Star Pubs & Bars is ramping up its existing free social media support as its licensees have said help with social media is a priority for them.
Aimed at all skill levels, Star is launching a raft of new online training modules created by leading hospitality social media specialists, Avocado Social, worth £250 per user. It is also launching new face-to-face workshops around the country for licensees with limited digital and social media marketing skills.
The expanded Avocado Social online support includes 274 free modules of new and updated content including TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp and Pinterest for publicans, when and how to use influencers and how to know if posts are hitting the mark.
The modules are aimed at social media users of all levels, from novice through to expert, with learners able to track their progress as they become more proficient. Licensees can share the training link with their staff, and modules can be done remotely at a time and place to suit. Each takes between two to ten minutes offering over 18 hours of content.
The face-to-face interactive training sessions are designed to upskill licensees who are less experienced in digital marketing on how to use social media effectively to promote their businesses and will run around the country in May and June.
These will be supplemented with 23 short lessons - a total of 90 minutes content - offering an online Introduction to Social Media Marketing for Publicans worth £100, for those unable to attend.
Star Pubs & Bars Head of Training, Tracy Bickerdike said, “Licensees have told us social media is a priority for them and that they would like further support, so we have stepped up the free training that we already offer, taking it to a new level.
'The new enhanced training has been developed by the hospitality industry’s leading social media specialists and tailored for those with different levels of experience. It gives insight to those lacking confidence and keeps all up to date with the last developments in this fast-changing area.
“Many businesses get fixated on the number of followers they have. However, to drive sales you need to understand how to use social media. It’s key to have the right content, use the right channels and understand how the different algorithms can be employed to get customers visiting more often and spending more.
“With staff recruitment and retention a major issue, investment in staff training has never been more important. The social media training is accessible to staff and is another way that licensees can show their commitment to their team’s development.”
Alicja Niescior of The Plough in Euxton (pictured) has been on several social media courses. She said, “Social media is essential. It creates interest, increases awareness, and attracts customers. We have Facebook, Instagram and have just opened a TikTok account.
'My training on Instagram, including linking Instagram and Facebook posts to save time, was really helpful. We now find Instagram works best for us.”