Tips on Mastering Social Media Marketing for Your Pub 2024

Let's be honest, pubs have been around since the dawn of time (or at least it feels that way). With nearly 50,000 pubs in the UK alone, it’s certainly important to stand out from the crowd and get your pub noticed.

In this blog post, we will be focusing on some of the best ways you can use social media to your pub’s advantage. Sit back, pour yourself half an ale and let us take you on an adventure into social media marketing for pubs. 

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Understanding the social media landscape for pubs

We all know the age-old saying a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to showcasing your pub's atmosphere, food, drinks, and events, a picture is worth a thousand sips and bites. 

Social media is the perfect platform to visually entice potential customers with mouth-watering photos of your signature dishes or the cosy warmth of your fireplace on a rainy day. Not to mention, videos of live music performances or trivia nights can give viewers a sense of the lively energy they can expect to experience at your pub. So grab your camera and get to snapping - the people need to see what they're missing.

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Don’t overlook the power of a social media ‘Check-in’ 

The Facebook Check-in or the Instagram photo location tag, you’ve seen both, but isn’t that just for people boasting that they were allowed to finish work early on a Friday? It depends on how you take it. What we’re actually faced with here are solid ways to promote your pub on social media. Let’s take a look at three of them: 

1. Check-ins provide free promotion for the pub as friends and followers can see where they are and potentially attract new customers. 

2. Check-ins allow pub owners to engage with customers through liking and commenting on their posts, building a community around the business. 

3. The feedback you receive through check-in on social media can be monitored to improve the offerings and customer experience. 

So how can you try to encourage this type of behaviour from your customers? Well, you could always try bribery – we mean, incentivisation. Offer customers a free pint or a discount on their next purchase for checking in and leaving a review. Alternatively, play into FOMO (fear of missing out) by creating an exclusive social media club for customers who regularly check-in and leave reviews.

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Use paid social media advertising

Paid advertising on social media can be a cost-effective way to reach a larger audience. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all offer paid advertising options, at affordable costs. With the vast reach and targeting options available, you can be sure your message will be seen by potential customers in your area. 

^{Say goodbye to flyers on a lamppost and hello to sleek, eye-catching ads that will have everyone flocking to your pub in no time. Don’t worry if you’re not up to scratch in the creative department; leave it to ttagz’s content creation department. By subscribing to our paid service, you can enjoy the added advantage of availing of this remarkable service as part of your monthly package. Don't miss out; give it a try!}

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Use social media to recruit new staff members and post job openings

Do you know what's more expensive than a round of craft beer? Posting a job opening on Glassdoor for 150 quid a month. Seriously, why shell out all that cash when you can just hop on social media and spread the word for free?

Social media for your pub isn’t just for attracting new customers, it’s also a chance for you to find the right team of dedicated workers. By building a strong online presence, your potential employees can get a sneak peek into your pub and decide if they want to work there before even applying. This saves a lot of time and hassle, especially with the interviewing process. No one wants a revolving door of staff. 

Save your money and use social media for your hiring needs.

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Promote your pub specials through social media

If you're running a pub and you're not promoting your daily specials, deals, and limited-time offers through social media, then you're missing out on a lot of potential customers. Social media is not just a place for angsty teenagers these days; Mums, Dads and annoying aunties are all aboard the social media bandwagon. If you want to grab their attention (and their business), then you need to be where they are.

Think about it, when was the last time you heard someone say, Oh, I found out about this amazing deal at the pub from a flyer that was shoved under my windshield wiper? 

Social media is the best way to spread the word about your pub's promotions, and it allows you to reach a much wider audience than traditional advertising methods.

Perhaps even try to promote exclusive social media specials, such as 20% off when a customer mentions the keyword of the day.

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Share behind-the-scenes stories of the pub's history, staff, and daily operations

Spill the beans on the staff, the history, and the daily grind. It's the perfect opportunity to divulge all the secrets and scandals that have been brewing behind the bar for years. Whether it's the story of the bartender who accidentally served the wrong drink to a local celebrity or the history of where the name ‘The Wonky Horse’ was born, the customers want to hear it all. No detail is too small or too boring - the public is ready to sip on some hot gossip and learn about the inner workings of their favourite watering hole. 

Also, many of your customers won’t have the foggiest idea of what goes on during closing hours. It may seem boring and mundane to you, but some people will genuinely be interested in how you run the pub. Post Youtube/Instagram shorts to give your customers a glimpse into the life well after the last bell rings. 

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Use social media to promote private events and party bookings

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are a great way to showcase your venue and all the amazing events you can host. People love the feeling of exclusivity, especially when they’re able to book the function room (or even the whole pub) for their special day. 

Share photos of past events, create eye-catching graphics that advertise your party packages, and don’t forget to mention any unique features your pub offers. Your state-of-the-art heated patio area could be the difference between a customer booking a 30th birthday party for 50 or staying at home with jelly and ice cream. 

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Find your pub's own unique niche 

Finding your niche in the crowded pub scene can be tough, but fear not! The key is to find what makes you stand out from the rest and promote it on social media. Maybe it’s your craft brews or your famous pub quiz night. Whatever it is, make it your brand and run with it.

Use humour in your posts to engage your audience and showcase what you’re all about. Create eye-catching graphics and use hashtags to get your message out there. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your posts, too. Share insider information about your unique offerings or take your followers on a virtual tour of your pub.

Remember, social media is your friend when it comes to promoting your niche.

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How can ttagz help me with the online marketing of my pub?

At ttagz, we believe that every business deserves effective digital marketing services, and we work closely with our clients to tailor our services to their specific needs and budget. So, if you’re a pub owner looking to take your business to the next level, don’t hesitate to contact us for more details on how to get started today. Let us help you supercharge your social media and take your business to new heights!

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