7 Invaluable Tips to Get the Media to Notice Your Venue

Getting your restaurant, bar or cafe noticed by the media and other influencers can have a dramatic effect on your business. Media attention – including from food bloggers – can do a lot for your venue, including increasing patronage and esteem.

If you are looking to create food blogger heaven, we’ve collaborated with Victoria and Nadia from Melbourne Foodie Finds to provide some tips on how venues can use social media and their online presence to entice food bloggers and media outlets.

1. Contact food bloggers directly

Victoria and Nadia suggest getting in contact with food bloggers via email or social media to invite them for a complimentary meal in exchange for exposure on their blogs.

“This allows for more one-on-one time with the owners/head chefs, allowing us to hear their background story and history behind what has got them to where they are today,” they say.

2. Host a bloggers’ meet up

To get the attention of food bloggers, Victoria and Nadia suggest having a “bloggers meet up”.

“[It] is definitely a really effective way of reaching out to food bloggers. These events give cafes/restaurants the opportunity to showcase their menus or renovations/refits,’ the girls say.

3. Excel in what you do

It’s one thing to get media attention, but if you want to draw in reviewers and food bloggers without the legwork, it’s important you creating a must-visit environment.

To get a great recommendation from bloggers like Melbourne Foodie Finds, the founders say it comes down to 3 critical points:

1. The food and its presentation
2. The atmosphere and ’vibe’ of the venue
3. Most importantly, the service.

“With so many remarkable places to lunch, brunch, wine and dine in Melbourne these days, good service is imperative. Yes, you can have delicious food, but at the end of the day if the service is horrible, why go back?

4. Think about food presentation

Any easy way to get noticed by the media and other influencers is to have exceptional social accounts that draw plenty of attention to themselves. Victoria and Nadia suggest working on the presentation of your food as an important way to draw attention to your social media pages.

“Firstly, high quality photos are key – We eat food with our eyes first, so a great photo is imperative.”

Making your food Instagram-worthy is an important first step. Not only will you be able to market your food better on your venue’s official Instagram, but it will also make diners want to Instagram it – perfect free advertising.

5. Stay consistent, but fresh

While the girls say consistency is vital, they also recommend you mix up the style of your photographs to keep people interested day after day.

“The photos posted need to look aesthetically pleasing collectively, however perspectives need to vary. For example, birds eye views, flat lay, differing angles, etcetera,” the girls say.

“Consistency also needs to be achieved by posting regularly, to keep followers engaged. Reposts from well recognised foodies is also a great idea, to increase your credibility.”

6. Choose and use your platforms wisely

You also want to use the best social media platforms for your business. The girls recommend Instagram, but to do it well, you need to make the most of the geotag function and hashtags.

While Instagram might not always stay current, they believe Instagram reigns supreme in the current social media environment. Unless you’re already well established in the market and achieved a Facebook following early on, Victoria and Nadia say Instagram is the way to go.

7. Take risks, stand out

To really catch the eye of food bloggers, Victoria and Nadia suggest you take risks.

“We are massive fans of places that step outside the box and really take risks with their food,” they said.

To get some more inspiration, and see what places Victoria and Nadia are crushing on this week, check out Melbourne Foodie Finds’ Instagram page. Or if you’re looking for more helpful tips and advice about using social media for your business, check out our epic Marketing Guide for everything you need to know about marketing your business.