By QbitPOS | Sep 5th, 2022
5 Tips to Effectively Use Instagram for Restaurant Marketing
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants were forced to shift towards online marketing to avoid scaling back and keep their operations running. And the best way to make your online restaurant marketing a hit is by becoming “Instafamous.”
By sharing mouth-watering photos and videos of your dishes on Instagram, you can not only create a buzz about your brand but also entice potential customers to hit the “Order” button.The platform also allows you to use hashtags to reach a wider audience and connect with other foodies in your community.
And with Instagram's prominent “Stories” feature, you can share behind-the-scene clips with your followers to show them what goes into making your delicious dishes. So if you're not already using Instagram to market your restaurant, now is the time to start. Your customers are already on the app, so make sure you're there too! Here are some tips to effectively use Instagram for your restaurant marketing.
Use High-Quality Photos
Instagram is a visually-oriented platform, so your photos must be high-quality and eye-catching. People are more likely to order from your restaurant if your photos make the food look appealing.
When taking photos, make sure that the lighting is good and that the food is presented in an attractive way. Also, avoid using filters that make the photo look unnatural; people want to see what your food actually looks like.
Use Hashtags
Using hashtags is a great way to reach a wider audience on Instagram. When you use hashtags, your photos will show up when people search for those tags. For example, if you're a pizza restaurant, you could use the hashtag #pizzalover in your posts.
Tag Other Instagramers
Tagging is another way to reach a wider audience and build connections with your customers. When you tag someone in a photo, their followers will see the photo in their feed. For example, if you tag a food blogger in one of your photos, their followers will see your photo and learn about your restaurant.
You can also ask you're happy customers to share their experience with your restaurant on Instagram and tag you in the posts.
Engage With your Audience
If you want your Instagram restaurant to be successful, you must engage with your audience. Don't just post photos and expect people to flock to your restaurant. Instead, take the time to interact with your followers. Respond to comments on your posts, answer questions that people ask, and run promotions that encourage people to visit your restaurant. By engaging with your audience, you'll create a community of loyal customers who are passionate about your brand.
Conduct Sweepstakes and Contests
People love winning prizes, and that makes running sweepstakes and contests on Instagram a great marketing strategy. For example, you can run a contest asking your followers to take a photo of themselves at your restaurant and upload it on their Instagram using a specific hashtag. Then, randomly select a winner and give them a prize such as a free meal or a gift certificate.
To Wrap it Up
These are some of the many tips to effectively market your restaurant on Instagram and attract new customers. Engaging with your audience, uploading high-quality food photos, and conducting contests are all great ways to promote your business on Instagram. Do you have something to add to the list? Do share in the comments below!