Advertising on paper placemats in restaurants

[seesen9]

I belong to a networking group and last night someone suggested printing our ads on placemats and giving them to local restaurants to use. We have a graphic designer and a printer in the group so it should be pretty cheap.

Some members (including myself) had reservations about this type of advertising. I personally don't think my business will get a lot of calls from the placemats.

We agreed to do research and find out how this worked for other people. So if anyone tried placemats - your feedback will be appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[Transitional CatBunny]

depends on how the placemats are presented. One of our local sit-down style restaurants has their placemat designed as a 'game' with 5-10 simple questions on a tear-off sheet on the side of the placemat about the businesses represented on the placemat itself. The ones that are filled out and turned in are put into a drawing for a free meal from the restaurant, or a service or service discount from one of the advertisers. It did wonders for a friend's new nail salon last year, and I plan to get my mini card placed on the mat during the next rotation.

 

[unoriginalady]

One of my therapist friends gets an ad put in the newspaper every week, even though she never gets any calls from it. Her theory is that she just "wants her name out there" so that people recognize it, and even if she doesn't get any calls directly from it, it's valuable in that sense.

Perhaps you could apply the same theory?

Sorry, but I haven't tried placemats. Though, sort of similarly, I would like to get on the map of our town. It's a touristy place and they have these free maps everywhere with ads on all sides. I think that'd be a good place to be.

 

[maxmom]

Thought this topic sounded a bit familiar...

Perhaps this old thread will help:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10278

 

[I love yanking your chain]

One of my therapist friends gets an ad put in the newspaper every week, even though she never gets any calls from it. Her theory is that she just "wants her name out there" so that people recognize it, and even if she doesn't get any calls directly from it, it's valuable in that sense.

Perhaps you could apply the same theory?

And that would be Newton's Third Law of Wasted Money?

The only value in someone recognizing your name is if it results in calls.

As for placemats -- think about what dining establishments use paper placemats and the associated clientele/price point.

Compare that to the demographics of your practice.

You will probably find you are way over the mark.

Chili's and other mid-scales - that may attract your clients - are corporate owned and don't permit 3rd party placemats or what not

 

[homedman]

As for placemats -- think about what dining establishments use paper placemats and the associated clientele/price point.

Compare that to the demographics of your practice.

You will probably find you are way over the mark.

ditto. that's why I had reservations.

 

[DAT DUDE OUTTA BK]

Advertising on paper placemats in restaurants

I belong to a networking group and last night someone suggested printing our ads on placemats and giving them to local restaurants to use. We have a graphic designer and a printer in the group so it should be pretty cheap.

Thank you.

Is that even how it is done, when restaurants do have placemats with advertising on them? I would assume they sell the ads and get the printing done themselves. IF the group decides to do this, before spending the money on the placemats, design and printing, contacting the restaurant and confirming that they would use them would be wise. Otherwise, only the graphic designer and printer make money.

But no, that wouldn't be my choice advertising. I guess I'd go with it if the fee was very small and the group decided on it. Once, anyway, lol.

 

[gws35]

The idea was to give the placemats to the restaurants for free. That's why they would use them. The restaurants that came up in the discussion were all diners or supper clubs. High end restaurants have tablecloths, not paper placemats.

 

[SirSys]

The idea was to give the placemats to the restaurants for free. That's why they would use them. The restaurants that came up in the discussion were all diners or supper clubs. High end restaurants have tablecloths, not paper placemats.

I saw that part...but I'd still ask the restaurants first! I can see too many of them rejecting it regardless of it being free. They have their own placemats and reasons for what is on them.

 

[vinay_6543]

Advertising on paper placemats in restaurants

So if anyone tried placemats - your feedback will be appreciated!

Feedback - I did this for a Wings -n- More back in 1996. Never got a single client from it. But, it made me feel good. I liked my ad and it was fun. *chuckles*

 

[stephpenk]

Ever been to a restaurant who had advertisements on their paper placemats?

Here's my impression: T.A.C.K.Y.

Do you want that impression associated with your business? As people spill food on your ad and leave it for the bus boy to throw away? If they ever bothered to read it?

A very successful massage business in my area won't repeat any type of ad if it costs more than $20 for each NEW client resulting from that promotion. They have become very savvy with their dollars, and it shows.

 

[Daniel - Mr. Ripley]

Think of it this way.....

Have you ever seen a business advertised on a placemat and went to that business? I haven't.

 

[Qatie]

Thank you everybody for your feedback. I am glad to hear that I had the same reservations. The first image that popped in my mind was a food spill over my logo. I work hard to get respect for myself and my business. At hte meeting I noticed the chiropractor did not look too thrilled either.
Here's what our prez found about placemats:
Unfortunately I couldn't find any specific "success" or "closing" rates. However, I did undercover some other stats, such as:

* they have a readership rate of 85%

* 76% remember an ad they saw on a placemat vs. 44% from a newspaper

Still, I don't want to do it.

On the other hand, I know an MT who advertises in bathrooms at several local bars (seriously) . You know, they put ads in the stalls.
For a good time, call...just kidding