When it comes to online marketing, one of the most cost-effective ways a restaurant, cafe, or similar F&B business can get more customers to come through their doors is through social media. It’s free, many of your customers are on the same platforms, and it’s packed with both robust and easy-to-use tools that let you get your name and message out there.
Now, you might be wondering how exactly you can reap these benefits for your own establishment. We’ll show you the ropes in the sections below with a few tips to help you get started.
Set up a Facebook Business Page.
Your business needs to have its own space on Facebook via an official business page. You simply sign up to create an account, and you’ll get access to a wide network of potential customers and powerful tools to help you reach them.
Ensure that you have complete and accurate contact details when you do so, and remember to file your business under the right category. This way, customers can easily find you both online and in the real world.
Additionally, be sure to set up a Book Now button so that you encourage more people to reserve a table. You want it to make the process as convenient as possible for your customers. You may also find that, over time, some of your customers will leave reviews about their experience. Remember to respond to them regardless of what they might have said, as this shows them and other customers that you value their opinion.
You should also make a habit of regularly checking your message inbox so that any inquiries or concerns are swiftly addressed.
Get on Instagram as well!
Instagram is another social media platform that can be leveraged by F&B business owners to great success. It’s a highly visual medium that can be used to bring attention to many different aspects of your establishment.
You’ll be using it to share photos of your menu items for the most part, but try to break the monotony by featuring other elements like your beautifully designed interiors or your wonderful staff. You can even highlight the work that goes into preparing your food and drinks, as customers today care greatly about the story behind your creations.
Don’t forget to engage with your followers and perhaps even mention them in one of your posts. You may even put their own content to good use, as sharing their unique take on your business will only encourage others to do the same.
Don’t forget about Twitter!
It might not be the most obvious choice, but Twitter is also a great way for restaurant owners to communicate with their customers. The same principles apply as that in the previous point, but the great thing about this platform is that it allows for more frequent posting.
Take advantage of that by Tweeting at least two or three times every day. It doesn’t have to be anything significant or newsworthy, but it helps to be memorable and relatable. Perhaps inject a bit of humour into your posts, and use appropriate hashtags or feel free to make your own.
Conclusion
There are many other ways you can use social media to give your establishment a boost. We’ve only gone through the basics here and all the platforms listed above provide endless opportunities to add value to your name. The best part is that the biggest investment it will require is a bit of consistency and creativity on your part. Whatsmore, make sure you're aware of any social media etiquette you should be following, with some tips from us, here.
We are a digital marketing agency in the UK with plenty of experience with social media. If you need more specialised assistance that’s tailored to your specific business, get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to provide some assistance.