5 Social Media Trends Your Restaurant Needs To Follow In 2019

As more and more restaurants open across the country, it is becoming increasingly difficult for eating establishments to make themselves stick out from the competition. However, as social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have become a part of so many people's lives on a daily basis, smart restaurant owners are discovering they can use social media in many new and innovative ways. If you are ready to take your restaurant to the next level, here are five social media trends your restaurant will need to follow in 2019.

Spotlight Your Staff

At any successful restaurant, owners know it is the staff that makes the difference between success and failure. Therefore, many restaurants are now using social media to put their staff in the spotlight. A great way to recognize their hard work and commitment to the restaurant, it also allows customers to gain greater insight into the chef, servers, bartenders, and others working in their favorite eating establishment. As for ideas, you can showcase your chef and feature their favorite dish, let customers know your staff's favorite hobbies, or perhaps showcase how many staff members currently attend a local college. Whatever you choose, it's a great way to personalize those who are the face of your business.

Give a Peek Behind the Scenes

As with anything, people like to know what goes on behind the scenes of their favorite restaurant. By posting photos of various tasks and events, you can let customers see the hard work that goes into creating and running a great restaurant. Examples can include photos of staff completing a food protection course, meeting with local farmers with whom your restaurant does business, and showing what it takes to keep a restaurant kitchen clean and safe on a daily basis.

Share Menu Recommendations
If you are introducing a new dish, make sure you share it on social media. Whether you use a photo or video to do so, always include comments from staff and satisfied customers. Not only is this a great way to encourage customers to try something new the next time they drop by, but it will also let you see which items may be gaining in popularity.

Get Creative with Your Announcements

While some restaurants post their announcements in the usual ho-hum way, others choose to get very creative, and it almost always pays off. If you want to stand out from the crowd, you can do so in many ways. For example, if you are going to be opening a new location, post pictures of various phases of construction and give hints as to what new features or services customers can expect. Also, if staff members recently complete training such as a food protection course or gain a promotion, post this as well. By always giving customers something new on your social media sites, they will visit you online as well as in person.

Promote Your Connection to Community Activities

If your restaurant is involved with local community activities, be sure to post this on social media. As marketing experts know, customers love to support local businesses that are actively involved in numerous community activities. Whether you are donating proceeds from a night's sales to a local animal shelter or are perhaps partnering with a local school to help purchase school supplies, letting people know of your community activities will greatly enhance the reputation of you, your staff, and your business.

With millions of people on social media at any given moment, following a few of or all of these trends will allow your restaurant to easily surpass the competition.