Got a Restaurant to Promote on Social Media? You have landed at the right place. Today, we will throw some light on Social Media Marketing for Restaurants. From Facebook reviews to foodie pictures on Instagram, customers are gradually making dining-related choices grounded on what they see online.
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Social Media Marketing Strategy For Restaurants That Actually Works
Whereas the platforms like Twitter are helping them to search the restaurant of their choice. Today, we will learn the best social media marketing strategy for restaurants in 2023 and why it’s important to use restaurant social media marketing.
Again, if there’s a bit vague in your mind in regards to the role of social media platforms for restaurants, look down the numbers!
- Approx. 93% of consumers declare that online reviews influence their decisions.
- Approx. 84% of consumers rely on online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
- Approx. 68% of consumers are willing to pay up to 15% more for the same if they are assured they will have a better experience.
- 75% of people procured a product because they saw it on social media.
Are You Using Social Media Marketing Strategies For Your Restaurant?
Do you earn sufficient outcomes out of your restaurant business? Have you ever carried-out a sound social media marketing for your restaurant?
If not, you should promptly and earnestly make social media marketing a part of your restaurant’s advertising curriculum.
As a restaurant owner, you should understand that your potential customers are spending the majority of their time on social media. Therefore, you need to be available somewhere in the news feed of their social media profiles to drive them to your restaurant.
How To Use Social Media Marketing For Restaurants?
If you want to know everything to implement social media marketing for the restaurant business, then you’ve landed in the right place. Here we’ll be telling you everything you need to focus on to build a strong social media presence for your presence.
Also Check: How To Promote A Facebook Business Page?
So let’s get started!
Why Restaurants Social Media Marketing is Important?
Before diving straight into the implementation part, you should know why restaurants need social media marketing:
Benefits of Using Social Media Marketing Strategy for Restaurants
Are you not sure about using social media marketing services for your restaurant? Here are the benefits of promoting your restaurant on social media.
- Improves Trust and Loyalty
Promoting a restaurant on social media helps improve its credibility and loyalty among old and new customers.
- Brand Advocacy
Social media restaurant marketing is meant to build brand advocacy. It is implemented when a customer elevates your brand through the mouth of the word or leaves positive reviews.
- Means To Get New Customers
Social Media Marketing for restaurants helps drive new customers. It helps gain brand recognition by engaging with a broad audience of consumers.
- Providing Guests With Restaurant Updates
Using social media for marketing, restaurants have the ease to convey the news about the launch of new products and other openings.
- Distinguishes Restaurant From Their Competitors
Restaurants that leverage Social Media Marketing strategies can easily be distinguished from their competitors. It is the ideal way to portray uniqueness.
Facebook Marketing For Restaurants
Why Should You Use Facebook Marketing for Restaurant?
- Facebook covers a population of 2.7 billion. A perfect place where a majority of your customers are engaged.
- Approx. 88% of people trust what they see on Facebook.
- Approx. 23 million people share pictures of their outdoor dining on Facebook.
What Are The Best Ways To Promote Restaurants On Facebook?
Undoubtedly, the Facebook marketing of your restaurant business can be the key to your restaurant’s success. Here are a few ways you can make this possible:
- Pay Attention to Your Business Profile
To get the most out of Facebook marketing for restaurants always start here. Your business profile is your home base on Facebook. The more engagement you have the more people visit your profile as well as your physical location.
- Get Orders Directly With The Help Of Menu Tab Plugin
Utilize the menu tab plugin for Facebook to easily take orders online. Let people see your menu and order straight from Facebook. But make sure you have the in-house infrastructure to cope with the online orders.
- Spread Positivity About Your Restaurant
Reviews play a vital role in buying decisions. Reviews on your business profile provide social proof where everyone can see how much others like your food and service. This star rating will also appear in the search results in Google, making it one of the first things people see when they look you up specifically or search a category.
- Run Page Like Ads On Facebook
The easiest, cheapest and most effective Facebook ad for getting more people to your restaurant Facebook page is to run Facebook page like ads. It is done encouraging people to come on your page just because their friend liked it and so on…
All you have to get this ad running is simply choose the option “Get More Likes”, and then set a daily ad budget.
- Run Regular Facebook Ads
Facebook provides opportunities to run various sorts of ads to businesses. Whether you may want to run Facebook Ads to get traffic to your beautiful restaurant website or you want to encourage people to order their dinner through Facebook now. There’s an ad for all your goals.
All you have to do is …set up your budget, pick the right ads option, and get outcomes.
Recommended Reading: how to advertise on Facebook.
Tips To Consider When Using Facebook Marketing For Restaurants
Post at the right time.
If you deal mostly with the normal dinner crowd, post at 1-4 PM. If you’re a coffee shop, posting before the shop opens will get the morning crowd in.
Share some simple recipes
Don’t worry!
They won’t be able to match your skills. Not only will this attract people who want to know what’s in their food. It allows you to portray the care you take to offer astounding food.
Share great reviews
If you get a great review, share it. This not only shows you in the best track. It gives recognition to the reviewer.
Capture some behind-the-scenes videos.
Show your customers what goes on in the kitchen. Not only will people like the video but will also develop a kind of faith in you.
Showcase your employee of the month
Create a little bio about your employee with a photograph and job description.
Share customer-generated content
Trail your mentions. If someone shares a great photo of lunch, share it on your page. It not only makes that customer feel good but also encourages more people to do so.
Visit our Facebook marketing services now. We have very low-cost Facebook Advertising Packages in India. Must Check!
Instagram Marketing For Restaurants
Why Instagram Marketing For Restaurants is Important?
- Instagram has approximately 84 times higher engagement rates than twitter.
- More than 85% of Top Brands have Instagram Accounts.
- 80% of Instagram Users Follow a Business and look towards it while making a purchase.
- Instagram has worked extremely well for fast-food restaurants in recent years.
What Are The Best Ways To Promote Restaurant On Instagram?
- Give Your Restaurant aHashtag
By giving your restaurant a hashtag, not only you will be able to tell your customers what to tag when they post photos on Instagram but will also help you track the user-generated content.
- It improves the authority of your restaurant and makes it a place worth experiencing.
- It helps in growing the community.
- It helps in increasing the customers’ engagement.
- Create Story Highlights
Another thing to focus on while doing Instagram Marketing for Restaurant is Story highlights! Story highlights act as a menu on your Instagram profile, that users can pilot much like a website.
So, think earnestly about what you want to portray about your restaurant at the top of your profile to make visitors follow you. It can either be a section of your menu list, weekly brunch, today’s offer, etc.
Also Read: How to make money from Instagram in 2023
- Create an Instragammable Brand Symbol
Instagram is all about creativity and virality. The more you will get creative the more chances of you getting viral. If you have something concomitant with your restaurant that’s extremely picturesque and unique, it has the potential to become an Instagram fad.
- Connect With Food Bloggers and Influencers
You can team up with bloggers influencers depending on your budget and objective. Many food bloggers with a large following will charge per post or Story, whereas some micro-influencers may spread the word for your restaurant in return for their meal.
- Run Competitions and Giveaways
Another way you can promote restaurants on Instagram is by running competitions and giveaways for your audience. Besides increasing engagement, it enhances your reach and increases brand awareness.
Tips On Promoting Restaurant On Instagram
- Post Pictures or Stories At The Right Time
The time for a restaurant to post on Instagram is when people are eating and using their phones: 9 AM, 1 PM, and 8 PM. Learn some quick Facebook post ideas.
- Cover Your Restaurant From Every Edge
Don’t just post photos similar kinds of photos. Let your audience know that your restaurant not just offers good food, but also offers impeccable ambience. Remember to post pictures of your staff members serving food to customers and, having fun together.
- Be sure about lighting while capturing pictures
Lighting is a major element that defines the engagement of customers on your Instagram profile. While capturing photos of food to post on Instagram, take the photos on a table with the best lighting, or even outside. Dodge photographing food under direct sunlight as it can overexpose the shot.
- Optimize Photo Quality
To get optimized and good quality photos, use your phone’s regular camera to take photos instead of the Instagram app camera. This will help your use features like optical zoom. After taking the photos, use the Instagram app to access the file and extemporize it using its versatile photo-editing tools.
- Share Photos with Other Sites
To increase the reach of your restaurant to a greater number of people, share its photos on other social media platforms. Instagram gives restaurants and customers many options for sharing on Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, Foursquare, Twitter, and emails.
Visit our Instagram marketing services now. Don’s miss our Instagram marketing packages.
Twitter Marketing For Restaurants
Why Should You Use Twitter Marketing For Restaurant?
- Twitter users have maximum engagement with restaurants equaled to all other industries.
- It’s easy to get your restaurant in front of new customers on Twitter as 79% of Twitter users to commend brands they follow.
- Twitter users clicking on links make up 92% of all user interaction.
Also Read: Digital Marketing Cost
Best Ways To Promote Restaurant Business on Twitter?
- Ensure That You Follow All The Twitter Basics
To start promoting your Restaurant on Twitter, create a Twitter handle. Go with a unique username that signifies your restaurant’s name and then, be consistent and relevant in your Tweeting activities.
- Engage and Respond
When a patron posts a tweet about the dining experience at your restaurant, follow the Twitter protocol, and always recognize it. Don’t ignore negative comments. A regret message complemented by a gift card or special coupon may lure the annoyed customer to give your restaurant another opportunity.
- Dive Into Conversations
Twitter authorizes its users to read other people’s tweets and jump into relevant conversations. You can jump into the conversation with the help of various kinds of Twitter conversation tracking tools.
- Be A Part Of Your Community
Doing identical promotions every day is likely to bore your followers. To cheer them up, you can tweet about other restaurants or chefs by posting admiring tweets on their accomplishments or by humbly retweeting their pictures. It endorses goodwill in the industry and encourages other restaurants to do the same for your restaurant.
- Reward Loyalty
Once you have managed to form a big fan base, leverage their network to create a buzz. Encourage more tweeting by handing out exclusive prizes to Twitter followers for their loyalty.
Tips To Follow While Promoting A Restaurant On Twitter
- Number Of Tweets You In A Day
Due to different time zones, people are always not active on social media. Tweet about twice or thrice in a day about what’s going on in your restaurants, special offers, tonight’s special, happy hours, and new items that you appended to your menu.
- Don’t Use More than 2 Hashtags At One Time
Create your unique hashtags to grasp the attention. As per the research, 1 or 2 hashtags have 21% higher engagement than 3 or more. So, don’t use too many hashtags in your post.
- Fill Your Tweets With Encouragement
Create appealing tweets-It will help your restaurant business on Twitter to engage more audience!
- Use Great Headlines
A tweet with the most convincing headlines gets a click. So, always choose impressive and meaningful headlines for your tweets and blog posts.
- Use Your Pinned Tweet
You can use the same pin on the top of your timeline. This is the first thing that will appear on your profile. This will help you showcase the best tweet first to the audience.
How A Restaurant Marketing Agency Helps You to Market Restaurants Online?
- Engagement
Create a community of potential customers
- Recognition
Grow brand awareness throughout the community
- Leadership
Set-Up your restaurant as a community leader
- Reputation
Help to protect your status
Restaurants earnestly require the best social media marketing agency to thrive in a competitive local marketplace. The social media marketing agency for restaurants should use various digital marketing channels through which restaurants can attract new customers, engage with existing customers, and drive repeat visits and guest loyalty.
Also Check: Website Development Cost in India
how much does social media marketing for restaurant cost?
The cost of social media marketing for a restaurant can vary depending on various factors such as the specific goals and objectives, target audience, geographic location, the scale of the campaign, and the level of expertise required. It’s important to note that the following estimates are general and can differ significantly depending on the circumstances.
In-house Management: If you have an in-house team dedicated to managing social media marketing, the cost would primarily include the salaries and benefits of the employees involved. The average salary for a social media manager can range from $40,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Agency Services: Hiring a digital marketing agency can provide you with a comprehensive range of services, including social media marketing. The cost of agency services can vary widely based on factors such as the agency’s reputation, expertise, the scope of work, and the geographic location. Monthly fees for agency services can range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.
Advertising Budget: In addition to management or agency fees, you may allocate a separate budget for paid advertising on social media platforms. Advertising costs can vary based on factors like the platform chosen, the target audience, campaign duration, and ad objectives. Social media advertising costs can start from as little as $5 per day and can go up to several hundred or thousand dollars per month, depending on your goals and reach.
It’s worth mentioning that these figures are just estimates, and the actual cost of social media marketing for a restaurant can vary widely based on the factors mentioned earlier. It’s advisable to analyze your specific requirements, conduct market research, and obtain quotes from agencies or professionals to get a more accurate idea of the costs involved for your restaurant’s social media marketing efforts.
Doing social media marketing for restaurant inhouse vs Social Media Marketing Agency
Deciding between managing social media marketing in-house or hiring a social media marketing agency for your restaurant depends on several factors. Here are some considerations for both options:
In-house Social Media Management for Restaurants:
Cost: Managing social media marketing in-house can be more cost-effective, especially for smaller restaurants with limited budgets. You have control over the salaries and benefits of your employees, and you can allocate resources according to your needs.
Control and Flexibility: Having an in-house team gives you direct control over your social media strategy and content. You can quickly adapt to changes, respond to customer feedback, and maintain brand consistency.
Knowledge and Expertise: If you have skilled and experienced employees who understand social media marketing and the restaurant industry, managing it in-house can be advantageous. They have a deeper understanding of your brand, target audience, and local market.
Restaurant Social Media Marketing Agency:
Expertise and Specialization: Social media marketing agencies specialize in digital marketing strategies, including social media. They have a team of professionals with specific skills and experience in maximizing the effectiveness of social media campaigns. They stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
Time and Resources: Outsourcing social media marketing to an agency frees up your time and resources, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your restaurant’s operations. The agency takes care of strategy development, content creation, scheduling, monitoring, and analytics.
Creativity and Fresh Perspective: Agencies bring a fresh perspective to your social media marketing efforts. They can provide innovative ideas, creative content, and unique approaches to engage your target audience effectively.
Scalability: Agencies can scale their services according to your needs. If your restaurant expands or requires additional marketing efforts, they can adjust the strategies and allocate more resources accordingly.
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice for your restaurant depends on your specific requirements, budget, and available resources. Some restaurants may benefit from the control and cost savings of in-house management, while others may find the expertise and convenience of a social media marketing agency more valuable. Consider your goals, budget, and internal capabilities to make an informed decision.
How to hire the best social media marketing company for restaurants?
When hiring a social media marketing company for your restaurant, it’s important to find the best fit for your specific needs and goals. Here are some steps to help you in the process:
Define your goals: Determine your objectives for social media marketing. Do you want to increase brand awareness, drive foot traffic, promote specific events or offers, or engage with your target audience? Clear goals will help you find a company that aligns with your vision.
Research and shortlist potential companies: Look for social media marketing companies that specialize in working with restaurants or have experience in the food and beverage industry. Seek recommendations from colleagues or other business owners, or conduct an online search to identify potential candidates. Create a shortlist of companies that stand out based on their reputation, client testimonials, and portfolio.
Review their expertise and services: Visit the websites of the shortlisted companies to review their expertise and the range of services they offer. Pay attention to their experience in social media marketing, content creation, community management, advertising, and analytics. Look for examples of successful campaigns they have executed for restaurants.
Assess their understanding of your restaurant: Reach out to the companies on your shortlist and engage in initial conversations. Gauge their understanding of your restaurant, target audience, and industry. Ask specific questions about their approach to social media marketing for restaurants and how they tailor strategies to meet specific objectives.
Request case studies and references: Ask the companies to provide case studies or examples of their previous work with restaurants. This will give you insights into their creativity, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver results. Additionally, ask for references from their current or previous restaurant clients to get a better understanding of their working relationship and the outcomes they achieved.
Evaluate their communication and collaboration style: Effective communication and collaboration are crucial when working with a social media marketing company. Assess their responsiveness, how they handle client inquiries, and their ability to understand and address your concerns. Consider factors such as their preferred communication channels, reporting frequency, and transparency in sharing campaign performance data.
Discuss pricing and contracts: Request detailed pricing information from the companies you’re considering. Inquire about their payment structure, whether it’s a flat fee or based on a retainer or project basis. Understand what services are included in the pricing and if there are any additional costs for advertising or content creation. Review the terms and conditions of their contracts, including the duration and termination policies.
Conduct final interviews or meetings: If possible, schedule final interviews or meetings with the top contenders. This will provide an opportunity to assess their team dynamics, ask specific questions, and gain a better understanding of their working style and culture.
Make an informed decision: Evaluate all the information gathered, including their expertise, track record, client feedback, communication style, and pricing. Select the social media marketing company that best aligns with your restaurant’s goals, budget, and values.
Remember to trust your instincts and choose a company that not only has the necessary skills and experience but also understands and shares your restaurant’s vision and values. A strong partnership will help you achieve your social media marketing objectives and drive success for your restaurant.
Need Social Media Marketing Services for Restaurant Promotion? Call us!
RankON Technologies is an experienced full-service restaurant social media marketing agency that has competent social media marketing packages and strategies for restaurants of all types.
Get in Touch!Our SMM PackagesWe develop a custom social media marketing plan for restaurants that best align with business goals, and then, execute, and optimize the plan to realise the intended marketing outcomes. We help restaurants get the following by our social media marketing services that include Facebook Marketing, Instagram Marketing and YouTube Marketing.
So, if you think your restaurant business isn’t making sufficient outcomes which it is supposed to incur, then contact Rankon Technologies without making any delays. We will help your restaurant thrive with our best and most comprehensive social media marketing services for your restaurant business in no time!
Restaurants Social Media Marketing FAQs
Social media marketing is crucial for restaurants because it allows them to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, engage with customers, showcase their menu and promotions, generate online reviews, and drive foot traffic. It provides a platform to share updates, interact with customers, and create a strong online presence.
The choice of social media platforms depends on the target audience and the nature of the restaurant. However, popular platforms for restaurants include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Facebook allows for general engagement, Instagram is great for visual content and food photography, Twitter can be used for real-time updates and customer service, and YouTube is ideal for sharing videos and recipes.
Consistency is key when it comes to social media posting. Restaurants should aim for regular and consistent posting schedules. Posting at least a few times per week is generally recommended, but the frequency may vary depending on the platform and the type of content being shared. It’s important to find a balance that keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them.
Restaurants can share a variety of content to keep their audience engaged. This may include enticing food photos, behind-the-scenes glimpses, chef interviews, customer testimonials, special promotions, event announcements, recipes, and videos. User-generated content, such as reposting customer photos and reviews, can also be highly effective in building engagement and credibility.
Engaging with the audience is crucial for social media success. Restaurants can respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly and professionally. They can also run contests, polls, and surveys to encourage participation. Asking questions, seeking feedback, and sharing interesting and interactive content can foster conversations and build relationships with customers.
Social media advertising can be a powerful tool for restaurants to expand their reach and target specific audiences. It can help promote special offers, events, or seasonal menus. The decision to invest in social media advertising depends on the restaurant’s marketing goals, budget, and target audience. Paid advertising can help increase visibility and drive more traffic to the restaurant.
Restaurants can track the success of their social media marketing efforts through various metrics. These may include the number of followers, engagement rate (likes, comments, shares), reach and impressions, website traffic from social media, conversion rates, online reviews, and customer feedback. Analyzing these metrics can provide insights into what’s working and guide future marketing strategies.
