A great meal should not be the last time a customer hears from your restaurant.

Restaurant email campaigns give you a direct way to invite previous guests back, without waiting for them to see a social media post or walk past your door.

Give each email a clear purpose: introduce a seasonal menu, fill a quiet midweek service, promote an event or highlight a customer favourite.

Birthday messages and timely updates for customers who have not visited recently can also reach people when they have a reason to book.

Send relevant offers to the right customers, make booking easy and avoid relying on discounts when a new dish or special occasion offers enough appeal.

Measure bookings rather than just email opens.

To get started, find an underbooked service in the next four weeks and send previous customers one compelling reason to return.

Want to turn more previous customers into repeat bookings? Read the full article for practical email campaign ideas you can put to work in your restaurant.

Someone could pass your restaurant three times a week and still never notice it.

Restaurant signage is local advertising you already own, but it only works if people can see and read it quickly.

Approach your premises from both directions, as a customer would, and check whether the name, type of food and entrance are obvious.

Look for trees, parked cars or neighbouring signs that block the view, then repeat the test after dark.

Faded lettering, broken lights and cluttered windows can also make a poor first impression.

You may not need a new sign: cleaning it, improving the lighting or adding a clear description of your restaurant could help.

Keep your name and branding consistent with what customers find online, so they can recognise you later.

This week, cross the road, spot the biggest visibility problem and fix that first.

Could your restaurant be losing customers before they even reach your door? Read the full article for practical ways to improve your visibility and attract more passing trade.