Quick Social Media Tips for Restaurants During COVID-19

During this time, staying in touch with customers is key for restaurant owners and operators. Social media offers an opportunity to stay top-of-mind while building community. Here are a few ways to engage followers on Facebook and Instagram during this crisis.

POST DAILY

It’s essential to remind customers that you’re open for business. Make sure your community knows what takeout and pickup options you have, and announce daily specials if you have them. if you have access to Instagram’s swipe up feature, use it to drive online orders.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

It’s a good time to establish more personal connections—with all the new takeout options, customers are more likely to support people they know. Try sharing staff picks, posting behind-the-scenes photos or videos of kitchen and staff at work, or creating staff profiles that tell personal stories.

SHARE YOUR COMMUNITY LEGACY

Share stories about your roots and history in your community, and any philanthropic work you’ve engaged in. Give non-profit partners a shout out for their hard work on the front lines. You could also spotlight your local vendors, partnering together to leverage your audiences. Community Facebook groups are seeing more activity than ever, as people crave closer connections with the people around them.

STAY POSITIVE

It’s a rough time for so many of us. People in your community will see dire news all day, and will be dealing with a lot of anxieties themselves. It’s difficult, but try to stay positive. Focus on positive customer reviews (from Yelp, Google, or other review sites), and respond to comments and feedback quickly, leading with kindness. Consider sharing stories of local heroes and helpers.

GO LIVE

You might have noticed that a lot of people are turning to Facebook and Instagram Live as an outlet. Make your live streams stand out from the crowd by playing games or trivia, filming simple cooking tutorials, or chatting with local influencers and food bloggers (especially those you’ve already worked with in the past).

HAND IT OVER

Get creative with user-generated content. Ask customers to post photos of themselves enjoying your food at home. Has someone tagged your restaurant in a photo? Comment on it and share (remember to ask for permission before reposting). Take advantage of the #GreatAmericanTakeout trend. Use Instagram Stories features to poll customers about their favorite dish, ask questions, and host quizzes.