Why your venue needs to be online
Social media has become a critical part of running a successful business and is a popular marketing channel among the hospitality industry. If you run a bar or restaurant, your customers are likely talking about your brand online and across their social media profiles. Food and drink photos are some of the most popular types of content on social media. Moreover, research shows that reviews and online comments influence 88% of people when deciding where to eat or drink. These are just some of the reasons why having a social media strategy is so important.
This article discusses the importance of implementing social media marketing for your bar or restaurant business.
Build Brand Awareness
Social media is one of the most effective marketing strategies you can implement to build awareness of your brand. As soon as you start publishing content on your page, you are increasing the exposure of your business. Hospitality is social by nature so having an active presence across social media is highly effective for attracting new customers.
By showcasing quality images of your food or the cosy atmosphere of your bar, you can inform customers of what they can expect on their visit. Diners today want to be guaranteed a great experience and are willing to put in the research to ensure it. Use social media to inform your audience about your menu offerings, opening hours, positive reviews and prices. You can even feature your chefs cooking behind the scenes or your talented bartenders serving up delicious cocktails. Create a clear picture for your customers so they can visit your bar or restaurant before even stepping inside.
Increase Online Visibility
Unsurprisingly, most people turn to Google for dinner and drink recommendations, particularly if they are visitors to an area and unfamiliar with what it offers. In fact, according to a study by TripAdvisor, 94% of diners research information about a restaurant online before visiting. Having a social media presence can increase the chances of your website being listed in Google’s search results. Research carried out by Social Media Examiner states that 58% of marketers see improved search engine rankings by actively using social media for a year or longer.
To rank better through social media, create high-quality content that incorporates your targeted keywords, i.e. the terms a user will search to find your business. Content such as customer reviews, business information, promotions, competitions and employee photos that encourage users to share and link back to your content will help directly increase your search engine rankings.
Communicate With Customers
Social media is a communication platform, and its ease of use means customers often use these platforms to interact with businesses. When a user comments on a photo of your daily special or signature cocktail, you can use the opportunity to respond and show that you are attentive to your customers’ needs. This interaction all adds to the entire experience your customer has with your brand.
And it’s not just the customer you respond to that sees this exchange – every response is a public demonstration of your compassion for your customers and desire to provide a consistently positive experience. Social media is an opportunity to continuously engage with your customers and build your reputation as a brand devoted to customer satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
Bars and restaurants are all about community. Building a social media presence and correctly using it as a marketing channel carries that community online. It allows customers to interact with you even when they are not physically with you. We believe every restaurant can benefit from being present on social media, and we are happy to help you get started.