Budget-consicious Marketing to Kids and Families

In a recent online article called "Marketing Value in Kids Meal Toys" the author makes the excellent points that we at Kidzsmart love to show clients: that by marketing intelligently to kids, you reach the entire families. And that paying attention to your youngest visitors pays off in the long run.

His article concerns a discussion he had with a mid-sized restaurant chain and the reasons why it's crucial to make family marketing part of your overall plan.

A kids' meal program is about empowering the young consumer to make their own decision and providing them with menu options that satisfy their selective appetite.

So, what did this particular chain of restaurants decide to do? They realized there was a need for a program - but they left the plastic, high-end pull-backs for the McDonalds and the Burger Kings of the world. They will concentrate on making their brand stronger while incorporating a kids meal program - the addition of a different menu that targets specifically two different age groups. They have taken this concept a step further and to offer a kids menu and a teens menu as they realize that they have enough of an audience that could further benefit from this new addition.

Will it work? I believe it will. I truly think that unless they want to stop doing business 10 years down the road they need not to forget the young clients. They are the future of their business. They are the ones that will come back to the stores by themselves and eventually with their families. They will remember who served them well and who didn't. I know this stands true at a personal level. I clearly recall who treated me like an important client in my younger years and who simply brushed me off because I could not reach the counter.

Good advice. Now just be sure to point out how much MORE traffic they can generate once the parents know that there's a fun, educational activity book to help entertain the kids while they're eating!