Erik Shellenberger dives deep into how to blog effectively and get more shares by leveraging AI. Many restaurant and bar owners hear the advice to start a blog, but few understand the real strategies behind making a blog successful. The main goal of blogging is to get found by your target audience on search engines like Google, YouTube, and other platforms. However, many people overlook the essential steps needed to achieve that visibility.

To create an effective blog, you must start with an interesting and relevant topic. Avoid generic posts like "Happy hour from 3 to 7" or simple cocktail photos, as they won't engage readers or perform well on search engines. Instead, choose topics that people will search for, such as current events, local festivals, or charity partnerships related to your restaurant. The more engaging and unique the content, the better chance it has of gaining traction.

Once you have a compelling topic, SEO optimization is the next crucial step. This involves using tools like the All-in-One SEO plugin and analyzing your headlines for effectiveness. Your headline should include common, uncommon, emotional, and power words to maximize its impact. Tools like ChatGPT can help generate headline ideas, but it’s essential to refine them to achieve higher search rankings.

Schemes and structured data are also vital components. When you create a blog, make sure to include structured data (schema markup) to help search engines understand your content better. Adding this extra layer of detail increases the chances of your blog appearing in top search results, which is key for getting more shares and traffic.

Don’t forget to share your blog across multiple platforms. Optimize your content for YouTube by using relevant tags and integrating the blog post with video content. This multi-channel approach helps your content rank higher across different platforms.

Blogging effectively takes time and effort. It’s not just about creating content but doing it in a way that ensures people find, read, and share it. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to blogging success that drives traffic and engagement.

How to Blog Effectively and Get More Shares – Discover the secrets to a successful blog today.

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In this video, Erik Shellenberger, a restaurant reputation management expert, takes a bold stand against 1 Star Yelp Reviews and How Restaurant Owners REALLY Want to Respond.

He humorously but candidly addresses the issue of unfair negative reviews, which can damage businesses while lacking constructive feedback. Shellenberger begins by acknowledging that mistakes happen in the restaurant and bar industry; no one is perfect. He points out the absurdity of some reviews, like penalizing a restaurant for parking issues unrelated to the business itself.

These reviews can significantly impact a business, costing them as many as 30 customers per negative review. A major frustration Erik discusses is that many reviewers don’t give establishments a chance to fix the issue. Common complaints about cold food, delayed service, or drink preferences could often be resolved on the spot if patrons spoke up. He stresses that without feedback, businesses lose the opportunity to improve.

Managing expectations is another key point. Shellenberger emphasizes that customers should understand the nature of the venue they’re visiting. It’s unreasonable to leave a 1-star review because a nightclub is loud or because fine dining is costly. For customers on a budget, he recommends sticking to more affordable options rather than bashing upscale establishments for their pricing.

Additionally, Erik touches on underage patrons writing negative reviews after facing consequences for breaking laws, such as having fake IDs confiscated. He encourages personal accountability, advising viewers to recognize their own role in negative experiences.

View this podcast on the Bar Marketing Basics Youtube channel

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Optimizing your Google My Business for restaurants is crucial for boosting your local search visibility and attracting more customers. In today’s episode of the Restaurant and Bar Marketing Podcast, Erik Shellenberger discusses effective strategies for improving your restaurant's ranking on Google, starting with a well-optimized Google Business Profile.

Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) plays a pivotal role in helping potential customers discover your restaurant. When users search for terms like “restaurants near me” or “best Italian restaurant in [city],” Google My Business profiles appear prominently in search results. This is known as discovery traffic, where undecided customers find your restaurant through relevant searches, making it a key area to focus on for growth.

To begin optimizing your profile, visit google.com/business and ensure your restaurant is listed under the correct email. If your profile strength isn't complete, it's time to take action. Make sure all your restaurant information is filled out, including business hours, location, and categories. Erik emphasizes using all 10 categories available in Google’s listing settings. For instance, if your restaurant serves multiple cuisines, include all relevant categories to improve your chances of ranking.

Photos are an important part of Google My Business for restaurants. Ensure the images you upload are high quality and resized properly (Erik recommends 1500 pixels on the longest side). Photos of your restaurant’s interior, dishes, and menu should be well-optimized for Google’s standards. Naming your photos using SEO keywords relevant to your restaurant's location and specialty, such as “best pizza in Phoenix,” will further enhance your profile’s searchability.

Erik also highlights the importance of responding to both positive and negative reviews. This not only shows potential customers that you care but also signals to Google that your profile is active, which can improve your ranking. Reviews are becoming more important with the rise of AI-driven search engines, so being proactive will keep your restaurant ahead of the competition.

Erik suggests using tools like ChatGPT to generate SEO-friendly descriptions and keywords for your profile. Regularly updating your profile, responding to reviews, and adding fresh photos will all contribute to better Google visibility.

By following these steps, you can ensure your restaurant ranks higher in local searches and attracts more customers.