Restaurants go Social: 9 Winning Strategies for a Successful Food Business

creative-digital.co

Starting up a restaurant doesn't just end up in a dream; you have sit down and draw up a plan on how you're going to make it work. And whether you realize it or not, there will always be a competition between restaurants to restaurants – and it's an intense competition! Some of you here might have tried running a restaurant without any problems so far, while others are struggling to save their business.

Yes, it is a tight competition. In fact, 60% of restaurants fail in their first year. However, if you want to succeed in the business industry, then you have to have the right approach towards it. In every business, there will always be winning strategies for you to apply. And when you are running a restaurant, going social is one of the best ways you can do to make it a success.

Yes, the quality of food matters, but it will also depend on how strategic you are when it comes to promoting your business. And promoting your business through social media gives a big impact on your business. If you are still new to it, here are some tips for you on how you can be successful in the business industry.

1. Have a Social Media Account

Without a social media account such as Instagram, Facebook, Yelp, Google+ Accounts, Pinterest, Twitter etc. it is impossible for you to promote your business. One way or another, having a social media account can make the promotion even faster with a wide range of audience. Of course, with billions of social media users, there will also be hundreds to thousands of people who will notice your post. And mind you, these people are your potential customers.

2. Develop your restaurant's brand identity

Yes, you already set up a social media account, then what's next? Create a brand identity. Your brand identity will give a great impact to your potential customers. When they know who you are, and what kind of restaurant you are promoting, there are higher possibilities that you can grab their interest when it comes to choosing the right restaurant to try. Of course, when you have a good background, people will know you by the quality of business that you have through good reviews from your satisfied customers.

3. Foodie Photos

Of course, photos! There MUST be a delicious looking photo posted on your accounts. Visual content is in high demand. That is why; you have to make sure that every photo that you have must be tempting to grab your potential customer's attention.

4. Show off your staff

Aside from posting food photos, why not try publicizing your staff? Don't you know it is one way to boost your business? Of course, when you have a good customer service, with a good personality, people would definitely want to engage and try your business. Who wouldn't, when they got to see happy and smiling employees? Well, attractive staff is also a plus.

5. Partner up with delivery services

When you do business, you have to expect that there will be a lot of people who prefer deliveries than going to restaurants personally. Perhaps, they don't have enough time to go out. Well, if you want to boost your business growth, then you might want to consider partnering with delivery services such as Seamless, Eat24, Deliver.com, or GrubHub.

6. Offer coupons and discounts

It is definitely an eye-catching when people see a coupons and discounts. Of course, who would say no to the tempting offers that you have? Especially when it comes to by group, people will definitely love to avail those promos.

7. Monitor your social media presence

When you go social, it doesn't end up in posting and/or promoting your restaurant and the good foods that you have. In order for you to stay longer in the social media world, you have to make sure that you are active in every social media account that you have. The more you are active in social media, the more people will come to notice your post, and they might be one of your potential customers.

8. Send out an email newsletter for potential customers

Doing email marketing is not a bad thing after all. In fact, it can also be useful for your business. Well, sending an email to your potential customers regarding the business that you have doesn't have to be daily or weekly. In fact, customers don't want to have flooded emails on their inbox. Just make sure that the content that you have is short yet with the necessary information about the business that you have.

9. Be mobile friendly

For some starters, you don't have to rush things out. However, if your business is already established, being mobile friendly can definitely contribute to its growth. People who want to eat can make some reservations and/or deliveries through their smartphones. It is also a convenient way to do business.