Marketing a restaurant, whether it is small or large scale, can be difficult.

Using the old mainstays, yellow page ads, newspaper, TV and radio, without incorporating a little creativity can just end up being costly and ineffective.

If you can catch the mind-set of doing things just a little different than your competion. Take a self analysis are your doing what every body else is doing?

Do something different...

AND start Developing an open mind.

Here are some getting started tips to get your name out there without breaking your bank.

First of all, people need to know the business is there. It doesn't matter how warm and cozy, or how great the food is, if nobody is there to enjoy it.

The restaurant needs a sure identity, and then it needs to be out there. A large sign with an eye catching logo is important.

A memorable slogan or phrase plays a large part in getting the public to think about your place. Some smaller businesses have succeeded in creating a jingle that is appealing and stays with the potential customer.

A local pizzeria manufactured a jingle with the phone number to the place as the catchiest part of the tune.

Nobody has to fumble with a phone book to call for delivery because anyone who's heard it, knows the number (and tune) by heart.

Post flyers at grocery stores or other places that are free and legal. Bring takeout menus to local businesses with a small sample of your best dish

Unique is a key and doing it right as a team makes it powerful

Once your name gets out there people need to have a reason to come. Define what it is that sets your restaurant apart from your competitors.

Without being too gimmicky, be the "best" at something, and the only way to do that is to keep everything simple and focus on quality and truly be the best at it.

And making sure all your team members are on the same page...

Entertain

There are other ways to get people in the door without solely focusing on the food.

Events can be held at the restaurant, whether it is live entertainment, open mic night, a wine tasting, or joining up with a local charity to host a fundraiser, pick something that fits with the atmosphere you are trying to portray, and have fun with it.

The more people through the door the more sales are rung in at the register.

Get Involved

Reach out to your community.

Sponsor a little league team. Chances are if the restaurant is kid-friendly, you will have a packed house after every game. Donate time or money to local charities.

Build a float for local parades, rent a slot at a local festival and serve the tastiest menu items, or work out a deal with the high school athletic boosters and sell some items at athletic games, giving the boosters a percentage.

The more the businesses name is seen and food tasted, the more chance people will walk through door.

Using a more traditional marketing avenue like print is possible without breaking the budget if you choose the appropriate publications and times of the year.

Some towns publish dining guides, with restaurant menus, which are usually distributed as inserts in the local newspaper, to hotels, area business, and the local chamber of commerce.

Radio and television ads can be costly and have become less effective with new technology like commercial free satellite radio and TiVo.

Using more budget friendly guerilla marketing tactics can ultimately bring about word of mouth which is the best possible source of advertising available.

When people begin telling their friends about your place, their friends tell their friends and so on. It just grows.