How Social Media Can Be The Best Thing For Your Restaurant

Unlike those days of yore, simply having a restaurant with a good location and a better menu doesn’t cut the deal. Evolution demands that we adapt. Marketing has grown way beyond the conventional means of print and broadcast. The latest game in the market is social media advertising. Have no two minds about this, your competitors have already taken notice of this goldmine; and if they haven’t, you surely stand to gain the most. Mastering this platform is as good as cementing your business comfortably for the long run. Simply put, the following constitutes the perfect recipe to guarantee your success in today’s world: a great assortment of dishes, a satisfying ambience and service, and an active social media presence.

Here, we bring you a simple guide to get you up and running in the competition.

1. A Social Media Account

First and foremost comes an online account which is to be your portfolio and advertisement. Just about everything which requires multiple media in the conventional means is all compressed in one single account. Below are the top sites that are a must for your endeavour.

Google+
When one searches for a business on Google, Google’s Knowledge Graph provides the business’s details in the sidebar. This information is primarily gathered from Google+. That is why it’s imperative to set up your business account there with all the necessary details as it provides advertisement and exposure for your restaurant, absolutely free.

Facebook
Everybody’s on Facebook. Before, similar sites like MySpace and Orkut meant merely connecting with friends and strangers spread across the world. Facebook has changed those dynamics drastically. It has brought about innovations in online communication by providing for enterprises to set up their own profile on the platform. The result: an unprecedented improvement in overall business performance. An active Facebook page can work wonders for your market dominance. People respond favourably to a service which is publicly available for their comfort. We shall be referring to Facebook tools and techniques along the way in this article for use in your online efforts.

Instagram
Use the food craze to your advantage! Instagram has a massive number of users who go crazy over a well-shot picture of a mouthwatering dish. Your Instagram account can be a herald of sorts to invite people to your doorstep. We shall be discussing the effectiveness of food photography further in this article.

1. Geo-Targeting your Ads.

The local crowd is the backbone of any restaurant business. People usually look to eat near their home and that’s where geo-targeting comes in. Geo-targeting makes sure that only users in specific radius or area can see your online ads. This saves you quite some money as it ensures that your ads reach out to the local masses to whom your restaurant is accessible. Many online advertising platforms like Google AdWords and Facebook offer the geo-targeting option without charging you extra for it. With geo-targeting, you are able to reach out to the relevant audience while saving money on irrelevant ads and thus get the most out of your efforts.

1. Broadcast your offers, discounts, and coupons.

Though not restricted merely to them, festivals do offer the best opportunity to boost your business in the market. Bring out special discounts and coupon offers to be displayed on your online page(Facebook, Instagram, etc.). For instance, post an update broadcasting your discount offers, and have your followers share it, giving them free coupons as a reward. Your restaurant would thus get a wider coverage while also bringing in more customers. Keep your page updated with the latest menu and offers. Remember, the social media is the new ‘Today’s Special’ board.

1. Pic and Tag your Way into their Hearts.

Who doesn’t love a food pic to set their taste buds tingling? Post mouthwatering photos of the dishes made at your place to present the variety you offer. Angle and lighting are crucial in any picture, more so when it comes to food, so make sure to get them right. Food frenzy is a rage all across the social media and your restaurant is bound to grab eyeballs with your delicious posts.

Pictures bring us to our next stop: hashtags. Hashtags are an indispensable accessory in online posts now. Keep abreast of the latest trends on the network through them and increase your page views by indulging in the hottest topics. People search for specific tags as per the latest attraction in the market. For example, #CivilWar was the top hashtag on every social media platform as the release date of the latest Captain America movie drew nearer. Fall in line with the pulse of the online crowd and This brings us to our last point.

1. Connect with your Audience.

Your audience should know that it’s not just all business with you. Make an effort to step out from the trap of overselling your services.

Go exploring
Posting only business-relevant updates will just wear off your followers. Participating in casual posts like a status update which focuses on a hot-selling news topic will be instrumental in hooking your followers to your page and keep their interest alive. They’ll see you not as a business interested in mere money-making but which has a broader outlook to things. You could encourage them to take part in a contest with free giveaways or discount offers as the prize. This will not only attract more crowd to your restaurant but also ensure that you retain your old customers.

User-Generated Content
User-generated content is an effective tool for building a business cherished by its customers. It helps in developing a unique and endearing relationship with your customer base. UGC involves the page posting and updating content created by its followers. But how? You could host a caption contest and feature the best caption in the next post, adding a free meal pass for the winner as a bonus. Or you could ask them to send you your art and then feature them in successive posts. Customers love a hangout where there’s value for their thought and talents, and what better to earn their loyalty than to showcase the same at your place?

Show off your Staff!
Gone are the days of faceless backstage happenings. People are now interested in being able to put a face to the ones behind closed curtains. Feature your staff working away at a delicacy or simply chilling during after-hours. A smiling chef is all that is needed to secure a place in your customers’ heart. It’ll also present your business as one which is concerned for its workers as it much as it is for those who avail of their service.

Make no mistake, social media is the next big thing in marketing and restaurants stand to gain plenty in this avenue. A better brand image, a loyal following, a unique name in the field, not to mention the increased customer footfall, these are just a few advantages of advertising through this medium. Signing off, we hope this article was of help to you in your business plan. We wish you the best in your venture!