![Café-Brasserie: how to post engaging content [content idea list]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-marketing-plan-3_82189c50-841b-486d-8605-1249bbb387b0.png?v=1715865728&width=1100)
Facebook and Instagram are not just for likes and fun—they're powerful tools that the best café-brasseries in the world use strategically to attract customers.
We know you're busy running your café-brasserie and the thought of managing social media might feel like another burden.
But here's the deal: you don't need to be a marketing expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few minutes a day can bring a couple of new customers to your cozy corner.
To help you out, we have built a free list of content ideas - also, for a full action plan, please check our strategy pack for café-brasserie owners.
Get the content idea list made for café-brasserie owners
A lot of café-brasseries manage to post engaging content on social media. Here is a free tool to to get you started.
Content that always work well for a café-brasserie
We have delved into numerous café-brasseries' social media accounts to create our strategy pack for café-brasseries - here’s what consistently works.
| Content Type | Why It Works to Get New Customers in Your Café-Brasserie |
|---|---|
| High-Quality Beverage and Pastry Photos | Enticing images of your coffee, pastries, and brunch items can make potential customers eager to visit and try them. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Videos | Showcasing the baristas at work, the baking process, and the café’s ambiance builds trust and creates a connection with your audience. |
| Customer Testimonials | Positive reviews and testimonials from real customers provide social proof and encourage others to visit your café-brasserie. |
| Specials and Promotions | Announcing limited-time offers, discounts, and happy hours can attract new customers looking for deals. |
| User-Generated Content | Sharing content created by customers (photos, reviews) engages the community and adds authenticity. |
| Local Collaborations | Partnering with local influencers or businesses can introduce your café-brasserie to a broader, local audience. |
| Event Announcements | Promoting upcoming events, live music, or special theme nights can attract new visitors interested in unique experiences. |
| Seasonal and Holiday Posts | Highlighting seasonal beverages, pastries, or holiday menus can attract customers looking for special dining options during those times. |
| Interactive Content | Polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions engage followers and create a sense of community, encouraging them to visit. |
| Recipe Shares | Sharing recipes of popular pastries or drinks can intrigue food enthusiasts and motivate them to try the original items at your café-brasserie. |
| Daily Specials Updates | Regularly updating followers with daily specials keeps your café-brasserie top-of-mind and encourages spontaneous visits. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Staff Stories | Featuring stories about the staff members creates a personal connection and humanizes your brand. |
| Food and Beverage Preparation Tips | Sharing tips and tricks from your baristas and chefs can engage followers who are food enthusiasts and home cooks. |
| Sustainability Initiatives | Highlighting sustainable practices or locally sourced ingredients appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. |
| Customer Spotlights | Featuring regular customers creates a sense of community and makes others want to be part of that group. |
| Contests and Giveaways | Running contests and giveaways can increase engagement and attract new followers, many of whom may convert into customers. |
Some café-brasseries make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best café-brasseries in the world. Replicate them now!
How can café-brasserie owners make great content on social media?
What to Prioritise
You probably know it already, but high-quality photos and videos of your café-brasserie's offerings are essential.
People savour with their eyes first. Ensure the lighting is perfect, the food and drinks look fresh, and the presentation is inviting.
Also, post regularly to keep your audience engaged. It doesn’t have to be daily, but find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. We have prepared a free social media planner for you.
Of course, respond to comments and messages quickly. People appreciate interaction and it makes them feel valued. Don’t just be another “bland” account.
Show the real side of your café-brasserie. Behind-the-scenes photos, staff stories, and customer shoutouts can create a personal connection with your audience.
If you want to keep your potential customers excited, highlight any special offers, events, or seasonal dishes. Make sure your followers know what’s new and exciting.
Finally, share positive reviews and testimonials. Social proof is powerful and can help attract new customers.
What Doesn’t Matter as Much
Overly polished content does not really matter. Your posts don’t need to be perfect. Authenticity can be more engaging than highly produced content.
Also, don’t feel pressured to jump on every social media trend. Focus on what fits your café-brasserie “image” and what your audience likes.
If you have a low budget to conduct marketing for your café-brasserie, don’t immediately go for paid Ads. Organic reach can still be effective with good content and engagement. You will find tons of tactics and strategies in our strategy pack for café-brasserie owners.
How to Do It Fast and Efficiently
First, spend a few hours once a week taking photos, recording videos, and drafting posts. This way, you’re not scrambling daily.
Use Scheduling Tools - tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can schedule posts in advance, saving you time.
Repurpose and use the same content across different platforms. A photo on Instagram can be a post on Facebook or a tweet on Twitter.
Encourage customers to share their own photos and tag your café-brasserie. This is what we call “User-Generated Content”. Reposting these can save you time and build community.
Use apps like Canva for quick and easy graphic design, or Lightroom for photo editing. These tools can make your content look professional with minimal effort.
Low-budget content ideas for café-brasseries on social media
Our team has curated a list of highly specific, budget-friendly content ideas tailored for café-brasseries, complete with practical tips to keep costs low and maximize your social media presence.
Consider incorporating some of these ideas into the marketing plan of your café-brasserie.
| Content Type | Tips to Make It More Affordable |
|---|---|
| Smartphone Beverage Photos | Utilize natural light by placing drinks near windows during the day. Enhance photos with free apps like Snapseed or VSCO. |
| Customer Testimonials | Invite happy patrons to leave a quick video testimonial on their phone. Offer a complimentary pastry or coffee as a thank-you. |
| User-Generated Content | Encourage customers to share their café experiences by offering a monthly raffle for those who tag your café-brasserie on Instagram. |
| DIY Recipe Videos | Film short, simple recipes of your popular drinks or dishes using a smartphone and a basic tripod. Use free editing software like iMovie or OpenShot. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Stories | Use Instagram Stories or Facebook Live to give a real-time look at your daily prep or introduce the team during quieter hours. |
| Daily Special Posts | Create simple, eye-catching graphics for daily specials using free tools like Canva. Include a brief description and a tempting photo. |
| Staff Spotlights | Feature staff members with a casual photo and fun facts about them. Use your smartphone and a natural setting in the café. |
| Simple Polls and Questions | Engage followers with free Instagram or Facebook polls about their favorite drinks or suggestions for new menu items. |
| Local Event Promotions | Collaborate with local events by offering a small discount or coupon. Cross-promote each other's content to reach a broader audience. |
| Community Involvement Posts | Post photos and short stories about your participation in local charity events or partnerships with community organizations. |
| Customer Spotlights | Highlight loyal customers with their favorite drinks or dishes. Take a quick photo and share a short story about their experience at your café-brasserie. |
| Homemade Food Photos | Create attractive table settings using inexpensive items like tablecloths, napkins, and props from dollar stores. |
| Sustainability Tips | Share eco-friendly practices such as composting or using local ingredients. Create simple infographics with free tools like Canva. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Prep | Record short clips of the kitchen prep work, such as brewing coffee or plating desserts. Compile them into a quick video using free tools. |
| Simple Contests and Giveaways | Run social media contests where participants like, share, or tag friends to win a free drink or pastry. Use prizes that are cost-effective like a free coffee. |
| Seasonal Dish Posts | Highlight seasonal ingredients and dishes using natural light and your smartphone camera. Share the story behind the dish to add interest. |
Copy the tactics of the best café-brasseries in the world!
There are café-brasseries that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Exceptionally creative and innovative content ideas specifically for café-brasseries
Investing in high-quality social media content for your café-brasserie can be a game-changer. Many other places might not put in the effort, giving you a golden opportunity to stand out, capture attention, and build a loyal customer base.
| Content Type | Why It Could Bring a LOT of Customers |
|---|---|
| Barista Masterclasses | Hosting live or recorded barista masterclasses where your baristas teach viewers how to make your signature coffee drinks can create a sense of community and attract a global audience. |
| Interactive 360° Café Tours | Offering virtual 360° tours of your café-brasserie, including the kitchen and seating areas, can provide a unique behind-the-scenes experience and entice people to visit in person. |
| Seasonal Menu Highlights | Creating buzz with seasonal or limited edition menu items available for a short time can generate excitement and urgency, attracting new and repeat customers. |
| Chef’s Table Brunch | Offering an exclusive brunch experience where customers can sit at the chef’s table and interact with the chefs while they prepare the meal can create a memorable experience and word-of-mouth. |
| AR Menu Integration | Implementing augmented reality (AR) technology in your menus where customers can see a 3D representation of dishes can enhance the dining experience and attract tech-savvy customers. |
| Themed Coffee Nights | Hosting themed coffee nights, such as a poetry reading or live jazz performance, can provide a unique and immersive experience, attracting groups and special occasions. |
| Latte Art Competitions | Organizing latte art competitions can create viral moments, attracting competitive baristas and spectators. |
| Collaborative Pop-Up Events | Partnering with other local chefs or cafés to host pop-up events can introduce your café-brasserie to new audiences and create a buzz in the community. |
| Story-Driven Social Media Posts | Sharing in-depth stories about the origins of your coffee beans, the farmers you source from, or the personal journey of your baristas can create an emotional connection with customers. |
| Interactive Ingredient Selection | Allowing customers to choose ingredients for a custom dish or drink via social media polls can make them feel involved and eager to try the creations they helped design. |
| Eco-Friendly Initiatives | Launching and promoting eco-friendly initiatives, such as zero-waste dishes or sustainable sourcing practices, can attract environmentally conscious consumers and media attention. |
| Mobile Coffee Cart | Operating a mobile coffee cart in different locations or at local events can expand your reach and attract new customers who may visit your main café-brasserie later. |
| Recipe Subscription Service | Offering a subscription service where customers receive monthly recipes and ingredient kits to make your café-brasserie's dishes and drinks at home can create a loyal customer base. |
| Immersive Culinary Workshops | Hosting workshops where customers can learn advanced cooking or coffee-making techniques from your chefs and baristas can attract food and coffee enthusiasts and create a sense of exclusivity. |
| Flash Mob Coffee Experiences | Organizing flash mob coffee events in unexpected locations can create viral content and attract adventurous diners looking for unique experiences. |
Content that never works well for café-brasseries on social media
Don't waste your time and resources on these ideas. We've seen many café-brasserie owners make these mistakes, and they won't help you stand out from the crowd or bring in new patrons for your café-brasserie.
| Content Type | Why It Never Works for Café-Brasseries | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Stock Photos | They lack authenticity and can make the café-brasserie appear unoriginal or untrustworthy. | Use real photos of your dishes, staff, and cozy interior to create a genuine connection with your audience. |
| Overly Promotional Posts | Constantly pushing promotions can feel spammy and turn off followers. | Mix in engaging content like behind-the-scenes stories, customer testimonials, and interactive posts to keep your audience interested. |
| Unrelated Content | Posting content that has nothing to do with your café-brasserie confuses followers and dilutes your brand. | Keep your content focused on your café-brasserie, food, events, and related topics to maintain relevance and interest. |
| Low-Quality Videos | Poorly shot or edited videos can reflect badly on your café-brasserie's quality and professionalism. | Invest in basic video equipment or hire a local videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase your café-brasserie positively. |
| Political or Controversial Posts | These can alienate parts of your audience and lead to negative backlash. | Stick to neutral, positive content that focuses on food, community, and your café-brasserie's unique offerings. |
| Too Many Hashtags | Overusing hashtags can look desperate and reduce engagement by making posts look cluttered. | Use a few relevant, targeted hashtags to increase visibility without overwhelming your audience. |
| Automated Replies and Messages | They can come off as impersonal and frustrate customers looking for genuine interaction. | Respond personally to comments and messages to show that you care about your customers and value their feedback. |
| Overly Staged Photos | Photos that look too perfect can seem inauthentic and less relatable. | Use natural lighting and casual settings to make your photos feel more genuine and inviting. |
| Constant Self-Promotion | Only talking about your café-brasserie can bore followers and reduce engagement. | Share user-generated content, collaborate with local businesses, and highlight community involvement to diversify your content. |
| Negative or Defensive Responses | Responding poorly to criticism can damage your reputation and discourage potential customers. | Address negative feedback calmly and constructively, showing that you are willing to improve and value customer input. |
| Ignoring Social Media Trends | Being out of touch with current trends can make your café-brasserie seem outdated and unappealing. | Stay updated with social media trends and incorporate them creatively into your content strategy to keep your audience engaged and excited. |
| Excessive Posting | Posting too frequently can overwhelm your followers and lead to unfollows. | Maintain a consistent but moderate posting schedule, ensuring each post adds value and keeps your audience looking forward to your updates. |
| Complex or Confusing Promotions | Promotions that are hard to understand can frustrate customers and deter participation. | Offer simple, clear, and straightforward promotions that are easy for customers to grasp and engage with. |
| Ignoring Comments and Messages | Not engaging with your audience can make them feel undervalued and reduce their loyalty. | Regularly respond to comments and messages to build a strong, interactive community around your café-brasserie. |
Make your café-brasserie more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best café-brasseries in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Why social media can be a big pay-off for your café-brasserie
We understand that as a café-brasserie owner, you might feel hesitant about diving into social media marketing.
The world of social media can seem foreign and filled with confusing jargon. You might believe that it's more suited for big corporations rather than small businesses like yours.
The day-to-day demands of running a café-brasserie are already overwhelming, leaving little time for additional tasks like social media.
It's common to think that social media marketing is an expensive endeavor, one that your tight profit margins can't support. Plus, the sheer number of social media platforms can lead to indecision and skepticism, especially if previous efforts haven't yielded the results you hoped for.
That's why we've created a "marketing pack" specifically tailored for café-brasserie owners like you.
Our pack addresses all the issues you might face, offering simple, cost-effective strategies that don't require a marketing expert or a big budget for your café-brasserie. These documents are straightforward and easy to understand, cutting through the jargon and focusing on what really works for small café-brasseries on social media.
We provide clear, actionable steps for creating engaging posts, building a loyal following, and boosting your café-brasserie's visibility online.
With our marketing pack, you can invest in your café-brasserie's growth without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
Your café-brasserie could make more money!
Most café-brasserie owners don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.
