The Success Story of a Shinjuku Restaurant Boosted by Instagram Marketing

Transforming a Restaurant’s Future with Instagram Advertising

In a remarkable feat of digital marketing, I Search Marketing Japan Inc., led by CEO Kim Seong-Chul, has illustrated the power of Instagram advertising combined with AI technology. Their latest success story centered around a traditional Japanese izakaya chain located in Shinjuku has seen significant growth in both social media followers and customer visits within just over a year.

Before implementing these marketing strategies, the restaurant struggled with a mere 2,000 Instagram followers and limited engagement that resulted in few customer visits. However, everything changed when they utilized I Search Marketing Japan’s AI system to enhance their advertising strategy. By optimizing regional keywords and popular industry-specific hashtags like #ShinjukuIzakaya and #JapaneseCuisine, the restaurant witnessed an extraordinary increase in engagement.

The results were swift and impressive. The average number of likes per post soared to three times the previous levels. In merely six months, the follower count surged past 6,500 and achieved over 10,000 within a year. Such a follower influx directly correlated with an increase in foot traffic, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, where bookings rose over 200% compared to before the marketing initiative began. Ultimately, the restaurant's monthly visitors leaped from approximately 1,500 to a staggering 3,000, with new customers arriving through social media channels accounting for more than 20% of total revenue.

A notable aspect of this collaboration is I Search Marketing’s dedication to post-campaign support. Rather than stopping at ad placements, they provide regular account analysis reports and engage with the restaurant’s staff to offer actionable suggestions. Their advice extends to fine-tuning details such as the angles of food photography, the combination of hashtags used, and the optimization of story postings, effectively transforming the restaurant’s Instagram account into a vital brand communication hub rather than just an advertising platform.

Now, over a year since the implementation of these online strategies, the izakaya continues to operate under the guidance of I Search Marketing Japan, showcasing that their growth is not just a momentary spike but a foundation for sustainable long-term success. The restaurant’s manager expressed gratitude, saying:

“Not only have we increased our followers, but we also see a consistent rise in actual customers visiting us. Most importantly, the after-support we receive allows us to manage our social media activities confidently.”

I Search Marketing Japan Inc. is continuing with its commitment to generating similar success stories across Japan, aiming to support the growth of small and medium-sized restaurants. Instagram advertising has evolved into a powerful tool that surpasses mere promotion, facilitating effective branding and customer relationship building. The digital marketing landscape is changing rapidly, and with the right strategies, businesses can thrive in this new environment.