Social media tips for restaurants don’t have to be hard. They just take some thought. Consider these seven tips for managing your social media marketing strategies.
Want to turn your restaurant’s social media pages from ghost towns into bustling online communities? Social media experts agree — a strategic approach is key to maximizing your reach and attracting hungry diners. Social media tips can help your restaurant succeed.
In today’s competitive restaurant industry, a strong social media presence is no longer optional — it’s essential for driving customer engagement and boosting sales. But with so much noise on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, many restaurants struggle to cut through and connect with their target audience. Here, we’ll explore powerful social media tips specifically designed for restaurants in 2024, helping you leverage these platforms to build a loyal following and skyrocket your online presence.
Social media tip: Set up your strategy
If you haven’t already set up your Facebook Business and Instagram Business accounts, you’re going to want to claim them as quickly as possible.
The same applies to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). TikTok is the No. 1 social media platform in the world right now, so if you’re not on it you’re missing out on some great content potential. You can make content for your social media right from your mobile phone and use free editing software, but there are also audio-visual companies that will make videos for you.
Target the right audience with social media ads. They can get expensive so make sure you’re hitting the right people in the right areas. Your marketing spend should be an important part of your budget.
Visual appeal is key for social media strategies
You run a restaurant. That means food should be at the top of your content. Mouthwatering photos and videos are going to be your greatest content. High-quality photos and videos are especially powerful, showcasing your dishes, inviting atmosphere and the talented team behind the scenes. Close-ups of finished meals, desserts and refreshing drinks will have followers drooling. Capture the inviting vibe of your restaurant with warm lighting and comfortable seating.
Content is king
What are your social media marketing goals? Balance those food photos with engaging videos. Consider behind-the-scenes glimpses of your restaurant at work, including employees cooking on the makeline, warm French fries going into sleeves and orders going out. Make sure the food looks appetizing. You can bring in a food stylist to help style your food so it looks its best.
Employee spotlights put a face to a restaurant’s operations. If a restaurant has an employee of the month program, sit down with him or her to get a short interview about why he or she loves working for the restaurant, what their favorite part of the job is and what it means to be an employee of the restaurant.
Customer testimonials are also a good way to utilize social media for restaurants. If you’ve got regulars who frequent your restaurant, grab a short video asking why they love it and what keeps them coming back.
Finally, use video to highlight events and promotions.
Be present and engaged in your social media marketing campaign
You’re bound to get reviews and comments on your social media. Respond to comments and questions in a timely manner to show your customers you care. If you can’t do this yourself, assigned it to a manager or assistant manager to stay atop your social media marketing game.
Run contests and giveaways on social media. This encourages interaction with your customers and generates brand loyalty. Encourage customers to share photos of themselves in your restaurant enjoying your food and then sharing that content on your accounts is a great grassroots way to utilize social media.
Be social with your restaurant social media marketing
One of the best social media tips is use relevant hashtags. This helps people — hopefully potential customers discover your content. It’s also a good idea to include popular hashtags, especially location-specific ones.
Participate in trends and challenges at the store level. This is a fun way to get on the algorithm’s good side and reach a wider audience.
Promote local events and initiatives. If you’re sponsoring a Little League baseball team, local car show, service day or project, make sure that’s a part of your social media marketing campaign.
Partner with local influencers
Surely you’ve seen or heard of local influencers who can help take your brand to the next level. One easy way to leverage influencers is to set up a NIL contract with a local sports star. Your college basketball or football team most likely has a player or two whom everyone has their eye on. Name, Image, Likeness contracts allow them to star in your local social media marketing campaign. Make sure the influencer you choose will resonate with your target audience to promote your restaurant.
Be authentic
Finally, let your restaurant’s personality shine through your social media voice. Show what makes your franchise or restaurant unique and stand out in a sea of competitors.
Skip the professional photo shoot and use your phone to capture candid moments in your restaurant to help put a face to your brand. Don’t shy away from occasional mishaps in the kitchen. Handle with humor.
Be transparent. Remember, authenticity is about building relationships. By being genuine and transparent, you’ll create a social media presence that feels real and resonates with your target audience. As long as you follow these social media tips you will have a better chance at success.
