5 Marketing Lessons I’ve Learned from Working with Local Restaurants

Working with restaurants is one of my favorite parts of running Alive. There’s something special about helping a beloved neighborhood spot get the attention it deserves, and marketing in this space has taught me a lot. Whether you're a restaurant owner wearing 15 hats or a fellow marketer trying to boost your results, here are five practical lessons I’ve learned along the way.

1. People Love People 💛

Some of our best-performing posts aren’t about food at all—they’re about people. Featuring your staff (especially in video) is one of the easiest ways to build a connection with your audience. Whether it’s a quick intro to the person behind the grill or a lighthearted team moment, showing the faces behind the business builds trust, personality, and brand loyalty.

2. Responding Goes a Long Way

It’s tempting to ignore or delete a negative comment, but don’t. A thoughtful, human response can actually turn a frustrated customer into a loyal one. Most people don’t expect brands to reply, so when you show up and respond with care, it makes a real difference. Whether it's a thank you, a joke, or a sincere apology, it’s worth the time.

3. Think of AI as a Mediocre Intern

AI tools can be super helpful for brainstorming, first drafts, or polishing up a caption. But if you’re using AI to build your entire content calendar and write every post, your audience will feel it. What's better? Work with someone local (we might know a team 😉) who can keep your brand voice consistent and your content genuinely engaging.

4. Keep Trends in Moderation

When the ✨ perfect trend ✨ hits, it’s great to jump on it. But most of the time, our highest-performing posts are more organic. A candid video of your space, a smiling customer, or a behind-the-scenes moment usually outperforms a trending audio. Before you follow a trend, ask yourself if it truly fits your brand’s voice. If not, go for authenticity instead.

5. If You're Going to Trend, Move Fast

Trends don’t wait around. If you want to hop on one, get it posted quickly. If it’s already been circulating for weeks and you’re just now planning content around it, skip it. People get tired of seeing the same thing on repeat, and posting a trend too late can make your brand feel out of touch.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your marketing to the next level, these lessons come up time and time again. Real content, made by real people, for real people—that’s what works best. Need help getting started? Give us a call! 📞