In 2000, Merrill Lynch sponsored a poster ad campaign to advertise 30 restaurants, owned by foreign immigrants. The $100 million, nationwide campaign was called ?Only in America!?, and brought an estimated $40 million to $60 million in free advertising to each of the 30 sponsored restaurants., and none of them paid a dime.

Every entrepreneur should take advantage of whatever free, or nearly free, advertising they are offered. Not everyone will fall into a restaurant marketing opportunity like this 30 did, but there are other ways to get your restaurant advertised free, or nearly free. Other restaurant entrepreneurs have, and will be able to take advantage of this type of advertising, and so can you.

The first rule in the success of any business is: you need to advertise if you want to get customers into your establishment before they can purchase your services or product. Even if you have a limited budget, you still need to advertise or your business will suffer.

If you are operating on a tight budget, it is especially important that your restaurant business stands out from all others. People need to see your restaurant as a special place to try or frequent. You can try to barter with local artists and art directors to work for you as a side job, for a reduced rate. You can also offer free meals to them, and one friend.

If an artist charges $150 per hour when at work, he/she may be willing to take a partial payment in cash, and the rest of the amount in a barter. You will offer them meals as a way to make partial restitution for their work. You can work things out with talented people and pay much less for your advertising copy. You will both be doing each other a service, and this is a great way for the beginning restauranter to start with quality advertising until the advertising budget increases.

Smaller restaurants find it difficult to get customer favored brands at a reasonable price. Vendor discounts are not available to smaller establishments the way they are with those who operate hundreds of restaurants. You need to be creative and convince food and drink vendors that your unique restaurant will be a good choice for them to be associated with.

If your restaurant caters to children, you may have your eye on a particular brand of ice cream that the children love. Show the vendor that while you will be able to order a great deal of product, you will add the name brand of the ice cream to your advertising, which will be a great boon to their business. Above all create a good relationship with your vendors, you might find out what their family likes and send a unique gift to one of their children, they will see it will be of value to be associated with your restaurant.

Restaurant marketing is not just about getting cheaper advertising, but also should involve giving back to the community. Get involved in the community, be vocal about community concerns. If you are quoted by the press in an article about the closing of a plant, you and your establishment will be named as a contributor.

You can sponsor events such as little league teams, charity events, city festival events, you may even want to sponsor a block party with other business owners. There are many different creative ideas you can come up with if you put on your thinking cap. Why not ask a few bright friends over one evening for wine and cheese, and have them help you to think of ideas for your restaurant marketing?