Have you ever been out at a restaurant and heard someone say “Instagram eats first”?
If you have a successful restaurant, chances are your customers are probably already talking about your brand online and documenting their experiences on social media. While the benefits of social media marketing may seem obvious for online brands or larger companies, this article will show you 10 ways restaurants specifically can benefit from joining social media and getting in on all the fun.
#1 It Makes your Brand Easier to Find Online
When customers Google your brand, what’s the first thing that pops up? Having an active and polished social media presence really can help get your customers’ attention and allows you to ensure that a potential visitor’s first interactions with your brand are positive and memorable.
#2 It’s Easy to Use
Unlike other forms of advertising, there are very low barriers to entry for social media, meaning you don’t have to be a marketing expert to use social media effectively. You likely already know how to use it, so with a well-thought-out strategy in place, your brand will be perfectly positioned to rise to the top.
#3 It’s Fun
Using social media isn’t supposed to be super serious. Feel free to make your content light-hearted, culturally relevant, and even throw in some memes, if that fits your brand’s personality! Having fun with your social media posts is an excellent way to humanize your brand and show visitors that you know how to have a good time.
#4 It’s Cost Efficient
This is an obvious one. Creating accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. are all free! Take advantage of the opportunity to advertise without having to spend by creating brand profiles and staying active on these platforms.
#5 Everyone is Doing It
Food photography is as popular as ever, and many of your visitors likely follow the new adage, “The phone eats first!”. This means your customers are already inherently interested in food-related content – tap into this trend by showcasing mouth-watering pictures of what your restaurant has to offer on social media!
#6 It Builds Trust
Studies have shown that 94% of diners research information about a restaurant online before visiting. By showcasing images of your food and the atmosphere of your restaurant, customers can know what to expect when they walk in the door, which helps you create a brand experience they’ll trust.
#7 It Helps you Interact With Your Vistors
Effective brands use social media to actively engage in conversations with their customers. In doing so, you can collect feedback about their dining experience, showcase positive reviews, or simply see how visitors are interacting with your brand, without having to ask them.
#8 It’s An Easy Way to Send Out Updates
How do you let customers far and wide know about menu changes, new specials, or updates to your service? When you use social media to communicate this information, it will show up organically on your followers’ feeds, which makes them more inclined to pay attention and remember – a win-win for both of you.
#9 It Provides You with Valuable Customer Data
Setting your account to a business profile on Facebook or Instagram gives you access to series of metrics about your audience on social media, such as age, location, usage behavior, and other valuable demographic information. You can use this to your advantage and learn what kinds of people you should really cater to – no pun intended!
#10 It Helps you Create Memorable Brand Experiences
When using social media, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to interacting with customers! You can use your page to celebrate birthdays, interview chefs, or even feature customer-produced images on your own page, all of which help build connections with customers and contribute to the overall brand experience your visitors have even after they walk out the door.
So, what are you waiting for? Your food is already incredible, and your feed should be too! Seahawk believes every restaurant can benefit from being present on social media, and we are happy to help you get started.
