Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s time to make your restaurant sparkle online!
At Escalate, we’ve spent the last 10 years helping restaurants like yours thrive through effective social media strategies. This Christmas, we’re excited to share 8 Festive Marketing Tips for Restaurants that will boost your engagement and drive more customers into your business.
But that’s not all! Explore our valuable resources:
- Christmas Content Calendar: Plan your posts for maximum impact!
- Tips for Posting: Create captivating content that attracts diners. If you don’t have the in-house expertise, consider hiring a content creator or reaching out to us (contact@escalate.ie) for assistance.
- The Benefits of Christmas Giveaways: Learn how giveaways can create excitement and increase customer visits.
Join us in making this Christmas a memorable one for your restaurant!
Click here to discover our tips and resources!
Christmas Content Calendar (we’ve included lots of great examples from some of our clients to help you out!)
The Benefits of Christmas Giveaways
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous Christmas season!
Best wishes,
The Team at Escalate
Spread the Christmas Cheer: 8 Festive Marketing Tips for Restaurants!
Tis the season to sparkle online! Get ready to spread Christmas cheer and boost your restaurant’s presence with these essential social media marketing tips. At Escalate, we’ve spent the last decade partnering with restaurants and hospitality businesses, so you can trust us to help. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to attract new customers. To make a lasting impression, it is essential to “dress to impress” and create a memorable experience that will encourage them to return during the quieter months of the year.
Here are ten impactful marketing strategies to help you shine this Christmas!
1) Refresh Your Online Presence
Ensure your restaurant’s social media profiles and website is up to date. Showcase what makes your restaurant special, from staff, festive food offerings to unique dining experiences. An engaging profile will attract potential diners and encourage them to visit. Make sure you follow our tips for posting for the best results!
2) Share Your Menus Online
Did you know that 77% of diners research the menu online before visiting a restaurant? This is why it is so important you post your Christmas menus across your social media platforms. Highlight special Christmas dishes and drinks to entice followers and help them make informed decisions about dining with you during the celebrations. If your menu is looking a bit plain and you want to spice things up, you can use Canva’s free templates to give your menu a new look.
View this post on Instagram
3) Curate a Festive Drink Menu
Promote a special drinks menu featuring Christmas favorites like mulled wine and themed cocktails. By creating a special drink only available during the Christmas season, you will create a sense of urgency for those eager to try. Use visually appealing images and video content to showcase these offerings on social media and attract attention. We love these cocktail ideas from The Bash if you need some inspiration!
4) Create a Festive Atmosphere
Share photos and videos of your restaurant transformed into a Christmas haven. A visually appealing space filled with festive decorations benefits your restaurant in many ways!
- It can enhance your social media presence
- It drives more footfall – take a look at Hole In The Wall and The Ginger Man – two great examples to see how they have maximized the benefits of creating an atmosphere
- It can encourage guests to share their experiences.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, we love these Christmas decorations ideas from Silken Thomas, Hole In The Wall and The Ginger Man.
View this post on Instagram
5) Harness the Power of Email Marketing
Complement your social media efforts with email campaigns. Use email to inform customers about your festive offerings and promotions, and drive traffic to your social media channels. If you’re interested in starting an email marketing campaign, MailChimp is a great tool that allows you to create and schedule impactful messages for your audiences.
6) Engage on Social Media
Leverage the increased user engagement during the Christmas season. Run giveaways and encourage user-generated content to connect with your audience and attract new diners. Check out these ideas for staff content, food content and some other fun post ideas!
7) Capitalise on Pre-Holiday Opportunities
Consider promoting themed events or special menus for occasions leading up to Christmas. This approach can create buzz on social media and attract guests looking for unique dining experiences. Check out some ideas below to see if they would suit your restaurant!
Christmas Parties – Promote catering services or group dining options for office parties and family gatherings
New Year’s Eve – Promote special dining experiences leading up to the big night
Christmas Light Displays – Offer special evening dining deals for families visiting local light shows or displays
Gift Card Promotions – Encourage gift card purchases as Christmas gifts, possibly offering bonuses for larger purchases
8) Promote Gift Cards
Highlight gift card promotions on your social media platforms. Create eye-catching posts to entice followers to purchase gift cards for loved ones, showcasing them as a perfect Christmas gift. If you don’t have gift cards already, we recommend using Voucher Connect to design the perfect gift card for your business!
Check out our Christmas Checklist which includes all of the above in a printable format.
