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What Social Media Should You Be Using For Your Restaurant

Appeal to your customers through social media and meet their needs.

For many of your customers, social media is a daily affair. They may visit their pages multiple times per day and for hours on end.

In fact, the time people spend on social media is increasing daily with 30% of all online time spent interacting on social media. Your customers are spending nearly two hours on social media every single day.

So, you can see that social media should be an integral part of your restaurant’s marketing strategy.

Many restaurants don’t have time or don’t realize how much potential exists for them on social media.

It’s time to leverage the opportunities that social media provides. To do that, you might be wondering what social media you should be using for your restaurant. In this article, we look at your options.

Facebook

You should definitely be using Facebook for your restaurant.

With millions of users, it’s the number one platform you should be using.

Establish a presence on Facebook by engaging with your customers and sharing videos, recipes, funny stories, inside looks, contests and coupons.

Respond to customer comments as they come in, both positive and negative. This helps show all of your Facebook followers you care and are interested in what they have to say.

Get familiar with Facebook and the Insights tab. You’ll learn a lot about your followers – when they’re online, their demographics and much more. Use these insights to target people in your area.

As an added bonus, Facebook paid advertising is a cost-effective way to get more out of your posts and to advertise on Facebook. (tweet this)

As a business page, your restaurant will want to leverage Facebook paid ads to extend your reach and get in front of more customers. You can choose from a number of goals such as promoting an offer, getting more followers, encouraging users to visit your website and much more.

Visit the Facebook Ad Manager to peruse your options and learn more about advertising your restaurant on Facebook.

Instagram

Another good social media platform for you to build a presence on is Instagram.

This platform is image based, and since your customers are driven by not only their stomachs but their eyes, you can engage your followers with beautiful photos of your menu items.

Food is visual, and Instagram is a visual platform, so your restaurant and Instagram are a great match. (tweet this)

As an added bonus, if you use Facebook paid advertising, you can extend those same ads to Instagram all from your Facebook dashboard.

When it comes to Instagram posts, post incredible photos of your food and share the fun that goes on in your restaurant. Funny staff photos or diners doing interesting things are always popular.

Unlike Facebook where you want to keep your posts light on the hashtags, feel free to use as many as you’d like on Instagram. Here are a few tips for using hashtags on Instagram:

• Always include #TheNameofYour Restaurant
• Include geo tags for your location
• Use other food-type hashtags that work with your post such as #Foodie, #nomnom and #FoodPorn

Social media starts conversations and drives engagement.

Google+

You might be wondering why we suggest using Google+ because it doesn’t have a lot of active users, and it’s not popular.

That may be, but Google+ is definitely a social media platform you should be using because Google puts its own results first. Just by having a Google+ account makes you more favorable to Google than those who don’t.

The first thing you want to do is claim your Google listing and create your Google+ page.

Fill out all of the information (using keywords), add your logo and some photos. When you add photos, they’ll show up in your Google listing along with the map photo, personalizing your presence.

Your address, phone and hours are crucial here because that is what shows up when people search for restaurants in your area. It also ensures you are listed correctly on Google Maps.

Another way to stand out on Google+ is with reviews. Encourage your customers to leave you a review.

The more positive reviews you have, the better Google will list you in local searches.

Tips for Social Media

Before you start posting and advertising on social media, you want to make sure you have fully completed your profiles.

This means adding profile and cover photos that are the right size for each platform. You can easily Google these sizes, and it’s a good idea to do so before changing or adding them as the size requirements change often.

Your logo is appropriate as your profile photo. When it comes to cover images, include tantalizing photos of your food or customers enjoying a meal out. You can use this space to advertise new items and rotate it regularly.

You also want to complete all of your business information including a brief description about your restaurant. Always include your website address in your about sections as well.

Run sweepstakes and contests on your social media platforms. These benefit your customers while generating excitement. Use sweepstakes to drive business, showcase a new menu item or get diners in the door.

Another good rule of thumb is to include photos or videos in every post. Text-only shares don’t get read as often or seen by as many people.

Finally, as you post on social media, keep your audience in the front of your mind. Social media isn’t about outright promoting your restaurant. It’s about building customer relationships.

Ask yourself the following questions when planning your posting strategy:

• What do my customers need to know?
• What do they want to know?
• How can I showcase my staff and restaurant so it’s interesting and intriguing to customers?
• How can I tailor my message so it’s customer-centered?
• Is my content valuable to the customer?
• Is my tone friendly and likeable?

Final Thoughts

Generate buzz for your restaurant and build relationships using social media. If you haven’t started yet, it’s time to jump in. If you have started your social media marketing, consider increasing your activity.

You want to be where the people are, and they are definitely on social media.

Social media is a terrific way to communicate with your guests when they aren’t inside your restaurant (and sometimes when they are).

Choose a few platforms and get started building relationships, generating buzz and providing customer service that beats the competition.

At Restaurant Engine, not only do we create great, responsive websites, but we’ll integrate your social media accounts on your website. Ready to take the plunge and create a website with an online menu, blog and beautiful photos? Get your free website consultation today!

Images: William Iven and Hans Vivek

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Making It in UX: New User Experience Designers Share Lessons From the Field

Every industry — from tech, to finance, to retail — needs user experience (UX) designers. These master problem-solvers work to create on- and offline experiences that put users’ wants and needs first. Harnessing skills like user research, wireframes, and prototyping, UX designers have a unique perspective when it comes to understanding the interactions between users, […]

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Attract More Customers – Enhance the Vibe of Your Restaurant

Bring diners in through their senses – all contributing to the overall vibe of your restaurant.

How does your restaurant make people feel? If you don’t know the answer to that question, consider stepping out your front door for a moment.

Then, come back in – not as the owner, but as a new customer. What do you see, feel, smell? Were you greeted well? Does the staff seem happy to see you, or are they hurried and rushed?

The feeling you had when you walked in is the vibe that your diners get each time they walk through your doors.

It has to do with the culture that you create in your restaurant, and in this article, we’re going to take an in-depth look at it as we discuss how to attract more customers and enhance the vibe of your restaurant.

Let’s look at how you can attract more customers by enhancing the vibe of your restaurant through the five senses – sight, smell, sound, touch and taste.

The Sense of Sight

What do your customers see when they walk in the door? Are they met with smiles, nice décor and a clean, tidy space?

What are their thoughts regarding your décor? Can they tell what you’re all about by how your restaurant looks on the inside?

If not, it’s time to rethink the vibe customers get from the visual aspects of your restaurant. This means what they see from the minute they drive into your parking lot, all the way to their trip to the restroom.

There are a few steps you can take to fine tune the visual vibe you give off.

First, you need a vision. Know what you want your restaurant to “feel” like and let that define how it looks.

For example, are you a sports-themed restaurant, a modern café, a farm-to-table fast casual place or a warm, cozy spot?

Whatever vision you choose, you want to ensure that the theme and vibe carry through from your exterior to your interior. (tweet this)

Don’t leave anything to chance and make sure it all gels for one cohesive look.

Pay special attention to:

• Wall and floor coverings
• Lighting
• Art
• Color scheme
• Furniture style (high tables, low tables, bar stools, banquets – the options are many)
• Table décor (vases, candles, glassware, linens, etc.)
• Staff uniforms
• Hardware
• Dishes and utensils

Lighting adds ambiance and a particular vibe.

The Sense of Smell

Your food plays an enormous part in creating the vibe of your restaurant. It’s what draws customers in. (tweet this)

But did you know the way your restaurant smells also contributes to the vibe?

Consider again the Greek restaurant on the corner, or the classic Italian pizza joint. The aroma emanating from the kitchen is another big part of the vibe of the restaurant, helping to create the culture.

The Sense of Sound

The vibe of your restaurant also includes the sense of sound. What are your customers met with when they walk in the door?

Is your restaurant busy and loud or soft and quiet? Is your kitchen making a lot of noise? Are staff members huddled together in private conversations?

Do you have music playing?

All of these noise makers play in to the vibe of your restaurant. Decide what you’d like it to be and concentrate on making it happen.

When it comes to your music, you can bet what your customers listen to while they eat matters. Today’s diners want the whole experience, and music is part of it.

As with the sights in your restaurant, decide on your music sounds.

This is easy for a restaurant where the vibe is a 50s diner or an authentic Greek restaurant.

But, if your restaurant concept doesn’t lend itself to a musical theme, what should you do?

Consider your restaurant at different times of the day. For example, your lunch crowd may be looking for something to listen to that is unlike what your dinner crowd wants to listen to.

Perhaps your dinner crowd is young professionals who just got off work, but your lunch crowd is retirees. You’ll find the playlist should rotate with the crowd.

If you don’t know right off what music you should play, you can ask your diners. Let them set the tone.

You may know that music evokes emotion and helps people remember things. So, it seems if you have the right music playing, your customers will remember the experience they had in your restaurant.

Your customers will equate your playlist with the enjoyment of eating in your restaurant as part of the total overall vibe. Music enhances the atmosphere, making diners feel comfortable.

You’ll find that if your customers like your music selection, it’s just another reason for them to revisit your restaurant again.

The Sense of Touch

Yes, the sense of touch plays a part in the vibe of your restaurant. It’s actually the texture that contributes.

Think of the texture as the surface area. This could be your table tops, your bar counter and your wall décor.

Think marble tops, granite slabs, rustic wood, carpet, tile, wood floors, linens, draperies and more. It all works to create your vibe.

The Sense of Taste

Your restaurant menu is the catalyst for the vibe of your restaurant.

This is where you’ll start when building out your overall vibe and atmosphere. Your food is the instigator.

For example, you might serve Italian, Greek, American, Chinese, Thai or something else altogether. But, whatever drives your menu also drives the vibe.

So, when organizing the vibe of your restaurant, don’t forget to factor in the taste.

Final Thoughts

To attract more customers, you want to enhance the vibe of your restaurant.

This means that your culture, atmosphere and vibe is unique to your restaurant. To do this, know what your restaurant stands for.

Are you the Italian restaurant where everyone feels like they just walked into their favorite grandmother’s house? Or, are you the hip, modern sandwich shop where diners can feel comfortable eating on their own and escaping all conversation?

Know the vibe you want to give off and focus on achieving it through your ambiance, food, décor and your customer service.

Work with your staff to help them create this culture each time they work. Teach them that this is what defines your restaurant and sets you apart from the competition.

When they buy into your goals of creating the perfect vibe for your customers, everyone wins – you, your staff and your customers.

At Restaurant Engine, not only do we create great, responsive websites, but we’ll integrate your social media accounts on your website. Ready to take the plunge and create a website with an online menu, blog and beautiful photos? Get your free website consultation today!

Images: Eaters Collective and Lisheng Chang

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The tech industry is nothing if not competitive. As startups, mom-and-pop shops, and Fortune 500 companies fight for top talent, developers, designers, data scientists, and more find themselves in a mad dash to get in the door. Once they’re there, an offer may be a testament to their technical skills. However, the true mettle of […]

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Pros And Cons Of Al Fresco Dining

Attract passers-by with sidewalk seating.

Everyone likes a party, and that’s what they get with Al fresco dining.

In this article, we look at the pros and cons of Al Fresco dining, and why it might be good for your restaurant.

First, let’s define it.

Al Fresco Dining

The term Al Fresco comes from the Italian and loosely means “in the cool air.”

We use the term to mean dining outdoors.

Interestingly, the Italians don’t use the term for dining outside. In Italian, the expression Al Fresco actually means “spending time in the cooler” or jail.

Al Fresco dining is popular in temperate climates and in the spring, summer and fall months. People enjoy dining Al Fresco when the weather is beautiful. The style is casual, yet festive, with a party-like atmosphere.

If your restaurant has an outdoor patio or outdoor seating, you offer Al Fresco dining.

In hot climates, you might have covered patios or misters to keep people cool. In chilly climates, you might have fire pits or outdoor fireplaces to keep diners comfortable.

Now let’s look at the pros and cons.

Pros of Al Fresco Dining

It’s Trendy:

First, Al Fresco dining is trendy. Today’s diner wants an experience, and they definitely enjoy eating outdoors in a more festive atmosphere. (tweet this)

Increase Revenue:

You’ll attract more diners to your restaurant with outdoor seating.

This is because diners are often more comfortable eating outside. It affects the senses and seems to make the food taste fresher and therefore, better.

Some diners enjoy the view and the fun that occurs when eating outside with friends and family.

Basically, when the weather is nice, you’re adding a whole other restaurant, and with that comes added revenue.

Extra Seating:

By offering additional seating outside, you increase the number of meals you serve each night, thus improving your bottom line.

Enhanced Atmosphere:

Mother nature provides its own ambiance and great views. Plus, when the weather is beautiful, your diners feel more festive.

This merry feeling often leads to them ordering more and higher ticket prices.

The fun atmosphere also encourages more wine, beer and liquor to be consumed which again means more money for your restaurant.

Finally, because the outdoors is the attraction, you don’t have to spend as much money on décor and table decoration.

Cons of Al Fresco Dining

The Weather:

What makes eating outside so enjoyable can be its biggest con.

If the weather is bad, you lose business because you can’t fill your outdoor seating. Your wait times will be longer, and customers may get impatient.

Restrooms:

If you don’t have an outdoor restroom, you increase the load on your indoor restrooms which can increase wait times.

You also have people constantly moving from outside to inside which can be distracting to your indoor customers.

Staff Needs:

This can be tricky. For example, if you staff for a busy weekend night, but the weather suddenly turns stormy, you have too many employees, and you have to let some go for the evening.

Conversely, if you think the forecast is bad, and you don’t staff heavy enough, but it turns out just fine, you can’t meet the needs of your dining traffic.

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and add an outdoor space to your restaurant, here are a few tips.

• Situate your space to take advantage of the outdoor scenery – think mountains, gardens or other beautiful views.
• Create a beer garden on the patio.
• Have outdoor-only specials to encourage people to eat outside.
• Make sure your kitchen can handle the extra demand.
• Have enough wait staff to take care of the crowd.
• Provide heat and cool when needed.
• Add products to control insects.
• Keep the space clean.

Add plants to make your Al Fresco dining fresh and inviting.

Different Al Fresco Scenarios

You have several options when creating an Al Fresco dining space.

1. Sidewalk Seating – This is one of the easiest ways to take the dining outside. Your customers will enjoy sitting outside in comfortable chairs. Add some umbrellas for shade. You’ll find that sidewalk seating attracts people walking by and encourages them to visit your restaurant. During the evening, add some candles for ambiance.

2. Rooftop Dining – If you don’t have a sidewalk area or a patio, try expanding your space to the roof. Many big city restaurants have rooftop dining. This allows diners the view of skylines or open spaces. Consider adding potted plants or rooftop gardens. Hang lights and add candles for ambiance. Pergolas and attractive awnings add to the décor and protect diners during the day and the evening.

3. Patio Dining – This is the traditional form of Al Fresco dining. Your customers can enjoy the patio at your restaurant where you’ve set up tables and chairs. You might also add a cozy seating area with a sofa and club chairs. Fire pits are nice additions as well. Candles, lights, pergolas and plants also add to the festive vibe.

4. Garden Dining – Dining farm-to-table is very trendy, and diners like to see where their food comes from. This could be in any of the above spaces, or in a large garden behind your restaurant. What is important is that you landscape your outdoor dining area with the fruits and vegetables you’re serving to your customers. Consider raised beds if you don’t have the land. Grow lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and more. Landscape them attractively so they are part of the décor.

Add Ambiance

Whichever route you choose, consider adding a firepit or outdoor fireplace to add considerable ambiance and feelings of comfort. (tweet this)

Lighting is important, so consider candles, lanterns, hanging lights and torches.

You also want to look at adding a water feature such as a fountain or reflecting pool. It could also be as simple as a vase on the table with floating candles or flowers.

Fire and water work well together in a space. They increase the festive feeling and make your guests feel welcome.

Fire communicates warmth, and it’s inviting. Water communicates freshness and cleanliness.

Together, they make dining Al Fresco something fun, festive and exciting for your diners.

Final Thoughts

Adding an Al Fresco dining space to your restaurant enriches the overall customer experience.

You’ll find it adds revenue while increasing your customers’ happiness.

Do take the cons into consideration and make plans to handle them.

In the end, you’ll find an Al Fresco dining space is just what your customers want.

Be sure to add some shade and atmosphere for the total experience. Add some music, and on special nights, bring in live music.

Consider your customers’ needs and make sure they are warm or cool and bug-free to ensure their overall enjoyment.

You’ll soon be reaping the rewards of your Al Fresco space.

At Restaurant Engine, not only do we create great, responsive websites, but we’ll integrate your outdoor menu into your website. Ready to take the plunge and create a website with an online menu, blog and beautiful photos? Get your free website consultation today!

Images: Xochi Romero and Alex Holyoake

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Why Charge Corkage And What’s Too Much

What you charge depends on the area of the country you live in.

For years, the corkage fee has been a point of contention between restaurant owners and their patrons.

While your guests want the option of bringing their own wine, you, understandably, don’t want to miss out on the profits of selling from your own wine list.

In this article, we look at why charge corkage and what’s too much. We’ll take a look at what your patrons are willing to pay and how much you should charge.

First, let’s define the term corkage.

What is a Corkage Fee?

Corkage is the fee that restaurants charge customers who bring their own wine to a restaurant.

Your restaurant might charge a corkage fee to help cover your service, lost revenue from not selling your own wine and the risks of patrons breaking your wine glasses. (tweet this)

If you sell wine, you know that it’s highly profitable for your restaurant, and it’s not unreasonable to charge a corkage fee to make up for lost profits if you’re going to allow diners to bring their own.

How Much are Corkage Fees?

Typically, corkage fees range between $10-40 per bottle. Sometimes restaurants don’t charge a fee and even encourage diners to bring wine, while others charge $100 per bottle.

According to one expert, corkage fees depend on where you live.

• In Manhattan, New York, the fee averages $15-20 per bottle on average, yet at higher end restaurants, they can range from $30-85 per bottle.
• At exclusive restaurants, diners can expect to spend upwards of $400 per bottle, but this is only at the finest establishments.
• On the other side of the country, in Napa Valley, the corkage fee ranges from $15-20, while restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles start around $10 per bottle.
• Some restaurants charge fees based on the wine. For example, some charge a $10 corkage fee on wines less than 10 years old and $25 or more one wines brought in that are older than 10 years.
  

If you want to completely discourage your patrons from bringing their own wine, then charge a high corkage fee to encourage customers to buy your wine. (tweet this)

When Might You Waive a Corkage Fee?

You’ll find that some restaurants waive corkage fees under certain circumstances.

For example, you might waive one corkage fee if your patrons buy one bottle of wine from you.

You also might consider a $0 corkage fee evening. One evening per month or week, let patrons bring their own wine for free, and on the rest of the nights, only sell your own.

Consider one restaurant that waives its corkage fee on “Wine Wednesdays.”

Another restaurant waives corkage fees on American wines and charges it for all others.

Another instance where you might waive the corkage fee is if a customer brings in a very special bottle of wine and shares it with you.

Now let’s look at why your customer might want to bring their own wine in the first place.

It’s always nice when your guests offer you a taste of their special wine.

The Patrons Side of the Story

You’ll find there are several reasons your guests might want to bring their own wine.

First, the customer doesn’t want to pay your mark up on the wine and brings his own to save money.

If he can buy the same wine you sell for $30 less and pay your $15 corkage fee, he still comes out on the positive side.

Second, your customer might want to bring his own wine because your wine selection is grim.

If your restaurant doesn’t offer a respectable wine list, then you can bet your wine-loving patrons don’t want to drink from it. If you want to encourage people to drink your wine, you have to offer drinkable wine.

Finally, your guests might want to bring their own wine for a special occasion. For example, if it’s a birthday, wedding proposal or anniversary, and your customer has been saving a fine wine for the event, he might choose to bring it to dinner.

In this instance, go ahead and charge the corkage fee with a smile and be flattered that the patrons chose your restaurant for their special occasion.

The Restaurants Viewpoint

Many wine aficionados bristle at the thought of paying for wine at a restaurant. They would rather spend less and bring their own in to your restaurant.

Yet, if you’ve gone to the trouble of hiring a sommelier, and you’ve invested time and money into your wine list, you probably aren’t a fan of customers bringing in their own wine.

We’re going to leave you with some tips on how to avoid problems with the corkage fee so you can make the most of the your own wine list and patrons who want to bring their own:

• Know what your competition charges and use this as your guide.
• Be aware of the general corkage fees in your area.
• A good starting point is $10-20 per bottle.
• Improve your wine selection so guests don’t want to bring their own wine.
• Price your wine fairly to encourage patrons to buy from you.
• If you’re going to allow people to bring their own wine, and you charge a corkage fee, don’t be grumpy about it.
• Be flattered when a very special bottle of wine is brought in. This means your patron values your restaurant above all others.
• It pays to be flexible. You’ll find there are some occasions that merit waiving the corkage fee. A good bit of customer service goes a long way to repeat business.
• Consider waiving the corkage fee if your customer buys a bottle from you and also brings one of their own in. This is a win-win situation as you get the corkage fee without having to buy or store the wine.

Final Thoughts

Finally, it is fair of you to charge a corkage fee because when patrons bring their own wine, you are losing a sale. Consider charging a corkage fee similar to the profit you are losing on an average bottle of wine.

This amount differs depending on the wine, so do your best to be equitable.

Now that you know how to solve the problem with the corkage fee and how much to charge, you’re well on your way to finding a happy medium.

At Restaurant Engine, not only do we create great, responsive websites, but we’ll make sure your wine list shines. Ready to take the plunge and create a website with an online menu, wine list, blog and beautiful photos? Get your free website consultation today!

Images: Quentin DR and Janko Ferlic

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The post How to Break Into a Digital Marketing Career appeared first on GA Blog.

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The post Experience doesn’t matter: Industry veterans and aspiring talent are equally qualified to break into digital marketing appeared first on GA Blog.

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How To Draw A Crowd With Instagram

Instagram revolves around photography.

With more than 600 million users on the photo-based social media platform Instagram,  it’s a great place to increase brand awareness for your restaurant with the right strategy.

In this article, we look at how to draw a crowd with Instagram so you can increase your restaurant’s business.

Choose the Right Instagram Name

You want Instagram users to be able to search for you, so be thoughtful when creating your username.

The best option is to use your restaurant’s name to increase the chances people can find you.

Use Hashtags

Use #yourrestaurantname in each one of your posts. This also helps you be searchable. In addition, you’ll want to use a hashtag for signature dishes or drinks.

If you hold regular events, hashtag those photos, too, with the event name.

Other hashtags to consider are: #foodie, #foodporn, #hungry, #foodaddict, #instafood, #chefmode, #cleaneating and #food.

Don’t forget to geotag your photos as well to capture the local crowd.

Take Lots of Photos

Instagram revolves around photos, so it’s up to you to take professional looking photos that make people want to stop what they’re doing and head to your restaurant.

Take photos of everything:

• Appetizers
• Entrees
• Desserts
• Your Dining Room
• Staff Members
• Behind the Scenes
• Diners (with permission)
• Events (before and afters)
• Videos
  

Let your photos tell a story, but don’t forget to include captions and hashtags.

Optimize Your Photos

While you don’t have to hire a professional photographer, you do want to take and share great photos on Instagram. (tweet this)

Try using your phone camera instead of the Instagram app. Afterwards, you can use the app to edit your photos.

Pay attention to lighting – natural light is best for food. Taking photos by a window is a good option.

When it comes to staging your photos, look at not only the plate but what’s around it. The background matters, and you want it to match the theme of your restaurant. Above all, make sure the background area is clean.

Simple shots are often best to highlight the food.

Share Your Instagram Photos

Increase your reach and chances of drawing a crowd by sharing your Instagram photos on your restaurant website and other social media platforms.

You’ll find that Instagram provides options for sharing photos on Facebook, Flickr, Foursquare, Twitter, Pinterest, emails and more.

People will flock to your restaurant when they see your Instagram photos.

Host Contests

Contests are a great way to get people connected to your brand and your restaurant’s food on Instagram. (tweet this)

They encourage people to engage with you in a personal way. What’s more, by offering prizes, you generate even more buzz while creating loads of goodwill.

For example, you might run a contest asking users to submit their recipes. Lucky winners can have their recipe featured for one week and get a coupon for a free meal.

This gives people a reason to enter your contest while getting the word out to help you draw a crowd.

Take Event Photos

You want to share photos from every special event, fair or festival you attend.

Take photos and post them with event hashtags to let Instagram users know where to find you.

When you post photos from events, you encourage your followers to join you.

Encourage User Generated Content

This is where it pays to get creative.

Your customers are the perfect brand ambassadors, and you want to encourage them to share content on your restaurant’s Instagram page.

Others will feel more confident visiting your restaurant for the first time when they see that others enjoy your food. It’s all about social proof.

Here are a few ideas to get you started generating content from others:

• Create a new dish and encourage your Instagram followers to name the dish.
• Host a contest and give the winner a free meal.
• Ask Instagram users to take a picture of their meal and post it. Give them a specific hashtag to use (your restaurant name is a good bet).
• In your restaurant, add your Instagram user name to your menu and add hashtags under menu items. This encourages your diners to use the appropriate hashtags.
• Encourage reviews.
• Offer coupons.

Share Staff Photos

Your chef is often a mystery to diners, and one they’d like to solve.

Showcase your chef with photos on Instagram. Your customers will enjoy seeing the person behind the food they love.

Share photos of your staff behind the scenes doing interesting and humorous things.

Be Authentic

Decide early on what your brand identity is and then stay true to it. Find your Instagram voice and maintain consistency.

Post photos that work with your restaurant’s theme and menu.

To build brand awareness, you want to share photos that apply to your restaurant. For example, if you are family-friendly, sharing photos of customers drinking and partying isn’t a good idea.

Create a Strategy

Plan your posts in advance to make it easier to publish regularly.

For example, decide which day of the week you’ll share specific things. Don’t forget the hashtags. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Quirky Question Day
• Monday Funday
• Motivation Monday
• Tip Tuesday
• Treat Tuesday
• Wellness Wednesday
• Way Back Wednesday
• Throwback Thursday
• Thirsty Thursday
• Thankful Thursday
• Fun Friday
• Friday Funday
• Social Saturday
• Selfie Sunday

Also, be sure to leave room for spontaneous photos and posts as well.

Share Pics of Your Specials

This is a great way to draw a crowd each day you offer specials.

You’ll find that by posting delectable photos of your daily specials, people will flock to your restaurant.

Consider adding a coupon code with your photo as well as some inviting text and hashtags to encourage day-of business.

Final Thoughts

Ready to draw a crowd with Instagram?

At the end of the day, a picture really is worth 1,000 words, especially when it comes to food. That’s what makes Instagram perfect for most restaurants.

Your customers, current and future, love sharing photos of their food.

When you encourage diners to snap photos of their meal and share it on Instagram, you are leveraging free marketing while building brand awareness for your restaurant and your menu.

If you don’t have an Instagram account for your restaurant, sign up for one today. Start sharing photos and encourage your customers to do the same.

Spend some time each week posting and sharing great food photos on Instagram and start increasing awareness for your restaurant.

At Restaurant Engine, not only do we create great, responsive websites, but we’ll integrate your social media accounts on your website. Ready to take the plunge and create a website with an online menu, blog and beautiful photos? Get your free website consultation today!

Images: Alexander Chambon and Eaters Collective

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