AI in Restaurants: How to Use AI to Write Social Media Posts and Ads

Writing social media posts can become a real burden in the restaurant business. For many, the task of generating engaging online content just adds another thing to their already-packed to-do list.

But now, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Writesonic, and JasperAI, you can make quick work of those daily posts.

In an earlier post on restaurants and artificial intelligence, AI in Restaurants: How to Use ChatGPT to Write Menu Descriptions, we showed you how to write more effective menu descriptions in seconds using AI. In this post, you’ll learn the elements of effective social media posts and how to prompt AI tools, like ChatGPT, to create them.

In addition, we’ll cover how to use AI to write another common marketing tactic for restaurants: Google Ads and Facebook Ads.

New to AI technology?

The term AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence by machines. Think of it like an extremely advanced predictive text on your phone. It’s been trained on a massive amount of text from the internet, learning patterns and connections between words. When you input text (called a “prompt” in the AI world), it responds by predicting what should come next. It mimics human-like text, so it’s tremendously helpful with tasks like writing, answering questions, and more.

Note: Please remember to avoid sharing confidential information or trade secrets in conversations with AI platforms, like ChatGPT, to ensure data security and protect sensitive intellectual property.

How to use AI technology to write fun Instagram captions

In order to create successful prompts for Instagram captions, you must clearly understand the brand, its target audience, and the desired engagement. Here are the elements to consider:

• Content context: Describe the type of image or content the caption is intended for. This could be a product shot, a behind-the-scenes image, a customer testimonial, or a promotional post, etc.
  
  
• Brand tone and voice: Define the tone of voice the brand uses. This could be casual, formal, witty, inspirational, etc. It helps maintain a consistent brand identity across all captions.
  
  
• Call to action: Indicate if a call to action is needed. This could be to visit your location(s), book a reservation, leave a comment, or share the post.
  
  
• Key messages: Include key messages or themes that should be incorporated. This could be menu features, brand values, promotional details, or special events.
  
  
• Length: Specify the preferred length of the captions. Instagram allows up to 2,200 characters, but shorter captions might be more suitable depending on the post and audience.
  
  
• Hashtags and mentions: If you want to include hashtags, mentions, or emojis, indicate this in the prompt and provide examples or preferences.

Example prompt for Instagram captions:

“Generate fun and engaging Instagram captions for a casual dining restaurant promoting its new summer menu. The captions should emphasize the ingredients’ quality, the appetizer menu and drink menu creativity, and the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere. Encourage followers to come and try the new menu. Each caption should be about 15 words long and include popular and relevant hashtags and emoji.”

AI-generated Instagram captions:

“Dive into summer flavors with our refreshing appetizers and vibrant cocktails! 🌞🍹 #TasteOfSummer #FreshIngredients"

“We've spiced up our summer menu with mouthwatering appetizers that'll leave you craving more! 😋🍽️ #AppetizerDelights #FoodieFaves"

“Sip, savor, and soak up the summer vibes with our handcrafted cocktails and sunny patio views! 🍹☀️ #SummerSips #PatioParadise"

“Dive into a culinary adventure with our delectable appetizers, crafted to perfection with premium ingredients! 🍽️🔥 #FoodieAdventure #TasteSensation"

“Say hello to our new menu! Fresh, vibrant, and utterly delicious. 🍽️🌞 #SummerFlavors #FreshIngredients 🌽🍅"

Utilizing AI to write Facebook posts for restaurants

A successful prompt for a Facebook post should create content that’s engaging, informative, and encourages interaction from your audience. Here are the elements to consider:

• Attention-grabbing hook: Start with a captivating sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to read further.
  
  
• Clear message: Clearly communicate the main point or message of your post. Keep it concise and focused.
  
  
• Call-to-action: Include a specific action you want your audience to take, such as “Like,” “Comment,” “Share,” or “Tag a Friend.”
  
  
• Relevant hashtags: Include relevant hashtags to increase the discoverability of your post and connect with a wider audience. Avoid overusing hashtags.
  
  
• Visual content: Pair your post with eye-catching images, videos, or infographics that are relevant to the content. Visuals can increase engagement and capture attention.
  
  
• Questions or polls: Encourage interaction by asking questions or creating polls to spark conversations among your audience.
  
  
• Personalization: Tailor your post to resonate with your specific audience. Use language that reflects their interests, values, or experiences.
  
  
• Storytelling: Incorporate storytelling techniques to make your post more relatable and engaging. Share anecdotes, personal experiences, or customer success stories.
  
  
• Emotional appeal: Appeal to your audience’s emotions by using words or phrases that evoke positive feelings, such as joy, excitement, or nostalgia.
  
  
• Timeliness and relevance: Make your post timely and relevant to current events, holidays, or trending topics to increase engagement and relevance.

Example of a prompt for a Facebook post:

“Generate a Facebook post for a restaurant celebrating its 10th anniversary. The restaurant is named Bella Trattoria and is known for its Signature Lobster Risotto, Bella’s Bruschetta, and a secret recipe Tiramisu. For the anniversary, the restaurant is offering a complimentary glass of selected fine wine with every anniversary special ordered. Users should be encouraged to make reservations, tag their friends, and share the post. The contact number for the restaurant is (123) 456-7890 and the website is www.bellatrattoria.com. The post should have a friendly and inviting tone, and include the hashtags #BellaTrattoria10, #AnniversarySpecial, and #FoodLovers.”

AI-generated Facebook post:

“🔥 We’ve just cooked up something special for you! 🔥

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary at Bella Trattoria, we’ve crafted a special menu just for YOU, our cherished guests! 🍽🍷 Indulge in our Signature Lobster Risotto or the mouthwatering Bella’s Bruschetta, both favorites that have been with us since day one.

Don’t forget about our chef’s secret recipe, the decadent Tiramisu, for dessert! 🍰

As a THANK YOU for your continued support over the years, we’re offering a complimentary glass of our selected fine wine 🍷 with every anniversary special ordered.

Join us in celebration and let’s create more memories together! Make your reservations NOW. Call us at (123) 456-7890 or visit our website www.bellatrattoria.com.

📍 Tag a friend who would love this, and share this post to spread the word! Thank you for being a part of our Bella Trattoria family. Here’s to the next 10 years! 🥂 🎉

#BellaTrattoria10 #AnniversarySpecial #FoodLovers"

[Attach photos of the special menu dishes]

Google Ads and Facebook Ads: AI can write these for you, too

The elements of prompts to create ads for Google and Facebook are almost identical, except for the difference in character limits noted below. Here’s what to include:

• Restaurant details: Specify the type of cuisine, unique selling points, or special offerings your restaurant provides. This could include signature dishes, locally sourced food, unique fusion dishes, or even a renowned chef.
  
  
• Target audience: Highlight who your target demographic is - families, young professionals, tourists, foodies, etc. Tailoring your ad copy to speak to your specific audience can boost engagement.
  
  
• Brand voice: The tone and style of your restaurant should shine through in the ad. This could range from casual and fun for a family-friendly diner to sophisticated and elegant for a high-end establishment.
  
  
• Call to action (CTA): Direct the viewer to take a specific action such as “Book Now,” “Order Online,” “View Menu,” etc.
  
  
• Keyword inclusion: Provide specific keywords that should appear in the ad, such as “Italian restaurant,” “best sushi,” “organic cafe,” “seafood platter,” etc.
  
  
• Length: Remember, these ads have specific length limitations. For Google, headlines can be up to 30 characters and descriptions up to 90 characters. On Facebook, headlines can run up to 27 characters, with up to 125 characters for the text.

Example prompt for Google Ads:

“Create a Google Ad headline and description for a high-end French restaurant in New York City, targeting food lovers and tourists looking for a fine dining experience. The restaurant offers a rotating seasonal menu, curated wine pairings, and a beautiful rooftop dining area. The tone should be elegant and enticing. The call to action is to ‘Reserve Now.’ Include the keywords ‘French restaurant NYC’ and ‘fine dining.' Limit the headline to 30 characters (including spaces) and the text to 90 characters (including spaces)."

AI-generated Google Ad:

Headline: “NYC’s Top French Dining”

Ad Description: “Explore [Restaurant’s Name] - an elegant French restaurant in NYC. Seasonal menu, wine pairing, rooftop views. Reserve Now!”

Note: The description’s length might vary slightly depending on the length of the restaurant’s name. It’s always important to adhere to the character limits set by Google for Ad headlines (30 characters) and descriptions (90 characters). You can go beyond these limits, but the text will be truncated.

Put AI to the test in your restaurant

AI is beginning to revolutionize the way restaurants strategize and execute their social media and advertising efforts. By using AI to write social media posts and ads, restaurant owners can effectively communicate with their target audiences in a more personalized and engaging manner.

As with any tool, the key to leveraging AI in writing social media posts and ads lies in understanding its capabilities and how to integrate it into your overall marketing strategy. AI can be a powerful ally in helping to elevate and enhance the way we connect with our customers.