How Social Media can Help your Bar, Pub or Restaurant
Posted on Fri 19th Feb 2016 at 12:24
Today, more and more people are using social media to not only research but also interact with new drinking venues. This is particularly true of generations X and Y, to whom using the internet and social media is almost second nature.
It follows, therefore, that you should seek to engage with potential customers through social media wherever possible, and we’ve put together some quick tips to inspire you in your efforts.
1. Use social media everyday Yes, it’s a chore, but if you don’t do it properly then it’s not worth doing. Using social media every day will allow you to boost your profile and to ensure you can react to customers’ comments in a timely way.
2. Pick your social media channels carefully Given that you have to use them every day, it’s not worth trying to engage with every channel unless you have a dedicated marketing team. Instead, pick the channels that are most suitable for you: for example Instagram or Pinterest if you’re planning on sharing lots of photographs, or Twitter if you like to engage in up-to-the-minute chat.
3. Share your expertise in exciting ways Do you have an amazing cocktail range, a stupendous wine cellar or a great selection of food and wine pairings? By sharing your expertise you’re luring in customers as well as educating them – and making them more confident to order these products when they get to your venue.
4. Create exclusive promotions There’s nothing quite like an exclusive promotion to boost your follower numbers on any channel. Social media followers love to feel that they’re special, and if you share exclusive offers with them you’re sure to encourage brand loyalty and customer enthusiasm.
5. Join in the discussion and encourage comments There’s no point in being on social media if you don’t listen to what your customers have to say – that’s one of the main reasons they’ve started following you in the first place. Don’t be shy about joining in discussions or thanking those who say good things about your venue, and above all respond to negative criticisms quickly. Demonstrating that you’re listening is often the quickest way to appease a disgruntled customer.