It’s important to stay connected with your customers during the coronavirus lockdown. Not only to communicate that you’re open for takeout or delivery, but to check-in and tell them how you’re doing and see how they’re doing. Now is the time to seek deeper engagement and build real relationships.
In a previous article, I mentioned that you should not be neglecting your social media profiles. Updating social media profiles is so important right now. I also mentioned that keeping your blog updated is beneficial as a means of keeping your customers apprised of what is happening at your restaurant or food-based business. Here are some specific ideas on ways to stay connected with your customers: Use Instagram Stories. Stories often get more views and engagement than static Instagram posts. If you’re changing your takeout menu frequently, post it as a story. Show how hard your staff is working behind the scenes making everything happen. Are your customers sharing their meals and tagging you? Re-share their stories as your own and thank them. It’ll show your gratitude to them and show other customers what they can expect from you. Use Instagram Live. Going live can capture people’s attention right away. If you have a time-sensitive message, you should really consider going live. Your followers will get a notification at the top of their feed that you’ve gone live. They will also be able to leave comments. You don’t have to put on a show, it can be a quick live session to tell your customers something important. They can replay it later, too. Use Facebook Live. Going live on Facebook can be uncomfortable especially if you don’t like being in front of the camera, but people love livestreams. This is an opportunity to have customers ask you questions that you can answer in real time. You might also want to show off some levity; make your customers laugh or smile. They’ll remember that and thank you for lifting their spirits. It’ll lift your spirits, too. Record a video. If you’re not a fan of going live, use your phone to record a quick video and upload it to your social media profiles. It can be an answer to a question, a quick status of what is going on, or something as simple as saying hello. If you’re ambitious, do a short cooking demonstration! Whatever you decide to do, your customers will appreciate it. Use your email program. Email is always a great way to stay connected with your customers. Whether you’re open or not, send out an occasional email. Remind them of the various ways they can help support you through this time. Are you selling gift cards? Are you selling merchandise? Let them know. Or simply just use it as an opportunity to tell a fun “flashback” story or share a recipe. It can be something lighthearted that can help take their minds off of what is going on. Whatever you do, keep dialogue and communication channels open with your customers. Because if you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. When this is all over, they’ll remember you if you stay connected. Need help staying connected with your customers, let me know if I can help.
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If you have a website for your restaurant, you should also have a blog. And here’s why.
Restaurant blogs are beneficial for many reasons. Most importantly, blog articles can generate local traffic to your website. With more people at home now more than ever, they are spending a lot of time surfing the web. They may be Googling to find restaurants that are open and offering takeout or delivery in their local area. Google tends to like websites that are updated frequently with fresh, relevant content. By posting to your blog, it can send a signal to the search engines that you have new information to share with readers and it may increase your search engine rankings. By publishing a new article on your restaurant blog, it gives you something to post about that will keep your social media profiles or email list current. Have a new menu offering such as a family meal deal? Blog about it. Offering a discount on gift cards? Blog about it. Want to communicate how to order from you with social distancing in mind? Blog about it. Then link to that blog article on your social media profiles or email newsletter to drive traffic to your restaurant website. Customers will be happy to see that you’re being proactive in communicating with them. By publishing your own content, you control the narrative. Use the blog as your storytelling platform. Show customers that you are in tune with what is going on in the world and in your local community. Perhaps you can share what steps you’re taking to ensure safety or feature an employee who is working hard through this challenging time. Restaurants are going to be some of the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to connect with your customers on a human level. While times are challenging enough, it may seem daunting to add blog writing to the list of things you need to do in order to stay afloat. It might seem like it will take a lot to work to maintain a blog. Keep in mind that blog articles can be brief and you can get right to the point. Uploading photos and graphics can take up a bit of space with a few lines of text. Maybe, just maybe, you can upload a video to your blog. Video content may grab people’s attention more and it will keep them on the website longer. No matter what you blog about, keep your audience in mind. This is an opportunity to build relationships with new customers and nurture relationships with current customers. It’s a time to put your best foot forward and demonstrate what makes you unique and sets you apart from others. Showcase the things that make your restaurant great and inspiring. Take this time to tell customers why they should support you right now. Connect with them and give them a reason to trust you. Just this simple act will help you gain or maintain a loyal following now and well into the future. Need help with your restaurant blog? Contact me! |
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April 2020
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