If you’re running a café, bar, or restaurant, and struggling to make your social media presence stand out, you’re not alone. After more than 10 years in social media management and consumer behaviour marketing, I’ve found that one of my favourite niches to work with is hospitality. Whether it’s a trendy café or an upscale restaurant, I’ve helped countless businesses break free from the ‘1,500 follower jail’ and truly shine.
Here’s how I do it:
1. Stop Sharing Bad Photos
Let’s get this out of the way first: stop resharing customer photos of your food.
Yes, I know it’s tempting to repost those Instagram tags, but those pictures are often poorly lit and don’t do your brand justice. When people look at your social media, they are essentially ‘eating with their eyes.’ You want control over your food’s image—literally.
Keep it professional and make sure the photos you’re posting show your dishes at their absolute best.
2. Post Top-of-Funnel, Engaging Content
Many hospitality businesses find themselves stuck with a modest following—usually around 1,500 people. The key to growth?
A steady stream of high-quality, engaging content.
But it’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s about telling a story. A simple way to do this is by showing your dishes or drinks in progress. Showcase an empty plate or cup transforming into the final, beautiful creation that your customers are about to enjoy.
Take it a step further: why not go back to the source? Show the ingredients arriving from a local farm and the process from farm to table. This kind of storytelling resonates with people. And remember, food never goes out of style—it’s a universal language. Humans will never tire of watching good food being made.
3. Bring Your Team to Life
Your team is part of your brand, and people love to see the faces behind the scenes. If they’re comfortable, show your team interacting, having fun, and, most importantly, reenacting real customer situations—both the positive and the tricky ones. It’s entertaining, and it gives your audience a sneak peek of what it’s like to interact with your business.
4. Make Every Post on Your Grid ‘Forever Relevant’
Avoid using your grid to promote short-term events. Instagram grids are there to showcase your food, drinks, and atmosphere—not to advertise Friday night specials. If you have events coming up, keep them to your stories. This allows you to repeatedly remind potential customers without cluttering your grid with temporary content.
5. Use Your Location as a Selling Point
Whenever you post on TikTok or Instagram, always mention your location. Especially for local businesses, this helps attract your local audience. I’ve had incredible success using this strategy, gaining thousands of followers for local businesses in a matter of weeks. The goal is to be the local hotspot, and location-specific content helps build that connection.
Ready to Level Up Your Social Media?
This is just a taste of how effective social media management can transform your hospitality brand. If you’re ready to stop fumbling with your posts and start going viral, I’d love to help.
With over a decade of experience, I specialise in strategies tailored to cafés, bars, and restaurants, and I know what works. Book a consultation today and let’s get your business in front of the right audience—after all, your customers are waiting!
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