Facebook and Instagram are not just for likes and fun—they're powerful tools that the best food brands in the world use strategically to attract customers.
We know you're busy managing your food brand and the thought of handling 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 brand.
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 food brands.
Get the content idea list made for food brand founders
A lot of food brands 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 food brand
We have meticulously analyzed numerous food brands' social media accounts to create our strategy pack for food brands - here’s what consistently drives success.
Content Type | Why It Works to Boost Your Food Brand |
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High-Quality Product Photos | Stunning images of your food products can entice potential customers, making them eager to try your offerings. |
Behind-the-Scenes Videos | Showcasing the production process, team, and quality control 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 try your products. |
Specials and Promotions | Announcing limited-time offers, discounts, and special deals can attract new customers looking for value. |
User-Generated Content | Sharing content created by your customers (photos, reviews) engages the community and adds authenticity to your brand. |
Local Collaborations | Partnering with local influencers or businesses can introduce your brand to a broader, local audience. |
Event Announcements | Promoting upcoming events, product launches, or special campaigns can attract new customers interested in unique experiences. |
Seasonal and Holiday Posts | Highlighting seasonal products or holiday-themed items can attract customers looking for special options during those times. |
Interactive Content | Polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions engage followers and create a sense of community, encouraging them to try your products. |
Recipe Shares | Sharing recipes that use your products can intrigue food enthusiasts and motivate them to purchase your items. |
Daily Updates | Regularly updating followers with new product releases or daily specials keeps your brand top-of-mind and encourages spontaneous purchases. |
Behind-the-Scenes Staff Stories | Featuring stories about your team members creates a personal connection and humanizes your brand. |
Food Preparation Tips | Sharing tips and tricks for using your products 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 food brands make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best food brands in the world. Replicate them now!
How can food brand founders make great content on social media?
What to Prioritize
You probably know it already, but high-quality photos and videos of your products are essential.
People eat with their eyes first. Make sure the lighting is good, the food looks fresh, and the packaging 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 brand. Behind-the-scenes photos, team 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, new product launches, or seasonal items. 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 brand “image” and what your audience likes.
If you have a low budget to conduct marketing for your food brand, 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 food brand 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 brand. 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 food brands on social media
Our team has curated a list of highly specific, budget-friendly content ideas tailored for food brands, complete with practical tips to keep costs low and maximize social media impact.
Consider incorporating some of these ideas into your food brand's marketing strategy.
Content Type | Tips to Make It More Affordable |
---|---|
Smartphone Product Photos | Utilize natural light by placing products near windows during the day. Enhance images with free apps like Snapseed or VSCO. |
Customer Reviews | Encourage happy customers to leave a quick video review on their phone. Offer a small discount or free sample as a thank-you. |
User-Generated Content | Motivate customers to share their product photos by offering a monthly raffle for those who tag your brand on Instagram. |
DIY Recipe Videos | Film short, simple recipes using your products with 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 production process or introduce the team during slower periods. |
Product Highlight Posts | Create simple, eye-catching graphics for product highlights using free tools like Canva. Include a brief description and an appealing photo. |
Team Spotlights | Feature team members with a casual photo and fun facts about them. Use your smartphone and a natural setting in your workspace. |
Simple Polls and Questions | Engage followers with free Instagram or Facebook polls about their favorite products or suggestions for new 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 | Share photos and short stories about your participation in local charity events or partnerships with community organizations. |
Customer Spotlights | Highlight loyal customers with their favorite products. Take a quick photo and share a short story about their experience with your brand. |
Homemade Product Photos | Create attractive settings using inexpensive items like tablecloths, napkins, and props from dollar stores. |
Sustainability Tips | Share eco-friendly practices such as using recyclable packaging or sourcing local ingredients. Create simple infographics with free tools like Canva. |
Behind-the-Scenes Prep | Record short clips of the production process, such as packaging or quality checks. 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 product. Use cost-effective prizes like a sample pack. |
Seasonal Product Posts | Highlight seasonal products using natural light and your smartphone camera. Share the story behind the product to add interest. |
Copy the tactics of the best food brands in the world!
There are food brands that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Exceptionally creative and innovative content ideas specifically for food brands
Investing in high-quality social media content for your food brand can be a game-changer. Many other brands 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 |
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Recipe Tutorials | Creating engaging video tutorials that show how to use your products in various recipes can educate and inspire your audience, making them more likely to purchase your items. |
Behind-the-Scenes Factory Tours | Offering virtual tours of your production facilities can provide transparency and build trust, showing customers the care and quality that goes into making your products. |
Limited Edition Product Launches | Introducing limited edition or seasonal products can create excitement and urgency, encouraging customers to buy before they miss out. |
Exclusive Tasting Events | Hosting exclusive tasting events where customers can sample new products before they hit the market can create buzz and word-of-mouth promotion. |
AR Packaging Integration | Implementing augmented reality (AR) features on your packaging, where customers can see a 3D representation of recipes or product origins, can enhance the user experience and attract tech-savvy consumers. |
Themed Cooking Challenges | Organizing themed cooking challenges, such as a holiday baking contest, can engage your community and create shareable content that attracts new customers. |
Product Sampling Contests | Running contests where customers can win free samples of your products can generate excitement and attract new buyers eager to try your offerings. |
Collaborative Product Lines | Partnering with other brands or influencers to create collaborative product lines can introduce your brand to new audiences and create a buzz in the market. |
Story-Driven Marketing | Sharing compelling stories about the origins of your ingredients, the farmers you work with, or the journey of your brand can create an emotional connection with customers. |
Interactive Product Development | Allowing customers to vote on new flavors or product ideas via social media polls can make them feel involved and eager to try the creations they helped design. |
Sustainability Initiatives | Promoting your eco-friendly practices, such as sustainable sourcing or zero-waste packaging, can attract environmentally conscious consumers and positive media attention. |
Pop-Up Sampling Events | Setting up pop-up sampling stations at local events or popular locations can expand your reach and attract new customers who may become loyal fans. |
Subscription Boxes | Offering subscription boxes where customers receive a curated selection of your products each month can create a steady revenue stream and build a loyal customer base. |
Immersive Culinary Experiences | Hosting workshops where customers can learn advanced cooking techniques using your products can attract food enthusiasts and create a sense of exclusivity. |
Surprise Product Drops | Organizing surprise product drops in unexpected locations can create viral content and attract adventurous customers looking for unique experiences. |
Content that never works well for food brands on social media
Don't waste your time and resources on these ideas. We've seen many food brands make these mistakes, and they won't help you stand out from the crowd or attract new customers to your brand.
Content Type | Why It Never Works for Food Brands | Do This Instead |
---|---|---|
Generic Stock Photos | They lack authenticity and can make the brand appear unoriginal or untrustworthy. | Use real photos of your products, production process, and team 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 food products confuses followers and dilutes your brand. | Keep your content focused on your products, recipes, events, and related topics to maintain relevance and interest. |
Low-Quality Videos | Poorly shot or edited videos can reflect badly on your brand's quality and professionalism. | Invest in basic video equipment or hire a local videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase your brand 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 brand'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 brand 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 brand 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 brand. |
Make your food brand more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best food brands in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Why social media can be a big pay-off for your food brand
We understand that as a food brand 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 food brand 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 food brand 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 food brand. These documents are straightforward and easy to understand, cutting through the jargon and focusing on what really works for small food brands on social media.
We provide clear, actionable steps for creating engaging posts, building a loyal following, and boosting your food brand's visibility online.
With our marketing pack, you can invest in your food brand's growth without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
Your food brand could make more money!
Most food brand founders don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.