Instagram Content Ideas for Pubs in the UK

In today's digital age, having a strong social media presence can make all the difference for businesses, especially for pubs in the UK.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with over 2 billion monthly active users. It offers a great opportunity for pubs to showcase their unique atmosphere, food, drinks, and events to a wide audience.

However, coming up with fresh and engaging content ideas can be a challenge, especially for small pub owners who may not have the resources to hire a social media manager.

In this blog, we'll share some creative and effective Instagram content ideas that can help pubs in the UK attract more followers, increase engagement, and ultimately drive more foot traffic to their establishments.

Instagram Marketing for Pubs: 8 Tips for you to Apply in your Pub

Instagram has become increasingly popular in recent years, making it an excellent social network for pubs and breweries to have an account. It's a visually-driven platform that's perfect for sharing photos and videos, so it's a must-have for any pub or brewery.

The growth of businesses on Instagram was so significant that in 2016, the platform launched Instagram for Business. This included three new features: business profiles, sponsored posts, and metrics, making it easier for businesses to use Instagram as a marketing tool.

1. Set up your account as a business

Firstly, ensure that your pub's Instagram profile is a business profile. This is a quick and easy process that grants your account access to a wealth of information that is unavailable to personal profiles. Here's how you switch your account to business:

• In settings, find Account and tap Switch to professional account.
• Pick a category that best describes your business, then select Business.
• You're all ready – you've got an Instagram business account.

All you need is a Facebook page. Be sure to complete the Name field with the exact name of your pub, which will appear in bold directly below your profile picture. Also, craft a concise and clear sentence for your bio that communicates what your business offers. It's important that visitors can quickly understand your pub's value proposition. The bio text box is a valuable space as it's the only area where you can include clickable links. If you have a website or other relevant links, take advantage of this opportunity to share them with your audience. You might also use this space to promote upcoming events or specials. 

‍

2. Post to timeline and stories

There are two main ways to share content on Instagram: using the classic timeline or the Stories feature.

The timeline allows you to post photos and videos that will appear permanently on your profile, and users can like and comment on them. This is a great way to showcase your pub's best moments and events.

Stories disappear after 24 hours and are more suited for informal, behind-the-scenes content. Use Stories to give your followers a glimpse of the day-to-day life of your establishment, such as new beer flavours or exciting events. Here is an amazing story that was generated using ttagz at our venue Walkabout in Bristol.

‍

It's important to use both posting options for maximum impact. Make sure to maintain a consistent tone and voice in your captions, using casual and friendly language that engages your audience.

3. What to post

To create a successful Instagram content strategy for your pub, it's crucial to understand your target audience, objectives, and where you want to be present. Bums on Seats are a fantastic choice if you want to have a bespoke marketing plan created for you pub. There are several types of posts that pubs should consider sharing to keep their followers engaged. These can include: 

• Opening Promotion: Share photos of your pub's exterior or interior, or highlight any recent renovations or updates.
• Drink of the week: Showcase your latest beers on tap and provide descriptions and tasting notes to help customers choose their next pint.
• Food pictures: Post photos of your pub's signature dishes, daily specials, or upcoming menu changes to entice hungry customers.
• Music programming: Let your followers know about upcoming live music events or DJs playing at your pub.
• Happy hour and events: Promote special deals, discounts, or events happening at your pub, such as trivia nights, sports viewing parties, or charity events.

Remember to mix up your content and provide a variety of posts to keep your followers interested and engaged. Also, consider using Instagram features such as hashtags and geotags to expand your reach and attract new customers.

‍

4. #Use Hashtags

Hashtags are a crucial element on Instagram as they can help increase the visibility of your pub's profile. By using relevant hashtags, your posts can be seen by a wider audience beyond your followers. It's important to research and choose the most appropriate hashtags for your content and separate them from your text by placing them at the end of your caption.

Avoid using too many hashtags together in a long string as #thiscanmakeitdifficulttoread.. see. Some popular hashtags for pubs include #pubs #beers #bars #[nameofyourcity] and #[brandofbeer] you serve, but there are many others that may be relevant to your business.

5. Make a giveaway or a promotion

Who doesn't love a free gift? Running a giveaway is an excellent way to increase your follower base and visibility on Instagram. You can ask interested parties to like your page, comment on the official post, and tag a friend to be eligible to win.

To make the prize more enticing, consider offering a mini-reward such as a free portion of your house drink, special beer, a ticket to a live music attraction with the right to bring a friend, or a souvenir from your pub such as a t-shirt, cap, or mug. In addition to giveaways, consider using ttagz technology to encourage customers to share content about your pub. Offer mini-rewards such as a free drink to customers who share a photo of their experience at your pub using your custom hashtag.

This not only incentivises customers to create user-generated content but also helps spread the word about your pub to their followers.

6. Repost customers on your profile

A customer can tag the pub's profile in their posts, and tag the location of your business, among other interactions. Take advantage of this content we call UGC (User-generated Content) and repost it on your profile.

Encourage sharing! Tell your followers when they're at your pub to take a really nice picture and tag your profile. It's a way to strengthen the relationship with the target audience and create super cool content for your profile.

7. Influencers

Leverage the following of bartenders or famous characters in your neighbourhood or city. Follow them and interact with them on Instagram, you never know when they might show up at your pub, order a drink and post a photo.

8. How often to publish?

When it comes to how often to publish on Instagram, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your audience and what works best for your pub. It's generally recommended to post at least once a day to maintain a consistent presence on the platform. It's important to note that the timing of your posts is also crucial. Think about when your target audience is most active on the platform and schedule your posts accordingly. For example, if you're targeting people who work 9-5 jobs, consider posting during lunch breaks or after work hours.

Another important aspect to consider is the type of content you are posting. Vary your posts to keep things interesting and engaging for your audience with everything we've mentioned above.

Keep in mind that quality and genuine content always trumps quantity. It's better to post high-quality content less frequently than to post low-quality content several times a day. Don't forget to engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, and using Instagram's features like Stories and Reels to keep things fresh.

Also, one popular trend among pubs and other businesses on Instagram is to offer mini-rewards for users who share content related to your establishment. This is where ttagz technology comes in handy. With ttagz, customers are encouraged to create amazing user-generated content in your venue can in exchange for a reward, such as a free drink or food. Encouraging user-generated content through these mini-rewards is a great way to boost engagement and attract new followers.

‍

Conclusion 

With over 2 billion users and a staggering 95 million photos and videos uploaded every day, Instagram has become an indispensable tool for promoting your pub and giving your followers a glimpse into the life and soul of your establishment.

As the adage goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words", and with just a smartphone, you can capture and share the essence of your pub, from the drinks and food to the people who make it all possible. So why wait? Join the Instagram revolution and showcase your pub like never before!

‍

‍