The coronavirus pandemic has forced many restaurant owners to shut down their operations for the time being and the rest of us to limit activity outside the home. While everybody finds different ways to spend this down time, it might be a great opportunity for you to look at some restaurant marketing activities in order to stay top of mind. 
So, what kind of content could you create to boost your restaurant marketing efforts? 

1) Behind the Scenes
People love your food, but more importantly, they love you. One of the big reasons your guests dine with you is because of how you make them feel, not just because of how delicious your food is. 

• Take your audience behind the scenes into your dining room, your kitchen or even your living room. Here are a few ideas: 
• Tell them the story of how you got started in the restaurant business
• What was the inspiration behind starting your restaurant? 
• Why did you want to become a restaurant owner?
• Virtually interview members of your staff about what they love about your restaurant and what it’s like being a part of your team (you can record your video calls for free using a platform like Skype or Zoom)

2) Share How You’re Coping 
Having your restaurant shut down is tough. This is a great opportunity to also show customers and loyal fans how you’re dealing with what’s going on – especially since everyone is online right now.

For example, if you’re taking extra measures to support your staff in some way, you can share that on your website, social media, or by email. 

There’s a very real, very human story behind every restaurant, especially at a time like this. Don’t be afraid to let people see that side of your business.

3) Share Recipes, Tutorials, and Live Cooking Shows
With so much time at home, people are looking for something to do – why not give them a miniature cooking class? Teaching your audience about some of your beloved dishes could help build equity in your brand and an appetite to dine with you later.  

Have the best spaghetti Bolognese in town? Publish the recipe with stunning images of it being prepared, step by step. Do your customers rave about your Eggs Benedict? Teach them how to poach an egg through a short video tutorial you can house right on your Instagram story – great for people to watch and simple for them to make. Does your food lend itself to some great family meals? Go live on Facebook each week with a cooking show that engages that whole family.

We get it – this may sound counter-intuitive. Why would you share your secrets and potentially give your competition visibility into your operations? We’re not suggesting you livestream how to make your secret sauce, but you can walk people through a simple recipe that will make them feel more connected to your brand – no secrets required.

Even if you showed your audience every step of how you make a certain dish at your restaurant, you’re still the expert. That’s why they love coming to dine with you. 

Though your audience can’t dine with you in-person right now, letting them in on what makes you special lets them be a part of your brand from home. They’ll likely attempt a few of your recipes themselves before coming to your establishment for the real stuff when you open up again. 

4) Reach a New Audience on a New Social Media Channel
Now may be the time to test different social media channels and features as part of your COVID-19 marketing strategy. 

Connect with regulars and reach new potential guests by experimenting with social media channels and features you’ve never tried before. 

Have you been curious about trying live streaming on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube? Or what other restaurateurs have been publishing on TikTok? 

Many TikTok users have been creating their own recipe videos using the rapidly-growing platform. Because of its recent popularity, this could be just the space for you to try and reach a new audience. 

Of course, don’t forget to give your usual social media channels – like Instagram – some love by remaining active. 

You are not alone in the struggle caused by COVID-19 – this is an industry-wide pain. Restaurateurs around the world are all in the same boat and that means you can all lean on each other for community and hope. 

Just because your restaurant is shut down right now, doesn’t mean you can’t come together with others in your local neighborhood to create some positive support for the industry. 

Contact our team at contact@x2globalmedia.com to get free consulation!