The hospitality industry has changed drastically over the past few years, and this change has affected the way restaurants/bars operate their businesses. The hospitality industry requires businesses to have social media presence if they wish to stay competitive in today’s marketplace.
Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin are invaluable tools that can be used to establish a strong online presence for your business and provide potential customers with information about your business’s products and services, special offers, and contact information, etc.Industries that fail to implement social media strategies into their business practices risk falling behind the competition by losing potential revenue and profits!
Personal interaction
It is important to allow your customers to interact with you and each other. Whether that is through a customer service line, or actively seeking their input (good and bad) via Facebook or Twitter, it is important that you develop a rapport with your customers. The more personal your interactions feel, the more they will feel at ease and want to do business with you.
Looking beyond the brand
Although you probably already know that a strong brand is essential to your business, sometimes it is easy to forget how much more than just a well-sold recipe. Your brand needs personality, which means it needs a voice, and that voice should include consistent communication through all platforms.
If you want customers to remember who you are (and what you stand for), do not limit yourself by skipping out on social channels.
Show your personality, but don’t fake it
Customers want to feel like they know you personally, not like they are following a corporation. Make sure your personality and values shine through in your social accounts but avoid coming off as forced or fake. Remember that it is okay to have fun with your accounts—customers appreciate (and often expect) some playful posts from time to time.
Note: Customers will find it interesting to see what happens behind the scenes of a restaurant and how the food is prepared.
Being memorable
In other words, what better way to stand out from your competition than by creating something worth talking about?
Social media can be a great way to give back to your customers or share something positive with them in an authentic, less-promotional tone. A single tweet can turn into many RTs and likes—not because it is really clever or informative but because it was fun, cute, and/or resonated with people.
Social proof
It makes sense that restaurants and other brick-and-mortar businesses are flocking to social media, as it is a way to reach customers. According to the National Restaurant Association, 89% of consumers use smartphones while dining out.
Let us say you are planning to have dinner at a nearby restaurant. You are not familiar with it and have never eaten there before. What would you do? You will check their social media to see:
- If they have great pictures of food and interiors to whet your appetite on their IG feed?
- Do they have a Facebook page where customers post positive reviews and share photos of their experiences?
This makes hospitality planning and social media a very powerful tool in the industry!
Know your target audience. What do they want?
As a business, it is important to know your target audience and what they want. If you are into food and beverage, what type of food do they like? Does your establishment serve them better?
Once you find out, it will be easier to manage your marketing plan. You need to create a persona that represents who your customers are to better understand them. A great way to do this is through social media.
Showcase Major Events Online & Focus On Your Ratings
In the hospitality industry, first impressions are everything. And these days, potential customers are turning to social media to find out more about businesses before they even step foot inside. A recent study found that 70% of consumers say they would not visit a restaurant with less than 4-star ratings, so it is important to focus on your online presence while conducting events like buffet brunch, wine tasting, live music, and more to grasp user attention.
Note: TripAdvisor and Google Reviews can make or break your restaurant's image. Do not Fall behind.
Show off your location in unique ways. Include a map to make it easy for your followers to find you.
Great restaurants are rarely found through Google Maps or any other online search engine. If you want people to find your restaurant—and remember it, too—you will need to show off your location in unique ways.
Include a map to make it easy for your followers to find you. Make a reservation option on your website for people to easily book tables ahead of time. Post regularly on Instagram and Twitter—or hire someone with a knack for social media marketing to do it!
Stay tuned for more insights on the hospitality industry in the next blog! Read about whats next for hospitality here.
