Restaurant Marketing: Promoting Your Business With TikTok

Short-form videos are a huge marketing trend for good reason. They capture attention and could potentially have the highest ROI among social media advertising channels. One of the leading short-form video apps on the scene right now is TikTok.

TikTok is a fast-growing social media app that gives users the ability to create, share, and watch short videos. Launched in 2016, the app now has 1 billion users monthly. Plus, 49 percent of users claim the app influences their purchasing decisions.

TikTok for Restaurants 

Restaurants can benefit from TikTok’s platform because it’s designed to be visual. As culinary providers know, customers eat with their eyes first. Showcasing short-form videos of food preparation, composed plates, and even quick food hacks can draw guests to your establishment through the power of video. What makes TikTok unique is that it is designed to furnish users with new content and accounts. Its algorithm studies what a user is watching and interacting with, then showcases recommendations based on data via a For Your Page. This, in turn, pushes users to discover new profiles they haven’t started following yet. For restaurants, this is a huge benefit, allowing them to get in front of users without a high marketing budget.

Setting Up a Restaurant TikTok Account

If your restaurant doesn’t have a TikTok account getting started is easy.

1. Download the App: Use the Apple App Store or Google Play, depending on your smart device, to download TikTok’s app. You will be prompted to add a new account. Restaurant owners should choose “business account.”
2. Create Username: Your username should reflect your business name. For example, if your establishment’s name is Deliah’s Desserts, try @deliahsdesserts. If your name is already taken, incorporate other identifying markers, for instance, @deliahsdesserts_NOLA.
3. Add Photo and Business Name: Upload a high-resolution photo of your restaurant logo and include your restaurant’s name.
4. Create Bio: Use the allowable 80 characters to provide your location, cuisine type, and any other brief, crucial brand info.
5. Enter Email Address: This is vital for potential influencer partnerships.
6. Designate Your Category: Select the most appropriate classification for your eatery. “Food and Beverage” and “Restaurants and Bars” are the best options. 
7. Link other Social Media Profiles: If you have Instagram and YouTube, link to your company profiles.

TikTok Tip: TikTok allows businesses to link directly to their websites after the account has 1,000 followers. Before hitting that target number, you can add a link to your website in your bio.

Using TikTok for Effective Restaurant Marketing

TikTok is designed as a visual platform, so you want to create eye-catching, trending content. If you want to stand out, there are a few key marketing strategies to implement in your TikTok campaign.

Staff Shorts

Consumers are looking for an entire food experience. Part of that is seeing what your staff is up to daily. Film “Day in the Life” shorts that introduce your team and create a sense of community between your followers and your establishment.

How It's Made

Life hacks and recipe videos are enormous trends. According to a survey by SWNS Digital, 60 percent of people watch life hack videos and  54 percent find kitchen-focused hacks the most helpful. 

Showcase your amazing food and beverages by filming behind-the-scenes how-tos. Videos of a pastry chef making your famous scones, chefs creating a classic roux for award-winning gumbo, or a bartender showing off their mixology skills are all fun highlights viewers want to see.

Influencer Opportunities

A report from Influencer Market Hub says that 90 percent of those surveyed believeinfluencer marketing is highly effective. The study also shows over 40 percent of businesses on TikTok also use it in conjunction with influencer campaigns. Partnering with influencers can help you promote events, show off custom offerings, and cause people to drool over your delicious eats.

Enhance Your Dishes with Supplies from US Foods CHEF’STORE

Create stunning dishes made for visual appeal with supplies from CHEF’STORE. We offer exceptional restaurant supplies and products—from fresh produce to wholesale meats, seafood, beverages, dry goods, and more! Plus, we provide our culinary partners with helpful business resources to take your marketing campaigns to the next level.

Visit your local CHEF’STORE today!