Tips for upping your social media game like a pro
By Mark Sorenson, CEO of Social High Rise
In 2024, if your business isn’t killing it on social media, you’re falling behind—it’s as simple as that. This is more than just showing off your dishes. It’s about using social media smartly to grab your customers’ attention and sway their dining decisions.
Consider this: A whopping 78% of what people decide to eat is influenced by social media. So, getting your social media game on point isn’t just nice—it’s essential.
Your most profitable customers are on these platforms. A staggering 65% of your revenue comes from the top 25% of your loyal customers, who are the same people who follow you on social media. These are the guests who know your food, your vibe, and have opted in because they resonate with what you stand for. They aren’t just randos off the internet. They are your regulars, your most important cohort. So, you cannot ignore them, and what you say to them matters!
In fact, social media is an incredibly powerful tool to influence guest behavior. With the right strategy, you can encourage your guests to dine more frequently—and spend more when they do. And if your guests aren’t being influenced by your content, they’re likely being influenced by your competitor’s content. No bueno.
Not to mention, in 2024, people want to spend their money with businesses that share their values. Showcasing your catering business’s values and culture on social media can significantly attract more customers—and help keep onboard those who are already feelin’ your vibe.
In this article, we’re cutting straight to it with seven no-nonsense, effective strategies to boost your foodservice business’s social media presence in 2024. Let’s do this!
1. Praise Guests Who Tag Your Business—They’re Gold!
When someone tags your business in their Instagram story or posts a drool-worthy pic of your signature dish on Facebook, it’s a big deal! These people are basically your unpaid marketing team. So, show some love back. Like their posts, drop in a fun, lightweight comment, maybe even share it on your page. Make them feel like a VIP—because as far as you’re concerned, they are!
2. Your Guests Are Your Storytellers—Use That!
Let’s be real: Your customers’ posts are sometimes way better than yours are. Their real, unfiltered experiences, those candid shots of your food—pure Instagram gold. Instead of reinventing the wheel, start collecting this user-generated content. Repost their stories, use their photos, and swipe their captions to help tell your own story. You can even use a quote from their 5-star reviews. Just be sure to give them credit when you can, and watch how their “seal of approval” brings more folks through your doors.
3. Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Opportunity
Online reviews are your secret weapon to credibility. Positive reviews? Thank them publicly and prove to potential customers how seriously you take customer service. Negative reviews? Don’t sweat it. Address it privately when you can, and publicly when you need to. Of course, be professional, show you care, and don’t be surprised when someone’s review goes from 2 stars to 4 stars. Remember, it’s not just about the complaint; it’s about how you handle it.
Pro Tip: How you respond to reviews is actually one of the things Google looks at when deciding to recommend you to someone searching for food on Google Maps. Responding to all your reviews makes you look good in the eyes of the king of search engines.
4. Get Listed, Get Found
You have got to be everywhere, full stop—Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, you name it. Don’t forget about Apple Maps, Uber Maps and Alexa. (Raise your hand if you forgot about Uber and Alexa. You can put your hand down now.) There are actually more than 80 different apps, maps and search engines that you need to keep updated with your latest hours, menu and amenities. Why? Because when someone’s googling “food near me,” you want to be at the top of the list. It’s not just about being found; it’s about being found easily, and if you neglect your presence on these sites, you will be found by fewer potential customers, period.
5. Swipe at Your Competitors’ Guests
This one’s a bit sneaky, but completely ethical. Check out who’s engaging with your competitors on social media. Give a like or drop a simple comment on one of their posts—because I guarantee your competitor isn’t doing it. And when you do, it will feel to them like you’re saying, “Hey. I see you, and I think you’re awesome. Wanna hang?” It’s amazing how quickly you can siphon loyalty away from your competition.
6. Too Busy Being Awesome? Outsource!
Running a restaurant is no joke, and in 2024, managing your social media is no longer optional. It’s a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort. If maintaining consistency seems daunting, it’s time to get some help. Are you posting at least 2-3 times per week on Facebook and Instagram? Responding to all your customer reviews? Keeping your hours and menus updated across the internet? If not, you should hire a pro to do it for you. Hire an agency or PR company or local freelancer. There are experts out there who live and breathe this stuff—let them work their magic. Meanwhile, you can focus on what you do best: keeping your kitchen hot and your customers happy.
7. AI: Your Techy Best Friend
New AI tools are popping up every day, and we should all be thanking our lucky stars. They can be incredibly useful in helping you to do 10 times more than you could without them. But, it’s still a bit wild, wild west out there, meaning that while there are a lot of great AI tools, there are also some crummy ones. If you’re just starting out, my recommendation is to sign up for ChatGPT and get their paid subscription. Use it to generate post ideas, craft witty content and respond to reviews. But remember, it’s artificial intelligence. AI is smart, but it doesn’t know your brand’s vibe like you do. So, when you use it, be sure to review what it writes before you publish or your review responses might make you sound like a cross-eyed clown.
Conclusion: Your Blueprint to Social Media Mastery
So, there you have it. You’re now fully equipped to manage your business’s social media presence like a pro! With these strategies now in your pocket, there are no more excuses. It’s time to pump up the jam, attract more guests and keep your tables full. Implement these ideas and watch your social media turn into a guest magnet. Let’s make 2024 the year your company shines online!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Sorenson is the founder and CEO of Social High Rise. He and his team work exclusively with restaurants to manage their social media and customer reviews. Before that, Mark was the founder of Karmakey, which provided a digital loyalty solution for restaurants. Mark is an active mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs and a champion for women in leadership. He’s also a husband, father, cancer survivor and distance runner.
For more information, visit socialhighrise.com.
