The Power of TikTok for Restaurants
Social media is a key channel when applying a successful marketing strategy for restaurants as it enables them to reach out to their target market and gain their attention, attracting them to become customers. TikTok is becoming a very powerful business tool and restaurants need to utilise this platform to build a relationship with their target market and strive for success.
Partner with TikTok influencers
TikTok is currently one of the most popular social media platforms with almost 3 billion downloads and 1 billion active users. TikTok has the highest engagement rate for micro (5,000 to 100,000 followers) and macro influencers (100,000+) with engagement being higher than 17% for micro-influencers. This gives restaurants the opportunity to collaborate with influencers to gain recognition, grow their online presence and attract a new market.
To learn more about how to engage and use social media influencers, check out our blog!
TikTok audience
Many small-scale independent restaurants are already beginning to use TikTok to reach a wider market and appeal to millennials and Gen Z customers. Gen Z can play a vital role in growing the online presence on TikTok for restaurants as over half of this age group are interested in learning about food and drink with 60% of Gen Z users on TikTok taking part in TikTok food challenges. Utilising this age group is essential for restaurants to build their platform and develop their brand recognition.
Stay on top of TikTok Trends
TikTok has seen a surge in popularity regarding food content with hashtags such as #TikTokFood and #FoodTok getting thousands of views. Trending food-related videos and challenges can often go viral reaching a wide audience. Once a video goes viral on TikTok, the number of followers increases by thousands within a matter of months. This gives restaurants an opportunity to reach a bigger platform when marketing, allowing them to attract more customers and drive their sales. There are many creative recipes that trend on TikTok such as cloud bread, pasta chips, and baked oats, offering restaurants the chance to get involved in these trends to increase their popularity.
Alongside this, restaurants can create challenges for their customers to take part in and upload to TikTok such as dance challenges and eating challenges. Challenges are very popular on TikTok, and many have previously gone viral such as Chipotle’s #guacdance and the bottle flip challenge. It is a very good way of attracting more attention and earning a positive reputation.
Creative and aesthetically pleasing content
Previously, Instagram was the main social media platform for food content however TikTok has taken the lead due to how popular the use of aesthetics has become when posting on the app, giving restaurants the opportunity to become creative with their videos to gain viewership. TikTok includes several different features allowing content creators to add filters, effects, songs, along with many other editing tools to make their videos appealing, interesting and noticeable. There are many different videos of food-related content that TikTok users love to see including recipe videos, behind-the-scenes at the restaurant videos including kitchen tours and food preparation videos, eating videos (mukbang’s) and new menu items.
A recent survey (conducted by MGH) found that 36% of TikTok users visited restaurants that were featured or had uploaded on the app. In the survey, over half of the candidates said they were enticed to visit restaurants because either the food looked appealing or new menu items attracted them.
Are you looking for help with your social media?
Social media is always evolving, as is the way we use it. This is why our team are continually learning and expanding our skills based on the channel developments. From LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to Instagram and Tik Tok, our aim is to increase engagement, followers and ultimately increase footfall into your restaurant.
To find out more about our social media services and digital advertising services why not book an introductory call with us today. Please email appetite@whitecommunications.co.uk or call us on 01494 396366.
