Easy E-Marketing

摘要

One line from the Disney classic "The Little Mermaid" sums up technology today: "I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty." With cell phones, iPhones, Blackberries, laptops and PDAs, many people are constantly connected to the world electronically. The good news for foodservice operators is that all these technological toys provide additional marketing avenues for them. E-newsletters: A popular and relatively easy way to reach customers electronically is with an e-newsletter. At the 569-bed DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Dexter Hancock, director of nutritional services, uses a weekly e-newsletter to reach nearly 5,000 employees across the health system's four hospitals. "We needed to start promoting nutrition education and healthy eating," Hancock says about why he started marketing with the e-newsletter. Sensible Selections, the hospital's healthy line, is highlighted in each issue, as is each week's specials. Once a month, guest chefs from local restaurants are invited to cook at the hospital, and this event is also promoted. Sales have increased about 12% since marketing in the e-newsletter began.