There is more importance than ever for restaurants to be visible on social media platforms. The best social media campaigns require thoughtful planning and creative design.
Social media is being used by well-established and new brands alike to generate leads, grow their following and increase sales. Using social media to build a brand might seem like a daunting task, but it's easier than ever to grow your brand organically with social media.
It doesn't matter if you are just starting out or have been using social media platforms for years. There is always room for improvement.
Instagram has a significant influence on consumer purchasing behavior, according to Social Media Today, with 30% of millennial diners avoiding restaurants with weak Instagram presences. Having an Instagram account is just as important for your business as having a website. You need to consider your bio, your setup preferences, and your aesthetic preferences when setting up your Instagram account.
The bio on your restaurant's Instagram account should resemble a LinkedIn profile for your restaurant. Keep it clear, but creative. Your Instagram account will be full of visuals, so don't be overly descriptive.
When creating your Instagram account, it’s crucial to set it up as a business account. Do not select creator or personal account options. In addition to creating Instagram Ad campaigns and setting contact options, you can also gain access to general analytical insights and more data when you create a business account.
You should maintain a consistent aesthetic throughout your account. When a user clicks on your profile and sees a beautiful array of visually appealing photos, they will be more likely to stay on your page. To pick your theme, you can take inspiration from Instagram. You will need to think about what you will be photographing and what color schemes will go with it. Create an editing process and try to maintain consistency for each post once you've chosen your aesthetic.
Facebook is a great resource if you’re targeting a slightly older market. Your Facebook should also be easier to run, as you don’t necessarily need to post too often and don’t need to be an aesthetic guru. Similar to Instagram, it’s essential to make sure you set up the account as a"Local Business or Place" and not as a personal account. Add your location, contact information, and website link to your Facebook, as most users will be going to your page for information, not pretty pictures.
A professional cover photo, an announcement of specials/promotions, and an online ordering link will all give your Facebook credibility, and make your page easier to find for users. Stay up to date with the latest trends by updating your Facebook weekly and joining Facebook groups with similar restaurants in your area.
While Facebook's algorithm continues to change organic visibility, paid advertising remains a reliable way to get more visibility. If you want to accelerate your Facebook marketing efforts and have a budget for it, you should consider using Facebook ads. The benefits of Facebook's ads platform go far beyond increasing your reach. With Facebook Ad Accounts, you can target people who share your audience's interests, exposing your brand to people who are likely to be interested in what you have to offer. You can also create very focused messaging that targets specific demographics from age and location down to what kind of device they are using when they see the ad.
Tik-Tok
TikTok probably isn’t the first social network that comes to mind for a restaurant. However, it’s well worth a look. TikTok has a huge audience and it's growing. According to ShortStack, the fast-growing app keeps users more engaged than any other social platform, and cooking-related videos have become one of the top ten most viewed categories. In 2022 alone, the hashtag #food reached over 300 billion mentions, followed by #foodie and #cooking, with more than 85 billion and 84 billion each
The benefit for restaurants is that even with a small following count, an uploaded video can go viral — an ideal promise for smaller shops with limited resources. CEO of AMR Digital Marketing Analiese Ross confirms the possibility, told Insider, "... you can have 200 followers on TikTok and have a video go viral, and it gets a million views and it completely changes everything for you."
Using TikTok can bring in customers from outside your immediate area, since 16% of users who visit a restaurant from the app visit a restaurant in another state, while 1/5 go to another city. It is also possible to increase your chances of your video going viral by partnering with content creators, especially influencers who have a large following and influence purchasing decisions.
According to e-digital marketing agency the top ten food hashtags for 2023 are
10. #icecream: 38+ billion views
9. #yummy: 40+ billion views.
8. #comida: 44+ billion views. Comida means “food” in the Spanish language.
7. #desifood: 45+ billion views.
6. #cake: 55+ billion views.
5. #TikTokFood: 75+ billion views.
4. #FoodTikTok: 93+ billion views
3. #cooking: 102+ billion views
2.#Foodie: 106+ billion views
As Facebook and Twitter complement your brand and following, LinkedIn for restaurants gives you an edge in terms of investment opportunities and partnerships. LinkedIn is also a great place to recruit a workforce in the future. More than 40 million LinkedIn users are in decision-making positions according to the B2B blog on LinkedIn.
8 Reasons why your restaurant should have a solid presence on Linkedin
Professional Networking: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, making it an ideal place for restaurant owners to connect with industry professionals and potential customers in their area.
Targeted Advertising: LinkedIn allows businesses to target their advertising to specific demographics, including location, job title, and interests. This means that restaurant owners can reach potential customers who are most likely to be interested in their offerings.
Building Credibility: By having a strong presence on LinkedIn, restaurant owners can establish themselves as experts in the industry and build credibility with potential customers.
Influencer Marketing: LinkedIn is a great platform to partner with influencers in the food and restaurant industry to increase reach and credibility.
Virtual Event: LinkedIn allows you to host virtual events and webinars, which can be a great way to interact with your audience and provide valuable information.
Analytics: LinkedIn provides analytics that allow you to track your performance and measure the impact of your marketing strategy, which can help you to make data-driven decisions.
Branding: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for building brand awareness and driving traffic to your website or social media profiles.
Reputation Management: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your business page, which can help you to build credibility and attract new customers.
Overall, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for restaurant owners to use to connect with potential customers, build credibility, and promote their businesses.