How to Use Short Videos on TikTok and Reels to Effectively Promote Your Dishes

August 27, 2025

In recent years, TikTok and Instagram Reels have become powerful marketing tools for restaurants. Short videos capture attention quickly, are easy to share, and have a high viral potential something that image or text posts often cannot achieve. For restaurant owners, creating engaging video content not only increases brand awareness but also drives revenue.

KimEcopak now supports businesses through its Membership program, helping them create visual content more easily, save time and costs, and maintain a professional presence on social media.

Understanding the Platforms: TikTok vs. Instagram Reels

While TikTok and Reels share similarities, there are key differences:

Demographics: TikTok attracts a younger audience seeking fast entertainment; Reels has a broader audience including adults and families.
Algorithms: TikTok prioritizes new, viral, and highly interactive content; Reels balances content from followers and explore recommendations.
Viral potential: TikTok enables trends to spread rapidly; Reels fosters deeper engagement with existing followers.

Tip: Choose the platform based on your campaign goals – rapid virality or long-term brand engagement.

Planning Your Video Content

Step 1: Identify your target audience

Younger audiences may prefer trendy, visually striking dishes; families may respond to accessible, crowd-pleasing items.

Step 2: Select dishes and moments to showcase

Highlight preparation steps, signature dishes, or visually appealing elements.
Ideas: close-ups of sushi rolls, pouring sauces, assembling toppings.

Step 3: Storytelling that engages

Use music, staff or customer expressions to create a short story within 15–30 seconds.
Hook viewers immediately, e.g., “Have you tried our kimchi twist sushi roll yet?”

Creating Engaging Short Videos

Tips for creating high-quality videos on a budget:

Shoot high-quality visuals: Use smartphones (1080p or 4K), natural lighting, and avoid shaky footage.
Leverage trending sounds, effects, and hashtags: Keep track of platform trends and choose catchy music and relevant hashtags.
Include clear CTAs: “Like if you want to try this!”, “Comment your favorite dish!”, or “Order today!”

With KimEcopak Membership, restaurants get pre-designed templates and basic video editing guidance, allowing high-quality content creation without hiring a professional team.

Posting Strategies for Maximum Reach

Optimal posting times:

TikTok: evenings, 6–10 PM, weekends
Reels: mornings 7–9 AM and evenings 7–9 PM

Frequency:

3–5 videos per week helps algorithms prioritize your content.

Leverage UGC and influencer collaborations:

Encourage customers to film their dining experiences.
Partner with micro-influencers aligned with your niche.

Tip: KimEcopak Membership helps schedule posts, reducing the burden of managing social media manually.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Content

Key metrics:

Views, likes, shares, comments
Follower growth and engagement with call-to-action

Optimization strategies:

Analyze top-performing videos to replicate effective formats, angles, or music.
Test multiple video themes and lengths to identify what resonates best with your audience.

Conclusion

Short videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels are powerful tools to increase brand awareness, attract new customers, and boost sales. To maximize results:

Plan creative and detailed content.
Shoot visually appealing videos using trends.
Post consistently and monitor performance.
Incorporate UGC and influencer collaborations.

Additionally, with KimEcopak Membership, restaurants can create professional visual content, save time and costs, and manage posting schedules, ensuring marketing campaigns are both effective and consistent.

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