We’re in the social media age. In a world where social media rules all, there’s one app that dominates them all. Instagram has around 1 billion active users and it continues to grow every year. With this being said, as a business owner, it’s crucial to utilize all the available resources you’re presented with. The app offers features such as business analytics, Instagram stories, live videos, and easy communication with other users. You may be thinking, why should a restaurant owner be so concerned with a social media app? Well, Instagram allows you to connect with customers while also giving your brand name relevancy in the big world of businesses. Sharing and connecting with customers through images, videos, and comments help build authenticity that people can relate to. So, whether you’re already active on Instagram or you haven’t taken the leap yet, there is so much to benefit from connecting to the world.
Below are some foolproof tactics that can help boost your restaurant business:
When posting content on Instagram, the quality and visual appeal is everything. All apps are different, but for Instagram specifically, it’s all about beautiful images that stand out and represent your brand. This aspect is especially important for food images. A dish could taste amazing, but if it looks unappetizing, people lose interest. As a restaurant owner, you should use Instagram as a way to entice people and draw them in. There’s no way for people to smell or taste food through technology (yet), so we have to rely on the one sense of vision. This shouldn’t be something that causes you stress or pressure. Let your creativity take control and use your Instagram as a way to express yourself and show off your cooking skills! The goal is to make people want to eat at your restaurant. Whether that be through your food, your restaurant design, or your staff.
Now that we’ve established that you’ll only post quality content (right?), the next most important step is to post consistently. Many active users will use their Instagram as an outlet for their art and personality. This can be represented through a theme, editing style, color scheme, or style of photography. This doesn’t mean that you have to take classes and sit through hours of Instagram styling lessons, but it’s important for you to be able to hold a candle to the wide array of accounts out there. Due to the popularity of these editing and styling techniques, there’s so many apps and resources that make it easier to plan your posts out. Another significant tactic that helps boost your Instagram presence is frequency. The more content you post, the more likely people are to see it. Frequent posting can mean once a day or a couple times a week, depending on the work you’re willing to put in. Posting frequently is important but it is possible to over-post. Avoid posting more than once in a day and if needed, try to space them out by at least a couple hours. When it comes to Instagram stories though, post away! Once you get into the swing of things and establish a presence, it will be easier to find a schedule and style that suits your restaurant and what it represents.