Using social media to gain customer insights in the restaurant industry.

By Lauren Gehrki 

Social media has become one of the most relevant ways to reach current and potential customers in the restaurant industry. Facebook is equipped with tools to reach out to any business' customer base, and these tools can be customized to fit the restaurant industries' needs.

Facebook has the ability to connect with customers before and after their dining experience. One can begin with an ad or promoted post reaching out to a specific consumer base. If one does not know their desired base beforehand Facebook has insights after each promoted post. These insights give ideas into the age, location, and gender demographics of the promoted posts' viewers and interactions. These promoted posts can give potential customers access to the restaurant's page, phone number, deals, and more.

After the customer has decided to view your restaurant's page you have the opportunity to make an impression of your food quality with pictures, videos, posts, information on specials, and reviews. Customers can check in at your restaurant furthering your promotion and ideas as to the demographics of your customers.

Customers can interact with your restaurant's Facebook after their visit in the form of reviews. Trusting that they had a pleasant experience this can encourage more potential customers. These couple steps can give your restaurant a great starting step in social media and using social media to get an idea of your potential demographic as you go forward in promoting your restaurant. 

Comments