7 Digital Marketing Tactics to Boost Your Restaurant's Revenue

Restaurant Brand Builders: A Restaurant Marketing Agency

Today, 80% of diners are researching restaurants online before ever stepping foot through the door.?This means a strong digital presence is crucial to attract new customers and keep your restaurant thriving.?Whether you're a seasoned restaurateur or just starting out,?these tactics can help you:

• Increase brand awareness and visibility
• Drive traffic to your restaurant
• Build a loyal customer base
• Increase online orders and reservations

Mastering the art of digital marketing is critical for any restaurant aiming to thrive. Each strategy covered is a result of successful real-world application, designed to not only attract patrons but also to convert their interest into tangible financial growth. As we explore these tactics, we invite you to consider them as essential tools in your marketing arsenal, capable of transforming potential into profitability for your restaurant.

In Part I of this article, we will cover the top 3 digital marketing tactics:

1.???? Engaging Social Media Content

2.???? Interacting with Customers Online

3.???? Leveraging User-Generated Content

1. ENGAGING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Imagine you're scrolling through Insta with your friends,?right??Suddenly,?a post pops up that makes your stomach growl. It's a picture of a pizza so cheesy it looks like a volcano about to erupt,?with all kinds of melty goodness.?Next to it,?there's a video of someone taking a massive bite,?and let me tell you,?it looks incredible!?See,?that's the power of engaging social media content for restaurants.

??Here's the deal:?in today's world,?everyone's glued to their phones,?and that includes people looking for their next meal or "new" restaurant to visit. So,?having a strong social media presence with killer content is like having a 24/7 billboard advertising your delicious food directly to hungry people.

Here's how it boosts your restaurant's revenue:

• Food Porn for Likes:?Let's be honest,?we all love a good food pic.?Social media is all about visuals,?and high-quality photos and videos of your dishes are like eye candy for potential customers.?Imagine scrolling through and seeing a perfectly cooked steak sizzling on a hot plate,?or a decadent dessert that looks like a work of art.?Suddenly, that craving for a burger or milkshake hits hard,?right??Eye-catching content makes people stop,?stare,?and remember your restaurant when their stomach starts rumbling.
• The Power of "Look at Me, Eating This Awesome Food!":?Social media isn't just about posting pictures of your food (although that's important).?It's also about showing off the experience of eating at your restaurant.?Share short videos of happy customers enjoying their meals,?or take cool boomerangs of people laughing and having a good time.?This creates a positive vibe and makes people think,?"Hey,?that looks like fun!?I gotta check this place out!"
• Contests and Giveaways:?Who doesn't love free stuff??Running social media contests and giveaways is a fantastic way to generate excitement and get people talking about your restaurant.?Offer a free meal or dessert to the winner of a photo contest featuring your dishes,?or run a poll asking people to vote for their favorite menu item.?This gets people interacting with your page and spreads the word to their friends.
• Building a Community:?Social media isn't a one-way street.?Use it to connect with your customers!?Respond to comments and messages,?answer questions they have about your menu,?and even run polls to see what kind of new dishes they'd like to try.?This creates a sense of community and makes people feel like they're part of something special.?The more people connect with your brand,?the more likely they are to become loyal customers.

According to Forbes , content reigns supreme in digital marketing, making it essential for your brand to produce quality content that resonates with your audience. Engaging social media content isn't just about pretty pictures (although those are important too).?It's about capturing the essence of your restaurant,?making people crave your food,?and building a community that keeps them coming back for more.?Think of it as the secret sauce to your online marketing recipe!

2. INTERACTING WITH CUSTOMERS ONLINE

Interacting with patrons online can turn a one-time diner into a regular. Responding to reviews, comments, and messages not only shows you value customer feedback but also helps build a community around your brand. An article by HubSpot emphasizes the importance of customer engagement in driving sales.

In the age of social media and online reviews,?how you treat your customers online can make or break your business. Here's how interacting with them directly translates to more revenue for your favorite restaurant:

• Turning Reviews into Raving Fans:?Let's face it,?online reviews are huge for restaurants.?One bad review can scare away a ton of customers,?while a bunch of positive ones can make your place the hottest spot in town.?By responding to reviews,?both good and bad,?you show customers you care about their feedback.?Thank them for the positive ones,?and for negative reviews,?apologize for any shortcomings and let them know how you're working to improve.?This shows potential customers that you take customer satisfaction seriously and builds trust in your brand.
• Building a Loyal Following:?Imagine you follow a restaurant on Instagram and they comment on your photo because you tagged them in a picture of their delicious fries.?Pretty cool,?right??Interacting with customers online, whether it's responding to comments,?answering questions about the menu,?or even just sending birthday wishes, makes them feel valued.?This kind of personal touch goes a long way in building a loyal following.?People who feel like they have a connection with a restaurant are more likely to become regulars and recommend it to their friends.
• The Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing:?Remember that time your friend convinced you to try that new taco place because they loved it??That's word-of-mouth marketing in action,?and it's one of the most powerful tools out there.?By interacting with customers online and creating a positive experience,?you're basically turning them into walking,?talking advertisements for your restaurant.?They'll rave about your food and service to their friends online and offline,?bringing in a whole new wave of hungry customers.
• Turning Feedback into Action:?Here's the thing:?customers sometimes have great ideas!?By interacting with them online,?you can get valuable feedback on your menu,?service,?or even the atmosphere of your restaurant.?Maybe someone suggests a new burger topping,?or mentions they wish you offered delivery.?By listening to this feedback and making improvements based on it,?you're showing customers you care about their experience and making your restaurant even better.?This not only keeps existing customers happy but also attracts new ones who are looking for the best places to eat.

Interacting with customers online isn't just about being polite (although that's important too).?It's about building relationships,?creating a positive online presence,?and turning happy customers into your restaurant's biggest fans.?The more you connect with them,?the more they'll connect with your food,?and that's a recipe for serious revenue growth!

3. LEVERAGING USER-GENERATED CONTENT

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful endorsement for any restaurant. Encourage your customers to share their experiences and use their content on your platforms. This form of social proof can significantly influence dining decisions, as indicated by research from Service Industries Journal .

Check out my post below to see a recent example of how El Pollo Loco, Inc. did an amazing job of incorporating user generated content and influencers into their marketing recently!

• Free Marketing Magic:?UGC is essentially free marketing created by your most enthusiastic customers.?Think about it – a customer posts a drool-worthy picture of your burger on Instagram with a glowing review.?Suddenly,?all their followers see it,?and some might be craving the same burger!?UGC is like a virtual word-of-mouth recommendation that spreads the love for your food organically.
• Building Trust and Authenticity:?People are more likely to trust a recommendation from a real person than a polished ad.?UGC shows the real experience of dining at your restaurant,?from the ambiance to the food itself.?It creates a sense of authenticity and encourages potential customers to believe your food is actually as good as it looks.
• Increased Engagement and Interaction:?UGC sparks conversation!?When customers post photos or reviews about your restaurant,?it encourages engagement.?People might comment on the post,?asking questions or sharing their own experiences.?This online buzz creates a sense of community and excitement around your restaurant, attracting new customers.
• A Constant Flow of Fresh Content:?Running out of ideas for social media posts??UGC provides a constant stream of fresh content!?Repost customer photos,?highlight positive reviews,?or even run contests that encourage people to share their experiences.?This keeps your social media pages engaging and shows potential customers that your restaurant is a happening place.
• Data and Insights for Improvement:?UGC isn't just about pretty pictures.?Pay attention to the feedback in reviews and comments.?See what dishes people rave about,?or if there's anything they suggest you improve.?This valuable customer data can help you refine your menu,?service,?or even ambiance,?making your restaurant even better.

Think of leveraging UGC as a way to turn your customers into your own personal marketing team.?By encouraging them to share their experiences and using their content strategically,?you're building trust,?boosting engagement,?and ultimately attracting more hungry customers – all for the low price of free!

Stay Tuned for Part II ??