Social media

#TIPS AND #TRICKS FOR BUILDING YOUR BRAND Social media platforms are sort of like the local watering hole – they serve as a place for people to gather, socialise, spend time, and discuss what’s been going on and there’s never been a more influential time to make sure you have a social media presence for your café or restaurant. ON SOCIAL MEDIA

On social media, you can promote your wares, communicate with customers, and attract new business. Building your brand with social media is easy if you get the fundamentals right, and you can master it in a few strokes. The challenge, if any, would lie in staying consistent in applying the fundamentals. Here are some top social media tips and tricks to keep your business front and centre on your customers’ screens.

# Know Your Customer

What does your customer want? And even before that, who is your customer? Take time out to think this through. Once you pin this bit, it’s easy to weave menu items that cater to them and keep them excited by sharing it on your social media channels.

# Stay True to Your Style

If your café or restaurant is arty and eclectic, then let your social media reflect this. You should always keep the soul of your business intact while promoting your brand, don’t just go with something that’s trending if it doesn’t make sense for your space.

# Keep those Images High-Quality

While you don’t need to be, or hire, a professional photographer to create your mages, it’s important to make sure your photos are well-lit, in focus and set against an aesthetically pleasing background – no messy tables or spills!

# Incorporate Your Branding

Showing off your food and drinks should be a top priority on social media, but part of knowing how to use social media for restaurants includes sprinkling your logo and brand colours into your content. This is especially important for building brand awareness among new audiences who may not have dined with you before and giving them a glimpse into your restaurant’s personality.

# The Power of the Hashtag

Hashtags help your posts get discovered. When someone types in #KiwiCafe into the search bar of a social channel, the result will filter out content that carries this hashtag. You can be as inventive with hashtags as you want but it’s a good idea to first search Google for trending hashtags around your Café’s offering. Also go easy with hashtags on Facebook – no more than three is the rule.

# Timing is Everything

While you want to make an impression on your social media followers, you don’t want to annoy them by posting too often. You also don’t want to miss them completely by posting at the wrong time! If you can swing two posts per day on Instagram at a minimum, you’re doing well. On Facebook, two posts a day is a healthy maximum. The best time to post on both social networks is in the afternoon or evening.

# Engage with Customer Content

If you don’t engage with your followers, they may stop following you or visiting your establishment. If a customer tags you in a post, like it and comment, you can also share customer created content. This is an excellent way to celebrate your guests on social media and make them feel special. If you don’t have a ton of user-generated content, you can run a contest to encourage guests to share pictures of their favourite dishes with you and tag your restaurant in the photos.

New look, same great taste.

For over 40 years we’ve been providing top quality products for all our trade customers, so we thought it was time to update your favourite Gilmours House Brand with new packaging and an exciting range of new products too.

Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same great results, just now with a whole new look.

@amisfieldrestaurant_s dark and delicious aesthetic

@luxerosecafe use a delicate touch for their delicacies

Floral finery from @luxerosecafe

Keeping it colourful @fidels_cafe Stunning simplicity intrigues @amisfieldrestaurant

@margos_qt draw on fun South American vibes for their social

@fidels_cafe keep it as funky on Instagram as they do in life

Candylicious @kingsland_social

Café Kickstarter Programme

Take Advantage of this Kickstart!

It was understanding the difficulties Kiwi hospitality businesses are facing that inspired Vitasoy to partner with Coffex Coffee Roasters to bring you the Vitasoy Café Kick-Starter Programme.

SUPER EASY!

Simply purchase an Espresso Machine from Coffex and you will receive the Barista Station Package which includes: • A one-month supply of Vitasoy* • Branded Vitasoy merchandise* • A one-month supply of Vitasoy branded compostable take away cups* • A one-month supply of Coffex coffee beans* • The option to add on other Vitasoy merchandised products, branded counters etc.*

INSANE SAVINGS!

Let's just look at the savings on the coffee beans: You can get approximately 55 coffees for every kilo of beans, with Coffex supplying 40kg free for the first month, that's 2,200 coffees. If you're selling an average coffee at $6, that's $13,200 worth of coffees for the month! When you compare that to the price of the machine and add on the supply of milk, cups, and merchandise, it's clear the Vitasoy Café Kick-Starter Programme is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed!

FRIENDLY FINANCE

Thanks to industry-leading and dedicated hospitality equipment financer, SilverChef, finance is available for the purchase of Coffex Espresso Machines. For 35 years, SilverChef has helped put you in control of your commercial kitchen equipment, saving your working capital for the things you need it for the most, like running and growing your business.

Simply purchase a coffee machine from Coffex and you will receive a special Barista Station Package specially put together to help kickstart your business!

• A one-month supply of Vitasoy Café for Baristas Plant Milk • A one-month supply of Vitasoy merchandise including ecoware compostable cups • A one-month supply of Coffex coffee beans

T&Cs and limits apply.