Have you received good press for your food truck business? If not, keep reading to find out how you can without breaking the bank.

Over time, more and more small business owners have grown skeptical of paid advertising, this has been clearly shown in the food truck industry. Industry professionals understand that what consumers read in their local and national papers is more effective food truck marketing.

A news story or magazine article generates far more credibility than any paid ad ever will. Furthermore, for the cost of a newspaper ad, you could host a food truck event or put on a publicity stunt to create more credibility.

Getting Good Press For Your Food Truck

Good places for exposure include:

  • Industry and trade publications *cough*mobile cuisine *cough*
  • Business journals
  • Local newspapers
  • Regional magazines
  • Food truck blogs
  • Local radio stations
  • Local television stations

Remember that press can be both good and bad. If your food product or service isn’t consistently high quality, the press you receive will only hurt you. Before you begin any type of public relations campaign, make sure that your menu and service are in order.

Making Your Food Truck Newsworthy

The best time for your food truck to make the news is at the time of your truck’s opening. However, if you are creative, you can continue to create newsworthy stories long after the hype of your grand opening has faded.

Here are some ways to get in the news beyond your original launch:

Food Truck Events

By hosting or even attending a food truck event, there is a good chance you will get a mention in the “events” section of the local newspaper, at the very least. Good ideas for events include fundraisers, concerts, tastings, competitions, community or school events, parties and classes.

Donate to Charity

Give a portion of your sales to a local charity or host a fundraiser. It is important that the community see your food truck or cart as a positive presence. You should work with the nearby community and consider donating something to local schools, campaigns and charitable events.

Even if the donation does not get you any press, the community will notice, and some of them will thank you for it by following your truck, and spreading a good word about you to their friends and family.

Related: Food Trucks Fight Hunger

Put on a Publicity Stunt

Some of the most famous publicity stunts have created a lot of national press. For example, Taco Bell offered everyone in America a free taco if the falling Mir space station hit their floating target. While you probably cannot pull a stunt of this magnitude, you can use guerrilla marketing techniques to get some press and incite local interest.

Make Creative Changes

Anything you can do to make yourself unique is potentially newsworthy. For example, you could get a lot of press by switching to eco-friendly operations and marketing a green food truck, or by introducing a radical new dish, to your menu. Other changes to consider include adopting a unique style of presentation, redesigning your truck’s wrap with a crazy new theme.

Write Articles

Offer to write a story or give a recipe to a local paper or magazine. Focus on getting in the “food” section.

Create press releases or stories about your truck or cart. For example, a Spanish themed truck operation could promote itself through a story about the Spanish tradition of tapas. Perhaps your chef (you if that is applicable) has an interesting background, or maybe your menu offers a one-of-a-kind experience not seen from any of your competitors.

There is bound to be something unique about your mobile food business, and getting your story out there is one of the best ways to propagate a marketing buzz that will attract both old and new followers and customers.

Related: Submit your story to Mobile Cuisine

Impress a Food Critic

You should make a point to learn about the nation’s most famous food critics as well as any local or regional food critics. Give them a good reason to visit your food truck by offering a unique or especially perfect dish.

If they do come to you, give them special treatment, but do not overdo it. Make sure that you serve them a quality meal. A bad review from a food critic will definitely hurt your business.

Related: Impressing the Mobile Food Critic

The Bottom Line

Getting good press for your food truck is probably the most effective way to market your mobile food business. Do not make the mistake of spending all of your money on paid advertising, when a good PR campaign will bring a much bigger return on your investment.

How do are you getting good press for your food truck? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section or on social media. Facebook | Twitter