15h • Marketing Tips
The "Ghost" Goldmine: How to Bring Back Customers Who Stopped Visiting
Every restaurant has them: The "Regulars" who just stopped coming in. They didn't have a bad meal; life just got busy, they forgot about you, or they tried the new spot down the road.
It costs 7 times more to get a new customer than to bring back an old one.
If you have a database (email or SMS), you are sitting on a goldmine. Here is the "Win-Back" system to reactivate those "ghosts" this week.
1. The "We Miss You" Rule
Don't send a generic "Check out our menu" blast. You need to make them feel noticed.
The Segment: Filter your list for anyone who hasn't visited in over 60 days.
The Strategy: Use a low-friction, high-value offer that expires quickly to create urgency.
2. The "Short & Sweet" SMS/Email Script
People are busy. Your message should take 10 seconds to read.
The Copy: "Hey [Name], it's [Your Name] from [Restaurant Name]. We realized we haven't seen you in a while and we miss having you at the table! Use this code: MISSYOU for a free [Appetizer/Drink] with your next meal. Valid until Sunday!"
3. The Expected Result
A well-timed win-back campaign typically sees a 5-10% return rate. If you message 200 "ghosts," that is 10-20 tables filled that would have stayed empty.
The "Win-Back" AI Generator
Don't know how to word it? Use this prompt to create a 3-part sequence that brings them back without sounding desperate.
[PASTE THIS PROMPT]
"Act as a Direct Response Marketer for a restaurant. I want to create a 'Win-Back' campaign for customers who haven't visited [Restaurant Name] in 60 days.
Please write:
One Short SMS (max 160 characters) with a clear 'We Miss You' offer.
One Subject Line that gets an 80% open rate.
One 'Personal' Email that sounds like it came directly from the Chef's personal phone, offering a [Specific Menu Item] as a gift for returning.
Tone: Warm, personal, and urgent."
P.S. In the Restaurant VIP GROUP, members get my Win-Back Automation Sequence—a series of 3 emails and SMS messages that run on autopilot the moment a customer hits the "60-day ghost" mark.
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The "Ghost" Goldmine: How to Bring Back Customers Who Stopped Visiting
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