Building Social Proof for Your Catering Business

In today's digital age, establishing credibility and trust is more important than ever. Social proof can be a game-changer when it comes to enticing potential clients and standing out from the competition. But how can you begin building social proof for your catering business?

Take a look at our best tips on gathering social proof and leveraging it in your public relations and marketing. By doing so, you can ensure your brand becomes synonymous with excellence in the eyes of your target audience.

Audit your public presence

If applicable, start by auditing your catering business's current public presence, including your website, blog, awards, and press mentions. Imagine a potential customer stumbling upon your business today. What would they discover? Does it align with your branding and effectively convert visitors into leads, or is it time for an update?

Remember: Your website serves as the initial impression for most prospects and serves as a valuable resource for those seeking information about your business. It should feature a detailed bio, a portfolio showcasing your best work, relevant press mentions, awards, and testimonials from satisfied clients.

Pitch to different media

Keep up the momentum in your catering business by actively sharing news with the media through carefully crafted press releases and pitches. There are many opportunities to contribute your expertise on trending topics, so use your experience to position yourself as an industry leader. You can also leverage your background to secure in-person speaking engagements and podcast guest interviews.

Make the most of positive reviews

If you aren’t asking clients for testimonials, make it a standard practice at the end of each event. Encourage them to leave a review on Google, Facebook, WeddingWire, The Knot, or any other online review platforms you use. The more five-star reviews you receive, the better!

Once you gather a handful of positive reviews, start cross-promoting them across your channels. Share them on your website, social media pages, and any brochures or PDFs you provide at the beginning of your sales process. Hearing from happy clients will help new leads get a feel for how great it is to work with you. 

Create compelling case studies

When you get a particularly strong review, consider turning it into a case study that highlights the exciting results of your work. Collect related photos, quotes, statistics, and stories to display on a dedicated page on your website. When potential clients come knocking, you can point them to this page for all the positive social proof they need.

When creating your case studies, present tangible results and customer satisfaction. Dive into the details of each event and explain how you facilitated a smooth catering process from start to finish. Pair this with a few photos of your delicious plates, and you’ll wow your dream clients with the level of service you provide.

Optimize your social media presence

Your social media pages offer real-time social proof to potential clients. In an industry driven by visuals, you’ll want to focus on filling your pages with attractive imagery and video content. Establish a consistent brand aesthetic so visitors are impressed as soon as they visit your page.

Your social media pages are also a great place to showcase behind-the-scenes glimpses into your business, allowing you to highlight your expertise. Consider sharing case studies and testimonials to publish social proof and build trust online. 

Utilize influencer partnerships

Most of your clients and vendor partners will post about an event in the days after, so don’t let that free content go to waste. Encourage others to tag your business when sharing on social media so you can repost their content. It’s also worth targeting influencers in your area. Reach out to those with more significant social media followings to see if you can develop a partnership for an upcoming event. This way, you can build meaningful relationships while expanding your reach within your local market. 

Continuously gather social proof

To stay on top of your social proof efforts, you’ll need an easy way to collect and organize the content you receive. Got a new testimonial? Add it to a Google Doc or Sheet. Have recent photos taken of your food? Store them in a shared folder on a cloud drive.

Remember: Social proof is not a one-time effort but an ongoing journey. Monitor and respond to customer feedback regularly, curate your best testimonials, and seek opportunities to collaborate with influential event professionals and associations. By analyzing the impact of your social proof efforts, you can refine your approach and ensure long-term success. Start building that trust, inspiring confidence, and watch your business flourish!

Clint Elkins is the V.P. of Sales for SB Value, a Group Purchasing Organization that helps culinary professionals save an average of 16% on every food order. Membership is 100% free. No hidden fees. No extra work. Just extra profits. See how much you can save on your next food order when you become an SB Value member. Request a quote today.