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How to make a Restaurant Popular using Your Instagram Account

It's no secret that social media becomes a significant source for restaurant owners to bring clients. Let’s find out today how to make your restaurant an Instagram hit, where gastronomic novelties engage followers and every post brings in new customers. This article is a step-by-step guide to turn your restaurant’s Instagram account into the most popular in your area. 

 

Step 1. Create an Engaging Profile

Your Instagram profile is your restaurant's first impression. Make it count! Choose a username that's simple and recognizable. Your bio should be concise and include essential information such as your location, type of cuisine, and a unique selling point. Add a link to your website or reservation page. Use a high-quality image of your restaurant’s logo or a signature dish. It should be clear and visually appealing. The Description should be concise, precise and witty.

 

Step 2. Post High-Quality Photos and Videos

Instagram is all about visuals. High-quality photos and videos can make your dishes look irresistible. When you take pictures, keep the following things in mind.
 

• Lighting: Natural light is your best friend. Shoot near windows or outdoors when possible.
• Angles: Experiment with different angles — top-down shots for flat lays, eye-level shots for burgers and sandwiches, or close-ups for intricate details.
• Editing: Use editing tools to enhance your photos, but avoid overdoing it. Instagram’s built-in filters are a good start, but apps like VSCO and Lightroom can offer more options.

If you find this to be burdensome within your busy day, you can hire a photographer on Djobzy to ease up content creation. 

 

Step 3. Publish Instagram Stories and Reels

Instagram Stories and Reels offer fantastic opportunities for sharing more casual, behind-the-scenes content with your audience. Stories allow you to share daily specials, customer testimonials, or live kitchen action. 

Create polls, post questions, and countdowns to interact directly with your audience, making them feel involved and engaged. Short videos called reels can be used to share recipe tutorials, demonstrate food plating techniques, or introduce your staff. In addition, reels have the advantage of being featured on the Explore page, potentially reaching a broader audience and attracting new followers to your restaurant.

 

Step 4. Communicate with Your Audience

Building a sense of community is crucial for the long-term success of your restaurant's Instagram presence. One way to create this community is by responding promptly to comments and direct messages from your followers, showing appreciation for their engagement.

Another effective strategy is to encourage customers to tag your restaurant in their posts. Also, with their permission, you can repost their content to your stories, demonstrating appreciation for their support and further strengthening the sense of community around your brand. Hosting regular contests or giveaways can boost engagement and attract new followers, as participants are often encouraged to tag friends or share their favorite dishes.

Step 5: Collaborate with Influencers and Local Foodies

Influencers can play a significant role in increasing your restaurant's visibility on Instagram. Consider partnering with local food bloggers or Instagram influencers by inviting them for a complimentary meal for a post or story featuring your restaurant.

While it's tempting to focus solely on larger influencers, don't overlook micro-influencers, who may have smaller but highly engaged followings and more genuine connections with their audience. Collaborating with influencers can help introduce your restaurant to a wider audience and generate buzz around your brand.

 

Step 6. Use Hashtags Strategically

Strategic use of hashtags can help new customers discover your restaurant on Instagram. Incorporate popular food-related hashtags such as #Foodie, #InstaFood, or #Yummy to increase the visibility of your posts. Additionally, include location specific hashtags like #NYCfoodie or #SeattleEats to attract local customers.

Creating a unique branded hashtag for your restaurant and encouraging customers to use it when they share their experiences can also help build brand awareness and facilitate user-generated content.

 

Step 7: Try Instagram Ads

Instagram Ads is another powerful way to reach a larger, targeted audience and promote your restaurant. Take advantage of Instagram's targeting options to reach potential customers based on factors such as location, interests, and behaviors.

Try different ad formats, including photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads, to see what resonates best with your audience. Even with a modest budget, strategically placed Instagram ads can bring significant results and drive traffic to your restaurant.

 

Step 8: Monitor Your Performance

Regularly monitoring your Instagram performance is essential for refining your strategy and maximizing your results. Use Instagram Insights to track key metrics, such as engagement, reach, and follower growth. Check which types of posts perform best with your audience and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Additionally, listen to feedback from your audience by monitoring comments and direct messages for valuable insights into what they love about your restaurant or areas where you could improve. By staying informed and responsive, you can continually optimize your Instagram presence and maintain a strong connection with your followers.

 

Step 9: Be consistent

Consistency is vital for building recognition and keeping your audience engaged on Instagram. Establishing a consistent posting schedule is crucial. Decide how often you'll post—whether it's daily, bi-weekly, or another frequency — and commit to it. Using social media management tools like Later, Buffer or Hootsuite can help you schedule posts in advance, ensuring that you maintain a regular presence on the platform without the hassle of manual posting.

Another aspect of consistency is maintaining a particular aesthetic for your Instagram feed. Create a unified look that reflects your brand identity. Use consistent color schemes, apply the same filters to your photos, or focus on specific types of content that align with your brand image. A visually appealing and harmonious feed not only enhances your brand's aesthetics but also makes your profile more memorable and attractive to people.

 

Bonus Tip: What is the optimal posting schedule?

The general rule says that you should post at least two-three times a week. Otherwise, your followers will become less engaged. The ideal posting frequency for a restaurant on Instagram typically ranges from 3 to 7 times per week. Consistency is key, so aim for at least a few posts each week to keep your audience engaged. You can also consider posting more frequently during special promotions, events, or holidays. 

It is also very important not to overdo it with publications. Posts should not be similar to one another. Change topics, be playful. This way you won't bore your subscribers.  

According to Sprout Social, professionals in the restaurant industry observe the highest engagement during the early part of the week, from Mondays to Wednesdays. For restaurants on Instagram, the most favorable posting times are on Mondays at 2 p.m. and during the 4 to 6 p.m. The engagement is also quite substantial on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

Conclusion

Instagram can be a powerful tool for making your restaurant popular. Try to follow the tips outlined in this article, create interesting, bright and useful content, engage with your audience, and analyze your performance.

Turn your Instagram account into a place for food lovers and make your restaurant a must-visit place in your area. Share your culinary masterpieces with the world. Your Instagram fame awaits!

Good luck!

 

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