Social Media is a must in the marketing mix for Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, Pubs and Bars.

In fact, Social Media is becoming such a major part of our lives, that if your business is not connected, then you are risking your survival. I don’t say this to be scare-mongering, it’s the way the world is changing. I can’t stress enough how important it is. With your customers embracing Social Media at work and at play, they will expect to be able to find you and they are LOOKING.

Of course some restaurants will not embrace the advantages of this global phenomenon. They may well continue to enjoy a profitable future, but they are missing out on opportunities.

These opportunities include:

1. Data Gathering – Your website, blog and Facebook page should all contain links for customers and potential customers to subscribe. Your newsletters, offers, clubs or any list you build are what you use to build deeper, closer relationships with your customers. This is your promotional arm for your business and you need to be able to grow your lists.
2. Customer feedback – By setting up alerts, you can be up-to-date and aware of any comments made about your establishment. Any complaint made about your venue, can be potentially damaging to your reputation. Being aware as soon as possible allows you to deal with any issues, problems or complaints that crop-up. Deal with it publicly or privately depending on the circumstances, but ensure you are proactive and use the incident to improve your service levels. Remember, people are going to talk about you anyway. Gain useful feedback from using surveys as well.
3. Customer Interaction – Get some conversations going with your customers, build trust and relationships, by giving advice, answering questions, asking questions, requesting opinions or help. Do not mistake this for selling, this is not your aim here.
4. Spreading the Word – Use sharing tools, so that your customers can pass on your useful tips to their own friends and recommend your venue. Have video and photo’s of recent events that your customers can share with their friends. Use links and follow buttons so your community can find and follow you on your blog, Facebook and twitter.
5. Team Involvement – Getting your team involved in Social Media is fantastic. Not only does it broaden the interest for your customers, it also allows your staff to get more involved in something they will undoubtedly enjoy. It also lightens the load on yourself or whoever you place in charge of your SM involvement. Additionally it gets all your staff focused on the same principles and vision you have for your business. Your customers will benefit more by understanding your business ethos. Get your chef involved in sharing tips and recipes.

These are just a few of the strategies you can use, it’s an endless list.

All of this and more for nothing except your time. This means you have exactly the same platforms available to you as the big boys. You can compete on a global level.

Change your marketing to revolve around your social media platforms, it’s a natural process, but if you need help, you just need to ask.