From an Entrepreneur’s Kitchen: Engaging with 2017 Food Trends on Social Media to Spur Business Growth
The culinary industry has seen significant changes over the last few years, with a shift towards more health-conscious cooking and a resounding preference for fresh, local ingredients. In recent years, social media has also revolutionized the food industry. In fact, 2017 saw a surge in the capacity of food trends on social media to directly influence business growth strategies in the culinary field, especially in the e-commerce sphere.
When I initially started my gourmet pasta business on an e-commerce platform, I was excited but unsure about how to differentiate myself from the other entrepreneurs out there. It was the peak of 2017; salivating food photography flooded Instagram feeds, and food bloggers were gaining prominence on YouTube and other social media platforms. To set myself apart from others, I needed something more—an edge over my competitors.
That’s when an idea occurred; why not leverage the popularity of the 2017 food trends on social media to boost my presence on the e-commerce platform where my business was domiciled?
Back then, the food scene on social media was buzzing with themes of health and well-being, artisanal or handmade food products, local sourcing, and various global cuisines. Intricately presented smoothie bowls, avocado-centric dishes, zucchini noodles (zoodles) and Korean cuisine were among the key trends on the rise.
Armed with this knowledge about popular food trends of 2017, I set about incorporating them into my business strategy. I started crafting pasta variants that were health-conscious, using whole grains and vegetables such as zoodles. I capitalized on the global cuisine trend by introducing gourmet international sauces. I started sourcing local ingredients for my pasta, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
But merely incorporating 2017 food trends wasn’t enough. I needed to use social media to make my e-commerce platform the go-to place for anyone craving gourmet pasta. To do this, I started by making use of high-quality, captivating images of my pasta dishes, making sure they were well-lit and beautifully presented. Visual appeal is paramount in the food industry, and I knew that the eye-catching photos would help draw attention to my pasta business.
Then came the valuable step of engaging with my followers. Understanding that communication goes both ways on social media, I took time to respond to comments and messages, ask questions, and genuinely interact with those who showed interest in my products. It created a sense of community and loyalty around my brand and helped me understand my customers’ preferences and concerns better.
Promoting the unique aspects of my products and sharing behind-the-scenes insights from my kitchen further allowed me to build authentic connections. I showcased how I was integrating 2017 food trends into my products, frequently featuring pictures of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, the process of making handmade pasta, and the different global sauces being used.
In retrospect, embracing 2017’s food trends on social media and incorporating them into my business model was a definitive step towards success. The resulting surge in sales, the loyal customer base I developed, and the recognization I received far exceeded my initial expectations. I not only carved a niche for my business in the crowded e-commerce platform but also managed to create a brand that resonated with the food preferences and values of my customers.
My success story is testimony to the potential that social media trends hold. They provide a vast, largely untapped resource of consumer preferences that entrepreneurs can leverage to scale their businesses. The key lies in carefully analyzing these trends, integrating them into your products or services, and engaging with your target audience via these platforms to create a robust online presence.
To all fellow entrepreneurs, do not underestimate the power of trending hashtags, viral posts and the impact they can have on your business growth. From an entrepreneur’s kitchen to yours, Substantial business growth is truly just a trend-savvy social media strategy away.