How do you use suggestive selling to increase catering revenue?

Before suggesting anything to your customers, understand what you offer and who you're serving. Research your products and services—know their features, benefits, prices, and how they suit different occasions and budgets. Also, learn about your customers—their needs, goals, expectations, and pain points—and how your catering can help. Gather information using open-ended questions, surveys, feedback forms, and reviews.

To increase catering revenue, start by identifying popular products through sales data and customer feedback. Tailor offerings to meet customer preferences and trends. Segment customers based on demographics, behavior, and preferences to personalize marketing and promotions. Utilize targeted advertising and promotions to reach specific customer segments. Offer incentives such as discounts or loyalty programs to encourage repeat business. Regularly analyze sales data and customer feedback to adjust offerings and strategies accordingly, ensuring continued growth in revenue.

When you initially start working with someone, you need to ask questions to understand what their needs are. I joke with new clients that I am going to interrogate them, but it's my job to make sure I give them the best level of support. They will often laugh (because I use a lot of humor in what I do) and be willing to answer some questions. Each interaction encourages someone to keep using you or to move away. If you are pushing things they don't want/don't need, you will not be seen as a trusted advisor and they may stop using you at all.

To increase catering sales revenue... Start by analyzing current customer data to identify patterns and preferences. Look for triggers such as seasonal events, holidays, or corporate milestones. Utilize market research to identify emerging trends and unmet needs. Develop targeted marketing campaigns and promotions tailored to these opportunities. Strengthen customer relationships through personalized communication and loyalty programs. Offer flexible catering packages to accommodate various budgets and event sizes. Continuously monitor and adjust strategies based on feedback and performance metrics to maximize revenue growth.

Once you understand your products and customers, look for chances to suggest extra or complementary items. Opportunities arise when you can add value or convenience, like offering dessert platters, beverage packages, or special deals. Triggers are signals that show customers are interested or ready to buy more, such as asking for recommendations, expressing satisfaction, or agreeing to a proposal.

Timing and tone are key for effective suggestive selling. Suggest items when customers are receptive, not too early or late, to avoid making them feel pressured. Use a friendly, helpful, and confident tone instead of sounding pushy or desperate. Highlight the benefits and value with phrases like "You might also like...", "This would go well with...", or "Many of our customers enjoy...".

Caterings definition : A gathering of mass volume of people for a purpose which requires Venue/F&B/Entertainment. A good catering selling point is PACKAGING everything together and saying " don't worry we got all that covered for you" . Organisers rather leave that headache part of planning to the end user rather than doing all the research and maths.

Suggestive selling isn't one-size-fits-all. Tailor your suggestions to each customer's needs, preferences, and feedback. Avoid suggesting irrelevant or expensive items, as this can hurt your credibility. Instead, focus on relevant, suitable, and appealing items, explaining how they enhance the experience, solve problems, or meet goals.

To increase catering revenue through suggestive selling, actively listen to customers' needs and preferences. Tailor suggestions based on their requirements, offering complementary items or upgrades. Address objections by empathizing with concerns and providing solutions or alternatives. Highlight the benefits of additional offerings, emphasizing value and quality. Continuously refine your approach based on customer feedback and preferences to maximize success.

Suggestive selling is a two-way conversation. Listen to customers' feedback and address their questions or objections. If they decline, don't take it personally. Ask why and offer alternatives that might work for them. If they accept, thank them, confirm their order, and ask if they need anything else.

Suggestive selling in catering involves tactfully recommending additional items, services or upgrades to customers. Firstly, understand your clients' needs by asking questions about their event. Then, suggest complementary items like appetizer platters, desserts, or beverage packages that enhance their menu, or more elaborate set up or decor. Use persuasive language to highlight the benefits of these add-ons, such as convenience or value. Additionally, offer package deals or discounts to incentivize larger orders. Finally, train your staff to seamlessly incorporate suggestive selling into customer interactions, ensuring a positive experience that encourages repeat business.