If you work in the food and beverage industry and aren’t utilizing the power of social media, there’s no better time than now to get started.
Here’s why:
Before, social media was just a platform for connecting with friends, posting images, or getting the latest news. Now, it has evolved to become an important marketing channel for businesses to establish a strong connection with their customers and stand out against the noise.
Still not convinced? Here are a few metrics to remember when it comes to using social media for your small business.
- There are more than 3.5 billion active social media users today.
- More than 1 in 3 online users say they go to social media when looking for more information about a brand.
- 71% of consumers who have had a good social media experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others.
- In addition, 80% of consumers say that social media helps them decide whether or not to buy a particular product.
Furthermore, social media has evolved into a tool that all catering businesses are smart to have as a part of their marketing strategy.
And when you combine it with a commission-free catering software like HoneyCart, you’ll generate consistent sales for your business.
In this article, I’ll be breaking down how social media can help you increase sales and turn followers into customers.
Contents
- Social Proof
- Share Your Story
- Utilize Strategic Advertising
- Develop a Unique Brand Aesthetic
- Promote your Latest Sales and Offers
- Increase Website Traffic
- Grow Your Email List
- Find Where Your Audience Spend Their Time
- Provide Value
- Simplify the Ordering Process
- Track the Right Metrics
- Conclusion: Convert Your Social Media Followers into Customers
Social Proof
What’s one way to boost your sales on social media?
Social proof.
Testimonials and kind words from previous clients are a strategic way for your catering business to improve its reputation. Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or another social media platform, social proof is a great way to ensure people take your business seriously.
Often, potential customers will want to hear more about your previous work and the projects you’ve taken on before signing their contract. When they see this kind of content on social media, it helps to build trust and prove to them that you’re up for the job.
When it comes to converting followers to clients, you’re going to need to share the story behind your business and what makes it unique.
Humans love stories. As such, incorporating storytelling into your social media strategy will allow you to establish a more personal connection with your target audience. To do this, think about several ways your brand is different from the rest, and don’t be shy when it comes to sharing them.
Though you always want to remain professional, these personal details will help you avoid sounding like a robot and, instead, sound like an actual person who cares about your clients.
Utilize Strategic Advertising
On Facebook alone, there are 2.74 billion monthly users.
2.18 billion of these users can be reached by ads.
Social media advertising presents an entirely new opportunity for you to make sales and increase your clientele. Showcase your latest services, offer a discount, or promote a lead generator to get users inside your sales funnel.
All of these strategies will allow you to expand your reach. Yes, you can close the deal organically with killer content, but social media ads are there to broaden your audience and get you the traffic you need to boost sales.
Develop a Unique Brand Aesthetic
Social media platforms, like Instagram, are incredibly visual. It’s here that your catering business will be able to share its work and develop an aesthetically pleasing feed.
It might take more than a few pretty photos for you to increase your sales, but a polished, professional-looking social media page is the first step in the right direction.
Think of these platforms as an opportunity for you to showcase your resume and display your talents. From specific events to dishes to set up, you have a way to develop your brand and share how you’re different from the competition.
Promote your Latest Sales and Offers
Many businesses worry about being too pushy when it comes to selling on social media.
Think about it this way: How can someone book your services if they don’t even know what they are?
Promoting your offers on social media is a necessary step to take if you want to increase catering sales.
Though, there certainly needs to be a balance. But if you’re looking for new customers, you’d want to make sure they’re aware of the high-quality services you provide.
As such, social media is where you should share your latest offers, sales, and promotions. Whether it’s a specific discount or a new package you’ve put together, find unique ways to spread the word and pique the interest of your target audience.
Increase Website Traffic
The more traffic your website receives, the more potential customers you have knocking on your door. Your social media pages can serve as a base point for your clients to visit your website and express interest in what you have to offer.
Sharing important links and information on social media is an excellent way to get more eyes on your website. You’ll simply want to make sure your website is set up for success first.
Only lead people to your site if there’s a clear path they can take to start working with you.
And if you use catering software like HoneyCart to process catering orders, you can also add your unique custom link to your social media pages. This way, anyone that clicks on the link will be taken straight to your online menu.
Grow Your Email List
According to Statista, the global email marketing market was valued at $7.5 billion in 2020, and it’s projected to increase to $17.9 billion by 2027.
Email funnels are a vital way for your catering business to increase sales. How can you get people into these funnels?
By using social media.
You can take advantage of each of your social media platforms and use them as a way to promote your lead magnets. Once users sign up to access your lead magnet, they will be taken through a series of emails that showcase why you’re the best choice for the job.
Email marketing is a powerful marketing tool, and social media is there to make sure you’re not missing out on any potential clients.
Find Where Your Audience Spend Their Time
No, you don’t need to be on every social media platform to increase your sales. What you need to do instead is conduct market research to determine where your ideal clients are spending their time. Then, once you’ve figured it out, ensure you show up each day.
Social media marketing allows you to meet your target audience where they’re already spending time. You can then provide value, showcase your expertise, and share your story in a way that will convince users to choose you over your competitors.
Gone are the days where you need to do everything all the time. Instead, simply figure out where you need to be and show up there consistently.
Provide Value
Small businesses that consistently have new work don’t always focus on promoting their services. Instead, they craft a balance between sales content and providing value to their audience.
Social media allows your brand to share helpful tips, advice, and information. This content will help you establish yourself as an expert and someone, your ideal clients, can trust.
Think about what your customers are looking for in a catering service. Then focus on sharing these things with them on social media.
Simplify the Ordering Process
Shoppable Instagram posts, buyable pins, and profile actions such as “Reserve” and “Book” make it easy for your followers to start working with you.
Instead of having a lengthy step-by-step process, social media helps them get started on the spot.
If you’re hoping to increase sales, you need to simplify your sales process. Make it as straightforward as possible, and you’ll find you’re more likely to close the deal.
Convenience is king for customers. So no matter how engaging your social media page is, customers will still choose competitors that offer a more convenient ordering process.
And that’s where catering automation comes in.
By automating your catering orders, customers can easily go from your social media page to your online menu to place orders within minutes. This way, they don’t have to call or email you back and forth before ordering because it’s a stressful and time-consuming process for both you and your customers.
Track the Right Metrics
One of the best things about social media marketing is tracking the metrics that will allow you to convert followers to customers.
If you’re not getting the traffic you need to get more catering clients, take a look at the data behind each of your posts to see what’s working and what needs to be improved.
Analyzing the most important social media metrics will provide you with the insights you need to update your strategy and meet your sales goals.
Conclusion: Convert Your Social Media Followers into Customers
Without a doubt, social media is a great way to increase brand awareness, generate quality leads and drive catering sales.
And when you add catering automation to the mix, you’ll get the complete blueprint to growing your catering business.
However, this can only happen if you follow the tips listed above.
But as a caterer that wears many hats, you may neither have the time nor the expertise. So does that mean you should leave money on the table by ignoring social media?
Of course not.
So, if you are ready to turn followers into dollars? Our social media services will help you reclaim your time while still making the most of your pages.
Learn more about how we can help you step up your social media game here, and send us a message if you have any questions!