One of the key things to remember when planning your social media posts is the 80/20 rule: 80% of posts should be engaging and bring out the personality of your pub; 20% should be selling, says Star Pub’s Head of Licensee Development & Training, Tracy Bickerdike.
Understanding the way the algorithms work on social media is key, with posts being seen more when people are tagged and posts are shared. Also remember that just because you post something, it’s not going to be seen by all your followers, due to the way the algorithms work. So that’s a good reason to keep posting fresh and interesting content.
“Having a calendar with all your events, along with national days and occasions listed, can really help provide content. Use the calendar to work out what you’re going to post each day – Star recommends that its Just Add Talent pubs post four times a week, but Tracy adds that it doesn’t harm to do daily posts. “The key is to plan and pre-prepare socials that have already been written and can be released each day,” says Tracy.
Here’s Tracy’s top tips to getting
likes, comments and shares:
FOOD & DRINK – good for encouraging comments:
- Who is coming in for mulled wine?
- Hold a poll to find out your followers’ favourite drink
- Ask people to name their favourite Christmas drink
- Post a video of Christmas cocktails being made, asking for their favourite
- Sprouts – yes or no?
- Lots of pictures, videos and reels of chef producing delicious food
DOG & CAT LOVERS – great for sharing:
- Dogs and other pets in Christmas jumpers and outfits
- ‘Even the dog is ready!’ use different pictures and quotes to bring this quote to life
- 12 dogs of Christmas – snap your regulars’ pooch and post
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS – people will like and comment:
- Come along and hang some tinsel/make decorations – great fun for kids
- Pictures, reels and videos of the decorations going up, saying “We’re ready for Christmas!”
- Ask followers to post a picture of their Christmas tree/decorations
- Festive beer garden – don’t forget to showcase your outside areas
- Encourage customers to take a selfie in front of your Christmas tree, post it and tag the pub
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES – people will like, tag and comment:
- Showcase your Christmas letterbox – where people can post their letters to Santa
- Go Live on Christmas movie night, promoting when the next one will be
- Christmas Elf on the Shelf – posts of the elf in different locations and getting people to guess where he’ll be next
- Countdown the sleeps until Christmas
- If you have a Christmas grotto, make it Instagrammable, to encourage people to take their pics with it. Don’t forget to brand it with your pub name and details!
- Open an advent calendar window
- Post your Christmas pressie list and ask what’s on theirs
Remember to update your social pages and website with your Christmas opening times
If you’re extending your hours, don’t forget to apply for a TEN Highlight when your festive menu is available from and to
Promote your New Year’s Eve plans
