The Local Restaurants of Excelsior
In the scenic town of Excelsior, Minnesota, nestled along the shores of Lake Minnetonka, local restaurants have long been adored for their unique charm and culinary offerings. In recent years, the expansion of social media has significantly influenced these establishments, reshaping how they engage with consumers, market their menus, and integrate into the community fabric. One place in particular who has found this new way of marketing to be a bit easier is Maynards excelsior.
Bethany Crosby, a long time server at Maynards Excelsior being someone fast to pick up the tools of social media or generally just knows her way around our basic apps of social media like instagram and facebook landed herself a new specialty. 10 years ago when instagram was just first pictures Maynards general manager Jack Stevens called in Bethany to the job of social media management and event planning which has now grown into Maynards #1 source of marketing.
Approximately 90% of restaurants now utilize social media to showcase their dishes, ambiance, and special events, thereby attracting both locals and visitors. This though has never been a challenge for Bethany after starting her job 10 years ago she has now expanded their marketing plan to Instagram, Facebook, their website, as well as an email club.
The Restaurants of Excelsior increasingly rely on social media when enticing viewers on where next to eat. Nearly 74% of individuals use these platforms to relay their dining decisions. This trend means that a restaurant’s online presence can significantly impact its reputation and customer influx. Don’t be mistaken though this job isn’t as time consuming and difficult as everyone thinks.
Many restaurants miss out on this marketing opportunity when time is short and the season is dead, but Bethany says that it’s not as bad as you might think. Bethany being a mom as well as a server has many other things on her plate than creating a story or reel to post to Instagram everyday but she let us in on how it’s just that easy.
Yes while as a business social media manager the #1 thing is to be consistent but often not overbearing, but it can always be done from a far as Bethany says, “ I could record everything or have all those photos to post, and be in Oregon, you’d have no idea.” As long as you have a plan when you are present to get the content you will need in the future the workload doesn’t come out to be that much.
Yes, this marketing plan also takes a lot of resources; Bethany has multiple photographers and promoters to help her further Maynards social media content such as a lifestyle photographer, food photographer, and a drone photographer which might be a challenging factor for some smaller businesses. But if you have one person, that’s just enough to be successful as long as you are consistent.
Although this new age of marketing may seem impossible to some, Bethany Crosby is an example of how it’s really not as difficult as it may look. If you have a phone and a consistent plan it is 100% going to boost your business advertisement in the expiring age of paper marketing.
Photo taken outside of a local restaurant through the eyes of social media management and photography where much of the restaurant’s content is created.
Simple Marketing Through Content Creation
For local restaurants, content variety is essential in building a strong, consistent brand while attracting and engaging customers. A small-scale marketing plan should prioritize a blend of visual, informative, and interactive content to maximize reach and loyalty.
First, showcase high-quality images and short videos of best-selling dishes, behind-the-scenes kitchen action, or staff spotlights. Example: Adele’s features employees of flavors of the week posts. Visual content performs exceptionally well on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, helping build personality and trust.
Next, include informative content—menus, special deals, holiday hours, and ingredient sourcing stories—to answer common customer questions and highlight your uniqueness.
User-generated content is another powerful tool. Encourage customers to tag your restaurant in their posts or share reviews. Reposting these builds credibility and community. Weekly features like “Taco Tuesday” or “Feature Friday” create expectations and encourage return visits. Example: Maynards Specials( Holiday Variety Menus ).
Finally, local engagement is key. Promote partnerships with nearby businesses, support local events, or spotlight customer stories. These personal touches help position your restaurant as a valued part of the neighborhood. Example: Maynnards Excelsior stories all tagged posts or stories by the locals.
The best marketing content for local restaurants is authentic, varied, and community-focused—helping you stand out without needing a massive budget. Consistency and creativity go a long way in turning first-time visitors into loyal regulars.
Top 5 Content Creator Tips For Creators Working For a Business
Tips from interview done with Selena BayBay: Content creator for Louis Vutton and Queenie and Pearl in Minneapolis
- Don’t be trendy: When working for a business on social media marketing, one step to being successful is don’t be trendy. Jumping around on trends doesn’t highlight who you are as a business and often makes your page look sloppy. You can participate in trends but pick ones right for your company and find a way to make them your own, not uniform to what everyone else is doing.
- Do detailed work: When people look at social media the number one draw in for businesses is good quality work. Photography that is good quality and looks professional goes a long way. Staying away from filters helps to achieve this. When shooting for businesses try to only capture images that fit your mood so there’s no need for filters or loads of editing that makes the photos look less natural.
- Create a story: Create content for the business that reflects feelings or a sense of nostalgia by telling a story. Pick out a single person’s story to tell such as a server, cook, or owner so people can put faces to the business. Their story creates feelings for people or welcomes them in making the business look like a friendly place.
- Be who you are: When creating content for a business be who you are first then see what they like. Create an aesthetic for yourself and be confident in what you post and you’re more likely to succeed. When you appear confident in what you post they are more likely to trust that you know what will do good.
- Platforms: Create on platforms you know will do the best. Instagram and tiktok have the widest audience for you to peak someone’s interest. These platforms are also the most accessible for all demographics causing your content to eventually reach more people. You can get the word out about your business and it will likely spread faster than other platforms online.
Another Way of Advertising Happening Just Outside Excelsiors Stores Today
Book Hangover Outside Excelsiors Book Shop
Amazing way to promote and encourage reading by adding a fun way of advertising outside the local book store with a definition famous to social media.
Spa Day Essentials at Lakeside Store in Excelsior
One way of non paper advertising/marketing that many Excelsior businesses incorporate: great for shoots and social media as well as in person advertising.
