I’ve been spending quite a bit of time reviewing restaurants and businesses on Yelp.com the past few weeks, the site is pretty interesting. I’ve been enjoying writing reviews more than I expected. I guess what I like most about it is that I’m practicing writing reviews and getting work done at the same time. What’s even better is that Yelp.com is fairly easygoing and I can write in my own voice. I’ve written about hospitals, car repair shops, local italian food and Segway- Santa Monica.
I like that I don’t have to be uber professional and bland. There are some pretty good writers reviewing on yelp too, which makes it an educational site too! Okay, but seriously, I really am learning a lot about my writing and other peoples’ writing as well. Which Yelpers are getting their reviews read?
I’ve only been on Yelp a couple weeks now but have already started noticing some key elements. Yelp is its own world; they have a language, a community and a personal side. Some people really get into posting threads on forums about their personal lives (and some of them I’d rather not read).  Some Yelpers are really dedicated to the site and spend countless hours posting in forums, rating restaurants, creating Unofficial Yelp Events (UYEs) and giving out “compliments” to Yelpers who have written good reviews. These countless hours are essentially what make you an Elite Yelper. Elite members go to Elite Yelp Events and spend time posting, threading, rating, reviewing, complimenting and marking reviews as “Useful, Funny and Cool.”
Overall I think Yelp is a pretty great site for writers and restaurant connoisseurs alike. To see some of my reviews check out my Yelp site.
I guess this unintentionally turned out to be a review of Yelp.com itself… maybe I should stop reviewing for a few days 
If you’re on yelp too, let me know!
Tags: yelp