New Orleans is more than just a travel destination; it’s a way of life. The city’s culture leaves a lasting impression on visitors and locals alike. For hospitality businesses, the question isn’t just how to deliver great service. It’s also: How do you stand out to locals and connect with the millions of tourists who visit New Orleans each year?
Marketing New Orleans restaurants and hospitality venues requires more than traditional tactics. It takes creativity, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the culture that makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else. In this post, we’ll explore strategic, locally inspired marketing approaches that can help your business grow, engage your audience, and truly stand out in NOLA.
1. Leverage Local Culture
As one of the oldest and most unique tourist destinations in the United States, New Orleans’ culture needs to be celebrated authentically. This means more than just throwing a few purple green, and gold trinkets on your wall. Connecting through local artists, architecture, and community touchpoints is key.
Sarah Haviland of Common House explains how her team brings New Orleans to life in their building, “Local artists curated the space,” she said. “We have purposefully incorporated a feeling of childlike wonder into the space because it used to be the Children’s Museum. It is a beautiful historic building, and we’re lucky to be able to highlight our city’s past and present.”
How to incorporate local culture into your New Orleans hospitality brand:
- Think like a local. Is there an authentic way to incorporate local culture, like jazz, Mardi Gras, second lines, and culinary flair, into your branding and visuals? Avoid cheesy nods to New Orleans and instead consider how your business authentically fits into the culture.
- Host community events that make your venue part of the city’s rhythm, not just another stop on a tourist map.
- Utilize local artisans. New Orleans has a multitude of amazing artists; there is certainly one who has a style that works with your brand. Incorporating local art doesn’t just give you a New Orleans feel; it supports the local community.
2. Optimize for Search Engines
If someone types “best brunch in New Orleans” or “French Quarter hotel” into Google, will they find you? Local search is one of the most frustrating ways that small businesses lose out to big chains. However, with just a little time and effort, your business can be the top answer to the question “best (your venue type) in New Orleans.”
Rea Keith of Link Restaurant Group emphasizes the importance of staying on top of SEO for both your website and social media. “We update menus and promotions regularly,” he said. “We ensure visibility on Google Maps and optimize for local search terms, which helps to capture tourists and locals alike.”
Allison Schmidt, Marketing Manager of Get Online NOLA, says, “Local SEO is critical for New Orleans businesses trying to attract tourists and locals. If customers can’t find your business on their phone, they’re far less likely to find their way to you.”
Local SEO tips for New Orleans restaurants and hospitality venues:
- Use location-based keywords across your website, social media, and Google listing.
- Keep your Google Business Profile updated and encourage reviews.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as travelers are likely searching on the go.
- Invest in Local SEO efforts to ensure your business is prepared to compete with big businesses.
3. Embrace Social Media
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are essential tools for storytelling and standing out. New Orleans brings a unique value to your online presence. With a visually striking city and unique food culture, your business can shine online, but not without effort. When it comes to social media, posting consistent content with your unique brand flavor will help you reach both tourists and locals. For example, Link Restaurant Group uses visually compelling food content to build engagement, while Common House leans into reels and video that bring events to life.
The Mardi Gras School of Cooking owner, Teresa Vernon says, “We use social media to give people a taste of the fun they can have at our cooking classes. Instead of direct selling, we share our chef’s expertise and highlight the exciting history of Cajun and Creole cuisine. It’s also a great way to keep the conversation going with previous guests, and to ensure they come back again.”
Social Media Tips For Restaurants in New Orleans:
- Share daily specials or behind-the-scenes content that shows your personality. Use this to show how your business interacts with New Orleans culture.
- Feature your staff, customers, or even local musicians to bring authenticity.
- Share your expertise about the city and its culture
- Partner with local influencers who speak to your ideal audience.
- Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
4. Run Seasonal Campaigns
New Orleans has no shortage of seasonal marketing opportunities. We all know the big ones like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. But a restaurant owner knows that the slow summer stretch can be brutal. Taking that opportunity to show locals some extra love is a great way to gain a greater connection with New Orleanians.
“Running short-term seasonal advertisements has been especially helpful for our hospitality clients,” said Allison Schmidt from Get Online NOLA. “We love using Google ads to get more people in the door all year long.”
Seasonal Marketing Ideas:
- Offer summer staycation packages. How can your business collaborate with other local businesses that need help through the summer slump?
- Create special menus or promotions tied to summer events like Coolinary.
- Use Google Ads to target visitors who are actively planning their trips for future seasons.
5. Word of Mouth: Let Your Guests Tell the Story
Word of mouth is powerful, especially in smaller cities like New Orleans. But building great buzz doesn’t just happen by itself. Asking customers for participation is the key to building word of mouth marketing online and in person. Five star reviews on Google or TripAdvisor can be the difference between securing that next booking and losing out to a competitor, so encouraging guests to leave reviews is always a good idea.
“We maximize customer engagement to promote events across all the restaurants within our group, ensuring maximum reach and participation. Through the use of check presenters, we can promote events and specials at our sister restaurants, encouraging future visits. This strategy also builds a stronger brand presence in the market,” says Rea Keith from Link Restaurant Group.
How to Increase Word of Mouth Marketing:
- Share user-generated content and glowing testimonials on your social media and website.
- Ask loyal customers for short video reviews you can post on social media or your site.
- Utilize an automated review generator software to ensure you get feedback from happy customers online, not just the occasional disgruntled customer.
- Employ the tips in our blog about reputation management.
Get Involved and Grow Your Network
Whether it’s partnering with local breweries or joining community events, local relationships are the heartbeat of sustainable growth. “Our membership committee is made up of influential locals. They help us spread the word organically,” says Sarah from Common House.
Keep your networking in line with your business. “We host tap takeovers with local breweries and collaborate on special menus to enhance the experience,” says Rea from Link Restaurant Group. Ensuring that partnerships and networking are in line with your business helps to build a stronger local base.
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