7 Ways for Restaurants to Use Pinterest

1.) Use awesome photos. Pinterest is a visual bulletin board medium, use it visually.

2.) Start with a photo or video that you just have to share and simply create a board. Over the next few days add some more items to the board until it feels full or at least fullish. 

3. ) Once you have an active board (5 or more items) start sharing your board by adding the links to your website, Facebook, and Twitter. Ideally, these photos will give viewers feel like they are insiders.  Photos to consider: putting up your restaurant’s sign, a great looking, new dish you are considering, or behind-the-scenes photos of the chef and other staff.

4.) Be consistent.  All branding reflects back on you, everything that can be associated with your name is branding, and marketing.Use the Pinterest boards to reflect your restaurant in the most favorable way possible every time.

5.) Promote your Pinterest page with table-top tent cards or a bit of text for the link added to the menu. It will encourage customers to look at previous things you’ve done while they wait for their orders. 

6.) Allow customers to add to your group board. Also, allow them to share their own Pinterest boards (not: you’ll have to follow them to add them). If customers add to your board but the content isn’t relevant, just delete it. 

7.) Stay current…each week schedule some time to add new pics and/or video to your Pinterest board— and take down that Christmas dinner shot before mid January.

5 Tips for Choosing Restaurant Glassware

1.) Make Glassware Distinctive: Match glasses and mugs to the restaurant’s décor, which helps present a fluid dining experience for customers.Consider more elegant glassware for fine dining, or choose casual options for a relaxed and fun environment. Remember that first impressions with customers can make a significant difference in their overall satisfaction level. And glassware is oftentimes the first thing a customer sees when entering a restaurant. Make sure the mugs, glasses, and other glassware on the table stands out. Make your choices pleasing to the eye.

2.) Select Durable Glassware: Choose durableand long-lasting glassware. This can save money in the long run, so select products from a manufacturer with a great reputation. Focusing on lower-priced products alone could actually cost more in the long term as lower-quality items can break, chip, or crack more easily.

3.) Avoid Bulky Glassware: Diners prefer glasses that are easy to hold and handle. And if you want bigger glasses, for items like beer mugs, consider getting them with a handle. Think of your glassware as more than just an accessory. It can function as a focal point a customer’s dining experience.

4.) Use a Wide Selection of Glassware: From beverage glasses with or without handles to large or small coffee mugs, make sure to cover all of your bases. Available products also include soda glasses, dessert glasses, and tumblers. And for fine dining establishments, choose wine and champagne glasses that keep in mind the overall restaurant design.

5.) Find Startup Capital: Need help raising the funds to pay for all this new glassware? Reach out to potential customers and partners through Foodstart.com, the community funding site just for the food-and-beverage industry.