. But if you focus on creating quality meals that come with a touch of “je ne sais quoi”, then you are likely to retain a loyal customer base who appreciates your attention to detail.&nbsp;



You will also find that many diners are becoming a little picky with what they eat and they tend to be on the hunt for innovative meals that they can’t make at home – so, why not oblige them?



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-google-search-rankings-and-google-maps">Google Search Rankings and Google Maps</h4>



These days, hardly any serious foodie will make a “what’s for dinner” decision without checking for Google’s suggestions first. This means that you need to take your online presence quite seriously. Treat your website to a professional SEO campaign so that you can boost your rankings and land on the very first pages of search engines. If you’re on that first page, then audiences will automatically assume you have something good to offer.&nbsp;



And, if you are not already on Google maps, get yourself there! Log in to your Google account and follow the steps and get yourself listed. If you are already listed, make sure all the information included in your “tag” is correct.&nbsp;



Restaurant goers, like all consumers, feed off of convenience (no pun intended), and if they can see that your establishment is listed nearby, then apart from discovering that you actually exist – they’ll also visit you because of your nearby location.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recommendations-from-friends">Recommendations from Friends</h4>



Despite our dependence on technology for guidance, as humans, we still depend on word-of-mouth reviews. These reviews are taken seriously when they come from someone who we trust, such as friends and family.&nbsp;



So, keep your patrons happy and they will spread the word!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-online-reviews">Online Reviews</h4>



Current restaurant-goers turn to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">online reviews </a>when choosing a new restaurant to visit. In fact, Google and social media reviews have become the most trusted source for those seeking advice on which restaurant to choose from.



Did you know that <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2015/12/28/how-important-are-customer-reviews-for-online-marketing/#4a1232711928">88% of consumers trust online reviews</a> as much as a personal recommendation?



One negative review can instantly persuade a potential customer to move on to the next restaurant listed in their search. This makes customer service more important than ever before and social media engagement is key. &nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discounts-and-promotions">Discounts and Promotions</h4>



Throughout the decades, diners have always supported restaurants that offer <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-use-pricing-and-promotions-to-make-customers-happy/">continuous discounts and promotions</a>. This trend still stands and loyalty reward programmes have proven to be an important element of any successful business.&nbsp;



We all live in a world where we need to try and save a dime or two where we can!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lively-entertainment">Lively Entertainment</h4>



A lively atmosphere with a touch of entertainment has the potential to draw in the crowds on even the dreariest of days. Live and local bands will attract fans and a cosy and serene atmosphere will appeal to couples who are looking for an intimate night out.&nbsp;



Whilst most patrons will dine out for the food, many choose a restaurant that will give them a great dining experience with entertainment to boot.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology">Technology</h4>



From providing consumers with access to a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-tips-for-setting-up-wifi-for-your-restaurant-or-pub/">free WiFi connection</a> to treating them to digital menus that make ordering a fun experience, technology is certainly something that appeals to modern-day patrons. 



According to a <a href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/restaurant-management-statistics">recent survey</a>, the most important tech features are table bookings and access to free WiFi. Plus, 73% of customers think that restaurant tech can really improve their guest experience.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-friendly-dining">Eco-friendly Dining</h4>



We are entering a time where consumers are starting to make more conscious purchases. This means that they are thinking about the earth just as much as they are thinking about their palates.&nbsp;



Many diners are opting to eat at establishments that have eco-friendly practices. From serving vegan-friendly meals to ditching single-use plastics, a restaurant that’s eco-conscious is likely to get more support from the eco-friendly crowds.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-engagement">Social Media Engagement</h4>



With more than 200 million posts tagged #food and 23 million with #drinks, we can confidently say that social media is the number one spot for restaurant businesses to be. Patrons use social media platforms to look for new places to go to and you want to make sure that you are going to be right in their line of vision.&nbsp;



Restaurants that put effort into their social media presence and continue to engage with their audiences are more likely to hold on to loyal customers whilst encouraging (and intriguing) new audiences to visit their joint.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>



You are now best prepared to become your customers&#8217; first choice restaurant. Want some more?



With our unique take on reaching out to audiences, we can connect you to new customers while you <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">retain a loyal support base</a>.

How Customers Choose a Restaurant

If Holiday season is your favourite time of the year, we have good news for you.

Get ready because tomorrow we&#8217;ll introduce the Stampede Advent Calendar. Yeah, you heard right, we are bringing you 25 days full of fun content, discounts, facts and a special final prize.
Excited yet? Follow our social media channels today (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackbxwifi/" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/blackbxwifi" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/10502754/" target="_blank" class="" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a>) &nbsp;and don&#8217;t miss any updates. Like, share or comment the posts and you&#8217;ll automatically enter the competition to win the final surprise on Christmas day.&nbsp;
We want you to know that here at Stampede we respect all faiths, but since this is an Advent Calendar, this time things will be around Christmas (It&#8217;s not a promise but we&#8217;re thinking in fun things for Diwali, Hannukah and others, so stay tuned).
If you want to know more details about the competition, you can check out the terms and conditions&nbsp;<a href="https://hubs.ly/H09hRMd0" class="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>, and if you have any questions please <a href="mailto:connect@stampede.ai" class="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a>.
So get ready for the Holiday Season by following Stampede on all of our social media platforms!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/blackbxwifi/" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/facebook.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- Facebook logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- Facebook logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/blackbxwifi" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/twitter.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- Twitter logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- Twitter logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/10502754/" target="_blank" data-mce-target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Signature/linked.png?utm_campaign=Advent_Calendar_2017&amp;utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=social" alt="Stampede- LinkedIn logo.png" width="28" title="Stampede- LinkedIn logo.png" caption="false" data-constrained="true" style="width: 28px;" class=""></a>
The countdown to Christmas starts tomorrow!!&nbsp;

The real countdown is about to begin – Welcome to the Stampede Advent Calendar

Washing machine tablets, shaving equipment, craft beer and Volvo cars. What do they all have in common with coffee? One word: subscriptions.



 Pret a Manger and Leon have just announced subscription schemes for coffee and other beverages. We’ll discuss Pret&#8217;s offer today, Leon&#8217;s tomorrow.



Pret are offering up to 5 coffees or drinks a day for £20 a month.



There are two direct ways this benefits Pret:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Upselling and cross-selling. People will buy more than coffee when they visit a store </li><li>Not everyone will use their monthly quota. This means the lack of office lunch footfall will work in their favour.</li></ol>



But there are other benefits for them too &#8211; aside from the news coverage.



Craftily, customers have to use a Pret app to use the scheme. &nbsp;So this means that not only will they create more loyal customers, but they&#8217;ll also build up a contact database and extra marketing opportunities.



As grab-and-go businesses, it&#8217;s difficult for them to build up contact databases as easily as sit-in venues can. &nbsp;



Stampede builds these customer contacts automatically in a variety of ways, so we&#8217;ve seen how fast you can build databases (some of our clients gain thousands of customer records every day). These databases are the key to bringing customers back, with carefully crafted offers sent to the right people, at the right time.



Build your database, create loyal customers, grow your business. This is definitely not an exclusive for big chains.

The New Caffeine Fix Campaign

With the latest release of our software &#8211; <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/connect-version-4-0/">Version 4.0</a> &#8211; we have added a brand new feature that will transform how promotions are delivered to customers in venues. Our Story feature.







WiFi Stories allows you to promote news, offers, events and more in a dynamic way. On your <a href="http://connect.stampede.ai">Connect account</a> you can now create tiles for individual promotions and messages, that will be shown to returning visitors to your venue, after they login back into the WiFi. Each tile will be shown for 12 seconds before moving on, with a countdown timer along the top.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="593" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Stories-small-loop.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-12594"/></figure>



Heres the clever bit. Stories guarantees visibility of your promotions and messages &#8211; as visitors can&#8217;t access the free WiFi until they have watched your Stories. You&#8217;ve got them in your venue, and now you&#8217;ve got their attention &#8211; use it wisely!



Also, you can track impressions from the Stories and track clicks and interactions on these in the Connect platform, alongside our improved dashboard, analytics and other marketing tools.



Our WiFi Stories feature is a first of it&#8217;s kind for guest WiFi systems and captive portals, and we&#8217;re super proud of this innovation and how it can help businesses reach customers in new ways.



If you want to know more setting up and using Stories on your existing Connect account, or are interested in finding out how it can fill a gap in your marketing and promotions &#8211; <a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="contact our team (opens in a new tab)">contact our team</a>.

Introducing: Stories

I got <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/unroll-images-production/projects%2F2586%2F1606485256135-Screenshot+2020-11-27+at+12.28.57.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this email</a> from a local fine dining restaurant a few weeks ago, and thought it was too good not share with you.



 <a href="https://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wedgwood The Restaurant</a> is one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants from Chef Paul Wedgwood. They were one of the first fine dining venues in Edinburgh to launch an “at home” service during the first lockdown.&nbsp;



 A choice of dishes in a 3-course menu, with heat and serve instructions included, delivered to your home at a reasonable price. Ideal for big celebrations at home.



 This recent <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/unroll-images-production/projects%2F2586%2F1606485256135-Screenshot+2020-11-27+at+12.28.57.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> was a promotion to celebrate 30 weeks of Wedgwood at Home. It’s a wonderful email marketing campaign. They shared how many meals have been ordered in that time (10,000!!), said a thank you all their supporting customers and threw in a special offer:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-as-a-thank-you-to-all-our-wonderful-customers-we-re-offering-a-free-wedgwood-shortbread-and-tablet-with-every-order-this-week-a-complimentary-deciding-time-once-the-restaurant-is-allowed-to-open-again">&#8220;As a thank you to all our wonderful customers, we’re offering a free Wedgwood Shortbread and Tablet with every order this week. + a complimentary ‘Deciding Time’ once the restaurant is allowed to open again.&#8221;</h5>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-works">Why It Works</h4>



The 30-week celebrations and the 10,000 meals stat send a powerful message: they’re experienced at doing fine dining home delivery and it’s very popular. Having ordered it myself back in April &#8211; I can confirm it’s an excellent way to mix up the usual home delivery scenario.



 Everything from the subject line &#8211; &#8220;30th Celebrations!&#8221; &#8211; that engages readers curiosity to the clean design of the email and the gentle incentive (see above) all work brilliantly together. <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/unroll-images-production/projects%2F2586%2F1606485256135-Screenshot+2020-11-27+at+12.28.57.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The email</a> also tells readers how to learn more about the weekly changing menu by connecting with Wedgwood on social media.



 It’s important to mention that Wedgwood sends fairly regular emails which keep their database warmed up and open to promos like this. The whole email strategy contributes to the effectiveness of individual messages like this one.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-it-to-use">Putting It To Use</h4>



 This milestone promotion style is very versatile. It could be the owner’s birthday, the founding date of your business, a year since a big rebrand, the list goes on. And it certainly stands out against another round of “reopening special offers”.&nbsp;



Using a celebration or milestone unique to your business to run a promotion is a surefire way to increase sales in quieter periods. There&#8217;s no need to wait on the calendar and you&#8217;ll get more attention when customers aren&#8217;t bombarded with seasonal emails from everyone else.



 Got some great ideas for promotions? <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team and we’ll help you get them in front of your customers.

How To Celebrate A Milestone

The Ultimate Beginners Guide to WiFi Jargon

Planning a coffee shop opening for 2019? Got amazing coffee and an inviting interior? Do shops, offices and potential customers surround your shop? That&#8217;s a great start. But to keep your business busy, you can&#8217;t rely on passers-by wandering in off the street. Spend time establishing your brand online and get customers to come to you.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-your-coffee-shop-brand-needs-an-online-presence">Why your coffee shop brand needs an online presence</h4>



You may have been on a fact-finding trip to South America before opening your business. You might sell the best speciality coffee for miles, but have you translated this into your brand? How will you show this knowledge and passion to your customers and use it to win you sales? Establishing your brand&#8217;s ethos and personality online will help set you apart. Be easy to find and tell your customers what&#8217;s at the heart of your business and you&#8217;ll be on the right path.&nbsp;



When customers are looking for somewhere to eat and drink they grab their smartphone. They search for cafes, look at local food bloggers on Instagram, and snoop on review platforms. These are opportunities for you to get noticed. Use them to showcase the customer experience you offer and explain what you&#8217;re about. Here&#8217;s how you align your online presence to your customer to drive footfall&#8230;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-set-up-your-google-my-business-page">1) Set up your Google My Business page</h4>



If someone&#8217;s looking for somewhere to eat or drink and they search Google for a coffee shop nearby, can they find you online? Your <a href="https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/">Google My Business page</a> is a free marketing tool. It can help customers find you and learn more about you.



Set up your page to display your location, opening hours and contact details. Write a summary about your establishment that speaks to your target customer. Use words that tell them if you&#8217;re a comfy spot for casual coffee drinkers. If your shop is aimed squarely at coffee aficionados, make sure they know. Your target customer should identify with your coffee shop brand when they look at this page. 



Upload photos of your food, drink and your shop interior. Give potential customers a sense of what it&#8217;s like to visit you. Want to let people know about your launch party? You can <a href="https://support.google.com/business/answer/7342169?hl=en-GB">add a post</a> to let customers know about special events. Don&#8217;t forget to link to your website so customers can learn even more about you. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-invest-in-a-coffee-shop-website">2) Invest in a coffee shop website</h4>



Do you really need a website for your coffee shop? Not always, but coffee shop owners often overlook the benefits a website provides. A branded easy-to-navigate website can enhance a customer&#8217;s online experience with you. Plus, it gives you real estate you control to set out your store. 




What should be on your website? Start with an easy to find food and drinks menu, use great photography that sets the ambience for your shop. A website blog is a great place to share photos and facts from that fact-finding trip to South America. It&#8217;ll show &#8217;em you know your stuff. A website is a platform where you can share the stories, news and events that shape your brand for customers. Don&#8217;t forget to link your site to your social media accounts. This helps Google to identify your profiles and draw them into your Google My Business page. It also encourages customers to connect with you.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-begin-your-social-media-story-at-the-start">3) Begin your social media story at the start</h4>



If you want customers to wake up and smell just how good your coffee is, social media can help you to waft the scent. According to <a href="https://www.nationwidecoffee.co.uk/news/coffee-news-update-2020-and-your-best-approach-for-growth">research</a>, 45% of coffee industry leaders think social media is their most effective form of marketing. Coffee quality was identified as the biggest factor behind café success, but you need to lure those coffee drinkers in to taste what you&#8217;re offering. And the experts say you should get this strategy started before your launch. 



Simon Fogal, Creative Director at Food and Drink PR firm <a href="https://chapter81.co.uk/">Chapter 81</a>, spoke to Stampede to share his tips for launching coffee brands on social media. Yes, #latteart and #pastryporn play a part. But it&#8217;s those behind-the-scenes images that shape a brand and pique social media user&#8217;s interests.&nbsp;



&#8220;Our first port of call is great photography, images that can set a scene and really get the ambience of the venue through the lens. So we do simple set-up shots, product shots. But there are also basics like opening times,&#8221; advises Simon. 




Simon spoke to us about Chapter 81&#8217;s successful launch of Leed&#8217;s coffee shop, <a href="https://archiveleeds.co.uk/">Archive</a>. Behind the scenes teasers were used to generate interest in the brand well before the baristas got busy with any beans. 



&#8220;We helped launch their Instagram and did the shop build in sets of three. We had to do several shoots as the impact dates were very tight and it was still being built. Details of the shop and machines were used to create hype and intrigue and we did the sets of three to build up a quality Instagram feed.&#8221; 




When customers hear about new business launches, they&#8217;ll often head straight to social media to find out more details. Building anticipation by sharing your story so far can help strike the right impression with your audience. 




<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-provide-reliable-and-free-wi-fi">Provide reliable and free Wi-Fi</h4>



The rise of remote workers has driven demand for free Wi-Fi in coffee shops. Yet there are extra benefits beyond promoting you as a freelance friendly spot. With a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-wifi-jargon/">captive portal</a> your customers login via a personalised branded screen. You can collect data to help turn first visitors into valuable repeat customers. Insights help you to craft targeted marketing. You get a fuller picture of your customer.&nbsp;



Offering free Wi-Fi also makes it easier for your customers to act as <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/building-customer-loyalty-with-blackbx/">ambassadors for your brand</a>. They can tag your coffee shop&#8217;s Instagram profile in photos of their fantastic flat white or fluffy pancake stack. And a good Wi-Fi connection makes it simple for guests to submit a review before they leave your venue.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-proactive-with-your-review-strategy">Be proactive with your review strategy</h4>



When you&#8217;re the new coffee shop on the block, online reviews are super important for boosting business. Your Google review score sits within your Google My Business page. Potential customers can read reviews with just a few clicks. This helps them to decide whether to visit you. Reviews on platforms such as TripAdvisor and Google and responding to reviews can increase your visibility. They help to build your brand&#8217;s reputation.&nbsp;



You don&#8217;t need to be pushy in asking customers for reviews but you can say you&#8217;d appreciate one if they give a compliment. You’ll need to be mindful of how you respond to reviews. Aim to address them in a timely fashion. Thank guests for feedback and show empathy when issues arise. A genuine attitude and personal touch can go a long way in building your coffee shop&#8217;s brand online.&nbsp;



If you&#8217;re considering introducing Wi-Fi for your coffee shop customers, find further reading here:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Stampede-Factsheets-Coffee_Shops.pdf">Coffee Shop Factsheet</a></li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/four-fab-benefits-of-free-wifi-for-coffee-shops/">Benefits of Free Wi-Fi for coffee shops</a>&nbsp;</li>



<li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/brew-lab-drips-success-with-coffee-shop-wifi-blackbx-success-story/">Brew Lab coffee shop story</a></li>
</ul>



<a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Schedule a chat</a> with one of our team for more advice

Establishing Your Coffee Shop Brand Online

<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-free-september-october-2024-social-media-calendar">Free September &#8211; October 2024 Social Media Calendar</h1>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-more-last-minute-panic-brainstorming-for-your-social-media-posts">No more last-minute panic brainstorming for your social media posts.</h4>



Operating a business and at the same time staying on top of your social media content can be tough. Constantly coming up with new and engaging ideas for your next posts takes time you might not always have.



Download your free social media calendar for September and October 2024 now.



Featuring topical post ideas, hashtags suggestions and image inspiration for each month, including ideas for Cask Ale week, Halloween 2024 and Pizza Month!

Today’s consumers no longer wish or hope for everything to be instantly available, right at their fingertips &#8211; they expect it. This expectation is a by-product of our modern technology where people are now experiencing unparalleled levels of speed, mobility, and accessibility in obtaining information. To keep up with this new convention for immediate gratification and to ensure that consumers remain pleased, businesses are now marketing themselves in “real-time”. &nbsp;



While “real-time marketing” might sound intimidating (or perhaps exhausting?), the good news is that it is a concept that’s far easier to implement than it sounds.&nbsp;



In this article, we’ll take a look at what real-time marketing is, why it can benefit your retail business, and what types of real-time marketing strategies would best fit your retail outlet.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What Is Real-time Marketing?</h4>



Real-time marketing (often referred to as RTM), is precisely how it sounds &#8211; it’s marketing that takes place in the moment. The “moment” itself can take many forms. With reference to retail, it can be:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The moment that your product becomes available and;</li><li>The moment that a customer requires your product.</li></ul>



To explain further, RTM is about using the “moment” to maintain a consistent relationship with your audience using the most favoured methods of communication. In essence, it connects you with your audience during crucial moments when engagement will be most fruitful.



Consider this example:



Your brand is currently hosting a promotional evening. Guests have been invited to enjoy your store and familiarise themselves with your products. You have provided eats and drinks to make the event more enticing. By taking a picture of your guests enjoying their time at your event and then instantly posting this to social media (think Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), you have just marketed yourself in real-time. Your audiences will see this photo and they might pop in to join the festivities or they will be influenced by the beaming faces of your guests.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What Are the Benefits of Real-time Marketing for Retailers?</h4>



According to a recent study by Monetate and eConsultancy, UK vendors have reported a 26% increase in conversion rates as a result of real-time marketing <a href="https://oursocialtimes.com/real-time-marketing-increases-conversion-rates-by-26/">[1]</a>. This statistic is an indication that real-time marketing can work effectively.



Wouldn’t you like the opportunity to increase your customer base by 26%, if not more?&nbsp;



Real-time marketing has given retailers an opportunity to share their message in a specific context. It keeps you on your toes by ensuring that your marketing strategies and communication methods remain fresh, relevant, and up to date with the needs of your audience.&nbsp;



When used correctly, real-time marketing also has the following benefits:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It creates meaningful engagement that customers appreciate. Real-time data can be collected to understand the desires of an audience. Businesses can then use this understanding to give consumers what it is they are looking for in an engaging manner. Social media channels, for example, can be used to reach out to an audience and then you can communicate with potential customers by opening up a dialogue with them whilst in the “moment”. &nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It allows retail businesses to earn credibility. By feeding the need for instant gratification, your store will rise in credibility. This is not only because you are delivering on a promise but because real-time marketing allows you to identify a need before consumers know what they’re after. A good reputation is what thriving stores are built on.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It gives you more marketing content to work with. Each “moment” gives you the opportunity to create small snippets of information that can be used for marketing purposes. For example, if a customer has just given your store an excellent review, you can immediately share your new credibility on social media or on a promotional board behind the till.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What Types of Real-time Marketing Strategies Best Suit the Retail Industry?</h4>



We are now left with the question “how does one effectively engage the constantly-connected, ever-expecting, and demanding customer?&nbsp;



To help you kickstart your RTM strategies, we’d like to share the following tactics with you to help you get your store and products seen, appreciated, and supported:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Simply interact with your customers. Talk to your audiences both in-store and online. Respond to their queries instantly and reply with empathy and thoughtfulness &#8211; and always try to offer a solution or a promise to deliver.&nbsp;</li><li>Host events and share the hype. Product launches, promotional events, and even a casual sale are all scenarios where one could create a hype. You can share the build-up to the event, post photos and stories of the event itself, and then you can also ask guests for feedback on the event once it is over. This type of engagement gets consumers excited and stuck in “the moment”.</li><li>Share breaking news. Everyone loves a little gossip, so why not share little secrets on what new ranges of products customers can expect or you can share news on how well your store is doing and what it has achieved. This is one way of bringing the moment to a customer by showing them what it is they want.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/3-powerful-ways-wifi-marketing-can-grow-your-business/">Offer visitors a free Wi-Fi hotspot.</a> This form of marketing is becoming very popular. It allows store visitors the satisfaction of having instant access to the information they require. At the same time, you can market to them while they browse your shop.&nbsp;</li></ol>



Endnote:



What’s important to note is that while real-time marketing can benefit brick-and-mortar stores, it’s also a great marketing tool for e-commerce businesses! By looking for those real-time moments and then sharing them at the right time and in the right space, you could be engaging your audiences and turning them into customer quicker than you could have ever imagined.&nbsp;



References:



<a href="https://oursocialtimes.com/real-time-marketing-increases-conversion-rates-by-26/">[1] Monetate and eConsultancy Statistics</a>



Photo by&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/@cobblepot?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Kit Suman</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/mall?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

What is Real-Time Marketing in Retail?

It’s fair to say that everyone is going through a bit of a technology transformation this year.



 For the hospitality industry, there’s a diverse range of digital tools, covering almost every part of the business, that are helping venues to reopen safely for customers and staff.&nbsp;



 In <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-technology-tools-to-help-hospitality-reopen-after-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this latest article</a>, we take a closer look at <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-technology-tools-to-help-hospitality-reopen-after-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 trending technologies types</a> that will play a huge part of making reopening possible in the coming weeks.



 Surprisingly few of these tools are innovations in response to lockdown and reopening guidelines. Many have been available in one form or another for a few years, automating many&nbsp;traditional processes.



 Contactless and online are strong themes linking all the technologies in <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-technology-tools-to-help-hospitality-reopen-after-lockdown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this article</a> to each other. The features and benefits of such tools are more relevant now than ever.



 And while this article covers some of the most talked-about areas &#8211; such as payments, menus and takeaway &#8211; there are still plenty more trending technologies that will be valuable to hospitality businesses as they look to reopen, such as how to safely capture customer contact details.



If you&#8217;re not quite sure where to start with finding the right technology for your business, <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=Technology%20Advice&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> and we&#8217;ll be happy to help you navigate through it all.

5 Ways To Make Your Life Easier

<a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/email-marketing-stats">According to Hubspot</a>, for every $1 (77p) spent on email marketing, $38 (£29.08) is generated for the business, giving a whopping 3,800% ROI.







Unlike with social media, email doesn’t have you playing against an algorithm. You’re also not left hoping people will see a sign outside your premises advertising your deals either. If you send your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/">customers an email</a>, they will see it in their inbox, making it much more direct. The challenge lies in making your email appealing enough, so they will open it just by seeing the subject line alone.&nbsp;



Here’s the thing. It’s not enough to just type a few lines and hope for the best either, as by avoiding to refine your content, you could be missing out on vital sales for your business. After all, said content is being delivered directly to your customers&#8217; inbox. So it has to be right to have a hope in bringing in sales as a result. 



If you want to know how to create email subject lines that increase open and response rates, here’s everything you need to know.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why subject lines matter</h4>



When writing an email, it’s easy to put all the focus on the content of the email itself, rather than the subject line. In reality, the subject line is the first thing people will see when your email lands in their inbox. It will ultimately decide whether they open, ignore, delete or worse still…add your email address to their spam list, never to see any of your correspondence ever again.&nbsp;



It’s key to recognise that subject lines <a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/clickable-email-subject-line-types/">are an important form of lead generation for your business</a>. If people are actively opening and engaging with your emails, then they are more likely to buy your product or service. On the flip side, if your subject lines are dull, too long, irrelevant or even too similar to every other company sending marketing emails, then this is unlikely to boost your open or response rates.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Keep it relevant</h4>



Your subject line needs to grab your readers, but also offer some form of incentive or intrigue. That being said, it also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXnp96w9mW0">needs to be relevant to what they signed up for in the first place</a>. So, if people signed up to your restaurant mailing list specifically to hear about your news and discounts, and you send them an email with a subject line such as ‘The easiest way to cook pasta’ &#8211; your readers would be a little perplexed.



By the same token, it’s important not to keep rehashing the same old subject lines as these can get old quickly, especially if you email customers on a regular basis. Think about what has given you the best conversion rates in the past, and don’t stray too far from your winning formula. You might as well A/B test to see what works best for your customers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Get to the point</h4>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabelacton/2017/10/12/the-best-and-worst-of-email-subject-lines/#47a6bb0f2d03">According to Forbes</a>, subject lines that go beyond 5 words are only opened 50% of the time. So, if you have 10,000 people on your mailing list, that’s already discounting 5,000 before they’ve even read the email. So, say you have a special deal coming up for Valentine’s Day, instead of writing ‘Amazing deals you won’t want to miss this Valentine’s Day at *Insert restaurant name*’, you could simply shorten it to ‘*Insert restaurant name* Valentine’s offers 2020’.



When creating subject lines to increase your open rates you should <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/improve-your-email-subject-line">play around and try out different things</a>. There is no one fit all approach. to create catchy lines use verbs and adjectives to make people curious and create a desire to click on it. Avoid ALL CAPS and using too many !!! 



We all get sent hundreds of emails every day, and people simply don’t have time to read them all. Similar to when we browse a supermarket aisle, we are glancing for what we want and will likely make an instant decision about it. The same is true for emails too. So, tell your audience what you are offering or even pose a question, but use as few words as possible. Short and sweet is key!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Avoid the spam folder</h4>



So we’ve talked about how dull or irrelevant subject lines could land you in the spam folder, but <a href="https://mailchimp.com/resources/avoid-spam-filters/">there are other reasons you could end up there too</a>. For example, by trying to cheat signups by purchasing email lists. Not only is this a huge GDPR headache, but mailbox providers will associate your company email domain with unwanted content, aka spam.&nbsp;



It’s also a good idea to avoid the repetitive use of ‘salesy’ language such as ‘buy now’, ‘free’ etc. If your text reads like a robotic sales message, spam filters will think its just that. By also keeping your image sizes small (ideally below 30kb), and only linking to reputable sites, this can help keep your message in the inbox folder too. In essence, your email needs to appear as genuine as possible to mailbox providers.



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/4-tips-for-an-outstanding-email-design/">https://stampede.ai/blog/4-tips-for-an-outstanding-email-design/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h4>



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">Email marketing</a> is a crowded marketplace, but with the right techniques, you can succeed by having a high open and response rate. The key is to keep it relevant and make it worthwhile. Similar to a newspaper headline, intrigue is a great tactic that works easily. You might even want to offer exclusive discounts or other incentives too.&nbsp;



Regardless of how on point your email marketing is, to be able to reach your customers, you need those all-important email addresses in the first place. 



Our software allows you to capture customer data in a way that’s simple and best of all, GDPR compliant. However, more than that, we can give you a broader overview of your customer demographics, so you know exactly who is visiting your restaurant, allowing you to tailor your campaigns to suit.&nbsp;Automated email marketing and bulk marketing, all in one place.



<a href="https://signup.stampede.ai/">S</a>upercharge your email marketing today. Get in touch.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>

How to Create Email Subject Lines that Increase Open Rates

Empowering Brands to Harness User-Generated Content



In the age of social media and digital connectivity, user-generated content (UGC) has emerged as a powerful tool that is reshaping marketing strategies. UGC tools are designed to help brands effectively curate, manage, and leverage user-generated content. These tools provide a range of functionalities, such as content discovery, moderation, rights management, and analytics. By using <a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC tools</a>, brands can easily identify and collect relevant UGC related to their products or services. 



They can also engage with their audience, encourage content creation, and amplify the reach of UGC through various channels. With the help of UGC tools, brands can streamline their UGC strategies and make the most out of the content generated by their users.



Customising UGC Experiences for Brands



UGC software takes the concept of UGC tools a step further by offering more advanced features and customisation options. This software allows brands to integrate UGC into their websites, apps, or other digital platforms seamlessly. They provide templates and design tools that enable businesses to create visually appealing UGC displays that align with their branding.



<a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC software</a> also often includes sophisticated moderation algorithms and AI-powered filters to ensure that only relevant and appropriate content is displayed. By leveraging UGC software, brands can create immersive user experiences and drive higher levels of engagement with their audience.



Centralised Hubs for Discovering and Showcasing UGC



In addition to UGC tools and software, user-generated content platforms have emerged as centralised hubs where brands can discover, curate, and showcase UGC from various sources. These platforms aggregate UGC from social media platforms, review sites, and other online channels, allowing brands to easily find and display relevant UGC. <a href="https://www.ttagz.co.uk/">UGC platforms</a> often provide built-in moderation and rights management features, ensuring that brands can maintain control over the content they use. 



By leveraging UGC platforms, brands can tap into a vast pool of authentic content created by their customers and build stronger connections with their target audience.



The Impact of UGC on Marketing Strategies



The rise of UGC has had a profound impact on marketing strategies. Traditionally, brands relied heavily on their own content creation efforts to convey their messages and promote their products. However, with the UGC revolution, consumers have become brand ambassadors, sharing their experiences and opinions organically. This shift has created a sense of authenticity and trust that is difficult to achieve through traditional marketing methods.



UGC allows brands to harness the power of social proof. When potential customers see UGC showcasing positive experiences, they are more likely to trust the brand and make a purchase. According to studies, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005302/en/Stackla-Survey-Reveals-Disconnect-Between-the-Content-Consumers-Want-What-Marketers-Deliver">UGC is trusted by 92% of consumers</a>, making it a highly influential factor in purchasing decisions. By incorporating UGC into their marketing strategies, brands can tap into this trust and leverage it to drive conversions and build brand loyalty.



UGC also enables brands to foster a sense of community and engage with their audience on a deeper level. By encouraging users to create and share content, brands can create a two-way conversation, fostering a sense of belonging and co-creation. This not only strengthens the relationship between the brand and its customers but also generates valuable insights and feedback for product improvement.



Conclusion



In conclusion, user-generated content is reshaping marketing strategies and revolutionising the way brands connect with their audience. UGC tools, UGC software, and UGC platforms are essential resources that enable brands to harness the power of UGC effectively. By embracing UGC, brands can leverage social proof, build trust, and foster a sense of community. The UGC revolution is here, and brands that adapt to this shift will have a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

UGC Revolution: How User-Generated Content is Reshaping Marketing Strategies

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-the-knowledge-you-need-to-improve-your-online-review-score">Get the knowledge you need to improve your online review score.</h2>



Online reviews are a major deciding factor for new customers. However, staying on top of them across multiple platforms can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Our reviews toolkit will equip you with all the important tools you need to better manage and improve your reviews.



Download your free restaurant reviews toolkit now.



Featuring our score calculator, a checklist for easier reviews management and lots of expert advice to&nbsp;help you get to grips with your online reviews.

When you&#8217;re running a brick and mortar retail business, you know that every customer counts. Whether you&#8217;re selling the latest in urban streetwear or titanium-reinforced avocado smashers, your customers are what keeps your businesses worthwhile. So what if we were to tell you that you&#8217;re alienating over 3/4 of your retail customers? Not very pretty, is it? That&#8217;s because 78% of shoppers prefer to use in-store WiFi when it&#8217;s available.



So why aren&#8217;t you offering it? Get started with your Retail WiFi today.







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS</h4>



You can&#8217;t love your customers if you don&#8217;t know them. That&#8217;s why offering them free in-store WiFi through a captive portal solution, like Stampede, makes sense. So how exactly does this work? Easy. Once enabled your customers&#8217; login through a splash screen, branded with your store name and logo, with their email address in order to access the WiFi. But it doesn&#8217;t stop there &#8211; in addition to an email address, you can ask information like age, gender, post/zip code and more! Most customers don&#8217;t mind giving out a few marketing details in return for free WiFi.



Sound too good to be true? It&#8217;s not. Here are a few more <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.networkworld.com/article/3230377/wi-fi/wi-fi-analytics-saas-can-make-retail-cool.html" target="_blank">Retail WiFi stats courtesy of Network World</a>:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>82% of shoppers research products online before setting foot in a store.</li><li>60% of retail shoppers want to receive real-time promotions and offers in-store.</li><li>17% of Millennials think being reminded of items they need while they’re shopping is “cool.”</li><li>27% of Millennials think it’s “cool” to be told which foods they should buy, based on their dietary restrictions.</li></ul>



Not only do your customers want free in-store WiFi at your retail business, they want to be &#8220;cool&#8221; as well.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AUTOMATED MARKETING</h4>



Ok, great, so what can you do with all this information? Well, really, the sky is the limit. One option is to import email addresses into your favourite mail marketing program like Mailchimp. Send out an email blast with your latest offers to tempt customers. Or, even better, use Stampede automated marketing to send out <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing" target="_blank">laser targeted SMS or email messages</a> to your most loyal customers (or even the ones you haven&#8217;t seen in a while). Imagine this &#8211; a customer who hasn&#8217;t visited your shop in a set period of time &#8211; say a month &#8211; gets an automated message encouraging them to come back to your shop with a special discount. Who could resist?



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BUYERS CLUBS</h4>



How about this? Once your customer accesses your store&#8217;s WiFi through your captive portal, they&#8217;re automatically enrolled into your buyer&#8217;s club ALONG WITH a 20% discount off anything they buy today. The best part? Once registered, customers are automatically connected to your WiFi every time they enter your store. That&#8217;s instant tracking and analysis of your customers &#8211; in real-time. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://get.stampede.ai/loyalty-program-ebook" target="_blank">Build your customer loyalty</a> &#8211; automatically.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BEATING THE ONLINE SHOPS</h4>



The internet has revolutionised the retail industry with online reviews and discounts. Savvy shoppers search online for discount codes to help them get the best deal and use what they read online, such as reviews and blogs, to inform their purchases. 



As a matter of fact, 30% of shoppers won&#8217;t purchase a product if they can&#8217;t research it online first. What better way to empower your shoppers than offering them awesome WiFi where a mobile signal might be weak? Your customers can use bar code scanners and other cool apps to look up product information.



Want to get into more detail? Here&#8217;s a nice video put out by the good folks at Cisco about how to implement and get the most return out of WiFi in retail:



<figure><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V4pEC4ukRu8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">OFFER AWESOME IN-STORE&nbsp;RETAIL WIFI TODAY!</h4>



Avoid customers leaving your shop without buying anything, offer great WiFi and send vouchers by SMS or email to entice them to do an impulse purchase.



So &#8211; what are you waiting for? Get started offering awesome WiFi in your retail store today! Just click the link below to get started.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>

Guest WiFi in the Retail Industry

Eat Out To Help Out (EOTHO) has undoubtedly delivered a big boost to the industry. But with the government scheme officially wrapping up this week, what can be done to keep the momentum going?



A large number of venues are extending it out of their own pockets. Why is that such a popular idea? Here&#8217;s just a few reasons:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The public already understand how the promotion works</li><li>There’s existing branding to leverage</li><li>Staff and internal systems are set up for it</li><li>There are customers out there who might have missed the chance first time round. (There are even Facebook Groups to track the offers!) </li></ul>



On top of that, running your own version means you can adapt the promotion to fit your business better, whilst drawing on the easily recognised offer. For example, Pizza Hut are only offering the discount to people who are signed up to their newsletter.



 Some venues are going a step further and creating EOTHO offers ONLY for hospitality staff and/or frontline workers. It’s a brilliant way to control the volume of discounted covers whilst also recognising the hard work of others and earning some kudos in the community.



 Even without a special offer on, it can be worthwhile reminding your regular customers that bookings are still available Monday to Wednesday. The renewal of quieter times of the week might be more appealing to certain customers.



 It’s also a good time to remind customers of other regular promotions you might run, but were overshadowed by EOTHO. Leading with the subject line &#8220;Don&#8217;t forget! You can still get&#8230;&#8221; will catch plenty of eyes in those inboxes.



 Lastly, and most importantly, make sure to touch base with those new customers you had in during EOTHO. Now is the optimal time to nurture that relationship online by <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#email" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emailing</a> them, getting them to follow you on social media and <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/automations/#reviews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">provide reviews</a>&nbsp;of their visit.&nbsp;



 Establishing that relationship now means they’re significantly more likely to come back to your venue, helping your business regrow faster.



 To find out more about connecting with those new customers, and reaching out to regular customers, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team members.

Ideas To Grow Beyond August

Did you know that email marketing has an average return on investment <a href="https://dma.org.uk/uploads/ckeditor/National-client-email-2015.pdf">(ROI) of 3,800 percent</a>? This really isn’t surprising, since <a href="https://dma.org.uk/research/dma-insight-consumer-email-tracker-2017">99% of consumers</a> check their email every day!



These statistics make it clear that email marketing is still one of the most popular ways of reaching your target audience – and keeping them <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/building-your-hospitality-brand-with-wifi/">engaged with your brand.</a>



Within the hospitality industry, marketing emails can help you achieve three important goals; increase the number of direct bookings, build customer loyalty and boost engagement.



To do so, you need to plan your campaigns well. For example, automate all your emails (welcome mails, weekly newsletters, special offers), incorporate personalisation, optimise for mobile, etc.



Here are our best tips on how to make the most out of this cost effective strategy to up your conversion rates.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5 Email Marketing Tips For The Hospitality Industry&nbsp;</h4>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1. Permission Based Campaigns</h5>



Imagine yourself starting a conversation with the subscriber when you send an email; in short, try to engage your subscribers with meaningful content. &nbsp;



This means two things:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>First, never send a marketing email to someone who has not given you explicit permission. To lend extra legitimacy to your email, you can also include <a href="https://www.bigcommerce.com/ecommerce-answers/what-is-a-double-opt-in/">double opt ins</a></li><li>Second, space out your offers. For example, avoid sending five or six emails in a day as this could be seen as spam</li></ul>



The idea is to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-build-an-email-list-for-a-non-digital-business/">grow your list of subscribers organically</a> through branded login portals, optimised landing pages or even a short form with welcome cards that your guests can fill in.



Think about it this way: when you run permission based campaigns, you’re only targeting people who are actually interested in your offer (since they have subscribed to your marketing emails).&nbsp;



This also helps you drive up your open and click through rates – thereby increasing engagement and sales.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2. Keep Mobiles In Mind&nbsp;</h5>



As per recent statistics, <a href="https://www.emailmonday.com/mobile-email-usage-statistics/">47% of people use mobiles</a> to check their email on average. This clearly shows that optimising your emails for mobile is no longer optional – it’s a necessity.



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus.png" alt="mobile email reading environment stats 2019" class="wp-image-13156" width="384" height="323" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus.png 512w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus-300x253.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus-150x126.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus-71x60.png 71w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Litmus-107x90.png 107w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /><figcaption>Source: <a href="https://litmus.com/ebooks/state-of-email-engagement">Litmus</a></figcaption></figure></div>



There are multiple ways you can do so. For example, it’s a good idea to avoid large size images – or too many images – as they might take longer to load on mobiles with iffy WiFi connections.&nbsp;



Similarly, use a responsive template as these are designed to automatically fit any screen on which the email is being opened.



Other ideas include making your subject line short and precise since phones do not display all the characters when held vertically, and adding call-to-action buttons instead of links.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3. Email Automation&nbsp;</h5>



As a hospitality business, part of your lead nurturing process will be to send a lot of emails to your subscribers such as newsletters, special offers, pre and post-stay emails etc.&nbsp;



But doing this manually can be tedious. The solution? Email automation.



This is the best way to drive conversions and keep your subscribers engaged at scale – without taking up too much time. In other words, email automation allows businesses to create personalised experiences based on how consumers interact with the brand.&nbsp;



In practical terms, you can automate your welcome emails, weekly newsletters or set up trigger based emails for when a user takes a specific action on site.&nbsp;



Remember, businesses that use automation to nurture their leads or keep existing customers engaged observe <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/benefits-of-marketing-automation/">45% more purchases</a>.&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics.png" alt="Email marketing automation statistics" class="wp-image-13157" width="465" height="375" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics.png 620w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics-300x242.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics-150x121.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics-592x477.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics-74x60.png 74w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/email-automation-statistics-112x90.png 112w" sizes="(max-width: 465px) 100vw, 465px" /><figcaption>4Source: <a href="https://optinmonster.com/31-best-email-marketing-automation-tools/">Optinmonster</a></figcaption></figure></div>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">4. Personalised Content&nbsp;</h5>



Since <a href="https://us.epsilon.com/pressroom/new-epsilon-research-indicates-80-of-consumers-are-more-likely-to-make-a-purchase-when-brands-offer-personalized-experiences">80% of consumers</a> are more likely to purchase from businesses that cater to their preferences, it’s crucial that you focus on personalising your emails to increase reservations, revenue and customer loyalty.



Effective personalisation can be as simple as sending a welcome email to the guest or as complex as adding a picture of the room that your guest last stayed in.&nbsp;



To start with, you can add the following touches to your emails:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Mention the recipient’s first name</li><li>Use geolocation to make relatable content</li><li>Use stories to elicit emotions (e.g.: taking a break from work and stress for a holiday)</li></ul>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-737x1024.png" alt="Personalised Digital Marketing Figures" class="wp-image-13158" width="369" height="512" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-737x1024.png 737w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-216x300.png 216w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-768x1067.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-1106x1536.png 1106w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-150x208.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-592x822.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-43x60.png 43w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing-65x90.png 65w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Personalized-Digital-Marketing.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 369px) 100vw, 369px" /><figcaption>Source: <a href="http://resources.marketsource.com/Personalized-Digital-Marketing.html">MARKETSOURCE</a></figcaption></figure></div>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">5. Analytics &amp; Reporting&nbsp;</h5>



Marketers primarily rely on two metrics for email campaigns; open and click-through rates.&nbsp;



While it is important to track which headlines are getting the highest open rates and which CTA are bringing in maximum clicks, email analytics go deeper than these two factors.&nbsp;



For example, in-depth tracking can yield specific insights about your customers’ preferences and behaviour that you can use to set up certain KPIs.



You can add more layers to email analytics through the following metrics:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Conversion rate</li><li>Unique clicks and unique open rates</li><li>Click-to-open rate (CTOR)</li><li>Unsubscribe rate&nbsp;</li><li>Bounce rate</li><li>Opens by device</li><li>Spam score, etc.</li></ul>



And that’s it – these are the top five tips that businesses in the hospitality industry should use in their email marketing campaigns to increase their conversions and ROI.



With Stampede, it doesn’t matter if you’re a non-digital business. We help you successfully target your customers across multiple touch points through our cloud-based WiFi solution.&nbsp;



Regardless of whether you’re a small café, a five star restaurant, casino, hotel, amusement park or tour operator, we can have your branded WiFi portal up and running so you can start capturing valuable customer contact and information.



The best part is that we are <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/blackbx-wifi-and-gdpr/">fully GDPR compliant</a> so you don’t have to worry about managing personally identifiable data or incurring fines.



Want to learn more about Stampede and our services? <a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/">Contact us today</a>!

Email Marketing Tips For The Hospitality Industry

250 no shows on the first weekend of outdoor trading. That’s the sad outcome one pub has reported, and they’re only one of many.&nbsp; Pre-booking is now an essential part of the eating out experience. With those and customers reserving at multiple venues comes a high rate of no shows, customers simply not turning up for a variety of reasons.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



This, of course, means turning down other customers who weren’t able to secure a table. No shows cost the industry up to £16bn each year, which is further exacerbated by the pandemic.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-ways-to-combat-no-shows">4 Ways to Combat No Shows</h4>



The good news is, there are ways to reduce no shows in your venue. Your customers’ plans may change but they don’t have to affect your business.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-raise-awareness">1. Raise Awareness</h4>



Make customers aware of the damage no shows create, using your socials, email marketing and your website. Implement a “honour your reservation or cancel in advance” culture. Also, offer different ways for your customers to cancel their bookings so that if they have to cancel, they can do so easily.&nbsp;



In addition, amend your policy and release booked tables after 15 minutes if they turn into a no show.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-communication">2. Communication</h4>



Many bookings are made in advance. So besides from sending your regular booking confirmation via email &amp; SMS, you should also send a reminder 24-48h before.&nbsp;



Be clever here and use this as a way to scale up your customer experience and ask if they have any additional requirements or wishes. And, of course leave them the option to cancel if necessary.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-deposit">3. Deposit</h4>



Probably the most straightforward solution, ask for a deposit. For many years especially smaller, independent businesses have hesitated to do so. The fear being that it might impact bookings and discourage customers.&nbsp;



But circumstances have changed and so has your customers’ attitude. According to recent research by HGEM, <a href="https://www.hgem.com/opinion/consumer-sentiment-reopening" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">63% of customers are happy to pay a deposit</a>&nbsp;to secure a table at their favourite venue. Asking for credit card details is also an option to reduce no shows.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-for-outdoor">4. For Outdoor</h4>



Outdoor trading is highly weather dependent, which can be an additional reason for customers not to show up. Weather can’t be changed, but the way you deal with it certainly can.&nbsp;



Many businesses already provide umbrellas and blankets for their tables. Take it one step further. Check the weather forecast. Is rain coming up? Use your reminder message to offer customers an alternative. “Instead of not showing up or cancelling, make use of our takeout and/or delivery and simply enjoy our food in the comfort of your own home.”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-practice-from-the-industry">Best Practice from the Industry</h4>



The industry has reacted with several campaigns running on social media and businesses have joined forces to fight and reduce no shows.



<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sixty_eight_people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#NoMoreNowShows</a> created by Sixty Eight People is an example widely used on Instagram. Another campaign has been launched by The Foursquare group <a href="https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2021/04/14/Campaign-launched-to-encourage-deposits-as-restaurant-no-shows-return" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#SaveMySeat</a>, with the aim to normalise deposits.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonus-tip-double-check-your-automations">Bonus Tip: Double-Check Your Automations</h4>



You’ve probably set up an automation for your confirmation and reminder messages. Make sure that they’re all running flawlessly.



Quick Checklist:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Content still up-to-date? &#8211; i.e. include new policy</li><li>Preview and test send</li><li>Displayed fine on multiple devices?</li><li>Check everything is working on a regular basis</li></ul>



If you need a hand giving your automated emails and SMS campaigns a make-over, get in touch with us on <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contact@stampede.ai</a> or <a href="tel:0131 510 7008" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">0131 510 7008.</a>&nbsp;We&#8217;re happy to help.

4 Reliable Ways to Reduce No Shows by 30%

Submited by Jimmy Garcia



In March, when we first went into lockdown, it felt like everything we had worked so hard to achieve building the business over the last decade was slipping away overnight. At my lowest ebb, I stayed in bed for a couple of days then realised, I can’t go on like this, I have to be busy. We decided to set up our &#8216;Donate a Dinner&#8217; campaign and created food parcels for Age UK and Wandsworth Council to give back to those who were at the most vulnerable. 



With Britain on lockdown, we were hit hard, losing half of our staff and some lucrative bookings, including the Cannes Film and Glastonbury Festivals. With the Donate a Dinner campaign, we reached out to our corporate clients that were still thriving — Google, Virgin Media and Facebook for example — and asked everyone to donate £3 to cover the cost of each meal. With that, we were able to deliver 861 meals a day and ensure a regular supply each week. 



By April, we had then set up logistics to do nationwide delivery of our range of corporate event boxes and feasting dinners for the public (which we have delivered over 22,000 of to date).



We are market leaders in the pop-up restaurant sector, so whilst we couldn&#8217;t operate events all year, we quickly set about creating immersive, experiential pop-up restaurants in outdoor locations to accommodate people&#8217;s demand and need to be outdoors.



Our mission has always been simple &#8211; we create memorable experiences that last a lifetime through food and drink and make people smile with our creations. On our private events, we aim to be completely client-led, creating bespoke menus and working creations for any occasion or theme, but always putting the client&#8217;s vision at the forefront of our ideas and despite going into lockdown and all the difficulties the business has faced being in the hospitality industry.



I&#8217;m so proud that we&#8217;ve still been able to keep these events going to keep people smiling &#8211; mostly virtually of course! I&#8217;m also really proud of our Donate A Dinner campaign and how quickly the team pulled together to make the logistics work for delivering food nationwide and throughout Europe which was no easy feat!



We&#8217;ve consistently worked within the rules to keep our clients happy and team working. Where most catering companies may have gone into hibernation, we are continuing to provide a service (albeit virtual) for our clients and we firmly believe fortune favours the brave, and that we&#8217;ll be the first out the traps on live events when this is over, having already won two catering contracts at Henley Regatta this summer and gone on two more venue lists as approved caterers which we&#8217;re so proud of! 



Virtual won&#8217;t be going away anytime soon and so we&#8217;re continuing to improve and evolve our offerings to make it really easy for people to order delicious food boxes for themselves or groups of friends, family or colleagues &#8211; no matter what happens, we&#8217;re determined to keep people connected through delicious food!!











Got a story to tell? <a href="https://stampede.ai/lockdown-stories/">Submit yours here</a> for a chance to win a £100 Amazon Gift Voucher.

Jimmy Garcia Catering – Lockdown Story

<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burst-into-your-customers-inboxes-and-maximise-your-profit-opportunities">Burst into your customers&#8217; inboxes and maximise your profit opportunities</h4>



To make your job a little easier and save you time coming up with campaigns, we’ve created an Email Marketing Guide&nbsp;specifically for hospitality brands.



Download your FREE Email Marketing Guide for April 2024 now and start scheduling and promoting your campaigns.



Featuring 5 instant and seasonal campaign ideas, 3 ready-to-use templates and 8 additional resources from our blog.

The <a href="https://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/email-marketing/2019/05/shocking-truth-about-how-many-emails-sent/">average person spends 4 hours a day </a>to work through their inbox. So, how do you make sure that you get your customers’ attention when it comes to your email marketing? A well-designed email both visually and with engaging content can make the difference in <a href="https://www.copper.com/blog/sales-email-statistics">today’s noisy email inboxes</a>.  







But what if you don’t have a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-useful-free-marketing-tools-that-anyone-can-use/?referrer=stampede.ai">background in marketing and design</a>? Even without the resources of a big brand, you can make an impact. It’s much easier than you think with our big 4 email design tips:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Your Brand</h4>



A uniform and memorable branding is key in today’s highly competitive business environment. Every email you send to your customers is an extension of your existing brand.



Therefore, our first tip is to stick to your overall branding when designing your emails. This includes your regular colours, the font, but also any logos or images connected to your brand. Consistency is the magic word here. By doing so, your customers will immediately recognise your company when opening the email.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Placement of Text, Buttons, Images and White Space</h4>



It’s nothing new that readers’ attention will drop the closer they come to the bottom of the email. In order to keep them going, you need to catch their interest straight away. So don’t just overload your emails with important images and call-to-actions (CTA) right at the top of it.&nbsp;



The second tip to follow is to focus on selected images with clear CTAs, placed at the beginning of your email. So in case, you lose them further down, they’ve got the important bit.



Also, make sure to include paragraphs and enough white space. This will make it easier for your customers to read through and also visually separates your content.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Storytelling</h4>



Remember those days in school when your teacher would say “your text needs to have a clear thread running through?”. Still relevant. That way you make sure that your readers don’t miss the important message in your email. This clear narrative is also highly relevant for the email design.



So here comes the third tip. Naturally, lead your customers’ attention to the most significant part within your email. Basically, storytelling via images rather than words.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Optimizing for Mobile</h4>



As a consequence of the fact that we’re in front of our phones all the time, most of your customers will open your emails on their phone. The term “mobile-friendly” is all around. Though only being mobile-friendly for your website is not enough. We want more!



This is our last tip. Specifically, design your sequences for viewing on phone screens and test them before sending them out. This way you ensure not only a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/?referrer=stampede.ai">mindblowing email design</a> on the laptop but also on your customers’ mobile screen.



BONUS ROUND! Have an extra one on us:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Extra Tip &#8211; Call-to-action</h4>



<a href="https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/10-tips-improve-email-calls-action/">CTAs are the trigger to immediate customer response</a> to your email. So you should put some thought into them as well. We think it should rather be a shout to action, than just a simple call.&nbsp;



So the ultimate tip for you. Ensure that your CTA is not missed by your readers. Make the buttons big enough in combination with an eye-catching design and strong wording&nbsp;



Overall, doesn’t sound too complicated, does it? Follow these simple and straightforward tips and you will be able to stand out from the crowd. Extraordinary email designs are your magic key to higher customer engagement. 



Did you know that our marketing software can help you to easily <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-set-up-your-first-email-campaign-guide-2019/?referrer=stampede.ai">set up your email campaigns</a>? And even better, once set-up they run automatically.



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4 Tips for an Outstanding Email Design

Now that you know all the good, bad and ugly about AI-generated content from the <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/ai-tools-for-marketers-an-insiders-view">first part of our AI series</a>, it’s time to go a little deeper.



For this, we had a closer look into two of the most popular and widely used AI tools: <a href="https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/">ChatGPT</a> and <a href="https://www.jasper.ai/">Jasper</a>.



We’ve compared their main features and capabilities and also came up with ways to get the most out of both.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chatgpt-vs-jasper-the-basics-compared">ChatGPT vs. Jasper &#8211; The Basics Compared</h2>



For now, ChatGPT is a free tool. Its popularity practically blew up overnight and it became the fastest tool to hit 100 million users.



Unfortunately, this led to quite a lot of downtime and users not being able to access it. This is why they are now offering a paid version for $20/m which guarantees full accessibility and also faster responses.



Jasper, on the other hand, is a paid tool.&nbsp;



They offer a 5-day free trial to give you an idea and after that, their prices start from $49/m with a 50,000-word limit. Bear in mind that the word limit refers to all words created, even if you decide to delete them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things To Keep In Mind</h2>



Before you dive into the world of AI-generated content, there are some things to be aware of.



Here are the 3 main ones:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>They generate original content pulled from the web &#8211; you need to do fact-checking!</li>



<li>They have finished their base training a couple of years ago, so some of their knowledge is not up to date</li>



<li>They remember previous input and allow for follow-up adjustments if needed</li>
</ol>



The example below from ChatGPT shows what happens if you ask for recent events:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="294" src="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-1024x294.png" alt="ChatGPT example" class="wp-image-22963" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-1024x294.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-300x86.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-768x220.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-1200x345.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44-150x43.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-10.20.44.png 1442w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Is there a way to get around this?&nbsp;



The solution, according to the platforms, is to feed in any necessary information that might be missing to provide more context. Basically, teach it yourself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ways To Generate AI Content</h2>



The most notable difference between ChatGPT vs. Jasper lies in the way you can create content.



ChatGPT



ChatGPT only offers one way, a chat function, which is dialogue based. It follows a question-answer pattern where you simply put in your request to start a conversation.&nbsp;



It’s therefore very easy to use (once you’ve cracked the commands) and a good tool to get you started.



Jasper



Jasper, on the other hand, comes with a plethora of tools for content creation, i.e. chat, 50+ templates, documents, recipes, and workflows.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="661" src="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-1024x661.png" alt="Jasper templates" class="wp-image-22962" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-1024x661.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-300x194.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-768x496.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-1536x992.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-1200x775.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39-150x97.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-14-at-12.34.39.png 2028w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



This can be a bit overwhelming for first-time users with a lot of options to choose from. To help you better navigate around the platform, Jasper offers various live training sessions and a <a href="https://learn.jasper.ai/bootcamp/overview?_gl=1*6nj48j*_ga*MTY3NDQwNjgxMC4xNjc1MTU0NjQ0*_ga_D4P3CS8W5P*MTY3NjQ1Mzg1OS4xOS4xLjE2NzY0NTM4NjAuNTkuMC4w">bootcamp</a>. Which we’d recommend making use of.



Now, the main difference between their individual tools is the degree of guidance they provide.



For example, Recipes come with pre-set step-by-step instructions. You only need to fill in your own input where required. It’s a fast way to generate content and is also ideal to get a better feeling of how Jasper&#8217;s commands work.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="401" src="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-1024x401.png" alt="Jasper recipes" class="wp-image-22964" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-1024x401.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-300x118.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-768x301.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-1536x602.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-1200x470.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23-150x59.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-09-at-13.34.23.png 1542w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The opposite can be found in their chat (same functionality as ChatGPT) or document option, which allows for much more freedom.&nbsp;



Workflows and templates are somewhere in between with a little guidance.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="730" src="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-1024x730.png" alt="Jasper documents" class="wp-image-22965" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-1024x730.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-300x214.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-768x548.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-1536x1096.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-1200x856.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35-150x107.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-15-at-12.49.35.png 1688w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It’s best to give them all a try to understand their difference and when to use them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7 Tips For Higher Quality Output</h2>



To finish off, here are 7 easy tweaks you can do to your input to get the output you are actually looking for:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Upload your own content to teach it your unique writing style</li>



<li>Update input for each paragraph to avoid repetition</li>



<li>For creative output: use short sentences with few words</li>



<li>For more detailed output: include key facts, number of words and more information (see example below)</li>



<li>Guide the output: frame sections with headlines, subtitles, etc.</li>



<li>Use Jasper’s re-phrase tool for more variations</li>



<li>Play around with different tones of voices, use adjectives or individuals as reference</li>
</ol>



Detailed input example for the chat function:



As a technology writer please write a 500-word educational article using semantically relevant topics for &#8220;digital customer journeys in hospitality&#8221;, H2 and H3 subheadings with bullet points and relevant statistics, FAQ at the end. Use a catchy title. Suggest relevant resources (URL) to learn more about &#8220;digital customer journeys&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ChatGPT vs. Jasper &#8211; The Takeaway</h2>



The question that remains is: is it worth paying for an AI tool?&nbsp;



It depends on how you want to use it.&nbsp;



If you want to play around to understand how AI works then you should opt for the free ChatGPT version.&nbsp;



The same applies if you’re mainly looking for some content inspiration or subject line variations.



However, Jasper definitely provides much more flexibility for different business tasks in marketing and sales.



So, if you’re looking for ways to generate a wide variety of mainly longer-form content Jasper is the better option.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Uncover the power of tech and data with the <a href="https://stampede.ai/amaze" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede Customer Experience Platform</a> that drives 5x more repeat customers.

ChatGPT vs. Jasper: The Two Most Popular AI Tools Compared

A common struggle with loyalty programs is that it takes customers too long to earn enough points to redeem.&nbsp;



As a consequence, customers lose interest quickly.



By using gamification elements to support your loyalty schemes, you can speed up the whole process whilst keeping customers on the hook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-gamification-works">Why gamification works</h2>



Gamification adds a fun element to a loyalty scheme. The concept behind it leans heavily into our competitive spirit and reward-seeking behaviour.&nbsp;



Here are 4 reasons for implementing gamification:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Keep customers engaged and interested. Customers earn extra points as a top-up, quite often these are linked to instant rewards.</li>



<li>Increase brand awareness. It encourages customers to interact with your brand more often.</li>



<li>Get more customer data. Customers spread the word when they have fun, which will lead to a snowball effect.</li>



<li>Attract a wider range of customers. Gamification is ideal if you want to bring in younger generations.</li>
</ul>



To help you get started, we’ve gathered 5 gamification ideas. These will power up your loyalty scheme to keep customers thrilled.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 engaging gamification ideas for your loyalty scheme</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. Gamification Challenges</h4>



A limited timeframe with the chance to win something exciting hypes customers up to take part.



Monthly or seasonal challenges are probably the most cost- and time-efficient gamification tool for your loyalty scheme to boost interaction.



Simple examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Online quizzes</li>



<li>Guessing games</li>



<li>Tag &amp; share challenges</li>
</ul>



Advanced examples:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>DIY competition &#8211; ‘Create our new Summer cocktail’</li>



<li>Creative competition &#8211; ‘Name our new [menu item]’</li>



<li>Seasonal challenges &#8211; i.e. dress up for Halloween</li>
</ul>



Tip: Online challenges are great database growth boosters so make sure to ask customers for their contact details upon entering.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Online &amp; in-venue games</h4>



This gamification concept connects both offline and online customer interaction.



Treasure hunts are ideal for this, where customers have to look for clues on your socials, website as well as in-venue.



Tip: Whilst they are searching, you get the chance to introduce customers to other offerings or venues you might have.



Additionally, if you want to boost quieter times during the day, try a ‘secret code word share’ via your socials. When mentioning the code in the venue customers get a freebie or discount.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. Badges, awards &amp; leaderboards</h4>



The most widely used advanced gamification loyalty scheme examples are badges, awards and leaderboards.&nbsp;



Customers get awarded for different interactions or milestones reached. Rewards usually go beyond in-venue and/or online transactions. You can incentivise actions such as completing an online profile, engaging on social media or leaving a review.



What makes these types so effective is it gives customers something to work towards. Plus, they can also compare their performance to others.



<a href="https://www.brewdog.com/uk/beer-visa">Brew Dog’s Beer Visa</a> is a great example of this type of gamification. Customers get a stamp for visiting every bar in one location, once completed they receive a special pin badge.



Tip: Leaderboards make it easy to spot your most loyal and engaged customers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4. Tiered membership levels</h4>



A tiered membership scheme encourages customers to spend and engage more with your business in order to move up the rank.



Each tier comes with benefits that increase in value to make the whole brand experience more exclusive and personalised.&nbsp;



Another big benefit of tiered loyalty is that you can build highly targeted segments from those tiers and use them for personalised email campaigns.



Well-known industry examples are <a href="https://www.starbucks.co.uk/rewards">Starbucks</a> and <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/club">PizzaExpress</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5. Mini online games</h4>



No doubt, online arcade-style games are highly engaging and addictive but they also require some sort of app integration. This ultimately places them at the higher end when it comes to implementing gamification.



A successful example is KFC’s recently launched new loyalty app <a href="https://www.kfc.co.uk/kfc-rewards-arcade">“Rewards Arcade”</a>. Customers get the chance to play after each purchase and get instant ‘free food’ rewards.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Make sure to check out our <a href="https://stampede.ai/downloads/8-tactics-to-increase-customer-spend">FREE Loyalty Guide</a> to learn more about the different types of loyalty programs and how they can help you to increase customer spend.

5 Gamification Ideas To Take Your Loyalty Scheme To The Next Level

A proven way to <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">build your customer mailing list with minimal effort is using your WiFi</a>. It works, as customers want to stay connected when they’re out and about.



However, some operators might have noticed a shift in customers’ behaviour lately.&nbsp;



With going out becoming more of a treat, customers seem to spend less time on their phones, and more time focusing on the moment with their family &amp; friends.&nbsp;



So, how can you encourage your customers to use your WiFi again to keep growing your mailing list?



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-visibility">Increase Visibility</h4>



Back in the day, when ‘free WiFi’ was still a novelty, businesses used to have signs and posters in their venue to encourage customers to sign-up.



Those have disappeared with more and more venues offering WiFi and customers expecting it as a given.&nbsp;



Time for a little reminder.&nbsp;



Here’re 3 quick steps to action:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.qr-code-generator.com/">Generate a QR code</a> that links to your Guest WiFi sign-up page</li>



<li>Print posters with your QR code &#8211; distribute them in your venue</li>



<li>Add the name of your network to menus, table toppers, etc.</li>
</ol>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Offer Discounts</h4>



Discounts always work as a treat, especially to boost WiFi log-ins. They become even more effective if customers can use them instantly.



Some ideas to get you started:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sign-up to get %-off your bill today</li>



<li>Happy Hour promotion &#8211; get 2-4-1 if you sign up now</li>



<li>Post whilst in-venue, tag us, and get a freebie or voucher for the next visit</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Run Contests</h4>



Contests are not only fun and engaging but they are also an easy way to grow your customer mailing list for low costs.



Some ideas to get you started:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Prize draw &#8211; sign up and share with a friend to increase your chances to win</li>



<li>Vote for your favourite dish &#8211; enter your email to win a voucher</li>



<li>Take the quiz to find your perfect drink &#8211; enter your email to see the results and enter a prize draw</li>



<li>Photo wall competition</li>
</ul>



Start capturing your data through your <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">Guest WiFi</a> and build your mailing list with ease. Get in touch to find out more about the <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">Stampede Captive Portal</a>.

3 Tools To Get More Customers On Your Mailing List

Stampede&#8217;s Meta Audience Connect is a new addition to our Marketing &amp; CRM platform. It enables marketers to seamlessly integrate their Stampede segments with Facebook and Instagram Advertising audiences. This tool opens up a world of possibilities for targeted marketing and effective attribution for digital marketing specialists in hospitality brands.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-meta-audience-connect-work">How does Meta Audience Connect work?</h3>



Meta Audience Connect establishes a two-way connection between Stampede segments and Meta Advertising Audiences. With this connection, hospitality marketers can create targeted audiences in their Meta Advertising accounts, using their Stampede segments.&nbsp;



For instance, they can craft audiences based on Wi-Fi data collected by Stampede, ensuring that their ads are shown to individuals who have logged into Wi-Fi at the venue i.e. have been physically on site. This level of detail in the audience targeting creates hyper-personalised advertising that will massively increase conversion rates, campaign performance and, of course, revenue.



But what about the other direction? Meta Audience Connect also allows users to add individuals from Meta Lead Gen ads to their Stampede segments. This creates a powerful feedback loop where data can flow seamlessly between the two platforms, enabling marketers to refine their targeting and optimise their campaigns over time.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-benefits-of-using-meta-audience-connect">What are the benefits of using Meta Audience Connect?</h3>



Meta Audience Connect offers a host of benefits for hospitality marketers, including:



On-point Targeting: By leveraging Stampede&#8217;s rich data and insights, Meta Audience Connect enables hospitality marketers and brands to create highly targeted audiences in Meta. This means that ads are shown to individuals who are genuinely interested in your brand and offers, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.



Expanded Reach: Meta Audience Connect allows the marketer to create Lookalike audiences based on their existing customers, reaching a broader audience of potential customers. This expanded reach can help drive more reservations, increase foot traffic, and generate more revenue.&nbsp;



It’s a powerful tactic for growing brands launching a new location in a different part of the country or globally. You can find people in that new area with similar interests to your real previous customers and get your adverts in front of them. The two-way connection means any of them that join your mailing list drop into a dedicated segment automatically.



Measurable Impact: Hospitality marketers can track the performance of their marketing campaigns and measure the direct impact of their advertising efforts. A robust CRM connection and strategy makes it easy to show the gains from PPC advertising as a customer acquisition channel.



Effortless Setup: Despite its powerful capabilities, Meta Audience Connect is incredibly easy to set up and use. Hospitality marketers don&#8217;t need to be tech wizards to leverage this tool. With a few simple steps, they can integrate Stampede and Meta, create segments and audiences, and launch targeted campaigns.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-started-with-meta-audience-connect">How to Get Started with Meta Audience Connect</h3>



To start using Meta Audience Connect, you will need to have a Stampede Marketing &amp; CRM subscription and a Meta Business Manager account with admin access.



Then, using the setup guide in Stampede you can connect the two and start mapping segments to audiences, and ad campaigns to segments.



Stampede&#8217;s Meta Audience Connect is a revolutionary tool that empowers hospitality marketers to take their marketing efforts to the next level. By leveraging the power of data and advanced targeting, marketers can drive more reservations, increase revenue, and create memorable experiences for their guests.

Stampede-Meta Audience Connect: Simplifying multi-channel marketing strategies

<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-free-june-july-2024-social-media-calendar">Free June &#8211; July 2024 Social Media Calendar</h1>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-more-last-minute-panic-brainstorming-for-your-social-media-posts">No more last-minute panic brainstorming for your social media posts.</h4>



Operating a business and at the same time staying on top of your social media content can be tough. Constantly coming up with new and engaging ideas for your next posts takes time you might not always have.



Download your free social media calendar for June and July 2024 now.



Featuring topical post ideas, hashtags suggestions and image inspiration for each month.

Love it or loathe it, we live in times where mobile devices are everywhere. 
In our <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/press/boost-sales-with-smart-wifi">previous blog</a>, we offered up some great tips for using Smart WiFi to give your customers a great WiFi experience while visiting your business and at the same time boost your bottom line. Whether you are a café, pub, bar or restaurant, offering free WiFi gives you a competitive edge by providing fast and reliable internet access to your customers for social networking, checking emails, online shopping, and surfing the internet at all times. This can have a direct influence on building customer loyalty, resulting in increased sales.
So, here are another three reasons why offering free Guest WiFi to your customers can help your business.
Customers will spend more time
One of the biggest advantages of offering free WiFi to customers is a no-brainer, <img decoding="async" style="width: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" title="Stampede Phone Pub" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/phone-pub.jpg" alt="Stampede Phone Pub" width="320" data-constrained="true" />increased time spent in your store. WiFi access helps customers stay productive and connected, giving them no reason to rush the shopping process. According to <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com">Business Insider</a>, more than 62% of businesses reported that customers spend more time on their premise when WiFi is offered. Instead of examining the scenario as customers simply hanging around, consider using the opportunity to engage new customers and discover their needs.
Increased foot traffic
The fastest way to drive foot traffic is putting up a sign that brings awareness of free WiFi. This allows your business to attract new customers while enticing existing customers to come back. In addition to visual recognition, most consumers use apps like <a href="https://www.yelp.com">Yelp!</a> and <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps">Google Maps</a> to find businesses, selecting venues that offer amenities like free WiFi.
Mobile Marketing
Stampede’s WiFi solution allows you to promote your business before customers even sign in on their smart devices. You can customise the landing page to attract customers and share special offers. Typically, there is an opportunity to brand your network with a creative, custom name, like “Bob’s Awsome Bar – Enjoy Free WiFi.” Additionally, in the age of social media influencers, customers can do marketing for you through social networking. By allowing customers to “check in” at your business, they can spread the word about your business in real time.

<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

How to boost sales with Smart WiFi in your business – Part 2

At-home meal kits. It all started with &#8220;pizza in the post&#8221; during the first lockdown. Since then the process has been refined to the point where replicating it can lead to near-guaranteed success.



The kinks have been worked out in the ordering process, and customers know what to expect &#8211; it properly works now. Getting it right means people will tell others, and order more themselves.



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



The whole process is based on an adapted eCommerce platform. This helps because it’s what the majority of people are familiar with, so ordering a meal-kit isn’t a step too far. 



We’ve looked at some popular examples to see what it takes to get it right.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delivery-date">Delivery Date</h4>



Unlike many things ordered online, the customer chooses their delivery date upfront, instead of just being told when to expect the item. This is where the lines blur with fast-food or instant delivery and perhaps where some of the teething issues came from in the past.



For <a href="https://store.dishoom.com/bacon-naan-roll-kit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dishoom&#8217;s bacon naan roll kit</a>, a pop-up box to choose your delivery date appears as soon as you hit the &#8220;Order&#8221; button, before an “added to cart” confirmation.



<a href="https://home-x.com/pages/home-by-nico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home by Nico</a> has an additional piece of information about the delivery date:



&#8220;DELIVERY DATE: Choose a delivery date one day before you wish to dine&#8221;



People are conditioned to an order > delivery > eat-on-the-same day mentality. Any additional detail you can include that differentiates your meal-kits from this will help manage expectations for happier customers.



Think of it this way &#8211; the wording should be more akin to ordering a supermarket delivery, than a cooked meal delivery.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rich-detail">Rich Detail</h4>



Meal-kits are rarely as simple as supermarket food to prepare, however, but that’s part of the fun of them.



You can’t go wrong going into too much detail about the kit and prep instructions. Make a how-to video like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61hJFUeK0nw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pizza Pilgrims</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV2bKqHSu7k&amp;feature=emb_title" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dishoom</a>, create an instructions sheet that can be downloaded as PDF, &nbsp;viewed online as a webpage and goes in the box too.&nbsp;



Give people plenty of pictures of “how it should look”. Also, a breakdown of what’s included, what’s constructed, and what needs put together. So they understand the level of effort required before ordering.



<a href="https://home-x.com/products/home-by-nico-february-2021-menu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home by Nico’s</a> ordering page has a full scrolling section presenting each course with high-quality pictures and ingredient details. The page also includes reassuring practical details such as “After delivery, pop your box in the fridge to keep fresh. Enjoy for up to 48 hours.” 



The secret to their success is to get customers prepared. When they succeed, you’ll succeed because they’ll become your advocates. Happy customers will tell others about your excellent meal-kit alongside your “easy to follow instructions” and “clear pictures and video guide”. And this will generate more sales.



It’s about the whole experience working &#8211; from order, to prep and consumption &#8211; that makes meal-kits appealing.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lean-on-the-functionality">Lean On The Functionality</h4>



A final note on using eCommerces systems: make sure to explore all the features your system of choice offers. Dishoom has a tab for “Related items” to try and generate cross sales from their bacon naan roll kit, by advertising the vegan sausage roll kit.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="829" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-1024x829.png" alt="" class="wp-image-19545" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-1024x829.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-300x243.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-768x622.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-150x121.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-592x479.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-74x60.png 74w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items-111x90.png 111w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dishoom-Related-Items.png 1166w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



They could equally well include individual jars of the tomato-chilli jam, which features heavily in the bacon roll kit, for those who want more than what’s in the kit.



What else could you advertise as related or similar on the meal kit product page? Think about increased order value and enhanced customers’ experience.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-next">What Next?</h4>



If you’ve gone to all the effort of establishing a robust meal-kit operation, sending regular reminders to your customers is a must.



This is expected when the menu changes every so often (like Home by Nico). For fixed menu items, keep the emails and social media posts frequent to maintain order volumes. Experiment with different imagery, times of day and subject lines to reach the widest possible audience.



If you need any assistance setting up campaigns for your meal-kits, <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> and we’ll be happy to help.

Couple cooking dinner using a digital tablet and smiling in kitc

How To Get The “At-Home Meal-Kit” Formula Right

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 This End-User Licence Agreement (EULA) and the Privacy Policy (Privacy Policy) (together the Terms and Conditions constitute the legal agreement between you (You or Your) and Stampede AI Ltd (We, Us or Our)) relating to the provision by Us to You of a wireless internet access service (the Service) to be used by You at any venue where the Service is available (a Stampede Venue). Please read this EULA and the Privacy Policy carefully. If You do not accept the Terms and Conditions, We will not permit access to the Service and the joining process will immediately terminate. By joining and using the Service You agree to be legally bound by the Terms and Conditions. 
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We’re in an era where individuals expect free, fast, secure WiFi wherever they go. This demand has created a gap in the market where small business owners can harness the power of a secure WiFi network to engage customers. It’s an opportunity to subtly nudge individuals into your store or restaurant without “obviously” selling to them. And let’s face it – “obvious” sales should be left back in the 20th century. 







When looking at <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-future-of-restaurant-marketing/">recent marketing trends</a>, people tend to stay loyal to businesses that offer a personal service. They also prefer supporting services that are proactive when it comes to social responsibility. Add this to a stable and effective WiFi marketing campaign and there you have the perfect all-round customer engagement solution. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Recap on What WiFi Marketing Is</h4>



Perhaps we’re jumping the gun and you’re not yet familiar with the new buzz-phrase “WiFi Marketing”. Let’s quickly recap and take a look at the concept. 



WiFi marketing is the process where visitors provide certain important details. I.e. email addresses and phone numbers in exchange for the free use of your business’s WiFi network. Individuals enter these details by accessing a login area on their smartphones. 



Once a business has these details, an opportunity is created where they can communicate with potential customers on a more specific level. Individuals can now be reached via text message, email, or through <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">social media channels</a>. 



Think of it as a way to tap people on the shoulder through their mobile devices and say, “Hey, we’re still here and we have something great to offer!”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why Is WiFi Marketing Important?</h4>



According to <a href="https://www.brickandmobile.com/mobile-stats/">Brick &amp; Mobile</a>, 84% of small businesses have reported that using mobile marketing methods increased their customer loyalty base. 



At the same time, <a href="http://www.devicescape.com/press-release/survey-quantifies-business-benefits-of-amenity-wi-fi/">62% of local consumers</a> spend more time in a store if WiFi is available.



It’s just a win-win situation!



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">WiFi marketing</a> gives customers access to your wireless network and you get access to their information. This information is invaluable when it comes to creating a personal service and effective targeted marketing campaigns that truly engage people and their wants and needs. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Engaging Your Customers</h4>



One of the best things about WiFi marketing is that it gives you an <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">in-depth insight</a> into the buying trends of consumers. The platform allows you to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">keep track of the customers</a> who have signed-up to your network by storing their following information:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How often they enter your establishment and how long they stay on average</li><li>Which promotional material they engage with</li><li>What they generally purchase</li><li>How often they make purchases</li></ul>



And so on…



Now, you have a better idea of who your customers are and when and how often they visit your location. This data can be added to your CRM and other online engagement tools.&nbsp;



WiFi marketing also gives you the power to automate and personalise your messages based on customer demographics and frequency of their visits. 



It allows you to engage with your customers by implementing the following communication strategies:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Proximity Marketing</h4>



Proximity marketing refers to the act of delivering targeted messages based on your customers’ behaviour while they were visiting your establishment. You can send out targeted promotional offers based on demographics, frequency of visit, and buying preferences.



For example, John Smith frequents your deli to purchase your famous chicken and avocado sandwich. So, you can send him a personalised message when this sandwich is on promotion – or you can simply remind him that “hey, it’s lunchtime and chickens on the menu”. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Campaigns</h4>



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/a-complete-guide-to-marketing-automation/">SMS, email, and push-notification campaigns</a> can be created to engage with customers who might visit you regularly. These portals can be used to send promotional messages, to invite individuals to participate in a competition you might be hosting. Or to simply remind them that you exist and that your doors are always open to them. 



By sending out subtle messages, you remind individuals that you are eager for their business. Also, that you are willing to provide them with the things that they want. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Social Marketing</h4>



When you ask customers to provide their details, you can do so by providing them with a splash page that features your branding information. Your guests are then given an option to share this information or to post a message on their social network profiles. This helps to increase social visibility for your brand.&nbsp;



Essentially, when one customer signs-up to your network, you can potentially reach out to their friends on social networks too.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Wrapping it up…</h4>



WiFi marketing creates a bridge that allows information to flow in both directions. In the future, the extent of this information will broaden and businesses will have access to endless marketing opportunities. You will be able to engage with customers on an extremely personal level. This allows them to indulge in your loyalty programmes and constantly inviting them back to your venue for another visit. 



Returning customers spend on <a href="https://www.bain.com/">average 67% more than first-time customers</a>. This means that you want to do everything you can to retain the customers you have while improving their experience with every visit. WiFi engagement is one such solution. 



Why not give it a go with our WiFi Marketing software?



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<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>

Engaging Customers Through WiFi Marketing

The importance of powerful photos has grown dramatically as brick-and-mortar businesses lean on more online interactions with customers. High-quality images can help to attract more followers to your accounts and even to gain new customers. That’s the theme running through <a href="https://www.fsrmagazine.com/expert-takes/taking-perfect-restaurant-photo-leigh-loftus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this interview</a> in FSR Magazine with food and drink photography expert Leigh Loftus. 



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>



Through her Chef Shots organisation, Leigh aims to improve the&nbsp;photography skills of those in the food and beverage industry. The best part, it&#8217;s all based on smartphone cameras. You don&#8217;t even need expensive equipment to get it right.



In general, food and drink photography is a vast subject. However, a few quick improvements can make photos much more eye-catching on busy social media feeds.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-easy-photography-tips">3 Easy Photography Tips</h4>



Here’s the top phone photography tips we’ve picked up already:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Clean your lens to prevent blurry photos. The lens will pick up dirt, grime and fingerprints from being handled day-to-day. </li>



<li>Turn on the grid. Most cameras will have a grid option in the settings. This helps with the framing of pictures and making sure things are lined up. It also gets you started using the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMjvvltQpmw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rule of thirds.</a> </li>



<li>Tap and hold to focus. With the camera open, tap and hold on the item in the photo you want to show off most. This will focus the camera on that point and lock it in until the picture is taken, ensuring crisp and clear images of your subject.</li>
</ol>



There are even more quick lessons for food and drink photography on The Chef Shot Youtube channel. Including guides on photo editing and lighting. Worth checking them out!



With better pictures comes better stories for your fans and followers. The connection between your brand and them will grow, as will the power of your social media and email content to drive more business.



Want to turn your followers into loyal customers? Reach out to learn more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/loyalty/">digital stamp card solution</a>.

Better Photos = More Followers [Food and Drink Photography Tips]

You might have heard that data is the new currency; it&#8217;s the key that unlocks ultra-targeted marketing that drives customers through your doors. But how do you gather the data you need for your restaurant? And what kind of data is useful for your marketing, and why?







If you&#8217;d like to make better use of your marketing budget you might have considered buying data to help you target potential customers. But why buy data when you can generate an own your own data?&nbsp;



At first glance, it can seem trickier for an offline business to collect data and put it to use. But the answer is likely simpler than you think. You can generate data for restaurant marketing using <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/5-tips-for-setting-up-wifi-for-your-restaurant-or-pub/">Stampede captive WiFi</a>. And our portal service keeps you on the right side of the Information Commissioner when it comes to GDPR. 



One of the biggest pros of this kind of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">WiFi marketing</a> is that it is a safe and compliant way to gather customer data. You can use it to build customer profiles, segment and target your restaurant marketing. It can give you an edge when it comes to providing superior customer service too. But where should you start? New customers often ask us what data they can collect and how to use it.



With Stampede WiFi, you can design your very own splash page to ask the questions you want to know the answers to. There&#8217;s a lot of potential data hospitality businesses can seek out. But of course, details and data hold different value depending on your business and marketing goals. Our captive WiFi portal does more than just gather data. It allows you to seek out information at different stages in the customer relationship and most importantly, add context. On your WiFi sign-in page, you can collect data directly about your customer and also gather context about their visit. Here&#8217;s how to do it.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Start with the basics</h4>



Name, date of birth, gender and address or postcode are <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">common data collection</a> starting points. Your diner&#8217;s name is the first thing you need to begin building their customer profile. 



Date of birth helps you to segment them and lets you know when their birthday is too, which is handy when it comes to inviting them to celebrate with you. Gender is another variant that helps grow your segmentation options. Collect these four details from everyone who signs onto your WiFi and you&#8217;ll have a great foundation for planning simple and effective marketing campaigns.&nbsp;



This data can also fuel inspiration for events, menu changes or even rebranding to better fit your customer base. For example, you may work out that you have a lot of young mums popping into your establishment. You could encourage them to visit more frequently by changing your daytime offers. Or you might discover that you have a lot of single professionals visiting you for coffee. Individuals you could also target with offers for after-work drinks and nibbles.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Keeping in touch</h4>



Marketing to previous customers will generate a higher return on investment. So data that helps you to keep in touch with diners is very valuable. <a href="https://econsultancy.com/more-reasons-for-retailers-to-offer-wi-fi-in-stores/">One survey from OnDeviceResearch</a> found that 74% of people would be happy for a retailer to send a text or email with promotions while they&#8217;re using in-store WiFi. 



Captive WiFi is a cost-effective way to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/">grow email and SMS marketing</a> lists. You can check submitted email addresses and encourage reviews by sending guests an email thanking them for their visit. Asking them to leave feedback. Another option is to include an incentive such as money off or free item code within the email to encourage a return visit.&nbsp;



In some cases, your diners may not even need to fill out their contact details; you might choose to give them the option to login using their social profiles instead.&nbsp;According to information from <a href="https://www.cmocouncil.org/">CMO Council</a>, 56% of social network users stated they would use their social profiles to login in return for a customised experience. You gain valuable data associated with their social profiles. Helping you to build out their customer profile and allowing marketing segmentation. The customer benefits from a speedy sign in and the potential of tailored content and offers from their very first interaction.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Context and customisation opportunities</h4>



They say content is king. But in the data world, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">context adds an extra layer of value</a> that puts meaning behind your data. For example, you might ask your diner who they are dining with and the purpose of their visit. Is it a date night? Are they having a quick family tea? Is it a special celebration? What&#8217;s their favourite drink or pizza? 



This context helps you to understand why people are visiting, to try and attract more visitors aiming to do the same. It also allows you to customise your service and offers for them immediately. Providing them with a great eating out or entertainment experience.&nbsp;



Knowing how your customer found out about your venue, offer or event is also super valuable information to have. This lets you know how your marketing is performing and can help you to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/tracking-digital-marketing-roi/">calculate your return on investment of digital marketing</a>. Also allows you to see how specific campaigns are performing. When customers are converted by marketing, it&#8217;s not always by the activities we expect. 



Data context really helps to ensure budget and time are being directed to the right activities to attract target customers. And when you combine this context and customisation with basic customer information, you have the makings of some great customer personas to inform your overall marketing strategy, campaigns and individual ads.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">In-store patterns</h4>



Some of the most valuable data you can collect from your Stampede WiFi doesn&#8217;t come from asking your guests questions. It can help you to better plan your staffing, identify problem times when you need to generate more customers. It can also help you achieve consistently better customer satisfaction levels. What is this data? It&#8217;s the simple connection data relating to each login.



Bookings don&#8217;t always match up with the numbers of covers in a service or the numbers of guests on the table. Nor do they tell you how quickly a table is turned. Reporting on your connections to your WiFi portal lets you see at a glance how many people were using WiFi in your restaurant. This means you can identify peak or slow periods and you also get an indication of how guests stayed.&nbsp;



As a customer’s device is associated with their login, it&#8217;s recognised by your captive WiFi portal whenever they visit. When those guests return to your venue or another one of your businesses, you can see patterns emerge that will help you build a fuller picture of your customer&#8217;s wants and needs. You might find that a regular customer always dines out late on Wednesdays. Or that you have lots of families visiting on Fridays. 



You might even decide to introduce a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">loyalty scheme to encourage</a> those fortnightly visitors to come and see you every week instead. This way, you can continually work towards building a better picture of the lifetime value of your customer. And if the customer is someone who found you due to marketing and you know that, you can track against the original cost for acquisition



All of this information can be gathered without the need for your customer to download an app. With minimal data physically entered by them.



Do you have a firmer idea of what type of data might be useful for your restaurant or bar marketing and why? Set up a Stampede demo. To talk about the details of the very useful ways your WiFi can contribute to your restaurant marketing.



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Gathering the Right Data for Your Restaurant Marketing

If you’re responsible for managing a restaurant or hospitality business, it can be hard to stay on top of everything. To organise your daily tasks more effectively and streamline your processes, implementing a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/what-is-a-hospitality-crm-system-a-full-guide">Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution</a> should definitely be part of your strategy.&nbsp;



There are three different types of CRM systems:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Analytical CRM systems that gather data useful for reporting and decision-making.</li>



<li>Operational CRMs that streamline processes and communication.</li>



<li>Collaborative CRM platforms that allow departments to work together more efficiently.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



In this blog post, we will explore these three different approaches to running an effective CRM system for your hospitality business. This will help you make the best possible decision when choosing one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-analytical-crm-systems">1. Analytical CRM systems</h2>



When it comes to understanding your customers and analysing the results of your marketing campaigns, analytical CRM systems are game changers.&nbsp;



With these powerful tools, you can dive deep into customer data, uncover trends, and make informed decisions based on real numbers. No more relying on gut instincts or guesswork.&nbsp;



Analytical CRMs also make it easy to create customised reports and visualisations. Those help you track progress and hone in on areas that need improvement.



By using this technology to better understand your audience, you can improve customer satisfaction, increase retention rates, and boost your bottom line.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Operational CRM systems</h2>



Operational CRMs are a vital tool for businesses to streamline their processes and improve overall customer experience.&nbsp;



They allow companies to better manage every touchpoint of the customer journey, from initial interaction to after-sales care. With automation features, operational CRMs can further enhance efficiency by reducing the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks.



Implementing an operational CRM system not only leads to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/meet-stampede-inbox-never-miss-another-message">better communication</a> with customers but also allows businesses to make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Collaborative CRM systems</h2>



Collaborative CRM systems make sure that everyone in the business has access to the same data. So that teams can work together more efficiently in order to provide a complete customer experience.&nbsp;



With a collaborative CRM, every individual involved in the customer&#8217;s journey can view the full customer record with its entire history and previous interactions. This ensures that everyone is using the correct and up-to-date data to support the company&#8217;s decisions.&nbsp;



The integration between teams helps to ensure that customer needs are met, and ultimately, it results in a much-improved customer experience.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tips on how to choose the right CRM system for your hospitality business</h2>



As businesses continue to evolve and technology advances, it&#8217;s important for hospitality businesses to keep up with the latest tools in order to stay competitive.



However, with so many options out there, it can be challenging to choose the right CRM. The operational feature is certainly the most important feature for hospitality businesses and should be prioritised. The way data can be managed more efficiently has a significant impact on daily operations. Especially with automations as they reduce the workload by removing manual and repetitive tasks.



However, ideally, a CRM system should incorporate elements of all three CRM types &#8211; analytical, operational and collaborative. As a professional in the hospitality industry, it’s crucial to have a CRM system that provides detailed insights into customer interactions and preferences. This can help you tailor your services accordingly.&nbsp;



It&#8217;s important to emphasise the significance of finding the right fit for your needs when it comes to selecting a hospitality CRM. No two businesses are the same and therefore, there can be no one-size-fits-all solution.&nbsp;



You need to identify what your hotel, restaurant or hospitality business requires and other specific goals you want your CRM system to achieve. Then you can assess which CRM can deliver on those needs. A CRM that cannot adequately cater to your requirements could end up costing you in terms of valuable time and resources



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing thoughts</h2>



Technology can only truly increase efficiency if it is used effectively. After all, customer experience isn&#8217;t just about having a lot of information on hand. It&#8217;s about understanding each individual guest as well as providing personalised experiences based on your insights.



By investing in the right type of <a href="https://stampede.ai/amaze">CRM system</a>, you can unlock significant potential for your business and take your customer experiences to the next level.

The 3 Different Types Of A CRM System Explained

A new venue opening is always exciting and creates a big hype.



Press coverage, opening events, social media posts, website launch… And of course, word-of-mouth from those who have already paid you a visit.



Inevitable, after all the buzz there will eventually come a time when the&nbsp;initial spike in your footfall&nbsp;will start to slow down.&nbsp;



The good news, there’s a way to prevent this from happening.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Keep Up Your Footfall With Customer Data</h5>



If you capture customer data from the moment you open the doors of your new venue, you’re able to&nbsp;build and grow a strong mailing list.&nbsp;



This mailing list is the foundation for your marketing and helps you turn all those first-time visitors into loyal customers.&nbsp;



The graph below helps you visualise how footfall is impacted over time, depending on if you have access to customer data from the beginning or not.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="636" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-1024x636.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22567" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-1024x636.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-300x186.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-768x477.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-150x93.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29-592x368.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screenshot-2022-10-17-at-11.08.29.png 1050w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-quickly-grow-a-mailing-list">How To Quickly Grow A Mailing List</h5>



However, building a mailing list from your&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-revenue-boosting-combo-of-wifi-and-bookings-data/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">table booking system</a>&nbsp;alone will only provide you with a limited amount of data. You will get the data from the lead booker but not the entire party, hence you’re missing out on a big bunch of customers.



So, ideally, you want to&nbsp;get the contact details of everyone&nbsp;who is in your venue.



The best way to gather this real-time data is by using your WiFi as a <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">captive portal</a>. This means customers enter their contact details when they sign up for your WiFi. 



Now all you need to do is to set up email and SMS campaigns to reach out to those customers.



Save some time and make use of&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/easy-and-profitable-marketing-with-automations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated campaigns</a>:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Post-visit&nbsp;&#8211; thank them for their visit and offer a discount for next time</li>



<li>Referral&nbsp;&#8211; offer a discount or upgrade if they bring in new customers</li>



<li>Win-back&nbsp;&#8211; reach out to those who haven’t come back yet with a special deal</li>
</ul>



Tip: If you ask for your customers’ dates of birth, you can surprise them with a personalised offer for their big day!



Start capturing your customer data to sustain your footfall in your new venue.&nbsp;<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with our team to find out more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede Captive Portal</a>.

New Venue? Keep Your Footfall For Longer With Customer Data

Many Stampede users are looking for ways to connect the tech they use and simplify things. Data imports means our customers have the opportunity to cut down on their use of various systems, and use fewer systems to do more of the work.



It’s also great for consistency. With more customer data in one place you’ll know that the messaging and offers that you’re promoting are all going to the same people. Less confusion for staff processing orders and more clarity for customers.



As we write this the U.K. hospitality industry is struggling with the impact of coronavirus. In response, we brought forward the development of this feature to enable more hospitality business to contact and connect with their customers &#8211; without the need for guest WiFi as a data source.



We&#8217;ve opened up <a href="https://product.stampede.ai/marketing/campaigns">Marketing</a> and made it free to use for everyone. Data import means that even businesses not using Stampede before can start doing so immediately. Promotions about delivery service, takeaway offers or <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/new-feature-alert-gift-cards/">gift cards</a> can be set up and sent in minutes.



Data import is really simple &#8211; just head to <a href="https://product.stampede.ai/data-sources">Data Sources</a>, choose .CSV Import, select the file from your computer, map the fields and hit Upload.



For a full run through &#8211; check out this super quick how-to video



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Importing Data by CSV | Stampede" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/umendihZy6Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

Data import product update to Stampede features

Product Update – Importing Data

Tammie Hurrell

Montpeliers Group

Grant Murray

CRU Holdings

Emma Luke-Ward

Lane7 Group

Steve Watson

Signature Pub Group

Nick Gregory

Society Manchester

Shivani Kenth

Zindiya Streatery & Bar

Graham Atkinson

Butta Burger

Lottie Bedford

Birdhouse London

Chris Hughes

Mele Group

Chris Aitchison

Bar Tonic

Ieuan Davis

The Coal Exchange Hotel

How do you, as a bricks and mortar business, thrive in a digitised world where the challenges are mounting? You learn what the current challenges in the hotel industry are. Then you take strategic steps to not just get over them, but use them as a springboard to success. Tall order? If you have the right tools at your fingertips, such as <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/">WiFi marketing for hotels</a>, we don’t think so.







In this article, we reveal 5 of the dominating challenges in the hotel industry and give you real solutions for tackling them.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Expectations are changing</h4>



Your customer of yesterday is not your customer of today. Guest expectations and demands have undergone radical change.&nbsp;



Customers today expect personalisation, on tap WiFi, speedy check-in and more. It’s not just a matter of meeting expectations. You need to exceed those expectations. The bar has been raised thanks to technology, experience sharing and familiarity with streamlined services throughout all areas of an individual’s life.



Solution: Catch your guests where they are – on your WiFi. Beyond simply offering it, you then need to make it part of their personalised unique experience. For example, through <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">WiFi marketing for hotels,</a> you can give them targeted offers to redeem during this stay or the next. Another solution is advance automated check-in. Indeed, whilst the <a href="https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/insights/industries/leisure-and-hospitality/hotel-britain-trends">Hotel Britain Report 2018</a> put automation as a top prediction, we’d say it’s now not even optional.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">The sharing economy isn’t a hotelier’s friend</h4>



Perhaps the biggest challenge that the hotel industry is facing is the boom in ‘hospitality hosts’. In London, the number of Airbnb listings has <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47910700">quadrupled in the last four years</a>. Indeed, research shows that <a href="https://www.hotelowner.co.uk/15939-airbnb-now-a-third-of-the-size-of-the-hotel-sector-in-london/">Airbnb is now one-third the size of the hotel sector in the capital</a>.



This is competition on a scale the hotel industry isn’t experienced with. What’s more, these hospitality hosts are able to offer something unique and highly personalised.



Solution: Get savvy and offer things that hospitality hosts can’t, because of their size and set-up. Up your service levels and use technology in unique ways.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marketing trends are all about the digital</h4>



Linked closely to the above two challenges is a reality that marketing trends today are all about the digital landscape. Yet, traditionally, hoteliers haven’t done too well at embracing this shift. Online marketing is now mandatory if you want to survive, let alone thrive.



Your customer spends their time online. When they are checking you out, they check online first. They hunt down your reputation and offerings like a bloodhound. A whopping <a href="https://revenue-hub.com/respond-negative-positive-reviews/">93% check hotel reviews before making a booking</a>.



Solution: Digital marketing which focuses on engaging the customer is the way forward. You can do this through social media marketing, WiFi marketing and things such as hotel apps. Indeed, with Stampede you can make WiFi marketing effortless and make it easy for guests to leave reviews on major sites and get them boosting your social media profile through Facebook login. <a href="https://stampede.ai/product/features/">Check out more WiFi marketing features</a>.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Data matters</h4>



We need customer data if we want meaningful insights which enable us to improve our service and grow. The growth of the <a href="https://www.revfine.com/smart-hotel-room/">smart hotel room</a>, such as Hilton’s Connected Room and Marriott’s Internet of Things room, make valuable data collection and analysis possible. But it’s scary to know if you’re doing it legally and ethically. That’s before you consider the vulnerabilities and risks of attacks via connected devices.



Solution: Use smart and innovative solutions which take care of the tricky legalities for you. For example, we handle the GDPR side of your WiFi marketing so that you don’t even have to think about it.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty</h4>



Loyalty in the hotel industry has always been the Holy Grail. But now your customers are more fickle than ever. The digital world has made it easy for customers to succumb to enticing offers from competitors.



Solution: You need to be the one offering the right incentives at the right time, pulling your guests back, over and over again. With segmentation and data capture and analysis through <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">WiFi marketing for hotels</a> then you can entice your guests back with things such as birthday gifts or meal offers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">You have solutions</h4>



We’re not underestimating the challenges in the hotel industry. We are actively innovating to create solutions.&nbsp;Find out for yourself how<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/effective-email-marketing-tips-for-hotels/"> WiFi marketing for hotels </a>is a simple and affordable solution to many of these challenges by using our free trial. Join other hoteliers including Emerald Hotel, Trump International Golf Hotel Scotland and more.



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A Guide On Current Hotel Industry Challenges

Is your kids&#8217; menu beige, boring and mainly consisting of chicken nuggets and chips? <a href="https://kam-media.co.uk/family-dining-opportunity/">65% of parents think that restaurants should be more inventive when it comes to their special children&#8217;s offerings</a>. After all, those kids will be the customer of the future, so better get things right early on. We&#8217;ve got some insight to share on what restaurants can do to appeal to families.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-standing-out-in-a-crowded-sector">Standing Out In A Crowded Sector</h4>



As mid-market restaurant brands fall by the wayside, many have accused chains of being too samey. There&#8217;s no denying that plenty of brands share similar menus and price points. So how can those targeting the family market differentiate and win family diners away from competitors? 



The obvious answer is to take the time to understand and serve customers better. The little things really do make a difference. 



According to recent research by <a href="https://kam-media.co.uk/family-dining-opportunity/">KAM Media</a>, families make up 57% of restaurants&#8217; revenue. With children playing an important part in deciding where to eat out for over half of the families. Cater well for kids and their parents will reward you with their loyalty. 



We spoke to Lisa O&#8217;Keeffe, Senior Brand and Content Manager at <a href="https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/">Day Out with The Kids</a> to find out what families look for when dining out in the UK. She confirmed that nailing customer service is the key to unlocking loyalty for family diners.



She told us: &#8220;Dining out together is something our families do together up to four times a month, with a large percentage regularly heading back to tried and tested favourites for one simple reason: the service. There&#8217;s nothing more stressful for parents than heading to a restaurant with the kids that simply isn&#8217;t geared up for the real and honest side of family dining, even if they advertise themselves as family-friendly.&#8221;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-children-your-focus">Making Children Your Focus</h4>



You can do kids eat for a £1 or even boast &#8216;kids eat free&#8217; to get customers through the door. But as Lisa explains it&#8217;s not all about money. Gearing up properly to serve child visitors and putting parents at ease makes it easier for them to spend their cash with you.



&#8220;Our families tell us they&#8217;re often worried about their kids being too noisy, or too messy,&#8221; said Lisa. &#8220;Any restaurant that can help to put parents’ minds at ease and be totally accepting of both these things is certainly likely to be a hit.&#8221;



&#8220;Play areas, activity packs, bringing the kids&#8217; meals out first and space around the table for things like pushchairs are all simple things to implement, but are so often overlooked.&#8221; In fact, <a href="https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2015/10/30/75-of-families-eating-out-in-restaurants-more-regularly">63% of parents prefer restaurants that offer activity packs</a> for their kids.



A pushchair friendly floor layout, plenty of high chairs and kid-friendly cutlery and cups, are practical ways to serve this group of customers before anyone sits down. These initial moments before your guests even browse a menu are crucial in reassuring families that they are in the right place. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-wifi-marketing">Using WiFi Marketing</h4>



At Stampede we work with businesses to ensure their <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">Guest WiFi</a> is set up to help them serve their family customers better. Context is everything when it comes to understanding customers&#8217; dining priorities. 



If someone signs into WiFi you can ask if they are visiting with children and show them relevant offers. You can add this information into your wider service strategy and use your insights to create <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/drive-revenue-and-loyalty-with-personalisation-part-i/">personalised marketing campaigns</a>. Knowing what proportion of custom comes from families and when they visit can help you to make informed decisions and grow your business. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-employees-that-make-a-visit-special">Employees That Make A Visit Special</h4>



You&#8217;re all set up for family-friendly service thanks to the great floor design, menu and entertainment, but to really nail things you need to excel with customer service training. Your employees need to understand the context and priorities behind guests&#8217; visits. 



Is a family looking for a quick and convenient bite to eat after school? Perhaps they&#8217;re hoping for a stress-free trip to celebrate a family member&#8217;s birthday? Encourage waiting staff to build personalisation into their service approach for great table service. They should be able to signpost useful information quickly. 



This means doing things like:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Asking about the reason behind the visit</li><li>Asking about/providing high chairs</li><li>Offering activity packs, crayons or information on your WiFi</li><li>Asking parents if they&#8217;d like children&#8217;s food brought out first and letting them know how long food will take, updating if necessary</li><li>Letting parents know where toilets, baby change, play areas are</li></ul>



It can also be helpful to let parents know if the kitchen can pack food to go. This may prompt parents to order dessert to eat at home later. It can also provide reassurance if a tired toddler meltdown means they want to head home earlier than expected. Omit, the key is to be attentive and offer fast efficient service without rushing diners. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-your-menu-malleable">Make Your Menu Malleable</h4>



A kid’s menu that offers good value signals that you&#8217;re set up for younger guests. However, despite what the adverts would have you believe, not every kid likes to eat chicken nuggets or spaghetti in tomato sauce. Some do. But others like to have exactly what&#8217;s on Mummy and Daddy&#8217;s plate. And while it&#8217;s great to have a balanced menu that encourages little ones to try new things, it&#8217;s also pretty smart to cater to what kids want to eat. This is something many restaurants are starting to pick up on. 



Lisa told us: &#8220;When it comes to the menu, we&#8217;re also seeing a growing number of chain restaurants implementing a &#8216;pick your own&#8217; approach to help meet the needs of fussier eaters.&#8221;



&#8220;The ability to create your own pairings makes it much more likely you can rustle up a meal for every child. But it&#8217;s also great when kitchens can be really flexible or even something as simple as plating up. Carrots stood in hummus rather than on the side can, and has, been the difference between a meal a kid will or won&#8217;t eat!&#8221;



Do you let diners mix and match starters and sides to keep kids happy? Do your serving staff know what type of requests your kitchen can accommodate? If you can magic up their real family favourites and keep kids munching long enough, parents could snatch extra moments of conversation. They might even order dessert.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-you-ready-to-step-up-your-customer-service-for-families">Are You Ready To Step Up Your Customer Service For Families?</h4>



As families’ disposable income continues to be squeezed in line with market pressure on restaurants, now&#8217;s the time to consider: is your establishment truly family-friendly?&nbsp;



<a href="https://h.stampede.ai/meetings/stampede/demo">Get in touch</a> to find out more about how Stampede can help you succeed with your customer service for families.

How to Nail Customer Service for Families [Updated 2022]

WiFi Marketing: 3 Powerful Ways It Can Grow Your Business

Personalisation is an ultra-hot topic in HORECA. There’s no denying hospitality is a human art. The word describes the relationship between guest and host. We know that technology can put the ‘person’ into personalisation. Wait staff ask customers how they like their steak and coffee shops now offer a world of variation on the humble cup of coffee. But should businesses like yours adopt an even more personalised approach? What are the actual benefits of personalisation?







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bolster your marketing efforts</h4>



When you need to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/tracking-digital-marketing-roi/">increase the ROI of your marketing</a>, targeting through personalisation gives you the edge. Tailoring your marketing makes your money work harder. We’ve covered the basics of how to get started with personalisation in Useful data for restaurant marketing. It’s most important to realise that personalisation can help at each stage of the customer journey. It informs campaigns so you use the right tactics to reach and <a href="http://www.hemingwayapp.com/#_msocom_1">influence your audience and boost your engagement</a>. Plus, you can serve your paid social ads, email offers and stories in a personalised way too.&nbsp;



Your personalised marketing efforts shouldn’t stop once a prospect becomes a customer either. By building up a profile of your guests, you know which special email offers will tempt them to visit you. Additional benefit to make it even more personalised, with Stampede, you can even choose to present your guests&#8217; different offers while they’re on site. Our stories feature gives an easy way to entice customers with the right offer.&nbsp;



You may be lucky enough to have great wait staff that get to know your customers, what they like and how to upsell them. But the reality of the hospitality industry is that you lose information when staff members leave. They move onto a new role and take that important customer rapport with them. <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">By collecting the right data</a> to feed into your CRM, you can use personalisation to give all your staff a confident starting point. This makes connections easier to build and maintain.



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/personalise-your-customer-journey-at-your-restaurant/">https://stampede.ai/blog/personalise-your-customer-journey-at-your-restaurant/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Standout customer service</h4>



We recently wrote about personalisation as an important factor in <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-nail-customer-service-for-families/">customer service for families.</a> There are obvious benefits to offering picky-eating kids exactly what appeals to them. But why restrict such choices to children only? You could opt to provide personalisation at the ordering stage, like McDonald&#8217;s. They reported a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">30% rise in order values in US trials of self-ordering screens</a> and these screens have now made their way to the UK. The evidence suggests that when people are able to order something exactly how they like it with less fuss, they spend more. And isn’t smooth service good customer service?&nbsp;



To elevate service through personalisation, businesses can use technology to anticipate and meet customer preferences. This needn’t apply to the menu only. By incorporating order ahead or takeaway options, we give customers more control over their journey. It will be interesting to see if service levels become even more personalised in the future beyond the world of fast food. 



Could you offer customers a cheaper price for ordering via technology at the table? And would this encourage shy customers to order or visit you more? How about giving any noise-averse customers the option to book during a ‘quiet hour’ in the same way travellers can book a quiet coach?&nbsp;



Offering countless variations on every aspect of your menu or service is unlikely to be practical. But simply knowing some preferences are catered for can make choosing your venue simpler for individuals as well as groups. It’s not necessarily about offering overwhelming levels of choice. Customers want to feel listened to and valued. Whether that’s auto-filtering a menu for allergy sufferers or helping those with decision fatigue to make a faster choice. Like the ideal burger, ideal customer service differs between individuals, are you catering to your customer’s needs?&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Personalisation’s business lessons</h4>



You need to have some idea of your customer’s needs and preferences to cater to their personalisation want. But in doing so, you have the potential to gain further valuable information. Offer your burgers with or without gherkins and you may discover most of your customers don’t like them. This will allow you to save on stock and rethink your recipe.&nbsp;



Marketing can also be supercharged when you know what tempts individual and segments of visitors to visit you. You might even choose to use a guest’s previous ordering history to target marketing specifically to them before and during a visit. And you can be sure your message is delivered to them according to their preferences for a better response rate. 



Offer and analyse points of differentiation to see what makes your customers tick. In turn, this should improve your marketing reach, lead to more visits and higher sales. Personalisation can fuel everything from customer acquisition to more effective customer loyalty programmes.



If this sounds a little far-fetched, let us show you how bringing together this information together can be easier than you think. Our solution also integrates with CRM systems to help you better understand each customer journey. Are you ready to create tailored experiences that build loyalty for your business?



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The Benefits of Personalisation for HORECA Businesses

In the last 12 months, over&nbsp;120 million emails&nbsp;have been sent through Stampede across thousands of campaigns.



From all that we learned:



A) That the number of sent emails should be a lot higher, because



B) People often avoid email campaigns because designing them is a headache, and



C) 99% of email campaigns are very similar in design and layout.



 Enter&nbsp;Quick Campaigns&nbsp;🚀 &#8211; taking you from start to sent in just a couple of minutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-works">How it works</h2>



✅ Prompt the builder with your idea ✅ Use the Brand Kit to set your theme for your venue ✅ Choose your audience or segment (or make a new one) ✅ Add some text for the body of the email (you can change the main image too) ✅ Bolt-on a trackable call-to-action button Then hit Send!



It&#8217;s less effort than a social media post, and way more effective at generating bookings and conversions.



Think of it like filling in a form, instead of building a web page with a drag-and-drop designer. Most email campaigns are simple and they tend to be the best at getting the desired outcome.



For those that still want to nurture audiences with rich content, story telling and brand building you can still do all that and more in with Bulk and even Automated campaigns.



Email marketing continues to be one of the best performing channels for any business. Social media algorithms change, new trends emerge, new platforms pop-up. Marketers constantly have to adjust and redesign their approach to stay relevant and appear on feeds. You&#8217;re always renting the audience and fighting for attention.



Your email audience is yours to address as and when you like. Segementation is still your most powerful tool here, whether you send Quick or Bulk campaigns. 



<a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started/marketing/">Stampede is here to help</a> with thousands of ways to build audiences and segments so your message hits the right people at the right time, without slowing you down.







p.s. It&#8217;s never a choice between email or social media &#8211; it&#8217;s always BOTH

Introducing Quick Campaigns

How often should you email your customers? According to research by <a href="https://pos.toasttab.com/resources/restaurant-guest-industry-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toast</a> 34% of consumers want emails from restaurants a couple of times a month.&nbsp;



 To get those two emails in the bag, we’d recommend a newsletter style email to kick-off with a variety of topics, followed by a special offer or&nbsp;promotion email 4 &#8211; 9 days after that.



Tying that promotional email back to the newsletter content will be especially effective at converting readers into repeat customers.



 However, two emails a month can easily get swallowed up in a busy inbox. Let’s look at what else customers might want by email.



 Toast’s <a href="https://pos.toasttab.com/resources/restaurant-guest-industry-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>&nbsp;indicated that the most popular topics are promotions/discounts and relevant updates on COVID-19, but after that people want announcements about new menu items and then birthday coupons.



 We covered <a href="https://marketing.stampede.ai/in-browser?message_id=mkm_a9fea0f4a95da1991ec3c941f9313a32&amp;profile_id=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birthday offer emails</a> a few weeks ago &#8211; with the right technology this can be super high converting email with minimal effort, via <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/automations/#campaigns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automation</a>.



 Menu item announcements are a brilliant opportunity to get creative and experiment with new content formats, such as videos. Likewise, you can increase customer engagement by directing them straight to your social media for more details of your new menu.



Email is an immensely powerful tool to connect with your customers and build a relationship with them that leads to more repeat business.&nbsp;



To learn more about <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#email" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stampede&#8217;s email marketing tools</a>, please <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get in touch</a> with one of our team.

When & What to Send Customers

This week&#8217;s email from KAM-Media put a strong focus on the continued growth of &#8220;hospitality-at-home&#8221; such as meal kits, ingredient boxes and cocktail kits.&nbsp;



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It&#8217;s all go with this trend at the moment, so let&#8217;s crack on with:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-fast-tips-for-hospitality-at-home-marketing">5 Fast Tips for Hospitality-At-Home Marketing</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Add as much detail as possible to your website about the kit(s) </li><li>Make the instructions / tasting notes readily available in multiple locations (website, confirmation email, printed copy in box etc.) </li><li>Create and upload a how-to video as well </li><li>Use a unique hashtag when promoting it on social media &#8211; encourage customers to share pictures using the hashtag </li><li>Utilise all the tools your eCommerce platform has to offer i.e. cross-sell, upsell, abandon cart email automation etc.</li></ol>



And to give you a quick insight on the state of the &#8220;Hospitality-At-Home&#8221; market:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-findings-from-kam-media-s-consumer-poll">5 Findings from <a href="https://tx.contacta.io/email/601be16d808fe3f1685e675c/recipients/601d2d6714f18881ecba3414/viewonline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KAM-Media&#8217;s Consumer Poll</a></h3>



Awareness of what&#8217;s available out there is strong, of those surveyed:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>63% know about cook at home meal kits</li><li>40% have either bought or would consider buying a cook at home meal kit</li><li>44% have bought or would consider a finish at home meal kit</li><li>38% for cocktails at home</li><li>35% for min kegs from a pub</li></ul>



Take a look at the infographic below and head over to their latest email <a href="https://tx.contacta.io/email/601be16d808fe3f1685e675c/recipients/601d2d6714f18881ecba3414/viewonline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a> for additional insight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-1024x575.png" alt="" class="wp-image-19608" width="979" height="549" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-1024x575.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-300x169.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-768x431.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-1536x863.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-1200x674.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-150x84.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-592x333.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-107x60.png 107w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30-160x90.png 160w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screenshot-2021-02-11-at-17.18.30.png 1700w" sizes="(max-width: 979px) 100vw, 979px" /></a></figure>

Quick Tips To Drive More Sales – At-Home Kits

The online space can be challenging. If you thought the competition was widespread in your neighbourhood, then social media might surprise you with its vast assortment of amazing restaurant profiles and active social engagement. As intimidating as <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">social media marketing</a> may be, it’s important that you embrace it, especially if you want your hospitality business to work. 







So, you’ve created your social media profiles, you’ve compiled interesting content to post regularly. Most importantly – you have gathered a collection of high-quality photos and designs to represent your restaurant across your social platforms.



Problem is, now you can&#8217;t get anyone to engage with your profiles.



<a href="https://restaurant.eatapp.co/blog/hashtags-for-your-restaurant">With over 2 billion active users on Facebook and 800 million on Instagram</a>, it’s just a matter of catering to the right audiences and then drawing them in. &nbsp;



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-find-the-right-social-media-channel-for-your-hospitality-business/">https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-find-the-right-social-media-channel-for-your-hospitality-business/</a>



Our secret &#8211; #HASHTAGS



When it comes to having your turn of fame on the internet, then hashtags are your best bet when your focus is to place a restaurant in front of the right audiences. In this article, we will discuss what hashtags are, exactly. We will share some tips on how to choose the best hashtags for your restaurant.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">What are Hashtags?</h4>



Most social media platforms allow you to do three things when posting content, namely:



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Adding a short caption or description</li><li>Uploading a photo or an image</li><li>Adding hashtags</li></ol>



When you add a hashtag to a post, then you categorize your posts. This means that when users browse for something online that’s relevant to your category, then the chances of your very own content appearing on search engines and feeds increases.&nbsp;



For example:



If you use the hashtag #greatfood in your post, then it will stand a much better chance of being discovered by audiences who are searching for “great food”.&nbsp;



Most social media platforms allow you to use more than one hashtag in a post. This increases the chances of your post being found even further. The more your post is seen, the more engagement it will attract.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to Choose the Right Hashtags for Your Restaurant?</h4>



Right, now that you have some basic knowledge on what a hashtag is and how it works (and why it’s important), let’s walk through some steps on how you can choose the best hashtags for your restaurant, coffee shop, or café.&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Do some research into which hashtags your top competitors are using.</li></ul>



Look for posts by popular restaurants and see which ones have the most engagement. Then, take a look at which hashtags are included in these posts. This is a quick way to gather a list of hashtags that have proven to be valuable.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Investigate to see which hashtags social media influencers are using.&nbsp;</li></ul>



Take note of the hashtags that social media influencers in your industry are using. Study the posts of famous chefs and popular foodies to see which hashtags they use religiously. Social influencers are people who have spent years capturing the same market you are interested in, so following their lead makes sense.&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Get to know your audiences and what they are looking for.</li></ul>



If you can define who your audience is, then it’s easy to delve into what it is they’re after. Wi-Fi marketing, for instance, is one tool that can be used to follow customer trends. You can also look at the hashtags your followers are using to get a better understanding of what interests them.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Keep your eye on current trends.&nbsp;</li></ul>



Every now and then, an event or cause will create a stir. Large audiences will turn their focus on these trends and this is the perfect time to create posts around that topic to catch a ride on the wave of popularity.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Need More Advice?</h4>



When it comes to adding hashtags to your restaurant posts, use a variety that will typically fall into the following three categories (let’s assume you are running the Instagram account for an Italian restaurant in New York):&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Large region-specific hashtags.</li></ul>



These hashtags categorise a post according to a broad location you are targeting. They will draw the attention of holidaymakers or nearby “out-of-towners” who may be on the lookout for a place to eat when they decide to visit your neighbourhood. Example: #newyork #thebigapple #nyc



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Smaller region-specific hashtags that relate to your industry.&nbsp;</li></ul>



These are hashtags that feature more specified search terms that are relevant to what you offer &#8211; oftentimes having thousands of posts per tag. Example: #newyorkfood #newyorkrestaurants #italianfoodnyc



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Generic hashtags.</li></ul>



Generic hashtags do not specify a location but focus more on relevant keywords that will apply to your services. Example: #food #whatsfordinner #instafood #veganfood #pasta #pizza



Tip: If you only have one restaurant to market, then combine your smaller region-specific hashtag with a generic tag to create engagement with nearby audiences. Example: #whatsfordinnernewyork #veganfoodnewyork



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">We’ve Got Your Back!</h4>



Here’s a list of effective hashtags that you can use for your restaurant to get you started (just make sure that they are relevant to your post):



#foodie (currently trending)



#foodies



#hungry



#healthyeating



#instafood



#foodgram



#veganfood (currently trending)



#yougottaeatthis (adds a touch of fun and intrigue to your post)



#foodoftheday



* You can use the above keywords and merge them with your location to make them more localised.&nbsp;



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-effectively-design-social-media-posts/">https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-effectively-design-social-media-posts/</a>



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Hashtags are not the only effective technique that can be used for internet and social media marketing. If you want to know more about how you can nurture both <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">online and offline marketing efforts</a> and draw in followers, then please chat to us here at Stampede. Our mission is to provide a level of customer insight and marketing automation that works for businesses in the hospitality industry and beyond.&nbsp;



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How to Choose the Right Hashtags for Your Restaurant Posts

When we welcome new customers to Stampede and show them the marketing feature, there are often&nbsp;3 big questions when it comes to sending times and frequency. So, we’ve gathered these 3 common email marketing questions together and grilled our own marketing team for some answers to share with you.



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<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-when-is-the-best-time-to-send-an-email-campaign">1. When is the best time to send an email campaign?</h4>



No doubt, the right timing has a big impact on the success of your email campaigns.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.marketo.com/articles/the-best-time-to-send-emails/" target="_blank">Research shows</a>&nbsp;that the best sending time for the&nbsp;hospitality industry is between 8 and 10am, whereas&nbsp;marketing emails get the highest results at 4pm. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all time for best email performance. It’ll be specific to your industry, business and customers.



A good starting point is to look into your social media&nbsp;stats&nbsp;to find out when your customers are online and engaging with your content. Historic email data, especially your open rates, also give you a hint on which times usually work best for you.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bluecorona.com/blog/mobile-marketing-statistics/" target="_blank">Around 75% of consumers will access their emails on their phones</a>. Think about when your customers might check their inbox during the day and are most likely to have time to read it. This will probably be at times before work, during their lunch break and after work/late evening. However, the right time also depends on the customer demographic, e.g. families have different daily habits than business people.&nbsp;



The&nbsp;actual email content matters&nbsp;as well. Your longer monthly newsletter is something your customers can read after work or even during the weekend. Whereas your short and punchy lunch offers will ideally land in their inbox around the time people start thinking about where to go for food.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. Which day is the best to send emails?</h4>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.marketo.com/articles/the-best-time-to-send-emails/" target="_blank">Statistics show that Tuesday and Thursday</a>&nbsp;are in general the best performing days of the week for emails.&nbsp;



However,&nbsp;always consider your content and its relevance. Are you trying to fill in empty tables due to cancellations? Or are you trying to promote any upcoming events in the next month? Regardless, you should always send time-sensitive offers based on their own timeline before considering overall industry best practices (ideally within your ideal time slots).&nbsp;



And again, dive into your own data and compare different weekdays to the weekends to see where you can get the best responses. You can also start your own A/B test and experiment with different days. Social media analytics will also provide you with the days of the week.



There’s only one golden rule for days:&nbsp;avoid public holidays&nbsp;if you can.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. How many times a month is considered the optimum for emailing customers?</h4>



The important bit here is to&nbsp;be consistent&nbsp;and to come up with your own schedule. If you do it randomly, you might end up sending too many or not enough. Watch out for increasing opt-out rates, this is a sign of emailing too frequently. And always bear in mind,&nbsp;only send out emails that provide value&nbsp;to your customers and not just because it&#8217;s time to send one.



Your loyal customers especially will appreciate tailored offers and updates coming through on a more regular basis. They’re highly engaged and want to hear from you.



Your schedule could be weekly, bi-weekly or only monthly. You could, for example, do a monthly newsletter recap about your company and send out emails with offers in between whenever relevant.



Need a hand with <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing/#email">sending your emails</a> to your customers?&nbsp;Or got more questions around email marketing? <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with our team.

3 Big Hospitality Email Marketing Questions Answered

The acceleration of technology over the last decade has left <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/a-guide-on-current-hotel-industry-challenges/">no industry untouched</a>. With an explosion of online travel agencies (OTAs) creating both opportunities and threats for independent hotels. The process that many customers now use to choose and book a stay away from has changed beyond all recognition. There are still ways to encourage direct bookings vs OTAs and plenty of reasons to do so, which we will explore in this article.&nbsp;







On the one hand, OTAs offer a unique channel for promotions and market access. The volume of traffic they command gives independent hotels the opportunity to get offers out in front of thousands of potential customers who might never otherwise encounter their service. 



On the other hand, competition is often ferocious. Many independent hotels find this becomes a disheartening “race to the bottom”. The only winners in this scenario are those willing to cut their profit margins to the bone. With some operators apparently willing to boost occupancy at almost any cost.&nbsp;



The obvious benefit of direct bookings is the fact you won’t have to pay a commission to a third party. It’s all between you and the customer, giving you far more scope to make a healthy profit. Also, you have full access to your customers&#8217; data, which otherwise would stay with the OTA. Allowing you to get back in touch with your guests.



With this in mind, let’s explore some tried-and-tested ways that you can boost your direct bookings and drive up profits for the months ahead. 



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/new-tech-friend-or-foe-for-independent-hotels/">https://stampede.ai/blog/new-tech-friend-or-foe-for-independent-hotels/</a>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">User-test your website</h4>



Did you know that <a href="https://www.edhotels.com/80-hotel-bookings-made-mobile-devices/">up to 80%</a> of hotel reservations are made from mobile devices? Despite this statistic, many hotel websites make it difficult to make an online reservation from a phone. User test yours to make sure that you can easily and quickly make a reservation from your smartphone &#8211; if you’re not getting as many direct bookings are you would expect, this could be a prime reason.&nbsp;



Customers are increasingly impatient. If your website isn’t properly optimised for mobile or lacks a touchscreen-friendly booking engine, then they will abandon their attempt to reserve a room at the first hurdle. Similarly, test that your website loads quickly. As many as <a href="https://www.pegs.com/blog/10-reasons-why-hotels-must-embrace-mobile-optimization/">49% of visitors</a> will abandon your website if it doesn’t load within 8-10 seconds.&nbsp;



Finally, the phone number on your website should be a clickable link for mobile users. So that they can call you with one touch rather than having to dial the number manually. Again, the easier you make it for people to get in touch with you, the more calls you will get. It sounds simple, and it is… But it’s surprising how many don’t take this basic step of testing their website as a customer would have to use it. 



Make sure that you check your website from a user perspective regularly. At least once per month &#8211; and it should also be the first thing you do if you notice a sudden fall in direct bookings that wasn’t expected.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Make full use of Google My Business</h4>



Speaking of resources that are often not taken full advantage of. Have you registered your hotel on <a href="https://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/business/">Google My Business</a>? It’s free, and it’s packed with a host of tools that you can use to help you get more visitors to your website. Ultimately, more direct bookings as a result. Not only will visitors to your area see a full detailed listing on your business when they search for “hotels” within Google Maps, but you can also display special offers, weekly menu updates, photos, and much more.&nbsp;



Again, although this tool is available to all hotels, it’s surprising how many don’t take full advantage of it. Make your Google My Business page a “favourite” on your browser and set a weekly reminder to add new content to it. Respond to reviews that you receive; even negative ones can be turned to your advantage with a little skill.&nbsp;



Keeping your Google My Business page updated with seasonal opening times, latest menus and special offers will boost the overall traffic your website receives. As well as increasing it’s SEO ranking (increasing the likelihood of getting to that coveted front-page-of-Google result for certain keywords!)&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Take advantage of changing habits by using Influencer Marketing</h4>



People’s leisure habits have changed remarkably over the last decade. In 2011, traditional TV consumed over 4 hours of time per day on average, whereas social media consumed just 90 minutes. By 2021, it is estimated that this statistic will have been turned on its head. With traditional TV relegated to less than one hour per day, and social media accounting for over 3 hours!&nbsp;



You can take advantage of this change by utilising <a href="https://goatagency.com/">Influencer Marketing</a>. This method of getting your hotel’s brand in front of a new audience allows you to micro-target very specific demographics. It can often be surprisingly cost-efficient when compared to other forms of advertising. Best of all, you can tie in a special offer to your influencer marketing campaign. This allows you to accurately measure the exact return on investment.&nbsp;



This marketing route lifts you right out of the run-of-the-mill comparisons that afflict OTA websites and allows you to package a stay at your hotel as an experience in its own right, rather than just a convenient stopping-off point to grab a quick sleep before heading out again.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Capture the email address of drop-in visitors &#8211; and turn them into repeat customers!&nbsp;</h4>



Did you know that a major source of direct bookings could be literally walking in (and out) of your front door as you’re reading this? Every day, people use your reception and bar/restaurant for business meetings, as a place to catch up with their emails or grab an after-work drink with colleagues. By utilising <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">WiFi marketing</a>, you can capture their email address and entice them to return with some carefully selected offers. 



Want to learn more about WiFi Marketing? Get in touch.



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These drop-in visitors could be your best source of direct bookings, as they already know the location of your hotel. They have had a chance to sample your friendly, efficient service. Thus, they are more likely to be tempted to return by an offer of a free extra night or a free room upgrade. Best of all, when you email these previous visitors, you are not competing with anyone else for their attention. You have direct access to their inbox, and a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/email-marketing-tips-for-the-hospitality-industry/">carefully-crafted email campaign</a> can be used to woo them to return again, and again!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bringing it all together&nbsp;</h4>



We’ve explored four different methods, from basic to advanced, for helping balance the volume of direct vs. OTA bookings your hotel receives. While the proliferation of online competition might appear disheartening for independent hotel owners, there are ways you can turn the tide in your favour. Which combination will you choose to make your next year more profitable and rewarding?



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/10-tips-on-nurturing-customer-loyalty-in-the-hotel-industry/">https://stampede.ai/blog/10-tips-on-nurturing-customer-loyalty-in-the-hotel-industry/</a>



Stay tuned for more articles to help you grow your business. Or join our email list to make sure you never miss out.&nbsp;

Direct Vs. OTA Bookings – Getting the Right Balance for Independent Hotels

As the internet gets “bigger” there’s a constant need for how we interact with it to keep up in performance. People want more, and they want it faster than ever.



Keeping that in mind &#8211; plus a few prickly real-world experiences &#8211; our teams have just completed upgrades to our guest WiFi service.&nbsp;



A great WiFi login is butter smooth, lightning fast, beautifully branded and tastefully personalised. Our latest update levels up all these areas.



Many of you reading this will know that <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">guest WiFi</a> was where <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/">we started back in 2015</a>. Our founder Patrick knew there was a better way to get customers online in hospitality venues. We’ve grown since then, but that mentality is still our driving force.



The other driving force is time. We’ve done this update now (Oct ‘23) so that Stampede users and their customers get the most from the upcoming “golden period” of Christmas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-highlights">The Highlights</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speed">Speed</h4>



Three times faster. Or 320% faster to be more accurate. That is the headline result of our recent performance improvements. Customers get online quicker, even in low bandwidth areas.&nbsp;



This results in fewer complaints to staff and less time spent dealing with IT companies. It also means more customers will opt-in to your marketing &#8211; an ideal way to grow your mailing list. <a href="#technicals">Read on</a> to dive into the technical details.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-branding-and-design">Branding and Design</h4>



Consistent branding for your business across all pages with our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/updates-september-2023">newly released brand kits</a> &#8211; you can read up on them here. Loading, welcome and email validation screens all support brand kits too.&nbsp;



This makes the entire experience more brand-focused, increasing customer recall and making your retention marketing more effective.



A lot of you ask about custom fonts &#8211; this update makes them now available on your WiFi portal and other screens, as per the brand kits.



Lastly &#8211; we’ve made the WiFi service more easily accessible for international customers without the need for them to choose language manually. Using the devices’ locale we automatically change the language in the portal. It’s a nice touch for those of you with regular international customers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-note-on-paid-wifi">A Note on Paid WiFi</h3>



We’re still supporting many businesses who offer a paid WiFi service, and have dedicated a large amount of effort in this update to improving that side of our guest WiFi.



Using paid access we have supported £1.28m for customers across 59,600 unique payments since starting.



To improve the user experience, the updated paid access now looks and feels like a modern e-commerce shop. The goal is to make it easy for more users to get online in these use cases.



Behind the scenes, we have completely refactored the integrations between PayPal and Stripe to give the whole system a fresh start.



Device management on paid access has historically been problematic for some businesses and users. This has also been reconfigured to make it easier for guests/users to share paid access between accounts.



<code>&lt;a name="technical</code>s&#8221;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-technical">Getting Technical</h3>



If you’re here then it’s time to get into the details. How have we taken world-class guest WiFi and made it even better?



Pre-generated everything



We are now pre-rendering every splash page before guests’ devices to speed up loading times. This is also done in all supported languages (14) which means &#8211; at the time of writing &#8211; we’re generating ~80,000 WiFi login pages before people even log in through them.



Bundle size&nbsp;



As all page generation is pre-generated the bundle size of our WiFi feature has decreased. To load a full page now requires ~140 KB of bandwidth &#8211; it used to be 430kb minimum. This means that WiFi portals will load quickly even in the most challenging connectivity environments.



Event-based



The WiFi feature has been moved into its own dedicated infrastructure which means API calls are entirely independent of other Stampede services. Interconnection between this service and Stampede still happens. This dedicated resource simply acts like a unique power source so it no longer shares power with other Stampede functions.



Client authentication



For true cloud-first WiFi hardware vendors &#8211; like TP-Link and Ubiquiti &#8211; we are now authenticating the guests server-to-server, previously done via client-to-server. This drastically speeds up authentication time, getting users online faster.



Streaming components



Components that affect page load speed like the phone number input, Apple Sign-in and Stripe checkout, are now being <a href="https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/routing/loading-ui-and-streaming#what-is-streaming">streamed into the application</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signing-off">Signing off</h3>



There’s no doubt that this is a significant update. It wouldn’t have been possible without the feedback and input from our customers and partners, so a massive thanks to them.



The depth and detail of this update tell us that even the best always have room to improve. Don’t get too comfortable with the status quo, someone else will be moving the needle elsewhere.



If you want to explore any of these updated features in <a href="https://product.stampede.ai">your Stampede account</a>, or to upgrade your existing guest WiFi, <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started">our team is here to help.</a>

October Update – 3x Faster Guest WiFi and more

So you&#8217;ve just opened your first coffee shop. Besides awesome coffee, you wanted your business to be a place where people could meet and chat about the pressing issues of the day. Sort of a modern day salon, if you will. You did everything a good coffee shop is supposed to do &#8211; order the latest in Sumatran Dark Roast, obtain sweets from your favourite local baker and, of course, install some WiFi for your customers.

The only problem is that your coffee shop has become a haven for hipsters working on the latest draft of their screenplay. Instead of lively conversation, everyone in your shop is staring at their laptop screens and silently typing away.
So what&#8217;s the solution? How can you get your customers talking and still keep your business going?
You could do what a lot of <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/we-dont-want-to-be-an-office-cafe-owners-are-pulling-the-plug-on-wifi/article34859828/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coffee shops are doing these days and turn off the WiFi</a>. This will keep your business moving but might run the risk of alienating your customers and peg you as a Luddite.
Here&#8217;s a better solution: let your customers use your WiFi for free &#8211; at first &#8211; then ask them to pay. Hey &#8211; there&#8217;s no such thing as a free lunch, right?
<h2>Setting Up a Paid or Hybrid Network</h2>
But how to go about setting one of these networks up? With Stampede, it&#8217;s as easy as flipping a virtual switch.
Using Stampede, you can setup a wholly paid network, that is, one where your customers have to pay to access the WiFi for a set period of time. The other solution is to setup what is known as a hybrid network. In this type of network, your users are free to browse the internet until they&#8217;ve used up a certain amount of data &#8211; how much is up to you. Then they&#8217;ll be asked to pay for their connection. This is a great solution for keeping those bandwidth hogs off your network and has the added bonus of not penalising the people who wanted to stop by for a coffee and to quickly check their email.
<h2>Supercharge Your Marketing</h2>
Ok, so you&#8217;ve got the bandwidth hogs under control in your coffee shop. That&#8217;s a start, but that&#8217;s not the coolest feature of Stampede. That&#8217;s right. There&#8217;s more!
See when your customers want to access your WiFi, they&#8217;ll first need to login through what is known as a captive portal. This is a splash screen that appears on their device as soon as they fire up the WiFi. Your customers will need to enter their email address on the captive portal in order to be able to access the network.
And that email address, my friend, is gold. Because you can now use it to market to your customers. How so? How about this &#8211; let&#8217;s say one of your customers hasn&#8217;t visited your shop in a while, so Stampede automatically drops them an <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">email or SMS message</a> letting them know about some of your latest creations and includes a coupon for a discount. Magic? Nope, that&#8217;s Stampede.
And it doesn&#8217;t stop there &#8211; the sky is the limit as to what you want to do. That&#8217;s because Stampede also includes Zapier integration so you can connect Stampede to your favourite marketing and productivity software like MailChimp, Slack, Trello, Dropbox and hundreds more.
<h2>Bandwidth Hog Hunter</h2>
So stop those bandwidth hogs in their tracks by setting up paid or hybrid networks in Stampede. Just click below to get started!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Paid and Hybrid WiFi Networks with Stampede

One prominent trend in the hospitality industry is the rising&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://mailchi.mp/exp101/good-morning-ring-an-old-friend-today?e=68c993fe11" target="_blank">customer demand for personalisation</a>. Personalisation is your key ingredient to creating a&nbsp;memorable customer experience. An experience that makes customers come back and spread the word about you.



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 Simply put, personalisation is an easy and straightforward way to stand out, increase your sales and grow your business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-you-should-focus-more-on-personalisation">Why you should focus more on personalisation</h4>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.revinate.com/blog/infographic-personalization-struggle-hotel-marketing/" target="_blank">62% of customers say they have recommended, chosen, or paid more for a brand that provides personalised service</a>.



It’s time to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach many businesses still rely on. Customers want to be understood as individuals and served according to their needs.



Data helps you to unlock the huge potential&nbsp;for a personalised experience. However, gathering data often raises concerns around security and the assumption that customers would not want to give their details away.



Despite that, recent studies have shown that&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.fsrmagazine.com/expert-takes/diners-crave-personalized-experiences-are-you-delivering?fbclid=IwAR3vB4e9iY0arMVdccpQQjmj99MSe0_HZn087oYLY-7vbAyxKtEZ0kApFvA" target="_blank">84% of customers say they trust restaurants with their personal data if it translates to a better, more personalised experience</a>.&nbsp;



So, make sure to use the data and derive real value from it to create targeted and relevant offers.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="how-to-grow-your-business-with-personalisation">How to grow your business with personalisation</h4>



Personalisation is not only about satisfying your customers&#8217; needs. There is more it can do to grow your businesses.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="foster-customer-loyalty">Foster customer loyalty</h5>



Personalisation is the foundation of your relationship building. If you greet your customers by name whilst already preparing their favourite coffee it might not be a big deal for you. But will definitely be remembered by your customers. Think of how Starbucks is applying this principle by calling customers by their first name when their order is ready.



The same applies to keeping track of dietary requirements and food preferences to adjust your personalised menu recommendations accordingly.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="increase-revenue">Increase revenue</h5>



In addition, remembering customer preferences based on past purchases gives you an easy&nbsp;opportunity to upsell. You know what they like, so why not proactively offer it to them when taking their order.&nbsp;



Also, email campaigns that include&nbsp;personalised offers and deals come with a much higher conversion rate (up to 6x). Start building customer mailing list segments based on transactional behaviour, interactions and demographics to better tailor your campaigns.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="boost-word-of-mouth">Boost word of mouth</h5>



We all like to share special moments with others. So whenever you exceed your customers’ expectations chances are that they will recommend you, post about you and leave a positive review. This will, of course, bring in new customers.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="improve-operational-efficiency">Improve operational efficiency</h5>



 If you know what customers want and like you can&nbsp;better predict trends. Give them more of what they like and take unpopular items off your menu. This will also help you towards better inventory management and further reduce costs.



 Watch out for <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-bring-customers-back-using-customer-data-and-personalisation-part-ii/">Part II of this blog article</a>, about what is needed to create a personalised experience, including some inspiring ideas.



Need help sending out <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/">tailored email &amp; SMS campaigns</a>?&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request" target="_blank">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;with one of our&nbsp;team who are happy to run you through it.

Drive Revenue And Loyalty With Personalisation [Part I]

Who handles your restaurant&#8217;s marketing and PR? Does your restaurant chain have someone Instagram-ing in head office? Maybe you have an agency that manages your press and social profiles? Or do expect your manager and their team to generate the hype? If marketing and PR isn’t anyone’s remit right now, you’ll definitely want to read this. In this post, we&#8217;re talking through the pros and cons of trusting people inside and outside of your business to keep those customers coming.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



Your General Manager



In single-venue HORECA restaurants businesses, marketing and PR often fall to the General Manager. Even in chains, managers are frequently expected to take the lead on promotions and events. Your manager should know your business and customer base inside out. But let&#8217;s be honest, depending on their background, they may not be particularly qualified to carry out your marketing. 



General Managers who are ideas people are likely to have good suggestions for plugging gaps in custom or attracting new diners. But do they know how best to reach those people or how to get ROI from your PR and marketing budget? And do they really have the time to dedicate to executing proper campaigns? Managing social media profiles, organising press nights and planning events is time-consuming. There’s no denying that General Managers tend to be an incredibly dedicated bunch. But with all the operational stuff to deal with, it&#8217;s hard for a General Manager to run promotional efforts to their full potential. And of course, there&#8217;s the important issue of their work-life balance to consider too.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Staff Members</h4>



There are some pretty attractive advantages to keeping marketing and promotion activities in-house. Your staff should know your brand, offering and customers better than outsiders. If you have someone on-site handling things it&#8217;s easier to be reactive too. For example, you can advertise availability following a last-minute table cancellation. Or you could promote a particular dish or drink that matches the weather forecast, something that’s tricky to plan in advance.



You find you already have some staff members with useful marketing and PR skills. Is one of your team studying <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">photography</a> or into blogging? Encouraging staff members to combine an interest in marketing with a front of house or junior management role can prove savvy for smaller businesses. 



This way, the people at the heart of the action are those driving marketing. Being able to grow your marketing and PR efforts in-house like this can be a real plus when you’re <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-take-perfect-food-image-for-instagram/">working with a limited budget</a>. It also has the potential to guide an individual’s self-development as they acquire other marketing and PR skills.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Dedicated Marketing Manager</h4>



In independents with several sites or chains, it’s much more common to find dedicated marketing and PR manager. These guys plan communications and promotions across venues while applying brand consistency. If your business isn&#8217;t quite at this stage yet, having a dedicated marketing person might seem like a big financial commitment, but it can actually offer really good value. You know that the person in charge of your marketing dedicates all their time to drive your business and brand forward. 



According to <a href="https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salary/Restaurant-Group-Marketing-Manager-Salaries-E10835_D_KO17,34.htm">Glassdoor</a>, the average salary in the UK for a Restaurant Group Marketing Manager is between £36,000 and £39,000. A manager working with one site would command substantially less. Take the time to set goals and track ROI of your hire and you’ll see how much value they bring to your business.&nbsp;



The actions of a good marketing and PR manager ought to win you consistent custom as well as coverage. And with time to dedicate to individual events and campaigns as well as an overall strategy, you should find marketing and PR types feed trends and market insights back into your business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Marketing or PR Agency</h4>



If you want to work with someone or a group of people who have marketing or PR skills and experience but would prefer not to commit to employing your own member of staff, hiring a marketing or PR agency is a common choice. You can hire an agency or freelancer to work on your business launch or on a specific campaign such as a new menu launch or event promotion. Or, you might opt to work with them on a retainer basis.



Narrow the field by working with people who have a specific focus on hospitality and you should expect to benefit from their established network of press and influencers. You’ll also want to be reassured that they have plenty of ideas to help your business shine. But can anyone external to the business fully get what it’s about? Vickie Rogers, Managing Director at&nbsp;<a href="https://northpr.co.uk/abouthttps://northpr.co.uk/about">North PR</a>&nbsp;thinks that hiring a professional is often the key to telling the best stories for your audience, something that’s often easier when you’re on the outside looking in.&nbsp;



She told us: “Owning a restaurant/bar/cafe in this day in age is hard. It&#8217;s an incredibly competitive market and customers are much more picky about where they spend their money. You have to shout louder and with more compelling stories than the place next door.&nbsp;&#8220;



“I personally think that freelance/agency PR/social support for restaurants is a really cost-effective way of getting an experienced team who can develop campaigns that deliver. You don&#8217;t know what you don&#8217;t know, and many businesses don&#8217;t tell the right stories about their business. Creating a compelling narrative that &#8216;turns on&#8217; their customers, sometimes, can only be unearthed by an external independent team.”&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Super-charging your efforts</h4>



For many restaurants, the biggest factor in deciding who handles marketing and PR inevitably comes down to budget. When a restaurant or bar is starting out they often rely on the General Manager or team members to do most of the everyday promotion. They may bring in agency specialists for important campaigns. It’s when a business goes multi-site that they’re likely to hire a group restaurant manager and step their efforts up. Whichever avenue you head down, the key to getting the most for your money is to consistently set clear goals and continually measure progress. 



It’s also important to use all the tools at your disposal. As Vickie points out – you don’t know what you don’t know. At STAMPEDE WiFi, we work with businesses of all sizes to use analytics and data to supercharge their marketing efforts. Whoever is handling your restaurant marketing and PR, our experience shows that the right data can help direct your marketing budget more effectively and keep customers coming back.



Find out how STAMPEDE can enhance your marketing and customer experience<a href="https://stampede.youcanbook.me/">.</a>



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Who Should Handle Your Restaurant’s PR and Marketing?

With restrictions easing and working from home guidance changing across the country, a large number of people will start to return to offices soon. This means a big source of trade is starting up again with people commuting to work and back. And not forgetting all those potential customers working in offices close to your business.&nbsp;Increase your daily foot traffic with our marketing tips and tricks. 



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To make the most out of this regained foot traffic, you should rethink your offers and marketing promotions and start reaching out to this “new/old” audience.&nbsp;



People&#8217;s behaviour has changed in the last 18 months. Chances are that they might have gotten used to their new routines of preparing food at home. So, it’s up to you to remind them to re-establish their old routines.



We’ve come up with 4 promotional ideas to help you increase your daily foot traffic:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-promotional-tips-to-boost-sales-from-commuters">4 Promotional Tips to Boost Sales from Commuters</h5>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-get-the-messaging-right">1. Get the messaging right</h5>



Most of us have a certain morning ritual. And for many people, this used to be a quick on-the-way-to-work meal and/or coffee to go.



With working from home, those breakfast sales, which usually come with a big profit margin, have suffered a lot. A similar situation happened during lunchtimes.&nbsp;



To get people back into their old habits, you have to really tap into the benefits. How much more convenient and tasty for customers to stop by your venue instead of having to prepare it all at home. Here&#8217;s some inspiration:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>“Save valuable time in the morning”</li><li>“We’ve got breakfast sorted for you, so that you can sleep in a little longer”</li><li>“Start off your working day with a proper cup of coffee”</li><li>“We’ve got you covered for lunch, no more weekly lunch planning needed”</li><li>“Same daily question, what’s for lunch today? But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Simply pop by …”</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-introduce-grab-and-go-menus">2. Introduce grab-and-go menus</h5>



<a href="https://www.restaurantware.com/blog/post/how-to-build-a-grab-and-go-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches or snack bites</a> are great to satisfy the needs of busy workers to get an instant feed. Plus, they help you to take off some stress in your service and kitchen operations during peak times, as you can easily prepare them in advance.&nbsp;



To <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/loyalty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost sales further</a>, combine them with an enticing offer or introduce a “grab and go” only daily special. Think about incorporating food &amp; dietary trends in your boxes to make them more attractive.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-create-after-work-buzz">3. Create after-work buzz</h5>



Happy hours are a classic promotion to bring in after-work crowds. We all love to meet up and unwind with co-workers and friends after a long day at work.&nbsp;



Discounts on drinks (2-4-1) and appetisers, special prices for selected food and drink combos, small plates or shareable snacks are just a few ideas for your happy hour.



Those deals are known to work well to give your bottom-line a profit boost. To make your happy hour a success, create a special menu based on your most popular, high-margin items.&nbsp;



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-promote-office-delivery">4. Promote office delivery</h5>



You’ve probably used the past year to ramp up and optimise your delivery business. Now you only need to promote it to offices around you.



Think about offering package meal deals and discounts for group orders. You might as well start off with a “free delivery” promotion to offices close by.&nbsp;



Also, make sure your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/get-found-by-more-customers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google My Business is up to date</a> so that your venue will show up in “near me “ searches.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonus-tip-run-a-business-of-the-day-promotion">Bonus Tip &#8211; Run a “Business of the Day” promotion</h5>



This can help you to <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/loyalty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turn your neighbours into regulars</a>&nbsp;and spread the word about your business.&nbsp;



Simply pick a nearby business and provide them with free/discounted food/drinks or let them test a sample lunch menu. Alternatively, you can run this as a social media competition for local businesses to take part in (&#8220;tag your co-workers and lunch buddies!&#8221;) to win a special deal.



Turn all this extra daily foot traffic into loyal customers who visit time and again with our <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/loyalty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital stamp card</a> solution. <a href="contact@stampede.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reach out to our team </a>to find out more.&nbsp;

4 Promotional Tips to Increase Your Daily Foot Traffic

Infographic Buying Behaviour Social Media

Infographic: The Influence of Online Reviews and Social Media on Customers’ Buying Behaviour

Summer is a brilliant time for the hospitality industry. For starters, the nights draw in a lot later and the weather is warm. Both of these factors make it easy to boost trade in the evenings, none more so when it comes to hosting customers outside. It’s a unique time of year where we all feel more relaxed. What about giving your restaurant outdoor seating space a little boost and make the most out of it this summer?







Plus, with the copious amount of bank holidays, customers are more likely to arrive in large groups and stay out for longer. Summer is also a time when many sporting events happen, making beer gardens or outdoor seating a desirable location.



There are, of course, some stark differences when it comes to seating customers inside a restaurant compared with outside space. What needs to remain the same, however, is providing the same excellent customer experience.



Further reading: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/6-restaurant-sales-promotions-which-ones-right-for-you/">https://stampede.ai/blog/6-restaurant-sales-promotions-which-ones-right-for-you/</a>



If you are interested in learning how to make the most of your restaurant outdoor seating space this summer, here are our top tips.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Give Your Space A Makeover</h4>



The great British weather can take a toll on the exterior of your premises. So if you are planning on hosting guests there, it will take more than a few tables and chairs to brighten the place up. Simple things such as a jet wash over patios along with a fresh lick of paint on fences and walls can make a huge difference. It’s also a nice idea to <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d12527182-Reviews-The_Ivy_City_Garden-London_England.html#photos;aggregationId=&amp;albumid=101&amp;filter=7&amp;ff=267262682">add hanging baskets or similar biophilia too</a>. If you’re going to be serving food outside, ensure the area is clean and appetizing. It should also comply with health and safety regulations too.&nbsp;



Aside from the obvious though, your outside space is a chance <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=outdoor%20restaurant&amp;rs=typed&amp;term_meta[]=outdoor%7Ctyped&amp;term_meta[]=restaurant%7Ctyped">to inject some personality and character</a> into your restaurant. Current interior design trends include rustic pieces such as exposed brick or timber. By keeping things simple, you can actually create a modern and inviting space for your summertime guests. 



As the environment is also on our minds too, <a href="https://inhabitat.com/sparkman-wharf-cargotecture-restaurants-revitalize-tampas-water-street-neighborhood/">recycling or ‘upcycling’ pieces can work well for your outdoor spaces</a> too. The benefit of reclaiming old pieces is that it can be quite cost-effective. Especially when most pieces may only need slight tweaks to make them ready for use. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Food Trucks</h4>



Outdoor eating, drinking and socialising brings about a whole new experience for your customers. So why not experiment with how you serve your dishes? Food trucks are perfect for this, especially during the summer. Whether you create your own grill or pizzeria or even collaborate with other food providers to offer your customers something different. It can create a really new and interesting experience for your diners. After all, who doesn’t love a burger van <a href="https://www.gravyandcustard.co.uk/crumbleshack">or even apple crumble served out of a truck</a>?



For example, if you own an Italian restaurant, why not have an Italian food festival? With great weather, food and music you can really create a buzz in the local community. Your restaurant could provide the main meals, and food trucks stationed outside could serve gelato. Food trucks also have huge social media appeal, especially as they are less formal than a sit-down meal. You could also buy your own food truck and take it to local events or festivals to spread the word about your restaurant.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Entertainment</h4>



Alfresco dining creates a serene ambience that we only have for a few months out of the year in the UK, so as a restaurant you should definitely capitalise on this by providing entertainment. For example, live music would work perfectly in courtyards or even beer gardens.



You could <a href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/summer-restaurant-events">also experiment with themed nights</a> such as an outdoor cinema club or a games night. Table tennis or pool tournament would be a great idea too and is really easy to set up. Don’t forget to offer a prize for the winner!



Outdoor entertainment can also extend into your functions too. Given summer is home to both wedding and prom season, this is the perfect opportunity to utilise your outdoor areas to cater for large crowds. If your restaurant has sliding doors that lead to your outdoor space, you can merge the two spaces. 



This will also give you the option to create different zones for functions, such as the dance floor outside and the buffet inside. If your restaurant also has stunning views overlooking the coast or city, this would make your outdoor areas even better for providing entertainment too. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h4>



UK summertime may be short-lived, but that doesn’t mean you can’t harness the abundance of potential that alfresco dining has to offer. Whether your restaurant or pub already offers outdoor dining, or if it’s something you are considering, it’s definitely worth getting on board with. After all, the sun brings people out to enjoy themselves. Why not let them do so in your fantastic restaurant?



However, in order for your restaurant outdoor seating area to be a real success this summer, you need lots of customers to visit it. Here at Stampede, we provide businesses with <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/gathering-the-right-data-for-your-restaurant-marketing/">customer insights based on their Guest WiFi connections</a>. Allowing you to market your restaurant, along with your outdoor summer events. 



Plus, if your customers are on the WiFi at your summer dining experience, this creates the perfect <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-importance-of-user-generated-content-on-social-media/">content to share on social media</a> &#8211; helping to promote your business further. 



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How To Make The Most Of Your Restaurant Outdoor Seating Space In Summer

Today, online reputation is everything. Within this, TripAdvisor and Facebook can be seen as the major players in the hospitality reputation space. But online reputation is also probably the most difficult thing to control. Once something is published online, it stays there. What if there would be a way of controlling it through your offered Guest WiFi?







<h4 class="wp-block-heading">The importance of online reputation</h4>



When asked by TripAdvisor, 93% of customers said that online reviews impact their booking decisions and that 53% of customers say they won’t visit a venue that doesn’t have any online reviews. 



Additionally, a study by Cornell University found that a 1x increase in a venue’s average user rating on a 5-point scale makes potential customers 13.5% more likely to come along. 



It’s pretty clear that <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/">online reputation</a> should be a critical objective for any business operating in the service industry. Especially, as online reviews affect bookings, revenue and much more. Both in the positive and negative direction. So, getting the control back over your online reviews and hence reputation should be your utmost goal.



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<div class="wp-block-media-text" style="grid-template-columns:38% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-1024x768.png" alt="Reviews-feature" class="wp-image-13241" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-1024x768.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-300x225.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-768x576.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-150x113.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-560x420.png 560w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-900x675.png 900w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-592x444.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-80x60.png 80w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more-120x90.png 120w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Addons-reviews_more.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Get the control back over your online reviews.



<a href="https://stampede.ai/reviews/">Check out our Reviews Feature.</a>
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In order to get the most accurate picture of your guest experience, it’s important to get as much guest feedback as possible. As your online reputation is mainly built based on this feedback. However, if you don’t have your customers&#8217; contact details, how can you do this? 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Boost your online reputation with your Guest WiFi</h4>



Well, one obvious way is having an automated solution, integrated with your guest WiFi. This would allow you to send emails / SMS to your customers, asking them to review you on TripAdvisor and like you on Facebook. Pretty straight forward. 



With <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/">Stampede</a><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/"></a><a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/"> Guest WiFi</a>, you offer your customers a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">great WiFi experience</a> whilst they are on your premises. In addition, Stampede now has an integration that will automatically email guests after they have left, encouraging them to leave an online review on TripAdvisor and like you on Facebook. Also, it&#8217;s entirely up to you if you want to send this notification directly after they&#8217;ve left or an hour or so later.



On top of that, Stampede customers have experienced a 200% increase in Facebook likes by offering a smart guest WiFi solution.



Do you want to achieve the same results? Why not contact Stampede and start increasing your online reputation and <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-wifi-can-help-boost-guest-reviews-of-your-venue/">get more TripAdvisor reviews</a> and Facebook likes?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#schedule-demohttps://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a></h2>



Or sign-up for a free trial today. Boost your online reputation by using your Guest WiFi.



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Improve Your Online Reputation Through Guest WiFi

Stampede Data	Storekit Data	Campaign Idea
Reviews – filtered by less than 3 stars	High spender	Win-back campaign
Reviews – filtered by 4 and 5 stars	High spender	Thank you offer or referral deal
Reviews – not left one yet	Last visit = yesterday	Review request
Not a stamp card user	High spender or frequent visitor	Sign-up deal – double stamps
Active stamp card user	High spender or frequent visitor	Thank you offer or referral deal
Upcoming booking	Not used order and pay app yet	Sign-up deal – % off your first order
Frequent booker	High spender	Thank you offer or referral deal
Upcoming birthday with Guest WiFi data	Frequent visitor	Birthday discount
Upcoming birthday with Guest WiFi data	High spender	Birthday discount or party booking offer

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