Post Shift Shot #119 - 5 Social Media Pointers for Bars and Restaurants

5 Social Media Secrets to Boost Your Business

Are you looking to expand your business through social media?

The number one mistake business owners make is not staying updated. We get it; you're new to social media and don't know your way around the place. But did you know that most people check social media even before they check google? Hence, if this is something you need to work on, start today!

Social media is a major gamechanger, and if you're not in on it, you're missing out on loads of potential customers. Check the following step-by-step guide, specially designed for restaurant and bar owners, to ensure your page is searchable and user friendly so that it can lure in traffic and give your business a boost!

Improve Your Online Presence:

Get Listed On Google:

Don’t own a google page listing? Get one today! Just log in, claim it and keep it up-to-date- simple! It will go a long way in getting people to find and contact your business.

Get Your Own Website:

Most restaurants need a 1-2 page website, which they can build through user-friendly tools like Squarespace or Wix. You don't need a web developer guy- the perfect website is just a few clicks away!

Keep A Record:

Build an online checklist where you keep a record of everything that changes in your business over time- whether it be a change in schedules, marketing strategies, or just your overall market approach. This would make it super easy to understand consumer patterns and find what works best for you.

Setting Up A Professional Profile:

Whatever social platform you're using, your bio is important. Make sure to address all who, what, where, when, and how statements regarding your business. Give viewers a quick breakdown of what you're all about. You have 150 characters- make them count! Add your business hours, so people know when you're open. Also, don't forget to add your address and phone number so consumers can get in touch.

Try Linktree or Shorby:

These embeddable links will allow viewers to access all information related to you through a single URL. So, you're eliminating all barriers by enabling them to get what they want in 2 clicks and saving their time. Who doesn't love that? What's better is that Shorby even provides dynamic feeds, which essentially means that your page will be updated automatically every time you post. It does cost a small fee but is totally worth it!

Audit Your Social Media:

Use tools like Ingramer to analyze your profile, get a list of relevant hashtags, and identify problem areas. If you don't post regularly- you should! Post at least once a day because that would help site algorithms increase your visibility. Answer all comments on your posts, even if it's just a thank you or a thumbs up, because it will encourage user engagement on your page.

Linkedin Has Evolved:

Linkedin has also changed over the years. Treat it like you would Facebook or Instagram. Post menus, takeouts, anything relevant to get noticed.

Consider TikTok:

Tiktok is getting a lot of hype at the moment so if you’re creative, take advantage of it!

How To Create Engaging Content?

Go Back To The Basics:

Try reposting the same pictures with a different vibe every few months for all your new followers. They're not going to go all the way back, so it's a good idea to re-tell your story to get them interested.

Calendar Buckets & Themes:

Set a theme for every day of the week, like food, drinks, staff, or even just random thoughts. Aim for around 12 pieces of content a day. If you have 30 items on your menu, it accounts for 30 pieces of content. Opt for a social media scheduler so you can just sit and post everything at once and not have to worry about it all week- the posts will roll out smoothly on their own!

Tell Your Story:

Document everything. Over-create and bulk post.

Got new ingredients delivered? Post it.

Hired a new staff member? Post it.

Want to appreciate a hard-working employee? Post it.

You’ll be surprised at what resonates with people! Raw, authentic documentation can go a long way. Remember that quality is subjective, so not everyone will like the same things. Some people will love your work while others will hate it. Don’t let that stop you from telling the world your story!

Social media is all the rage these days, which makes it ideal for touching tables and kissing babies, especially amidst the COVID crisis. Make good use of it, keeping in mind these pointers, to get your business noticed by consumers.

Share a dram with the hospitality industry’s top global talents: bartenders, venue owners, distillers and industry aficionados. Shawn Soole has lived, breathed, and imbibed hospitality for decades. Now, he delves into the advice, opinions, and provocative stories that are helping to define the creative, culturally-necessary space of ‘modern hospitality’—covering topics from front-of-house service, to back-end business operations, and every inch between.