What your venue should be doing on Instagram

In today’s current climate, it is more important than ever for guests, customers, and potential customers to know exactly what restaurants and venues are open, how they are serving the community, and the venue’s safety protocols so that guests can decide if they feel comfortable enough to visit the establishment or plan a future event with them. We have put together these tips on how to set up your Instagram profile with relevant information and some post ideas for you to share so guests know exactly what to expect when they visit your venue, whether it’s for takeout, dine-in, or an event. 

How to set up your profile:

Profile Photo

The profile photo that you select is the first thing that followers will see, so make sure your profile photo, usually your logo, is the same one you are using for all of your social accounts and website. Make it as easy as possible for your customers to find your pages across all platforms with a uniform profile photo.

Name

Select the name that most people will know you by. If your organization has several locations, it’s a good idea to add the city or metro area you are located in so it’s clear which location this account represents.

Username

This can be the same as your Name. The username is what is used as your handle, how guests will search and find you. For example, if my venue name is Porcupine and Bear, my username and handle will be ‘porcupineandbear’ or ‘porcupineandbearboston’. Again you’ll want to use the same handle across all of your social networks.

Website

Really what this is asking for is any link that is important for the guest to see, such as your website, reservation calendar, or a takeout order form. You want to make it super easy for the guest to take the next action with you.

Bio

Your bio should always be up to date on what days and hours you are open, what you are currently serving, dine-in, takeout, or delivery, types of events, as well as how to contact you. 

Post Ideas:

1. Don’t be shy about the fact that you are open. Share several posts. Put it in your stories and bio. Broadcast it everywhere that you are open for business. 
2. Share posts about what you are doing to meet safety protocols and state requirements.
   1. 1. How has your floor plan changed
      2. Did you move your host stand
      3. Has your air system been upgraded
      4. Where does a guest pick up their take out
      5. Where should a guest park curbside
3. Share posts about what you are offering if you have created or added anything new.
   1. 1. Are you serving your full menu or only a portion of your menu
      2. What packages are you offering? Meal kit and a bottle of wine?
      3. Are you only hosting events with 100 guests or less or 50 guests or less
      4. Did you previously not offer takeout and now are - share, share, share
      5. Are you available for catering for at-home events
4. Content about what the guest standards are and the rules of visiting your venue
   1. 1. Where should guests wait upon arrival?
      2. When and where are they required to wear their mask?
      3. What menu should they look for
      4. How do they place an order
      5. Did you print cards with the rules of conduct
5. Post stories and use Instagram Live because videos will expand your audience reach. Plus, watching a story is a much smaller ask than a ‘like’ of a post or a follow of your account.
   1. 1. Tour of your updated space, how tables are 6 feet apart 
      2. Tour of your expanded or newly created outdoor space
      3. Staff walking around in their masks and gloves - cleaning and sanitizing
      4. Videos of any new eco-friendly takeaway containers or plates and cutlery that will be used within the venue
      5. Your sanitizing stations throughout the venue
      6. Walkthrough of a socially distant event or dine-in service
6. Save the most important stories to your highlights so anyone can see them when they need it
   1. 1. Hours
      2. Current menu or offerings
      3. What type and size events you canu accommodate
      4. Restaurant rules of conduct
7. Get creative with your posts - on the EventUp directory, we typically see folks looking for a venue six to eight weeks before an event. Start showcasing your venue setup for the upcoming holidays. What promotions or packages will be served? Start promoting those now to get folks inspired.

With your Instagram account along with your main website and across all of your venue’s social accounts - you want to highlight that your venue is open and safe. Overshare what your venue is capable of providing as far as food, beverages, and events. Overshare how you are adapting to all of the safety requirements. Overshare how safe it is for all guests to enjoy what your venue has to offer. And if anything changes or is updated about your hours, offerings, or promotions. Update your profile and share photos and videos!

Need help optimizing your LinkedIn account? We have you covered; check out: What Your Venue Should Be Doing on LinkedIn.

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