Most catering businesses fail to book clients from social media. Why? Because they’re inconsistent with posting, have no strategy or spend hours trying to make content that gets likes but never leads to a single inquiry.

The fact is that social media for catering businesses isn’t about going viral. It’s about showing up, staying top-of-mind, and helping the right people trust you faster.

The good news? You don’t need to do more. You just need to do it smarter. Here are the 9 most common social media mistakes catering companies make, and what to do instead.

1. Posting Food Photos Without Context

Yes, your food looks amazing. But if your post just says “Caprese skewers from last weekend”, you’re missing the point. Show the food, but tell the story:

• Who was it for?

• What kind of event?

• What made the menu special?

• Why do prospects need this?

Example:

“Created this late-summer menu for a lakeside wedding in Chattanooga. The bride asked for bold flavors and no boring bites. Mission accomplished.”

Notice a difference? The second one tells a story. And more importantly, it gives potential clients a glimpse of what you’re like to work with.

2. Ignoring the Power of Behind-the-Scenes Content

Most clients won’t remember what a microgreen garnish looked like. They will remember how it felt to watch your team hustle like pros and make their event memorable.

Capture:

• Kitchen prep

• Van loading

• Staff plating up

• Moments of calm before the crowd shows up

This kind of content builds trust. It says, “We do this all the time and we love it.”

3. Making It All About You

Your business isn’t the hero. Your client is.

Instead of just saying “we did this,” highlight the client experience:

• “They came to us with a vision and a short timeline.”

• “After three other caterers said no, we said let’s do it.”

• “This couple wanted an all-vegan menu that even meat eaters would rave about.”

When clients see themselves in your posts, they start thinking, “Wow, I think these are the caterers I’ve been searching for.”

4. Only Showing One Type of Event

Weddings are great. But if all your content is white dresses and cocktail hours, you’re missing out on:

• Fundraisers

• Baby showers

• Corporate catering

• Backyard birthdays

• Holiday parties

• Graduation celebrations

Rotate your content to show variety. Show different clients. Different vibes. Different budgets. If someone doesn’t see what they need, they assume you don’t offer it.

5. Forgetting to Mention Location

Your Instagram bio might say you’re in Tennessee, but your posts don’t mention a thing about where you work. Always tag the city or venue in your captions. It helps with local discovery and shows clients you’re active in their area.

Example:

“Lunch spread for a staff appreciation event in West Knoxville. Office managers, we’re always ready to feed your crew.”

6. Using Captions That Don’t Say Anything

Don’t waste a great photo with a boring caption like “yum” or “another great event!”

Instead, use captions to:

• Answer FAQs

• Address a common concern

• Deliver valuable insights

• Highlight something unexpected

• Share a compelling testimonial snippet

Think of each post as a mini conversation. What would you say if the client was sitting across the table? Start there.

7. Overthinking the Perfect Grid

Your feed doesn’t need to look like a food magazine. It needs to represent what your catering business stands for. Which means “done” is better than perfect. If you have a great photo, post it. If you’ve got a great story from an event, share it.

Don’t wait until you’ve edited every highlight reel. A few real, messy, heartfelt posts will beat a silent profile every time.

8. Not Encouraging Interaction

Social media is a two-way street. Most catering businesses post like they’re broadcasting on the radio.

Start asking questions:

• “What’s your must-have appetizer?”

• “Would you book a brunch wedding?”

Even just responding to comments or reposting client content helps create engagement that gets seen. The algorithm likes conversations. So give it one.

9. Having No Clear Call to Action

Your post ends. Now what? Every post should either build connection or invite a specific action. Try:

• “Planning a fall event? DM us to check your date.”

• “Want a sample menu? Head to our site and grab the PDF.”

• “We’re booking holiday parties now. Reach out before it’s too late.”

You’re not being pushy. You’re being helpful.

Featured Catering Client Spotlight: Rothchild Catering

Rothchild Catering brings over 30 years of culinary excellence to East Tennessee. Known for their flavorful menus and flawless event execution, they serve everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events. We’re proud to support their digital presence and help them continue standing out in a competitive market.

You Don’t Need to Go Viral. You Need to Be Visible.

Social media doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be a quiet engine that keeps you in front of the right people at the right time. But only if you treat it like a tool, not a guessing game.

At Slamdot, we help service-based businesses like yours show up online with confidence. From content strategy and review automation to websites, SEO, and ads that actually convert, we deliver tangible results.

Want to grow your catering business faster? Contact our team today!

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