![Culinary School: how to post engaging content [content idea list]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-marketing-plan-5_a38240a2-73f0-40b9-87c6-6eb1bae638ce.png?v=1715865648&width=1100)
Facebook and Instagram are not just for likes and fun—they're powerful tools that the top culinary schools use strategically to attract aspiring chefs and students.
We understand that you're focused on teaching and managing your culinary school, and the thought of handling social media might feel like an additional 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 students to your classes.
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 culinary schools.
Get the content idea list made for culinary school owners
A lot of culinary schools 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 culinary school
We have meticulously analyzed numerous culinary schools' social media strategies to create our strategy pack for culinary schools - here is what consistently proves effective.
| Content Type | Why It Works to Attract New Students to Your Culinary School |
|---|---|
| High-Quality Dish Photos | Visually stunning images of student-prepared dishes can inspire potential students, showcasing the skills they can acquire. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Videos | Highlighting the kitchen, instructors, and class activities builds trust and creates a connection with prospective students. |
| Student Testimonials | Positive reviews and testimonials from current or former students provide social proof and encourage others to enroll. |
| Special Workshops and Promotions | Announcing limited-time workshops, discounts, and special classes can attract new students looking for unique learning opportunities. |
| User-Generated Content | Sharing content created by students (photos, reviews) engages the community and adds authenticity to your school’s image. |
| Local Collaborations | Partnering with local chefs or businesses can introduce the culinary school to a broader, local audience. |
| Event Announcements | Promoting upcoming events, guest chef appearances, or open houses can attract new students interested in unique experiences. |
| Seasonal and Holiday Posts | Highlighting seasonal classes or holiday-themed workshops can attract students looking for special learning opportunities during those times. |
| Interactive Content | Polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions engage followers and create a sense of community, encouraging them to join the school. |
| Recipe Shares | Sharing recipes taught in classes can intrigue food enthusiasts and motivate them to learn the techniques firsthand at your school. |
| Daily Class Updates | Regularly updating followers with daily class highlights keeps the school top-of-mind and encourages spontaneous enrollments. |
| Behind-the-Scenes Instructor Stories | Featuring stories about the instructors creates a personal connection and humanizes the brand. |
| Cooking Tips and Tricks | Sharing tips and tricks from the kitchen can engage followers who are food enthusiasts and aspiring chefs. |
| Sustainability Initiatives | Highlighting sustainable practices or locally sourced ingredients appeals to environmentally conscious students. |
| Student Spotlights | Featuring regular students 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 students. |
Some culinary schools make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best culinary schools in the world. Replicate them now!
How can culinary school owners make great content on social media?
What to Prioritize
You probably know it already, but high-quality photos and videos of your culinary creations are essential.
People learn with their eyes first. Make sure the lighting is good, the dishes 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 culinary school. Behind-the-scenes photos, instructor stories, and student shoutouts can create a personal connection with your audience.
If you want to keep your potential students excited, highlight any special workshops, events, or seasonal courses. 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 students.
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 culinary school’s “image” and what your audience likes.
If you have a low budget to conduct marketing for your culinary school, 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 culinary schools.
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 students to share their own photos and tag your culinary school. 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 culinary schools on social media
Our team has curated a list of highly specific, low-budget content ideas tailored for culinary schools, complete with practical tips to keep costs down and effectively use social media.
You might want to incorporate some of these ideas in the marketing plan of your culinary school.
| Content Type | Tips to Make It More Affordable |
|---|---|
| Smartphone Cooking Photos | Use natural light by positioning dishes near windows during daytime. Enhance photos with free apps like Snapseed or VSCO. |
| Student Testimonials | Ask satisfied students to leave a quick video testimonial on their phone. Offer a small incentive like a free cooking class or a recipe book as a thank-you. |
| User-Generated Content | Encourage students to share their cooking photos by offering a monthly raffle for those who tag your culinary school on Instagram. |
| DIY Recipe Videos | Film short, simple recipes of popular dishes taught at your school 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 classes or introduce the instructors during slow hours. |
| Class Highlights | Design simple, eye-catching graphics for upcoming classes using free tools like Canva. Include a brief description and a mouth-watering photo of the dishes students will learn to make. |
| Instructor Spotlights | Feature instructors with a casual photo and fun facts about them. Use your smartphone and a natural setting in the kitchen or classroom. |
| Simple Polls and Questions | Engage followers with free Instagram or Facebook polls about their favorite cuisines or suggestions for new classes. |
| Local Event Promotions | Collaborate with local events by offering a small discount or coupon for your classes. Cross-promote each other's content to reach a wider audience. |
| Community Involvement Posts | Post photos and short stories about your participation in local charity events or partnerships with community organizations. |
| Student Spotlights | Highlight dedicated students with their favorite recipes. Take a quick photo and share a short story about their experience at your culinary school. |
| Homemade Dish 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 chopping vegetables or plating dishes. 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 class. Use prizes that are cost-effective like a free cooking utensil or apron. |
| Seasonal Recipe Posts | Highlight seasonal ingredients and recipes using natural light and your smartphone camera. Share the story behind the dish to add interest. |
Copy the tactics of the best culinary schools in the world!
There are culinary schools that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Exceptionally creative and innovative content ideas specifically for culinary schools
Investing in top-notch social media content for your culinary school might be worth it because many other institutions won't bother, giving you a chance to really stand out, grab people's attention, and build a loyal community of aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts.
| Content Type | Why It Could Attract a LOT of Students |
|---|---|
| Virtual Cooking Classes | Hosting live or recorded virtual cooking classes where your instructors teach viewers how to master various culinary techniques can create a sense of community and attract a global audience of aspiring chefs. |
| Interactive 360° Campus Tours | Offering virtual 360° tours of your culinary school, including classrooms, kitchens, and dining areas, can provide a unique behind-the-scenes experience and entice prospective students to enroll. |
| Limited Edition Workshops | Creating buzz with limited edition or seasonal workshops available for a short time can generate excitement and urgency, attracting new and repeat students. |
| Chef’s Table Experience | Offering an exclusive dining experience where students can sit at the chef’s table and interact with instructors while they cook can create a memorable learning experience and word-of-mouth. |
| AR Recipe Integration | Implementing augmented reality (AR) technology in your recipes where students can see a 3D representation of dishes can enhance the learning experience and attract tech-savvy students. |
| Themed Culinary Events | Hosting themed culinary events, such as a regional cuisine night or a wine pairing workshop, can provide a unique and immersive experience, attracting groups and special occasions. |
| Cooking Challenge Contests | Organizing cooking challenge contests (e.g., creating a dish with a mystery ingredient) can create viral moments, attracting competitive students and spectators. |
| Collaborative Pop-Up Classes | Partnering with other local chefs or culinary schools to host pop-up classes can introduce your school to new audiences and create a buzz in the community. |
| Story-Driven Social Media Posts | Sharing in-depth stories about the origins of your recipes, the farmers you source from, or the personal journey of your instructors can create an emotional connection with students. |
| Interactive Ingredient Selection | Allowing students to choose ingredients for a custom dish 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 cooking or sustainable sourcing practices, can attract environmentally conscious students and media attention. |
| Food Truck Pop-Ups | Operating a mobile food truck in different locations or at local events can expand your reach and attract new students who may enroll in your culinary programs later. |
| Recipe Subscription Service | Offering a subscription service where students receive monthly recipes and ingredient kits to practice at home can create a loyal student base. |
| Immersive Culinary Workshops | Hosting workshops where students can learn advanced cooking techniques from your instructors can attract food enthusiasts and create a sense of exclusivity. |
| Flash Mob Cooking Experiences | Organizing flash mob cooking events in unexpected locations can create viral content and attract adventurous students looking for unique experiences. |
Content that never works well for culinary schools on social media
Don't waste your time and resources on these strategies. We've seen many culinary schools make these mistakes, and they won't help you stand out from the crowd or attract new students to your programs.
| Content Type | Why It Never Works for Culinary Schools | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Stock Photos | They lack authenticity and can make the school appear unoriginal or untrustworthy. | Use real photos of your classes, instructors, and facilities to create a genuine connection with your audience. |
| Overly Promotional Posts | Constantly pushing promotions can feel spammy and turn off potential students. | Mix in engaging content like behind-the-scenes stories, student testimonials, and interactive posts to keep your audience interested. |
| Unrelated Content | Posting content that has nothing to do with culinary education confuses followers and dilutes your brand. | Keep your content focused on your school, culinary techniques, events, and related topics to maintain relevance and interest. |
| Low-Quality Videos | Poorly shot or edited videos can reflect badly on your school's quality and professionalism. | Invest in basic video equipment or hire a local videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase your school 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 culinary education, community, and your school'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 potential students looking for genuine interaction. | Respond personally to comments and messages to show that you care about your students 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 school 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 students. | Address negative feedback calmly and constructively, showing that you are willing to improve and value student input. |
| Ignoring Social Media Trends | Being out of touch with current trends can make your school 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 potential students and deter participation. | Offer simple, clear, and straightforward promotions that are easy for students 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 culinary school. |
Make your culinary school more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best culinary schools in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Why social media can be a big pay-off for your culinary school
We understand that as a culinary school 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 educational institutions like yours.
The day-to-day demands of running a culinary school 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 budget 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 culinary school 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 culinary school. These documents are straightforward and easy to understand, cutting through the jargon and focusing on what really works for small educational institutions on social media.
We provide clear, actionable steps for creating engaging posts, building a loyal following, and boosting your culinary school's visibility online.
With our marketing pack, you can invest in your school's growth without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
Your culinary school could make more money!
Most culinary school owners don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.
