Just like a spicy dish, competition for restaurant businesses can be very intense. Generic and predictable social media marketing won’t cut it in a market like that. The solution is unconventional media tactics. These tactics will grab customer attention now, so you can impress their taste buds later.
Read this article to learn about unconventional tactics you can use in your social media marketing efforts and see how new people will come to your restaurant each day.
Social Media Takeovers
Running a restaurant is already incredibly challenging, so consider having someone else manage your social media platforms and be the star of your restaurant’s posts. This one is a bold move, but if done right, it can build a great connection and engagement with the audience.
However, be smart about who you choose to reflect your restaurant and its brand on social media. Think about which persona would fit your brand best: a passionate employee sharing behind-the-scenes details, a loyal customer writing about their real dining experience, or a well-known food blogger highlighting your food.
Each choice has its own benefits: staff adds authenticity, customers add trustworthiness, and influencers add reach. Before giving someone the keys to your restaurant’s social media accounts, make sure they can effectively explain its unique value proposition by putting them through a proper casting process.
Behind-the-Scenes Mini Docu-Series
Speaking of staff sharing their experience, why not go further by filming a docu-series?
Take advantage of people’s love for stories and their desire to get an exclusive look at the inner workings of an industry. Be careful, though, and try not to reveal secret recipes on the series, but make sure they know you have them!
Collaboration with Local Artists
Local artists can be a great opportunity for you to boost your restaurant’s popularity because they already have a following that you can reach. So, consider collaborating with them to create something like an artistic installation in your restaurant. This will allow your customers to indulge both their sense of taste and visual appreciation.
Collaborating with local artists to create limited-edition items and exclusive merchandise is also on the menu. Of course, don’t forget to present such collaborations through your restaurant’s and the artist’s social media channels, enhancing reach and building excitement.
Social Media Gamification
Social media gamification is becoming increasingly popular among businesses that aim to increase social media engagement and foot traffic. So, consider sharing a snapshot of a dish with one component blurred out. Your followers must guess what it is, and if they get it correct, they will receive a small discount on their next meal.
This is just one example of how to engage your audience and encourage them to visit your restaurant. Such interactive challenges are great to get people talking about your business and creating buzz around it. While the notion is not entirely innovative, incorporating your own twists onto each interactive post might make this strategy more unique.
Flash Social Media-Only Discounts
We already mentioned discounts as an incentive, but for greater impact, you can make this strategy the centerpiece of your social media approach. FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a proven concept that a lot of businesses employ to boost sales.
However, a word of caution: think carefully about how often you utilize this strategy, as using it too often may have diminishing effects. It’s best to use this as a supplement for other tactics mentioned, not as a main gimmick.
An important consideration while using social media
While your staff, influencers, or customers are occupied running social media campaigns, remember that cybersecurity must always be considered.
With this in mind, consider installing a password manager into your phone or laptop so all your social media accounts have strong, varying login credentials that hackers can’t easily break into. If the person working on your restaurant’s social media accounts prefers managing posts using social media management platforms, downloading a Mac or Windows password manager will be the way to go.
Also, consider using a VPN to keep your restaurant’s confidential information, like customer data and social media account credentials, safe from interception and further cyber threats. This is also a must-have if your social media manager is working remotely.
When setting up your VPN, don’t settle for the first option you find. Take time to research and compare the best VPNs available for restaurant businesses and social media management to ensure you’re getting good protection for your sensitive customer data and marketing assets without slowing down your social media activities.
Cooking Up Popularity With Unconventional Tactics
You can be the best restaurant in town, but if people don’t know your place exists, the business isn’t going to boom. Try out the social media tactics we mentioned and keep yourself protected while doing so.
