6 Social Media Tips to Maximize Your Hospitality & Restaurant Engagement
- 7.4 minutes read
The days of customers relying solely on traditional word of mouth to measure a restaurant’s reliability are long gone. These days, social media reigns supreme when it comes to garnering attention for your hospitality business.
And the benefits of using strategic social media don’t end when the customer enters the door. When used effectively, social media and digital engagement can create an immersive and memorable dining experience that fuels repeat business.
If you are looking for ways to take your social media and digital marketing to the next level, here are six tips that you can start implementing right now to see maximum value:
1. Create Insta-Friendly Spaces in Your Establishment
User-generated content (UGC) is a great way to create engagement and incentivize real customers to share their experiences from within your establishment.
Make sure some areas look particularly photogenic, such as an eye-catching mural or design elements that will grab attention on social media. This can include an intentional social media photo spot or a space people can easily capture and share on their own.
he Garden Room, via https://www.feelinthelifestyle.com/
In Atlanta, Bonton and The Garden Room are known not just for offering great dining experiences, but they use their unique space to draw in customers to take pictures and create a buzz on social media. Look at your space, and see how you can make it more photogenic to draw in customers for social media content purposes.
2. Offer Social Media Giveaways
Giveaways are an excellent way to drive restaurant traffic and get new customers in the door. They also create great activity on social media and incentivize people to share your content with their friends, family, and followers.
Simply put: Who doesn’t like free stuff? Reach out to your local community for sponsorship opportunities to help cover the cost of your giveaways. Utilize a platform that allows you to create and manage your contests, and make sure you’re using relevant hashtags in all of your posts so people can find them easily.
3. Use QR Codes for Social Media Following
It’s amazing that QR codes have been a thing for a while – but only took off during the pandemic as an easy way to make a more contactless experience. Make it even easier for your customers to follow you on social media by adding QR codes with your links around the restaurant. You can put them on menus, tables, or at the point of sale so customers can easily scan and follow you.
Take your QR code further by including a discount when they follow you or by allowing customers to provide feedback with their scan. It’s an easy and effortless way to connect with your customers and get their engagement.
Use QR codes to engage with your customers. (Via Forbes)
4. Incentivize Reviews on Social Media
Customer reviews are essential in building trust and credibility for potential customers, making it easy for them to provide feedback while at the restaurant. Create a discount code that your team can give out after a good experience, or offer a reward for customers that post and tag your business on their review.
Don’t forget to respond to every review and thank them for taking the time to write it – this shows potential customers that you care about feedback and take it seriously. Honesty and genuine transparency are KEY when engaging online – so don’t waste your opportunity to show off your hospitality.
5. Involve Your Guests in The Direction of Your Menu
Get your customers involved in the direction of your menu by having an open story vote. Ask people to comment on what they would like to see more of, or have them suggest new and creative cocktail ideas.
People love feeling included and heard, so this is a great opportunity for you to engage with your guests and source some amazing ideas. Not to mention, it’s a great way to get people talking about you and your establishment on their feeds – giving you both an opportunity to create content!
Instagram Open Story Polls/Votes are a great way to engage your audience.
6. Utilize Text Marketing
Text marketing is a great way to stay connected with your customers and keep them updated on events, specials, and new menu items. This helps you stay top of mind in between visits, so they come back again and again. Consider sending out text messages or automated drip series with discounts attached, or let customers know about your happy hour specials to get them in the door.
Examples of this include using texts to promote Valentine’s Day dinner specials or a brunch menu for Mother’s Day. Keep your messages short, sweet, and to the point, so customers don’t forget about you! And know your customers – if they are unsubscribing or not opening your texts, it’s time to change up your messaging.
Let’s Partner Together to Boost Your Social Media Presence
Whether you are just starting to step into a social media presence or are looking to refresh your current content, partnering with a digital marketing and online brand expert can give you the edge you’re looking for.
I’m rolling out a new branding program tailored to the hospitality and restaurant industry that includes social media management, email and text marketing, and 4k studio-quality content development. When you work with me, you will have peace of mind knowing that your social media presence is in good hands.
These are just a few tips to get started, but I would love to discuss ways to work together to create an even bigger impact for your restaurant. Contact me today so we can start creating content that engages your customers and boosts your brand.
Jesse Mills
Jesse Mills is a social media strategist & photographer based in New Orleans, LA. He’s helped develop and manage social campaigns for dozens of clients. You can connect with him on Instagram
About The Author
Jesse Mills
Jesse Mills is a social media strategist & photographer based in New Orleans, LA. He’s helped develop and manage social campaigns for dozens of clients. You can connect with him on Instagram