The top 4 social media food trends you need to know to stay ahead of your competitors

It’s no secret that social media offers masses of opportunities for businesses when used to its full potential. But by keeping on top of new trends and staying up to date with best practice for each platform, you’ll be able to keep ahead of the crowd.

We’re taking a closer look at the top four social media food trends we think you should know about to grow your brand following.

1. Use branded hashtags in posts 

Build up your food brand’s social media presence by creating brand hashtags that are unique to you. You can create your own brand hashtag by using your company name or a phrase that relates back to your business, like Dunkin’ Donuts’ #mydunkin.

When customers visit a Dunkin’ Donuts stand, they can upload photos on social media with the brand hashtag. At the time of writing, #mydunkin had 65,300 posts.

By using brand-related hashtags on social media, it encourages customers to join in and help promote your brand. People should be able to easily find your brand hashtags when searching for your business online.

Branded hashtags also create a real-time collection of posts, images and videos of your food that link back to your business. According to a survey by Zagat, 75% of diners who browse food photos online choose a place to eat based on social media posts.

2. Stand up for your brand values

This food social media trend is a big one. Brand values are core to your business’s DNA. They’re what make you different from competitors and have a huge influence on consumers’ brand affinity.

Whether you’re serious about sustainability or committed to giving back to your community, make sure your brand values are clearly defined.

You can then use your values to influence social media content, just like Ben & Jerry’s who are making waves online for taking a stance on pressing political and social justice issues. The American ice cream dons have used social media to challenge Priti Patel’s stance on migrant crossings in the UK and to speak out about police brutality during the Black Lives Matter protests.

3. Ensure messaging is consistent

This trend is all about making sure any tweet, Insta story or Facebook post is on-brand and inline with your tone of voice. Your audience has an expectation of what your brand should sound and look like. Posting messages that are out of character or style will lead to confusion and distrust.

Make sure your whole team is aware of your target audience and how to use your brand voice online. Creating a set of brand guidelines will help ensure you’re on board with this trend, meaning any future posts are consistently on-brand.

4. Inspire User Generated Content

Running a competition on social media isn’t a new idea, but it’s definitely one that works in terms of boosting brand awareness, engagement and reach of your posts.

However creating a competition idea that’s based around encouraging User Generated Content (UGC) is a more modern twist on an incentive-driven post.

Ask your followers to post a picture of them enjoying a meal in your restaurant or the scenic location of where they’re devouring your takeaway. The most ‘liked’ post or your favourite wins a prize. It’s as simple as that, yet provides you with a bank of customer images you can use in future social posting and spreads the word about your food brand for free.

Cadbury’s does this social media food trend well, with its regular competitions including the much-loved Battle of the Inventors and Cadbury Dairy Milk Inventor competition.

Want to put these social media food trends into practice? Get expert guidance, a tailored social strategy and more from Eat Marketing.