Coming up with what to post each week may get you to feel overwhelmed. After awhile you may lack creativity and feel you are posting the same thing over and over again, such as your favorite pizza fresh out of the oven. There’s really an endless amount of ideas for you to use when it comes to posting on social media. Try to post several times a week and use the ideas below to find creative post ideas that will resonate with your audience.
Before we jump into the list, remember to keep content relevant to who your audience is. What do they care about? What would they want to see from you? Speak to your followers, not at them. Create a message they'll want to connect with.
For Instagram
Instagram is a highly visual social media platform. It is mainly used for great quality static images and short video clips. Instagram allows you to promote your food and service in a casual, authentic way. It is not necessarily to directly sell, but to engage and inform your audience.
Here are some examples using the various forms of Instagram posts:
Classic Posts
Before and after pizza is cooked (2 images)
In action image of cheese being stretched
Outdoor dining area you are proud of
Employee group photo
New menu item
This or That: Two different similar but different foods
Set up at a catering event announcing your services
Attention to an award or publication you were featured in
Your pizza display case with various pies you offer
Share a customer review (with their permission of course!)
'We are Hiring' graphic
Share a service you offer your customers may not know about
Host a challenge where participants use a hashtag and tag you
Re-share a customer's post of your food (give them credit!)
Memes to show your sense of humor
Food you are holding a promotion on
Spotlight a loyal customer and their go-to menu choice
A hilarious meme your customers can relate to (try not to use politics or insensitivity)
Use food holidays to showcase your food
Hold a giveaway- Let it read something like this: Follow these steps to enter 1.) Tag a friend 2.) Comment below
Reels
Reels are three- to 15-second clips with a soundtrack playing over them. It gives you a creative space to make and share short videos with your audience that engage and entertain.
Making a pizza
Playing a prank on a co-worker
Employees dancing to a trending song
Throwback footage of what your restaurant used to look like, and where it is at now
Candid reaction to reviews about you that are unique
Stories
Stories allow you to share short videos and images to a temporary "Story" which is visible to followers of the user's Instagram account. They help you capture everything in between the normal posts and create content with more context without bombarding your customers with information.
Polls: on a new menu item, This or That (2 images of similar foods asking which one)
Ask a question to get direct message replies
Behind the scenes in the kitchen cooking
Business announcements: updates on hours, days of operation, etc.
Unloading a shipment (tagging #FerraroFoods of course!)
Photos of or list of weekly or daily specials
IGTV
IGTV allows you to post videos to its platform if they are over 1 minute long. As a longer form video, these typically go more in depth and are a more immersive form of video.
Owner briefly talking about the history of his business and his passion for his business
Showcase an event you catered for
Show how you make your homemade sauce, pasta, etc.
Interviewing happy customers dining
For Facebook
Facebook is a platform that can drive traffic to your site, as well as be a tool to inform customers and potential customers about your products and service and what you are up to. It is more for news and relevant updates than Instagram.
Here are some examples using the various forms of Facebook posts:
Image/Photo
Photos are a great way to show off your business in a visual way. Facebook allows up to 10 photos on the same post.
New menu items available
Customers dining (with their permission of course)
Your dining area
Take a picture of your print menu
Your seasonal specials
Employee group photo
Outside or curb view of your location (to help potential customers find you)
A fundraiser or charitable event hosted by your business
A recent catering event
Pizza in-the-making
Before and after of renovations made
A notable person visited your business and you took a selfie with the person
Text-based
This type of post only uses words to send out a message.
Business hours of operation updates (especially around a holiday)
A personal message of gratitude to your customers
Hold a poll for a certain question, such as which new menu item would you like better?
Ask for customer feedback or advice
Link-based
Share with your audience a URL to a webpage or article with a link-based post.
Repost a link to a news feature of your business
A link to a site that recognized you as a top business in the area
Video
Video posts typically earn higher engagement than classic image posts. Facebook recommends that your video is at least 1 minute in length.
An accumulation of footage in a fast speed inside your restaurant showing customers having a great time
A behind-the-scenes video showing your talent and passion for cooking
Stories
Facebook Stories are a photo or short video that shows vertically and disappears after 24 hours. They can be found at the top of your News Feed page. Photos show for five seconds, while videos are shown for up to 20 seconds.
Updates on operations
Information on promotions
Employees showing personality and having a good time at work
Photos or video of renovations made
Live Streaming
Live Streaming is a video broadcast live on Facebook. It is a great way to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at your restaurant.
Show a live event, such as the conclusion of a fundraiser where the results are in for the impact made
Get personal- Tell them an important update that wouldn't deliver as well typed out
Host a “ask me anything” session
To conclude, remember that social media is social. Be sure to monitor each platform and actively respond to comments and mentions. React and like customers who tag or mention you in their post.