Using Facebook to promote a restaurant

The majority of restaurants have a social media presence, and the phrase “be sure to follow us on Facebook” has become as common as “good morning.”

It may feel overwhelming to think about how to use the Internet to promote your business. There are so many options; which one will provide the best jumpstart for online restaurant promotion?

Facebook feels ubiquitous, especially for certain demographics, and it is perhaps a necessary first step. While there’s always some risk and time investment when you create a dynamic Facebook profile for your restaurant, the benefits can far outweigh the negatives.

Why does Facebook matter?

We all know that people spend a lot of time browsing through social media, so your initial thought may be that being on Facebook is just a given. However, you can still use Facebook to market restaurants by optimizing the value of your page .

Facebook provides you a place to interact directly with your customer base in a real and human way.

By creating a Facebook page for your restaurant, you instantly give your guests — and potential guests — a place to speak directly to you and your other patrons. And who knows and loves your restaurant more than they do?

Not only that, but properly executed, a Facebook page for your business also provides people with immediate, user-friendly access to your location, menu, user reviews, and direct updates coming from you.

Got a big new dish debuting, a charity event, or a fundraiser planned? Maybe you’re reopening after a renovation. No matter what’s going on, your Facebook page is going to allow you to directly communicate with your customers. In the digital age, the more engaging you make your business, the more people are going to remember and like it.

In order to leverage Facebook to your best advantage, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow. Don’t worry, if you’ve worked with other social media platforms for your restaurant, you’re already familiar with most of them!

Personal interactions

The first rule of social media use is that you need to be responsive. When someone posts a comment, address it. Show anyone visiting your page that when they interact with you, you’re present. This extends your hospitality and customer service beyond four walls and demonstrates that you care about building a relationship with your restaurant guests.

Your Facebook page is nothing without content. And what better content for you than happy customers?

Always make your customers an active part of your page. This can range from offering a free dessert if someone likes your page to directly posting customer pictures — with permission. Provide them with triggers to post something before, during, and after their visit.

Keep your content fresh

There’s something very alluring about the idea of a “set it and forget it” Facebook page. After all, you have enough work on your plate. But to get the most out of your efforts, it’s important that you keep your page up-to-date.

That means more than making sure your menu and pictures are accurate. Post about your servers, popular dishes, exciting events, and everything in-between. By putting effort into your content, you show your customers that this is more than an empty gesture and encourage them to be active participants.

When it comes to communicating online with your customers, Facebook offers excellent tools to help you expand your customer base and get your restaurant on the radar of potential patrons.

With a little bit of planning and effort, you can turn your page into a hub of customer interaction and communication. Using Facebook to market restaurants, be social and speak with regular and potential guests will help cement your place in their minds as a restaurant they want to visit!