Social Networking: Five Restaurants that Understand Social Media Marketing

**This is an article written for a client based out of Europe. The right's of this article are still retained by me.

Social Media is everywhere. Businesses are starting to jump on the band wagon of social networking to promote and grow their business.  Restaurants are typically able to grow their business through word of mouth. Happy customers spread the word about their fantastic dining experience. With the evolution of social media restaurants are stepping it up a notch and becoming more inventive in their marketing campaigns.

Dempsey’s Burger Pub
Dempsey’s have jumped on the social media wagon with a Facebook and Twitter account along with having an iPhone app. Right on the homepage of their website are links to all facets of social networking that they use. According to their testimonials, by being accessible through social media and on the iPhone, their business has picked up and they are becoming a widely popular restaurant in their town.

Paparazzi Cafe and Restaurant
The Paparazzi Café uses social media outlets Facebook as well as Gibraltar’s Social Network -- or gibbook.com -- to promote their restaurant. By using Facebook they are able to reach out to thousands and show what is being offered. They are able to quickly announce specials and coupons to draw customers into the restaurant. The Paparazzi already has over 2,000 likes on Facebook.

Havana Central
Havana Central has devised a way to pull more customers into their establishment by instating interactive contests. These contests have helped grow their following on Facebook and Twitter. They also have hired a social media manager to ensure that they are properly utilizing all avenues of social media. They have found that customers love the opportunity to interact with the restaurant online.

Nombe
This Japanese restaurant has starting using social media to boost their customer base. They use Foodspotting and promote scavenger hunts and recommendation dish guides. They also have a presence on Facebook and Twitter as well as being a part of the Foodspotting app.

The Dam
The Dam is another example of a restaurant taking to social media to grow their customer base. They are available on Facebook and Twitter along with all local online news and blog venues. They offer coupons and discounts for their followers. Their followers also get the special incentive of learning about specials and entertainment news first through social media.

While most people think of social media as a way of connecting with family and friends, businesses, especially restaurants have found a level of success by promoting themselves through social media. Although to successfully promote your business through social media takes a lot of resources, expertise and customer involvement or willingness to give it a go, the rewards of becoming a presence on social media will pay off in the end. Many times in order to become successful and maintain that level of success, a business may want to employ the use of a specialist within that area. An online social media presence for a business takes substantial effort to start up and to keep momentum, although once established, the business should be able to continually bring in new customers.