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The Ultimate Guide to Hospitality Content Creation in NYC

  • Writer: Billy Aberle
    Billy Aberle
  • Jul 3
  • 3 min read

If you’re in the hospitality game in New York City, you already know the competition is wild. A new cocktail bar opens every weekend, a brunch spot goes viral every Monday, and everyone’s trying to be the next big thing on TikTok.


So how do you stand out?


The answer: strategic, performance-driven content.


At Billy Boy Studio, we specialize in NYC hospitality marketing through bold visuals, smart systems, and full-spectrum content production. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to build a content engine that cuts through the noise—and gets people in the door.




1. Hospitality Content Is More Than Food Photos



When we talk content, we mean:


  • Editorial-style photography (food, drinks, interiors, people)

  • Short-form videos for Reels and TikTok

  • Behind-the-scenes footage

  • Branded graphics for promos and events

  • UGC amplification

  • Assets for paid ads, email, websites, and press



Content isn’t just marketing—it’s how your brand lives in the world.




2. Build a Strategy Around Your Brand Pillars



Before you create anything, define 4–6 content pillars that reflect your concept. These help keep your content consistent, relevant, and scalable.


Examples:

For a boutique hotel:


  • Room + amenity features

  • Local guide content

  • On-site dining + drinks

  • Guest stories

  • Events and experiences



For a cocktail bar:


  • Hero drinks

  • Team features

  • Event nights

  • Prep or BTS footage

  • Reels with trending audio



We define custom pillars for every Billy Boy Studio client to ensure clarity and consistency.




3. Photography That Performs



One beautiful image can do the work of ten bad ones.


Our shoots are optimized for:


  • Instagram and TikTok (vertical)

  • Website banners and menus (horizontal)

  • Resy, Google, Yelp (web-optimized)

  • PR and media kits (high-res)



A single shoot covers food styling, ambiance, interiors, team shots, and branding elements—planned around golden hour for maximum mood.




4. Video: Non-Negotiable in 2025



If you’re not using Reels or TikToks, you’re leaving reach and revenue on the table.


Top-performing formats:


  • Cocktail prep

  • Chef walk-throughs

  • B-roll montages

  • Event and crowd moments

  • Owner/staff interviews

  • Slo-mo glam with audio hooks



We shoot cinematic but scrappy video that fits your vibe—and formats perfectly for each platform.




5. Multiply Your Assets



One shoot = a full month of content.


We don’t just hand off a folder—we deliver a full content kit:


  • Grid posts

  • Reels and TikToks

  • Stories and highlight covers

  • Branded overlays

  • Captions and hashtags

  • Crops for every channel



We build content to work hard across all platforms—from social to website to ads.




6. Let Guests Help You



User-generated content builds trust and reach.


How to make it happen:


  • Design Instagrammable moments

  • Encourage tagging with branded hashtags

  • Repost UGC with credit

  • Respond and engage with guest content



We also run seasonal UGC campaigns for maximum visibility.




7. Plan Around the Calendar



Your content should follow the rhythm of the city.


We create content calendars that align with:


  • Seasonal menus

  • Holidays and major events (NYE, Valentine’s, Pride)

  • Internal programming (anniversaries, collabs, happy hours)

  • Cultural moments (Restaurant Week, Fashion Week, etc.)



Planning = relevance = results.




8. Paid Ads Need Custom Content



Stock content won’t cut it in hospitality. Our ad packages include:


  • Branded motion-forward video

  • Carousel graphics

  • Promo overlay designs

  • Split-test versions for A/B optimization



Ads that feel native to the platform outperform every time.




9. Content Is a Long-Term Asset



Don’t just think about this week’s post—think bigger.


High-quality content supports:


  • Website + booking conversion

  • Email marketing

  • PR + press kits

  • Ads + promo campaigns

  • Investor and partner materials



We treat content as creative equity that scales with your business.




Final Thought: Content Is the Business



You’re not just running a venue. You’re building a brand—and your content is the connection.


At Billy Boy Studio, we help NYC restaurants, bars, and hotels create content systems that perform. From planning to production to posting, we make sure your visuals aren’t just beautiful. They work.



📩 Ready to take your content to the next level?

Let’s build something that gets people talking—and showing up.

Visit www.billyboy.studio or DM us @BillyBoyStudio

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