NCR CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE RESOURCES
5 ways to use Social Media to connect with loyal Customers
Published April 1, 2020
Now more than ever, it’s important for businesses to use social media to show, not tell, their unique stories. Social media is increasingly becoming a bridge between nations, businesses, the media and the public. Whether you have a small bank of customers or millions, your restaurant should also be ready to engage. Here are 5 ways to do it.
1. Use stories
Stories are a feature on Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. They allow users to capture and share content in real time that expires in 24 hours. Everyone is adjusting to a new normal when it comes to life and business, so feel empowered to use the stories feature to share recipe development for your takeout menu, cooking tutorials or what you made for breakfast (seriously!).
2. Create a promotion specific to social media
Now is a great time to launch a special exclusively for social media users, especially as people turn to those channels to entertain and connect during lockdowns and social distancing. Take advantage of this unique, captive audience and offer something they can use now.
3. Go Live
Live video is another feature on Facebook and Instagram that allows you to creative video content and stream it to your audience in real time. We all know nothing beats real, face-to-face interaction, but while that’s not an option right now, you can use live video to engage with your customers.
A few tips about going live:
Promote your live video session before you host it so you can let your audience know what date and time you’ll be live, what you’ll be talking about and to remind them to engage with you during the session.
Be mindful of what type of content works best on a live video. Q&As, cooking tutorials and interviews are some formats that work well on a live stream.
If you were already planning on filming an interview, invite them to your live session, and have them promote it to their followers, too.
4. Show support for those on the front lines of the pandemic
Now is a great time to use your restaurant’s community influence to thank essential workers, like those in healthcare, to generate some goodwill. Create a compelling graphic using an app like Canva to show your thanks and encourage your followers to share.
5. Don’t forget to drive customers to your channels:
One reason restaurants are increasingly turning to social media is because those channels are easy to update every day. Use your website, email list, food packaging (think: stickers with your social media handles printed on them) and storefront signage, if foot traffic is applicable to your restaurant, to let your customers know you’re sharing things like new specials or contactless delivery instructions on Facebook or Instagram. Learn how Chipotle Europe stays relevant amongst younger demographics by offering a more modern mobile ordering solution to its customers.
NCR is here to help you keep commerce running
For more information or assistance, please contact NCR or visit NCR.com. Find more COVID-19 information, resources and articles at NCR.com/blogs.
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