Populating Your Social Media Channels: Posting The Right Content

Once you’ve taken ownership of your social media channels it’s time to begin populating them with content to engage your customers with. Deciding what to put on your social media channels is crucial to the success of your business, and posting the wrong things could even deter people from visiting your business again. Your social media channels are an extension of your business; think of them as advertising billboards on which you’re ever present. As a result, they should be an extension of the brand they represent, which is your establishment; keep this in mind with every post you make.

Promote Events

Past and present. Post posters or advertising material featuring upcoming events and do this multiple times for each event: when the event is announced, when tickets go on sale, and in the days leading up to the event. Post material showing people enjoying events just past, this could entice others into attending future events you hold.

Photos

You can put up photos of events but there are other reasons customers come to your bar; food and drinks! Post photos of specials, as well as new and popular dishes and cocktails to entice customers to come down and visit you soon. The draw felt when people see a juicy steak or a refreshing cocktail are not to be underestimated.

Videos

Montages are excellent post-event social media posts, as well as good promoters for next year’s version of the event; think halloween and other annual events. You could even post explanative videos of your bartenders and chefs describing how they make some of your most popular cocktails or dishes. Videos are rising in popularity and short videos are an easy way to grab browsers attention.

Run Contests

People love free, especially if it’s for something as simple as a share, checking-in, or a repost. Offer up a free meal for two or the like and you could find your social media exposure growing by having your already charged customer base advertising your place for you.

Promote Any Charity Work You Do

Everyone respects work or fundraising done for charity. Put out posts with totals raised, thanking all involved and publish posts advertising any charitable events you might be holding to increase participation and to show people that you care.

Don’t be Divisive

The BIG no-no. Avoid posting opinions or taking sides in any public arguments not involving or threatening your establishment. Stay away from politics and don’t post anything that could divide your customer base and alienate you from a portion of them. Politics may be discussed at your bar by your guests, sure, but an establishment should not broadcast its opinion to the masses, it won’t end well.

Get creative with your posting, make it stand out but also make sure that, at all times, it aligns with the branding of your establishment. This is one of the -if not the– most important factors when using social media channels. Customers come to you because they enjoy your food, drink, and your brand; the feel they get when they think of or enter your place. Whether you be an upscale, sophisticated cocktail bar, a fun, family restaurant, or a busy, trending nightclub, don’t lose that X-factor that makes you you!