Top 4 Social Media Marketing Tips for Bars and Restaurants
Social media is excellent for connecting with friends and family. It’s also an important marketing channel for today’s businesses—especially restaurants and bars.
Are you interested in driving traffic through online channels? Here are a few tips on how to make the most out of your social media.
Why Is Social Media Marketing Important?
Social media marketing is an investment. But why’s it necessary? Let’s break it down according to the stats:
- 75% of customers won’t visit a restaurant with negative reviews about cleanliness.
- 72% of customers have used Facebook to make restaurant or retail decisions.
- A one-star increase in a restaurant’s Yelp rating translates to up to a 9% increase in revenue.
- Consumers read restaurant reviews more than any other industry.
It’s no wonder nearly 50 million small businesses use Facebook to connect with customers. In a time where customers may be hesitant to visit restaurants and bars, social media becomes an invaluable tool for increasing public confidence in your establishment and driving traffic.
How to Use Social Media to Your Advantage
1. Give Customers the Right Information
The first step to establishing an online presence for your restaurant or bar is to create profiles on Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, Instagram, and other popular social media channels.
Keep in mind that your profile will be your restaurant’s first point of contact with potential customers. Make sure the information you provide is accurate and consistent across all platforms. Don’t forget any of the following:
- Hours
- Location
- Phone number
- Website (if you have one)
- Menu
Logos, branded images, and a unique restaurant hashtag are all ways to make your profiles stand out.
2. Run Contests
One of the best ways to drive interested, local traffic and build customer relationships is to hold contests over social media. Having contests is also a great way to boost engagement with your social media. In fact, 79% of people only like a company’s Facebook page in exchange for an incentive.
Incentives can be free gift cards, dinner, merchandise, or even a restaurant recipe book. Common contest ideas include asking contestants to follow or like your page, tag a friend, leave a comment, or write a review.
3. Take Enticing Photos
When it comes to the photos you post online, quality matters. More than 90% of Instagram users report that the visual appearance of products influences their decision to buy. This makes sense. Humans are visual creatures—we process images 60,000 times faster than text.
Maximize your visual appeal by investing in high-quality images. Take high-resolution photos of your food, menu, dining room, and patio—use these photos to craft the optimal dining experience for your target audience.
4. Manage Your Reviews
Reviews mean a lot in the restaurant industry. 60% of people read reviews before going out for a meal. Encourage customers to leave reviews by simply asking. A friendly note included in their takeout box can do the trick.
Keep in mind that customer reviews point out your restaurant’s strengths and weaknesses. Negative reviews can sometimes be the most valuable learning and growth opportunity. Customers don’t expect you to be perfect but how you rise to the occasion and show up when things don’t go perfectly is the true test of customer service
For more great tips on how to improve your restaurant’s presence online, follow our blog updates on social media!