Social media advice from the world of Twitter

Last month, we were tasked with finding out what’s next in social media marketing. We asked a dozen chefs, operators and marketers and came to this conclusion: No one really knows. Everyone had answers to our questions, but no one claimed to have the right ones. We heard a lot of, “this is how I do it,” or “there may be a better way,” or even something as matter of fact as “I’m just making it up as I go.”

The truth? Social media is evolving so quickly and in so many different directions that it’s hard to follow. Facebook is just days past 10 years old, Twitter is almost eight and Instagram only three. Snapchat isn’t even a year old, and the next big thing is probably still swirling around in the mind of a 19-year-old student at MIT.

What we did discover? You’re not alone. There are many chefs and operators out there doing the best they can, using social media for fun, marketing, customer service, hiring, inspiration and more. Some spend hours online, others just minutes. Some use Twitter, others like Instagram.

We took our #RHSocialSurvey to Twitter, hoping to find more best practices that could help others improve their social media efforts. Here are some of the best, and funniest, responses we got, all in 140 characters or less:

How much time each day are you on social media for your restaurant? At what sites?

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Jason Dady on X: "@EricStoesselRH @RH_restaurant no structure. Always spur of moment. Use @instagram to link to @facebook and @twitter" / X

Passion Food on X: "@EricStoesselRH about 1.5 hrs a day. 7 locations, focus on FB, Twitter and IG. Always monitoring. Don't use 3rd party delivery." / X

ESquared Hospitality on X: "With @hootsuite 24/7 + digi dir @dbrosenzweig monitoring all rests Fb/twitter day/night we're always online #rhsocialSurvey @EricStoesselRH" / X

And Amelia Sawyer (@chefswidow), the wife of The Greenhouse Tavern chef Jonathon Sawyer said in a direct message: “All day long! Love the big three: FB, IG and Twitter. Special spot in my heart for Vine; wish I used more.”

Complete this: If I only had 20 minutes in a day to spend on my restaurant's social media, I'd...

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ESquared Hospitality on X: "If only 20 min, make sure direct q's are answered, post an action shot on instagram, push to FB/twitter. @EricStoesselRH #RHSocialSurvey." / X

FranchiseFindr on X: "@EricStoesselRH @NRNonline #RHsocialsurvey tweet the entire time!" / X

Michele J Martin on X: "@EricStoesselRH @RH_restaurant post ad 2 hire dedicated marketing person. Effective social marketing requires a plan & time #rhsocialsurvey" / X

Greg Baker on X: "@EricStoesselRH try to be smarter than Anthony Weiner?" / X

Give us one great social media tip other restaurateurs can use:

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Devorah on X: "Use social to "surprise and delight" guests that you know are in the restaurant and broadcasting about you. @EricStoesselRH #RHSocialSurvey" / X

ESquared Hospitality on X: "Be cautious of photo filters! Food photos in natural light make the best shots. No vintage ceviche please. @EricStoesselRH #RHSocialSurvey" / X

And perhaps the best advice, yet:

Slices on X: "@hoodfilters @EricStoesselRH The easiest tip is to not fear SM. Jump in." / X

What is the best use of social media for restaurants? Marketing, analytics, customer service, hiring or what?

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credpost on X: "@EricStoesselRH @RH_restaurant Track & Share social recognition of servers by customers. Don't lose those in the comments section of yelp." / X

What's next in social media?

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Devorah on X: "Looking forward to seeing how social is used in web 3.0 - what will it mean for marketer and consumer? @EricStoesselRH #RHSocialSurvey" / X

There you have it. A lot of answers, none necessarily right for everyone, but many that hopefully inspire you to take full advantage of what social media has to offer.