Ignoring Content Marketing Could Be Costing You Sales: How to Write Content For Your Restaurant

As a restaurant owner or manager, you know that marketing is essential for bringing in customers and driving sales.

But have you ever considered blogging as a way to write content for your restaurant? Think of it this way – blogging is like planting a seed.

With time and effort, it can grow into a thriving garden of loyal customers.

In this blog post, I’m going to show you how to get started with restaurant blogging & content writing and give you five example ideas (with bonus ideas) to inspire your content strategy.

Why Should I Blog For My Restaurant?

First, let’s talk about the benefits of restaurant blogging. By creating valuable content that showcases your brand and expertise, you can:

• Attract new customers who are searching for information about your restaurant or cuisine
• Build a loyal following of readers who trust your recommendations and advice
• Drive traffic to your website and social media channels
• Boost your search engine rankings by using keywords and phrases related to your business
• Establish yourself as a thought leader in the restaurant industry

How Do I Get Started With Blogging?

So how do you get started with restaurant blogging? Here are some steps to follow:

1. Define your goals and target audience – Before you start writing, think about what you want to achieve with your blog. Are you trying to attract new customers, build loyalty with existing ones, or establish your restaurant as a leader in the industry? Who is your target audience – foodies, locals, tourists, or all of the above?
2. Choose a platform and set it up – There are plenty of blogging platforms out there, but WordPress is a popular choice for many restaurant bloggers. It’s easy to use, customizable, and has plenty of plugins and features to help you optimize your content for search engines.
3. Create a content strategy – Once you have your goals and platform in place, it’s time to start brainstorming ideas for your blog. Here are five example ideas to get you started:

• Recipes: Share some of your signature dishes or favorite recipes with your readers. Be sure to include mouth-watering photos and step-by-step instructions.
• Behind-the-scenes: Take your readers behind the scenes of your restaurant with photos and stories about your team, kitchen, and sourcing practices.
• Food trends: Write about the latest food trends and how they’re impacting the restaurant industry.
• Local events: Highlight upcoming events in your area that your readers might be interested in attending, such as food festivals or wine tastings.
• Expert advice: Share your expertise on a particular aspect of the restaurant industry, such as menu design, customer service, or marketing.

4. Create and promote your content – Once you have a content strategy in place, it’s time to start creating and publishing your blog posts. Aim to publish at least one post per month to keep your readers engaged. Don’t forget to promote your content on your social media channels and email list to drive traffic back to your blog.

Now, let’s talk about the numbers. How long will it take to see results from restaurant blogging?

The answer depends on a variety of factors, such as the quality of your content, the size of your audience, and the competitiveness of your market.

But generally speaking, you can expect to see some results within 3-6 months of consistent blogging.

How Much Money Could Blogging Help Me Generate?

You might be wondering – how much money can blogging actually lead to in terms of additional revenue?

The answer depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of your audience, the quality of your content, and your overall marketing strategy.

However, research suggests that businesses that blog can generate significantly more revenue than those that don’t.

For example, according to a study by HubSpot, businesses that blogged at least 16 times per month had 4.5 times more leads than those that blogged 0-4 times per month.

Another study by VentureBeat found that companies that prioritize blogging are 13 times more likely to achieve a positive return on investment (ROI) than those that don’t.

So, what does this mean for your restaurant?

Let’s say that each new customer you attract through your blog spends an average of $30 at your restaurant.

If you attract just 10 new customers per month through your blog, that’s an additional $300 in revenue each month.

Over the course of a year, that adds up to $3,600 in additional revenue – not too shabby, right?

Of course, these are just estimates, and your results may vary depending on your specific circumstances.

But the potential benefits of restaurant blogging are clear – more leads, more customers, and more revenue.

How Do I Come Up With Topics That People Care About?

Now that you understand the benefits of restaurant blogging, you might be wondering – how do I come up with ideas for blog posts that will actually drive traffic to my website?

Here are some tips for researching topics:

1. Use keyword research tools – One of the best ways to come up with topic ideas is to use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. These tools allow you to see what people are searching for related to your restaurant or cuisine, and how competitive those keywords are.
2. Check out your competitors – Take a look at what other restaurants and food bloggers in your niche are writing about. Are there any topics that seem to be popular or generating a lot of engagement? Use this as inspiration for your own content.
3. Ask your customers – Your customers are a great source of inspiration for blog post topics. Ask them what they’re interested in learning more about or what questions they have about your restaurant or cuisine. Even though they’re not a restaurant, Chu’s Packaging Supplies has done this very successfully. They take common questions that their customers have and turn them into blog posts and videos. Not only do they drive traffic but they also are able to send these resources to their customers and even their sales team. It works wonderfully.
4. Keep up with industry news and trends – Stay on top of the latest news and trends in the restaurant industry by following industry publications, attending conferences, and networking with other restaurant owners and managers. This can help you identify topics that are timely and relevant to your audience.