9 Social Media Marketing Tips for Restaurateurs
What exactly is social media restaurant marketing and how can it benefit your business?
Well, at its core, social media management for restaurants is crucial for building and expanding your customer base. Social media has revolutionized the way we interact with each other and has completely transformed the way businesses in all industries operate and connect with their customers. This is particularly true for restaurants, which is why having a presence on social media is no longer a choice, but a necessity.
Here are some interesting insights from a recent survey regarding the impact of social media on diners’ choices:
- 36% of diners follow restaurants on social media.
- 45% of diners have tried a restaurant for the first time due to a social media post made by the restaurant.
- 22% of diners have been convinced to return to a restaurant because of a social media post.
Importance of Social Media Strategy
With more and more restaurant customers embracing the digital world, it is essential to establish an online presence and identity that sets you apart from the competition. Here are some key goals that your social media strategy should aim to achieve:
- Providing information and encouraging open communication with your customers.
- Giving your restaurant the opportunity to be discovered online.
- Allowing you to showcase your delicious food and mouthwatering recipes visually.
- Adding a sense of professionalism and credibility to your restaurant.
In today’s digital age, it is crucial for your restaurant to utilize social media not only as a marketing tool, but also as a means to maintain open lines of communication with your valued customers.
How to Utilize Social Media for Your Restaurant?
Restaurants utilize social media to engage with customers in exciting, informative, and innovative ways. Here are a few examples of how restaurants can utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and others:
- Share mouth-watering images of dishes
- Update seasonal, daily, or weekly menus
- Feature user-generated content
- Interact with customers through engaging social media content
- Share cooking tips and recipes
- Provide sneak peeks with behind-the-scenes photos and videos
- Spotlight staff members such as chefs, servers, and bartenders
- Announce changes in operating hours or new locations.
Social Media Marketing Tips for Restaurants
1. Post consistently: Consistent posting is key to keeping your restaurant top of mind. Aim for at least three times a week to maintain engagement. Need content ideas? Share gift card promotions, daily specials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and community involvement.
2. Re-share user-generated content: Encourage user-generated content by showcasing photos and stories shared by your customers on social media. Search for content through location tags, hashtags, mentions, and tagged posts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Encourage customers to share by offering incentives in-store.
3. Showcase your team: Highlight one team member weekly. Let them share insights about their role, favorite dish, about the restaurant, and a fun fact to showcase their personality.
4. Create unique branding: Having a consistent brand image, including colors, themes, and style, helps customers recognize your brand easily. Make sure to maintain this consistency on all your social media platforms to attract customers who appreciate your unique aesthetic. This unique branding sets you apart from the rest.
5. Presence on multiple platforms: Operating across many social media platforms available can help you reach a wider audience by utilizing Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. However, it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity. If managing multiple platforms becomes huge, focus on a select few. The great thing about social media is the ability to repost content, saving time and effort.
6. Engage with the following: Building a connection with your followers is important. Interact with their posts, reply to their comments, and address any inquiries they have in direct messages.
If someone shares an Instagram story featuring your restaurant’s food, share it on your own story too. This not only shows good etiquette but also helps your followers feel more connected to your brand.
7. Go for paid ads: By boosting specific posts, you can reach a larger audience. Don’t think social ads are just for big companies, any medium to large restaurant with a budget can use this strategy to increase engagement, brand recognition, and website traffic. Collaborating with a food blogger or influencer can also help expand your reach. Depending on their following, you could connect with new customers you wouldn’t reach otherwise.
8. Respond to reviews: Responding to customer reviews on all platforms is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation. Whether it’s good or bad, acknowledging their comments shows you care. For negative reviews, apologize and offer a way to address their concerns privately. For positive ones, express gratitude and consider showcasing them on your website to highlight your restaurant’s excellence. With Marketing Platter, you can boost your reviews in a single tap.
9. Utilize seasonal trends: Make the most of seasonal trends and holidays on social media by adapting your approach. Highlight your seasonal menu items and popular ingredients. Post attractive pictures of your outdoor areas to attract customers. Remember to advertise special offers and promotions for holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter etc. to increase your restaurant’s visibility and appeal.
By following some of the tips we mentioned above, you can increase your confidence and engagement. Remember, there are various ways to connect with your audience. Be creative, take risks, and have fun while being on social media.
Running a restaurant is a challenging task, and social media marketing only adds to the complexity. This is why having a reliable POS system is crucial.
Reach out to us today & get a complete POS system for your restaurant business