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Since the launch of Instagram Stories back in 2016, users have enjoyed an increase in engagement/impressions and a decrease in the pressure to post perfectly. It’s also lots of fun with added effects and layers being added on a regular basis (your reminder to check your updates).
In this article, we will discuss 6 great Instagram story tips for restaurants that will help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement.
Instagram is an excellent platform for restaurant owners to showcase their restaurants menu, ambience, customer experience even blog post. With over 1 billion active users, Instagram stories allow you to engage with your audience and keep them updated about your restaurant.
Restaurant Marketing-Instagram Stories
Tip 1: Polls/Ask A Question
Polls and questions are excellent engagement tools that can help you gather valuable feedback from your audience. With polls, you can ask your audience about their favourite dishes, drinks, or desserts.
You can also ask them about their preferred dining experience, such as indoor or outdoor seating. With questions, you can get feedback on your menu, ambience, or customer service.
Polls and questions are easy to create on Instagram stories. To create a poll, tap the "Poll" sticker and ask your question. You can provide two options for users to choose from, and they can select their preferred choice by tapping on it. For questions, use the "Questions" sticker and ask your question. Your followers can respond by typing their answers, and you can share their responses on your story.
Using polls and questions can help you gather valuable feedback and insights about your restaurant, which can help you improve your offerings and customer experience. It also shows that you value your customer's opinions and are committed to providing the best experience possible.
Tip 2: Reposts/Add to Story On Your Restaurant Instagram
Reposting user-generated content is an excellent and fun way to showcase your restaurant's customer experience. When your customers share their experience at your restaurant on their Instagram stories, you can repost their content to your restaurant's Instagram story and tag them.
It not only helps you showcase your restaurant's customer experience but also is fun and creates a sense of community among your followers.
To repost content, you can take a screenshot of the user's story or use a third-party app to download it. Then, you can add it to your story and tag the user by mentioning their username or using the Instagram handle sticker.
Reposting your customers post shows you value your customers' experience and appreciate their support. It also encourages other users to share photos of their experience at your restaurant and tag you in their stories.
Tip 3: Add Your Location
Adding your restaurant's location to your Instagram story is essential for reaching a larger audience.
When you add your location to your story, it will appear in the Instagram location search, making it easier for users to discover your restaurant.
You can also use location tags to showcase your restaurant's ambience, decor, or menu.
To add your restaurant business location to your story, tap the "Location" sticker and search for your restaurant's name. You can also use the "Hashtag" sticker to add relevant hashtags that describe your restaurant's offerings, such as #foodie, #foodporn, or #yum.
Adding your location and relevant hashtags to your story can help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement.
It also allows users to discover your restaurant and learn more about your offerings.
Tip 4: Keep It Real
Authenticity is essential when it comes to Instagram stories. Your followers want to see the real you, and they want to know what's happening behind the scenes. You can use Instagram stories to showcase your restaurant's daily operations, such as preparing dishes, serving customers, or cleaning up.
Quick Tip: Make the most of natural lighting!
To keep it real, you don't have to create highly produced videos or curated content. Instead, use your smartphone to capture everyday moments at your restaurant.
Show your followers how you prepare your signature dish, how you decorate your restaurant for special occasions, or how you interact with your loyal customers there.
Keeping it real on Instagram stories can help you build a connection with your audience and create a sense of authenticity around your restaurant. It also shows new customers and potential customers that you value transparency and are committed to providing the best experience possible.
Quick Tip: You can use a scheduling tool like the free Facebook planner for your stories!
Tip 5: Promote Your Story
Promoting your Instagram story is a great way to reach a wider audience and increase engagement on a social media platform.
You can use Instagram's "Promote" feature to target users who are interested in food and dining.
This feature allows you to select a budget, duration, and audience for your story, making it easier to reach your target audience.
Quick Tip: To promote your story, tap the "Promote" button on your story and follow the prompts to create your promotion. You can select your target audience based on location, interests, or behaviours. Once your promotion is live, you can track its performance using Instagram's analytics.
Promoting your Instagram story can help you reach a wider audience, get more impressions, increase engagement, and gain as many followers as you can. It also enables you to drive traffic to your restaurant's website or booking page.
Go on, reach those hungry people!
You can also use Instagram's "swipe up" feature to direct users to your website or menu if you have more than 10k followers.
Tip 6: Use Hashtags
Hashtags are essential for increasing visibility and reaching a broader audience on social media platforms beyond Instagram. You can use relevant hashtags to describe your restaurant's offerings, such as #foodie, #foodporn, or #yum.
You can also create your business' own branded hashtag and encourage your followers to use it when sharing their experience at your restaurant.
To use hashtags, tap the "Hashtag" sticker and search for relevant hashtags. You can also type your own hashtags and add them to your post or story. Using relevant and popular hashtags can help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement.
Using branded hashtags can help create a sense of community around your restaurant and encourage your followers to share their experiences with your brand. It also makes it easier for you to track user-generated content and showcase it on posts or your Instagram story.
A great reminder: As a restaurant owner, you may be tempted to use a lot of hashtags but be aware there is such a thing as too many hashtags; they will make your post look spammy.
Bonus Instagram Stories Restaurant Marketing Tips
Blog Post
Sharing your new blog posts on your Instagram feed and stories is a great way to build trust with potential customers.
Food Bloggers
Reaching out to food bloggers and offering them free food is another great way to reach a wider audience and gain more followers and direct reservations.
Restaurant Offers
Instagram stories are a great way to inform customers about restaurant offers and to run contests. Try using individual posts to draw attention to your offer or contest!
Instagram Account/Instagram Profile
Your Instagram account details should be full and accurate.
Answer Every Direct Message
It's very important that you answer each message in a timely manner!
Conclusion
Instagram stories are an excellent way for restaurants to engage with their audience and showcase their offerings.
Using the six tips discussed in this article can increase engagement, reach a wider audience, and create a sense of authenticity around your brand.
Whether you're using polls and questions to gather feedback, reposting user-generated content, or using hashtags to increase visibility, these tips can help you take your Instagram game to the next level.
Don't have the time? Let us help you with your marketing needs!
We're a restaurant marketing agency ready to take your restaurant business to the next level!
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