Pub Promotion on a Budget

These days, punters want all the bells and whistles. If you're short on pub promotion ideas to make people aware of you, your location, and why they need to come down and grab a pint or two, read on and we’ll give you our best, budget-friendly tips.

The cheapest ways to promote your pub

Here are our most cost-effective ways to promote your pub and get people through the door.

Competitions

A great competition is to get people to tag your pub on social media in order to win a prize. They can tag your account in posts or stories featuring them frequenting your establishment, eating food or having a drink.

This way, they are going to be at least one-time customers and have to spend money when they visit to be entered. Then, you can pick a winner for the prize.

You can offer a bar tab for a specific amount, a complimentary bottle of wine, a discount off their next meal (such as half price, a party package, etc). You can even give them free entry into your next quiz night, and Quiz on Demand is ready to help you get started hosting these!

Reviews and content from your patrons

UGC is ‘User-Generated Content’ and is content your patrons create and share on social media while at your pub.

This option doesn't even involve you putting your hand in your pocket. It simply means that you need to be the best at what you do to encourage people to create content at your pub and share it online with their audience. 

From here, you can share the content created with permission. The UK has thousands of influencers who are always looking for new places to scout out across the country, and if you offer exceptional food, drink or service, this can entice them your way. 

If you're good at what you do, reviews online - either on your website, your social media accounts, or third-party review sites - can also help boost your pub promotion.

Nail your unique selling point

One good way to boost pub promotion, gain visibility and tie in with the above point is to have a hook, a USP (Unique Selling Point) that is uniquely yours.

It can be that:

• You offer special deals at certain times

• You serve cocktails on Friday night

• You have a signature drink or meal

• Your pub might be renowned for its live acts, karaoke or quiz nights

• You might be a local name for your ability to pour the perfect pint of Guinness

Whatever it is, your USP is going to help sell you and your pub for increased pub promotion.

Social Media

A few of the above points tie into social media, but honestly, if you're looking for cheap and cheerful ways to promote your pub, social media is the way forward. It is low cost overall; it mainly costs time to create the content. 

If you can get your content going viral in your local area or beyond, then you can solidify your place in your local community as the watering hole to frequent.

You can use all social media platforms to share anything you want; the more personal and relatable, the better. You can share your specials of the day, you can share tasters for special events, advertise rooms for hire, host virtual quiz nights using the quiz packages curated by the team at Quiz on Demand or anything else you wish.

These ideas, while not exhaustive, are simple, cost-effective and can be easily implemented. So, don't hesitate. Start putting them into action and see the positive impact they can have on your pub's promotion.