Irish Pub: how to post engaging content [content idea list]
Irish Pub: how to post engaging content [content idea list]

Copy the best Irish pubs!

There are Irish pub owners that make way more profit than you. We have analyzed their tactics. Get them now!

Facebook and Instagram aren't just for sharing memes and catching up with friends—they're powerful tools that the best Irish pubs use strategically to draw in patrons.

We understand that running your pub keeps you on your toes, and the idea of managing social media might seem like just another task on your already full plate.

But here's the craic: you don't need to be a marketing guru or break the bank to make it work. Just a few minutes a day can bring a couple of new faces through your doors.

To give you a hand, we've put together a free list of content ideas - and for a comprehensive action plan, be sure to check out our strategy pack for pub owners.

Get the content idea list made for Irish pub owners

A lot of Irish pubs manage to post engaging content on social media. Here is a free tool to to get you started.

content idea social media for Irish pubs

Content that always work well for an Irish pub

We've delved into the social media strategies of numerous Irish pubs to create our strategy pack for Irish pubs - here's what consistently brings in new patrons.

Content Type Why It Works to Get New Customers in Your Irish Pub
High-Quality Drink and Food Photos Enticing images of pints, cocktails, and traditional Irish dishes can make potential customers eager to visit and try them out.
Behind-the-Scenes Videos Showcasing the pub's atmosphere, bartenders crafting drinks, and kitchen activities builds trust and creates a connection with the audience.
Customer Testimonials Positive reviews and testimonials from real patrons provide social proof and encourage others to experience the pub.
Specials and Promotions Announcing limited-time offers, discounts, and happy hours can attract new customers looking for great 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 the pub 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 drinks or holiday events can attract customers looking for special experiences 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 pub dishes or cocktails can intrigue food and drink enthusiasts and motivate them to try the original at the pub.
Daily Specials Updates Regularly updating followers with daily specials keeps the pub top-of-mind and encourages spontaneous visits.
Behind-the-Scenes Staff Stories Featuring stories about the staff members creates a personal connection and humanizes the brand.
Drink Preparation Tips Sharing tips and tricks from the bar can engage followers who are drink enthusiasts and home bartenders.
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 Irish pubs make 5x more profit than you!

We have studied the strategies of the best Irish pubs in the world. Replicate them now!

marketing strategy for an Irish pub

How can Irish pub owners make great content on social media?

What to Prioritise

You probably know it already, but high-quality photos and videos of your pub’s offerings are essential.

People drink with their eyes first. Make sure the lighting is good, the drinks look refreshing, 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 pub. 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 brews. 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 pub’s “image” and what your audience likes.

If you have a low budget to conduct marketing for your pub, 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 pub owners.

How to Do It Fast and Efficient

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 pub. 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 Irish pubs on social media

Our team has crafted this list featuring highly specific, low-budget content ideas tailored for Irish pubs, 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 Irish pub.

Content Type Tips to Make It More Affordable
Smartphone Drink Photos Use natural light by positioning drinks near windows during daytime. Enhance photos with free apps like Snapseed or VSCO.
Customer Testimonials Ask satisfied patrons to leave a quick video testimonial on their phone. Offer a free pint or appetizer as a thank-you.
User-Generated Content Encourage customers to share their pub experience photos by offering a monthly raffle for those who tag your pub on Instagram.
DIY Drink Recipe Videos Film short, simple recipes of your popular drinks 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 slow hours.
Daily Special Posts Design simple, eye-catching graphics for daily specials using free tools like Canva. Include a brief description and a mouth-watering photo.
Staff Spotlights Feature staff members with a casual photo and fun facts about them. Use your smartphone and a natural setting in the pub.
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 wider 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. Take a quick photo and share a short story about their experience at your pub.
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 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 drink. Use prizes that are cost-effective like a free appetizer.
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 Irish pubs in the world!

There are Irish pubs that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!

marketing strategy for an Irish pub

Exceptionally creative and innovative content ideas specifically for Irish pubs

Investing in top-notch social media content for your Irish pub might be worth it because many other places won't bother, giving you a chance to really stand out, grab people's attention, and build a loyal crowd.

Content Type Why It Could Bring a LOT of Customers
Virtual Irish Cooking Classes Hosting live or recorded virtual cooking classes where your chefs teach viewers how to make traditional Irish dishes like shepherd's pie or soda bread can create a sense of community and attract a global audience.
Interactive 360° Pub Tours Offering virtual 360° tours of your pub, including the bar area and cozy nooks, can provide a unique behind-the-scenes experience and entice people to visit in person.
Limited Edition Irish Brews Creating buzz with limited edition or seasonal Irish brews available for a short time can generate excitement and urgency, attracting new and repeat customers.
Pub Quiz Nights Hosting regular pub quiz nights with fun and challenging questions can create a lively atmosphere and encourage groups to visit your pub regularly.
AR Drink Menus Implementing augmented reality (AR) technology in your drink menus where customers can see a 3D representation of cocktails and beers can enhance the pub experience and attract tech-savvy customers.
Themed Irish Nights Hosting themed Irish nights, such as a St. Patrick's Day celebration or a traditional Irish music night, can provide a unique and immersive experience, attracting groups and special occasions.
Food and Drink Challenge Contests Organizing food and drink challenge contests (e.g., finishing a giant Irish stew or a pint of Guinness in record time) can create viral moments, attracting competitive eaters and spectators.
Collaborative Pop-Up Events Partnering with other local pubs or breweries to host pop-up events can introduce your pub to new audiences and create a buzz in the community.
Story-Driven Social Media Posts Sharing in-depth stories about the origins of your pub, the history of Irish brewing, or the personal journey of your bartenders can create an emotional connection with customers.
Interactive Drink Selection Allowing customers to choose ingredients for a custom cocktail 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 practices or sustainable sourcing of ingredients, can attract environmentally conscious consumers and media attention.
Mobile Pub Pop-Ups Operating a mobile pub in different locations or at local events can expand your reach and attract new customers who may visit your main pub later.
Recipe Subscription Service Offering a subscription service where customers receive monthly recipes and ingredient kits to cook your pub’s dishes at home can create a loyal customer base.
Immersive Whiskey Tasting Workshops Hosting workshops where customers can learn about and taste different Irish whiskeys can attract enthusiasts and create a sense of exclusivity.
Flash Mob Pub Experiences Organizing flash mob pub events in unexpected locations can create viral content and attract adventurous patrons looking for unique experiences.

Content that never works well for Irish pubs on social media

Don't waste your time and resources on these ideas. We've seen many pub owners make these mistakes, and they won't help you stand out from the crowd or bring in new patrons to your Irish pub.

Content Type Why It Never Works for Irish Pubs Do This Instead
Generic Stock Photos They lack authenticity and can make the pub appear unoriginal or untrustworthy. Use real photos of your pub, staff, and patrons enjoying themselves 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 pub or Irish culture confuses followers and dilutes your brand. Keep your content focused on your pub, Irish traditions, events, and related topics to maintain relevance and interest.
Low-Quality Videos Poorly shot or edited videos can reflect badly on your pub's quality and professionalism. Invest in basic video equipment or hire a local videographer to produce high-quality videos that showcase your pub 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 Irish culture, community, and your pub'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 pub 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 pub 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 pub.

Make your Irish pub more profitable

We have studied the strategies of the best Irish pubs in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!

marketing strategy for an Irish pub

Why social media can be a big pay-off for your Irish pub

We understand that as an Irish pub 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, cozy pubs like yours.

The day-to-day demands of running an Irish pub 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 Irish pub 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 pub. These documents are straightforward and easy to understand, cutting through the jargon and focusing on what really works for small pubs on social media.

We provide clear, actionable steps for creating engaging posts, building a loyal following, and boosting your pub's visibility online.

With our marketing pack, you can invest in your pub's growth without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.

Your Irish pub could make more money!

Most Irish pub owners don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.

social media strategy for an Irish pub
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