Did you know that GenZ and Millennials are 99% more likely to choose a restaurant based on social media and reviews?

If you’re like us, you probably already knew this. But did you also know that having a presence on social media can help your restaurant stand out in an increasingly crowded market? Social media marketing can help you spread brand awareness, attract potential customers (foodies), and increase the number of bookings.

But, with over 660,000 restaurants operating in the U.S. alone, you might be questioning how you can stand out. We know that restaurant promotion on social media is not an easy task. However, you shouldn’t despair because we’ve got your back.

In our guide to restaurant social media marketing, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started:

We know that you’re anxious to get started on your restaurant social media marketing strategy, but before you hit the “schedule” button on your latest tweet, let’s cover the basics and understand why your restaurant marketing strategy should include social media.

Social media allows you to be found online. It provides information and adds professionalism. It opens two-way communication with your audience. It targets local people and tourists. And it’s free promotion!

Let’s get into the details:

1. Allows your restaurant to be found online

Establishing your social media presence is beneficial for multiple reasons. One of them is a simple fact that your potential guests can find you online. So, why doesn’t having a website or Google Maps location suffice? According to Social Media Today, 30% of millennial diners actively avoid restaurants with a weak Instagram presence, and 59% say they often review menus online. Nowadays, not having social channels equals making your business invisible to the guests who would promote your restaurant for free.

2. Provide information and professionalism

If you want to make your restaurant more popular, you need to work on your social media marketing.

A lot of people think that posting pretty pictures is all they need to do, but there’s so much more to it than that! Social media is the first thing people see when they look at restaurants and bars in their area, so it’s important to make sure that your profile looks professional and trustworthy.

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating a social media content calendar for your restaurant:

-Provide information about yourself (contact number, address)

-Add new additions to the menu

-Promote events and specials

-Share awards and recognitions

3. Opens two-way communication with your audience

Customer loyalty depends heavily on your services inside and outside of your restaurant. And one of the best places to nurture this loyalty is on your social media profile.

4. Target local people and tourists

Think about it: How many social media platforms do you use to find local eateries? For me, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook fall into that list. If a brand isn’t active on either of them, I won’t find them – nor visit their restaurant. Your (local) target audience might be the same. So make sure to add

5. Free promotion

The cost of social media is less than the cost of traditional advertising. What’s more, it’s more effective!

If you have a restaurant that serves burgers, for example, you can use the hashtag #burgers in your posts and stories. This will help you reach people who are interested in burgers and therefore much more likely to visit your restaurant.

You can also add location tags to your posts and stories to help local customers find you.

And if you want to be even more targeted with your marketing efforts, consider using Facebook ads—they’re highly effective at reaching specific audiences.

What makes a great restaurant social media post?

The first thing you need to remember is: A perfect social media post does not exist.

But you can make a pretty great one!

When it comes to food marketing, the quality of your visual content must be top-notch.

• Make sure all of your posts have:
• Clear branding
• Engaging copy
• Relevant hashtags
• Call to action

And there you have it, any way you see it, social media is a great way to promote your restaurant.

Erick