So, you’ve got an amazing restaurant with mouth-watering dishes, a cozy ambiance, and a stellar team, but how do you get more people to notice? If you’re not using Pinterest to market your restaurant, you’re missing out on a goldmine of opportunities!
Pinterest isn’t just for DIY crafts and recipes; it’s a powerful search engine where people look for inspiration, including where to eat. Whether you’re running a trendy café, a family-friendly diner, or a fine dining establishment, Pinterest can help you attract food lovers, locals, and even tourists to your restaurant.
Let’s dive into how you can use Pinterest to grow your restaurant business and bring more hungry customers through your doors!
1. Create a Business Pinterest Account
First things first, you need a Pinterest Business Account. This will give you access to analytics, ad options, and other marketing tools that a regular account doesn’t offer.
Steps to Set Up Your Business Account:
- Go to Pinterest for Business.
- Click ‘Sign Up’ and fill out your details.
- Choose a restaurant-related category.
- Optimize your profile with your restaurant’s name, logo, and website link.
Once you’ve set up your account, it’s time to optimize it for success!
2. Optimize Your Pinterest Profile
Your Pinterest profile should immediately tell visitors what your restaurant is about.
Here’s how to make it stand out:
- Use a clear, high-quality profile picture. Your restaurant’s logo works best.
- Write a compelling bio. Mention what makes your restaurant unique (e.g., “Award-winning farm-to-table Italian cuisine in New York City”).
- Include your website and location so potential customers can find you easily.
3. Create Engaging Boards for Your Restaurant
Pinterest is all about boards, so you’ll want to create organized and eye-catching boards that attract users.
Here are some must-have board ideas:
- “Our Signature Dishes” – Pin professional photos of your best-selling meals.
- “Behind the Scenes” – Give followers a sneak peek into your kitchen and staff.
- “Customer Favorites” – Highlight dishes that your regulars can’t get enough of!
- “Events & Special Menus” – Share promotions, happy hours, or holiday menus.
- “Local Foodie Spots” – Partner with local businesses and cross-promote.
4. Pin High-Quality, Drool-Worthy Images
Pinterest is a visual platform, so your images need to be top-notch.
Here’s how to make your food photography stand out:
- Use natural lighting to make your dishes look fresh and appetizing.
- Take close-up shots to capture textures and details.
- Add text overlays with dish names or special offers.
- Use vertical images for better visibility or choose from Pinterest’s five different aspect ratios: 9:16, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1.
Use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create eye-catching pins with text overlays and branding elements.
5. Write Keyword-Rich Descriptions
Pinterest is a search engine, so SEO matters! Make sure your pins have keyword-rich descriptions that help users discover your restaurant.
For example, instead of “delicious pasta”, try “Authentic handmade pasta in our cozy Italian bistro in downtown Chicago. Perfect for date night! #ItalianFood #ChicagoRestaurant”
Use relevant hashtags like #Foodie #BrunchLover #LocalRestaurant to boost visibility.
6. Post Consistently and Schedule Pins
Like any social media platform, consistency is key. You should be pinning at least 5-15 times per day.
To make your life easier, use a Pinterest scheduling tool like:
- Tailwind (great for automating posts)
- Later (for visual planning)
Schedule pins in advance so your content is always fresh and engaging!
7. Promote Special Offers and Events
Got a happy hour, seasonal menu, or upcoming event? Use Pinterest to spread the word!
How to do it effectively:
- Create event-specific boards (e.g., “Valentine’s Day Specials at [Your Restaurant]”)
- Design Pinterest-friendly flyers with promo details
- Pin a limited-time offer with a clear call-to-action (e.g., “Show this pin for 10% off!”)
8. Leverage User-Generated Content
Your customers are already taking amazing photos. Why not feature them on Pinterest?
Ways to Use UGC:
- Ask customers to tag your restaurant when they post food photos.
- Re-pin their images on a “Customer Highlights” board.
- Run a Pinterest contest, encouraging followers to pin their favorite meals from your menu.
9. Use Pinterest Ads to Reach More Food Lovers
Want to get your restaurant in front of thousands of potential diners? Invest in Pinterest Ads!
Popular Pinterest Ad Types for Restaurants:
- Promoted Pins: Boost your best food images.
- Carousel Ads: Showcase multiple dishes in one pin.
- Video Pins: Share behind-the-scenes clips or chef interviews.
You can target by location, interests, and keywords, ensuring your ads reach hungry foodies nearby.
10. Track Your Pinterest Analytics and Adjust
You can’t improve what you don’t measure! Check your Pinterest Analytics regularly to see what’s working.
Key Metrics to Track:
- Most popular pins (which dishes are getting the most saves?)
- Click-through rates (are people visiting your website?)
- Engagement levels (are users interacting with your pins?)
Use this data to refine your strategy and post more of what’s working!
Pinterest isn’t just a fun platform. It’s a powerful marketing tool for restaurants! With the right strategy, you can increase brand awareness, attract more diners, and turn food lovers into loyal customers.
