In part 1 of our series on Digital Marketing with YouTube for Restaurants, we looked at the “why”s and “what”s of digital marketing on YouTube:

Why is YouTube a great platform to bring customers into our restaurants?

What is digital marketing on YouTube?

And the “how”s of YouTube itself:

How do you create an account on Google?

How do you create a YouTube channel on YouTube?

All of the above are important, foundational knowledge. Your learning doesn’t stop there, though.

Knowing the basics, while essential to success, will only get you so far. In this article, we look at the ways to promote your videos – both for free and at cost. We’ll look at when to opt for one over the other.

We’ll also look at which tools can help you with your digital marketing campaign on YouTube. As digital marketers for our restaurants, it’s not enough to simply create a video and upload it to YouTube.

We want eyes on those videos. We want more customers at our restaurants. Then we know that we’ve done something right!

Lastly, we’ll cover some actions items that should be part of your overall digital marketing strategy on YouTube.

We can’t promise that we’ll be making you into a YouTube media mogul, but in our Digital Marketing with YouTube for Restaurants series, you’ll walk away with enough information to get started, implement, and maintain your digital marketing.

Let’s get going!

How Do You Promote Your Restaurant’s YouTube Videos

So, your first restaurant video is live. Great job! But no one will fill your tables if no one sees your video.

Uploading is just the first step. Now’s the time to promote it like your Friday night special.

Let’s look at how to reach more people, work with the YouTube algorithm, and show your content to local customers.

Understand How the YouTube Algorithm Works for Restaurants

• YouTube’s algorithm promotes videos that keep viewers interested. Here’s what it looks for:

  ● Click-through rate (CTR): Do people click on your thumbnail and title?

• ● Watch time: Do they stay and watch the whole video?

• ● Engagement: Do they like, comment, and share it?

• ● Consistency: Are you posting regularly?

The more people interact with your video, the more YouTube recommends it to locals searching “best restaurant near me.”

Best Time to Upload YouTube Videos (U.S. Timezones)

• Upload when your audience is active. For U.S. restaurants targeting local diners in major cities, these are optimal times:

  ● Thursdays & Fridays: These days, people are planning for their weekends

• ● Upload between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM: So your video can be prepared by peak evening viewing hours

• ● Don’t post late, unless it’s a hot trend.

YouTube algorithm needs some time to check your videos before they go big.

Share it on social media.

• Your video should not be limited to just YouTube. Here’s how:

  ● Instagram Reels & Stories: Cut a little teaser, & post a link to the full video.

• ● TikTok: Share a quick behind-the-scenes, “Watch the full video on our YouTube”.

• ● Facebook: Post in local food groups, & on your restaurant's page.

• ● Pinterest: Pin it as “Where to eat in LA”.

Tip: Use trending audio & hashtags when posting clips to get more views.

Boost with ads

• Want fast traction? Think about ads:

  ● YouTube Ads: Target local people by zip code, age, interests (like “foodies” or “frequent diners”), or fans of rival videos.

• ● Google Ads for Video: Ads will bring your YouTube video to the top of the search results when people search “Italian restaurant in LA” or “best burger near me”.

Just $5–$10 a day is enough to boost visibility in your town.

Which Tools Can Help You With Digital Marketing with YouTube?

To succeed on YouTube, you need the proper tools and not necessarily a large video team. The marketing process gets fast, smart, and effective when the right platform is used.

Some of the important tools that all restaurants should consider for this purpose include the following: keyword research, thumbnails, and video editing.

1. Keyword Research Tools

Before recording, know what people search for. Are they looking for the best tacos in LA? Romantic restaurants in Miami? Vegan brunch spots in NYC?

High-performing keywords increase discoverability on YouTube and Google.

Top Tools: TubeBuddy (Chrome extension for keyword research), VidIQ (keyword score and competition), Google Trends, and YouTube Search Suggest (trending search terms).

Search for cuisine + city on YouTube (example: “Thai food Los Angeles”), the suggestions are very valuable.

2. Thumbnail Creators

Your thumbnail is the first impression. A plain or fuzzy thumbnail? People will scroll by. But a striking, neat, heartfelt one? It gets clicked on.

YouTube's statistics reveal that 90% of the best-performing videos have unique thumbnails.

• Top Tools:

  ● Canva: A user-friendly free tool with pre-designed YouTube thumbnail templates. Just drag and drop without needing design skills.

• ● Snappa or Adobe Express: Excellent for making brand-specific thumbnails. They have consistent typefaces, colors, and trademarks.

• Best Practices:

  ● Include your dish, your face (or the cook), and vivid words (a maximum of 3 to 5 words)

• ● Use warm hues (reds, yellows) to stimulate appetite and action

• ● Show feeling - people eat with their eyes and hearts.

3. Video Editing Software

Editing may seem overwhelming, but it does not have to be that way. You can splice together clips of the main dish or add background music in the chef's tips; editing brings the story alive.

• Top Tools:

  ● CapCut (Free & User-Friendly): Best for rookies; also ideal for Shorts and Reels

• ● Adobe Premiere Rush or Final Cut Pro: Producing edits that appear professional with transitions, captions, and music

• ● InShot: A mobile tool that's excellent for rapid edits and text or stickers.

• Where to Concentrate:

  ● Captions should be included (lots of folks watch without sound)

• ● Add slides for the call-to-action at the end, such as 'Visit us this weekend' or 'Subscribe for more recipes'.

• ● YouTube Studio is a platform that tells you about your views, watch time, and CTR.

• ● Social Blade: The tool helps you see how your rated channel is doing against similar channels in your field. It becomes extremely useful when you and your friends are in the same city.

YouTube Marketing Strategies

Through YouTube, restaurants have an opportunity to present their meals to the public and make connections with local people. Nevertheless, getting noticed and popular on YouTube today means there is more to do than just posting some videos. For it to work, you have to plan your strategy, provide good content, and get to know your audience well.

If you are responsible for your restaurant's marketing or own it, this guide shares useful YouTube techniques to make your place known and bring in more guests.

1. Define Your Ideal YouTube Audience

You should figure out who your content is targeted at before you record. Understand what your ideal diner group wants and just cares about beyond numbers and statistics.

• Use tools like:

  ● YouTube Analytics

• ● Google Trends

• ● Social media audience insights

This information makes it possible for you to prepare content that is precisely targeted at your target audience's needs.

2. Study the Competitors Active in the Same Niche

Pay attention to what other food services provide on YouTube. It helps you identify your success points, where you struggle, and above all, your area of strength.

• Pay attention to:

  ● Their most viewed and liked videos

• ● Posting frequency

• ● Engagement (comments, polls, contests)

• ● Gaps in content or missing keywords

By filling those gaps or improving on their weaknesses, your restaurant can become a go-to source for food content in your area or niche.

3. Create High-Quality, Engaging Video Content

On YouTube, quality is king. Diners are more likely to trust and engage with restaurants that present themselves professionally.

• Tips for creating standout videos:

  ● Use high-resolution visuals and clear audio

• ● Focus on strong storytelling—share your chef's passion, customer testimonials, or the history of your restaurant.

• ● Keep videos concise and engaging

• ● Add visual elements like text overlays and branding

Whether it’s a recipe, a restaurant tour, or a customer spotlight, ensure your content is both informative and emotionally compelling.

4. Try YouTube Shorts and New Formats

• YouTube Shorts—60-second vertical videos—are a goldmine for reaching mobile users and younger audiences. Use Shorts to highlight:

  ● Quick cooking tips

• ● Daily specials

• ● Behind-the-scenes prep

• ● Staff or customer shout-outs

Also consider live streams, immersive 360° experiences, or Q&A sessions. These formats help foster real-time engagement and keep your content fresh.

5. Optimize for YouTube Search (SEO)

Great content still needs to be discovered. SEO ensures the right audience sees your videos.

• YouTube SEO checklist:

  ● Use relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags (e.g., “Best Brunch in Chicago”)

• ● Write compelling titles and include call-to-action phrases

• ● Create custom, eye-catching thumbnails

• ● Add closed captions for accessibility and broader reach

Promote your videos on your website, Instagram, or through email newsletters to boost early engagement.

6. Engage Actively with Your Viewers

Your comment section isn’t just for feedback—it’s an opportunity to build loyalty and community.

• Simple ways to engage:

  ● Reply to comments promptly and with personality

• ● Ask questions to start conversations

• ● Run polls to ask what video your viewers want next

• ● Thank repeat viewers or feature fan comments in future videos

This type of interaction fosters trust and encourages your audience to return.

7. Grow Your Subscriber Base Strategically

Subscribers are your most loyal viewers. They’re also the ones most likely to turn into customers.

• To attract more subscribers:

  ● Include clear, friendly calls-to-action in every video (“Subscribe for more weekly specials!”)

• ● Post consistently so viewers know when to expect new content

• ● Offer subscriber-only perks like early access to special menus or event announcements

• ● Ask for content suggestions to make subscribers feel involved

A loyal following helps increase organic reach and long-term growth.

8. Use YouTube Ads to Expand Reach

YouTube Ads can help promote your restaurant to a targeted audience, especially helpful when launching a new location, menu, or seasonal promotion.

• Ad formats to consider:

  ● Bumper ads: Quick, non-skippable ads to raise brand awareness

• ● In-stream ads: Skippable or non-skippable ads placed before other videos

• ● Masthead ads: Featured ads on the YouTube homepage for maximum exposure

Remember: ads should support your organic content efforts, not replace them. Use ads to reach new audiences, then engage them with your regular content to build trust.

9. Monitor Performance with YouTube Analytics

• Your YouTube strategy should evolve based on real data. Use YouTube Studio to track:

  ● Watch time

• ● Audience retention

• ● Traffic sources

• ● Demographics

Identify which videos perform best and analyze why. Use this insight to guide future video ideas, posting times, and ad targeting. Data-backed decisions will keep your content relevant and impactful.

Conclusion

YouTube is a place where many people want to be successful. To do this, you need a well-planned approach that you follow consistently. If you don't have a plan, even the best videos can be missed by people.

If you own a restaurant and want to use YouTube to help your business grow, it is very important to learn about your viewers.

Create high-quality videos that engage your viewers and make them feel valued. Review your videos' performance and adjust them as needed.

A planned way to YouTube marketing is the key to success and reaping the benefits of this vast platform.

FAQs

Why does YouTube marketing matter for my restaurant?

YouTube connects restaurants with food lovers. Show your dishes, vibe, and personality through videos. This inspires customers to visit or place an order online with you.

What type of video content works best for restaurants on YouTube?

Recipes, kitchen tours, and diners ‘customer’ praises work well. Short stories showing what's special about your food grab attention. Posting frequently and creating high-quality videos attracts viewers.

How can I measure the success of my YouTube marketing efforts?

YouTube tells you how many people watched and engaged with your videos. Look for what works best so you can adjust your strategy to achieve better results.

How frequently should I upload videos to maintain audience interest without overwhelming my resources?

Consistency matters more than volume. Start with one well-produced video per week or every two weeks, and maintain that schedule. This rhythm keeps your audience engaged without compromising quality.

Can YouTube marketing directly increase my restaurant reservations or orders?

Yes, including clear calls-to-action such as “Book your table now” or “Order online today” in your video descriptions, end screens, and within the videos themselves can drive direct customer actions.