Social media is a great marketing tool. Any business should utilize at least one platform to promote themselves and whether you choose to stick to simply free posting or go down the paid advertising route, when done properly, social media is an asset.
However, have you ever been scrolling through your phone and seen some truly odd content? Or an ad that makes you feel simply bemused?
When done wrong, social media can easily make or break a restaurant business. An inappropriate response to a complaint on TripAdvisor can ruin a brand or a sexist campaign will cause outcry.
The fact is, much like your front of house staff, social media is the face of your brand. And just like your front of house staff, if you have a bad day on it, you’ll soon know about it.
So, what can you do? What should you avoid? And mainly, how can you be making the most of it?
We’ve put together our three favourite tips to help you. It doesn’t matter if you’re already using social media, or trying it out for the first time, these tips are something everyone should be thinking about.
1. Choose your platforms wisely
Like a well reduced jus, a great social media channel needs time and great content. There’s no point in chucking a load of random content onto every single platform, because it won’t work. Doing that is too time consuming and the content is stretched too thinly.
The best thing you can do, is choose one or two platforms and focus your time on those.
For food businesses, picture-based platforms like Instagram are a must!
2. Quality over quantity
The more refined and engaging your content, the easier it will be for people to engage with it and want to come back for more.
Taking a quick snap of the commie chef making the staff’s cheese sandwich lunch, for instance, isn’t going to be very interesting.
But a short video on how to plate up your new seasonal main, will be! Why? Because you’re not only showcasing some delicious food, your showing people how they can do it and therefore creating an interaction with them.
3. Know what you’re doing
The biggest mistake a company can make with their social media is getting an unqualified and inexperienced person to do it.
Social media needs a strategy that’s in line with your goals and brand. It’s the voice of your restaurant online and, for many guests, the first experience they’ll get of your business.
Getting the intern who’s only been in a day to run it isn’t the wisest choice – trust us!
Wrapping up
Done well, social media is a golden ticket and there’s so much you can do and explore on various platforms. Heck, some people have made fortunes on these platforms!
But don’t go in blind. Do your research. And once you’re ready, dedicate time and passion to it because the rewards will pay off.
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