According to a survey done by Sprout in 2016, approximately 75% of people who made a purchase done so because they saw it on social media. Around 60% of that population saw the product around 2-4 times before they were convinced. With these numbers, there is no doubt that social media presence makes a huge impact on people’s purchasing decisions. So, if you are running a restaurant, social media marketing for restaurants is not an option, it is a requirement.
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Can Owners Afford Not to Do Social Media Marketing for Restaurants?
With the internet being the biggest marketing medium in today’s generation, people are starting to ask if it is possible to not make the transition. While some restaurants may have survived, the general consensus is that it is unlikely. Almost everybody is on social media, let alone on the internet. Not getting seen in the social media world is a huge market lost.
In addition, most people now source their information from social media. If you aren’t in the platform, there is little to no chance that you will get seen. The logic is that, people can’t buy what they don’t know exists. With features like commenting, messaging, and sharing, social media is the most ideal place to have widespread reach. If you aren’t there, your competition is definitely outweighing you.
So, the question is not if you should be getting into social media, but rather how should you get started. You hear it again and again, but the topic is so vague that you don’t know where to start. It may sound simple, but with the wide range of possibilities, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Fortunately, here are 10 social media marketing for restaurants tips that everyone should know.
Tip # 1: Know Your Platform for Social Media Marketing for Restaurants
As you would know, there are more than one social media website. You need to look for the ones suited for you the most since not everything is created the same. Using more than one is ideal, allowing you to have a wider reach. However, how do you know that a social media site is the right one for you?
Understand your market
Who are your potential customers? Who are you marketing to? Knowing the marketing preferences of your audience gives you an idea which platform is more suited for them. If they are into content, then go with Facebook. Photos? Instagram. And so on.
Your Knowledge
Use a social media platform which you are knowledgeable in. If you are not able to utilize a platform’s features, you are not using it to its full potential. Facebook for example has a wide suite of post scheduling, audience reach features, and data tracking. Begin with the ones you are capable of using and then learn your way up on other platforms.
Tip # 2: Social Media Marketing for Restaurants Capitalize on Content Activity
Social media marketing is not just about showing your audience what you have to offer, but to consistently engage them. If you want to keep their attention and loyalty, constantly give them something. If you don’t have any more products to advertise then write articles, post business-related photos, and so much more. The core principle is that you are becoming a part of their lives, making it hard for them to separate from your brand and restaurant.
Tip # 3: Use Quality Photos for Your Social Media Marketing for Restaurants
Just like the words you use on your posts, make sure that your photos are of quality. Don’t just take mediocre images that seem they are out of an early 2000’s camera phone. Use proper lighting, angling, and color science. How appealing your photos are reflect your appeal towards your audience. If possible, hire a professional photographer. Whether it may be product photos or behind the scenes, images should be properly made.
Tip # 4: Engage with Your Audience
Remember that you are using social media, there are a lot more features than just marketing. Make use of them such as messaging, replying to comments, and so much more. If you want your followers to stay, you need to make them feel that they are a part of something more. Ignoring their engagement could potentially lose their trust. Remember to:
- Reply to messages and inquires.
- Answer negative comments in the comments section as best as you can. Reverse a negative impression with how you deal with it.
- Conduct surveys and engage with interactive questions.
Tip # 5: Allow User-Generated Content
Your social media content shouldn’t be always about you and what you have to say. If there is something that potential customers are likely to listen to, it would be the sentiments of their co-customers. What this means is that allow people to leave a review or a feedback and make sure to highlight it as content in your page.
Tip # 6: Digital Promotions is a Must for Social Media Marketing for Restaurants
Remember a time when businesses used to give out printed coupons to passers-by? The problem with that is most of them end up not using them. You are marketing to a population that is not even interested in your restaurant. Now that you have a social media page, transition from that to digital promotions. It is likely to gain more engagement, have a wider reach, and your marketing penetrates the most vulnerable population.
Digital promotions are so effective that you can see them with almost every business. Discounts that can only be claimed through their social media pages, online raffle promos, and so much more.
Tip # 7: Get Involved with Trending Topics
Certain topics become trending for a reason: people are interested with them. When you get involved, you are participating in a huge potential market. Other than customers being susceptible to your marketing materials, your posts become more visible. Trending topics can range from viral videos, new trends, or seasonal events such as Christmas and Halloween.
Tip # 8: Pay For Ads
Your reach can only go so far. People will share and like your posts as much as they can, but it has its limits. If you want to further widen your reach, you need a little help with the use of paid ads. Depending on the platform you are using, you are going to have a wide array of payment options and implementations. Facebook for example allows for ads to be shown to audiences that are near and have a high susceptibility for your product.
Tip # 9: Complete Your Details
Most business don’t see the importance of a completely filled out social media page. Having your name and logo shouldn’t be where you stop. Make sure that you put in other specific details such as location, schedule, and so much more. Remember, people are going to your page to know more about your restaurant. If they can’t get the answers they are looking for, then you might as well say goodbye to a potential customer.
Keep in mind that when people are looking for a place to eat, they have a lot of considerations and questions. They wonder if it is open, the menu, is it nearby, and so on. Not having this information readily available causes a potential customer to immediately venture towards something else.
Tip # 10: Showcase What’s Behind the Scenes
If you are out of content to publish in mind, then showcase what goes behind the counter. As a restaurant, guarantying safe and quality food is going to be what you want to guarantee. Show to your audience what is happening inside the kitchen, the process of preparing dishes, and the level of sanitation you follow. All of these doesn’t just keep your social media activity going, it provides assurance to your customers of the safety and cleanliness you deliver, especially that most people would rather prefer sanitation over anything else.
In conclusion
There is no single instruction manual on how to conduct social media marketing for restaurants. There are different ways to approach it and in turn, there is no guarantee that one thing is going to work better than the other. However, these tips will get you started on the right path. Along the way, the only thing you need to do is learn and adapt according to the factors and situations that surround your industry.
If you think that all of these are too much to handle, there is a shortcut which guarantees results. You are going to want to seek the help of the best marketing agencies as a result. Contact us today for a free strategy consultation.
