How to Successfully Advertise Your F&B Business in Hong Kong

When deciding how to advertise your business in Hong Kong, it's very important to first determine who your target audience is. Depending on the type of demographic your business is aiming to capture, your advertising strategy will vary drastically. The below 5 advertising methods may just help your business reach thousands more potential customers and see your revenue shoot up in the long-run.

1. Newspapers

Hong Kong has a plethora of newspapers that circulate almost every morning. Most newspapers in Hong Kong have their own dedicated advertising sections where businesses can create adverts of varying size and content. For example, a newspaper like The Standard is a great way to gain widespread reach in Hong Kong, as it is distributed for free at just about every MTR station and crowded district. Newspapers like the South China Morning Post are subscription-based and are more internationally-acclaimed. Advertising in this type of newspaper does not necessarily have the wide reach of a newspaper like The Standard, but it will reach a higher-end demographic, which could be perfect for your business.

2. Public Transport

We've all seen those famous bus adverts of tutors with dramatic names and even more dramatic poses. The thing is, such adverts are extremely effective. Putting out an advert in MTR stations, on double-decker buses or on Hong Kong's iconic trams could be a great way to ensure people know about your business. Before deciding to shell out any money, though, it's imperative to select the location/s that your advertisement will have maximum impact in. For example, if you own a restaurant on Hong Kong island, it would be far less effective to advertise on a bus route that services Yuen Long in the New Territories. 

3. Social Media

We currently live in a digital age, and not opting to advertise on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram could cost your business plenty of potential customers. This method of advertising is especially effective when it comes to the younger generation, though Facebook is used by a wider age group than Instagram. One of the best things about advertising on social media platforms is that you can tweak where your advert is seen, choose specific age ranges and even narrow it down by profession. You are also able to be flexible with your budget and alter your strategy as time goes on.

4. Apps

We're not suggesting you go out and build your own app. Rather, we're saying that advertising in certain Hong Kong-based apps could be a great way to get your business some extra traction. For example, the KMB Bus App is used by a large percentage of Hong Kong people to check bus arrival times and find the most convenient bus route from place to place. before getting into the app, there is usually an advertisement. However, good apps to advertise on are not limited to just transportation ones. Food apps, such as OpenRice, are also great for advertising in. 

5. Magazines

Hong Kong produces several magazines that are available for purchase or for free. Advertising in magazines likely won't net your business quite as many views as other forms of advertising, but the conversion rate from a view to a sale might be higher. For example, the ferry from Central to Discovery Bay has its own magazine called Around DB. If you own a business in Discovery Bay, it's very likely that you'll gain a lot of new visitors if you advertise in that particular magazine. The AmCham magazine targets a specifically expat audience in Hong Kong, and is a great resource if your business is aiming to attract that type of demographic. Magazines also sometimes let business publish an editorial about themselves for a fee. This can also be a great way to gain views since some readers skip the advertisement sections in magazines. 

Bonus: Websites

Many websites have a 'classifieds' section that allows and encourages Hong Kong business owners to advertise their businesses for free. These classifieds are sometimes a great way to attract a specific type of customer. For example, GeoExpat and AsiaXpat all have classified sections. Content-based websites, like Sassy HK, are also great ways to ensure your business generates plenty of traction, though those usually require you to pay for adverts.