Becoming a Social Media Manager for a Restaurant
- Social Media, Media Productions
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Did you get a promotion from server to social media manager for the diner, restaurant or any other food establishment? Congrats!
This is the blog for you.
It's crucial to understand that many of these recommendations involve hiring a contractor who specializes in the area where you need assistance.
When executed correctly, the establishment you represent should experience a significant return on investment, and the initial costs should remain reasonable if approached strategically.
1. Serve Up Scroll-Stopping Visuals
🍽️ Rule #1: People eat with their eyes first.
High-quality, visually appealing content is the backbone of successful restaurant social media. Showcase:
Mouth-watering food photography (hire a pro or use good natural lighting!)
Behind-the-scenes videos of your kitchen or prep
Staff spotlights to humanize your brand
Instagram Reels or TikToks showing your signature dishes being made
Pro tip: We currently love YouTube shorts for restaurants or cafe's.
2. Engage, Don’t Just Broadcast
Social media isn’t a billboard; it’s a two-way street.
✅ Respond to comments and reviews
🎁 Run contests or giveaways (e.g., “Tag a foodie friend to win brunch for two!”)
❤️ Repost user-generated content (with credit, of course)
By creating genuine conversations, you build a loyal online community; not just a passive audience.
3. Use Hashtags & Location Tags Strategically
Using relevant hashtags and location tags helps your posts reach new potential customers organically. Try:
#YourCityEats (e.g., #DenverFoodie, #AustinBrunch)
Trending or niche tags like #PlantBased, #TacoTuesday
Always tag your restaurant location for discoverability
Bonus: Encourage customers to tag your restaurant in their posts; it expands your reach for free!
Check with your legal team before sharing reviews on your website or social media.
4. Stay Consistent With Posting
Consistency beats frequency. A dead feed is a red flag.
Even it's only once a week....
Do NOT stop posting.
Keep posting.
Tip: Unless you're funny, I think once a day is way too much for restaurants to post on their social media.
5. Use Paid Ads Wisely
Paid social ads can supercharge your visibility.
Run geo-targeted Facebook and Instagram ads for:
New menu launches
Special events or seasonal offers
Promotions like “Happy Hour” or “Kids Eat Free”
Target by location, interests, and dining habits to reach those most likely to visit.
6. Offer What People Crave: Specials, Exclusives & Promos
Get followers excited to visit by promoting:
Limited-time offers
Secret menu items (only for social followers!)
Loyalty rewards
Use FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in your captions to drive action: “Only 10 spots left for our pasta-making class this Friday!”
8. Create a Welcoming Online Community
Make your restaurant more than just a place to eat; make it a social destination.
💬 Ask questions in captions: “What’s your go-to comfort food?”
🎥 Share stories from your team, your regulars, or your history about your town.
👏 Celebrate holidays, milestones, and customer wins
People return to places & brands that make them feel like they belong.
Are you interested in updating your menu, and giving the images to your new social media manager? Want us to post for the year?
Let's talk about it!
We set you up for success when promoting your next social media manager for your cafe.
Fill out a contact form on SocialMediaMediaProductions.com and let's chat about your content.
And come back for more blogs! We love keeping you updated on our intrusive marketing thoughts.
-SMMP
