| With over 350 million participants, it is no wonder | | | | up a monthly picture and ask folks to develop a |
| that "Become a Fan of..." is the battle cry for | | | | caption. Another opportunity is to have your fans |
| more and more restaurant owners and managers | | | | submit pictures/videos on why they come to |
| around the world. Combine that influence in | | | | your place! The object here is to have fun and |
| conjunction with Twitter and you are a force to | | | | show that people do so when they visit you. |
| be reckoned with. Twitter users are | | | | Have your waitstaff do individual videos on the |
| approximately 50 million strong, so it is easy to | | | | menu items they like the most and why. |
| see why having a Facebook "fan page" could be a | | | | Do you need or want feedback regarding your |
| powerful asset to have in your marketing arsenal! | | | | thoughts of opening up a new store? Let your |
| Really, there are a myriad of posts that will help | | | | fans know and see what their response is. |
| your fans make you the "go to" eating | | | | Thinking of a new menu item? Find out what your |
| establishment in your area. Some ideas/posts that | | | | fans think about it. |
| have proven successful are: | | | | What does this all mean to my business? |
| - Job applications - posting job openings on twitter | | | | Getting the first 100, then 500 fans is a challenge |
| has driven newspapers nuts, but why not? The | | | | unless you use a pro that knows what they are |
| people receiving your tweets/posts have already | | | | doing. And it would be something that I would |
| indicated they have an interest in you. Why not | | | | recommend so you can learn how to do it right. |
| have them be an advocate that works there as | | | | Don't "save" a couple of bucks and have it blow |
| well? | | | | up in your face. |
| - You could even have a job application on your | | | | That being said, once you get to 1,000 fans, you |
| fan page.Events and parties - Is your restaurant | | | | should have enough of an idea of what to do that |
| holding a New Year's blowout, Super Bowl party | | | | you can take it up on your own. At that point, |
| or just a local event. Posts can keep your eating | | | | the fan page takes on a whole new life. Believe |
| establishment at the top of your customer's mind. | | | | me when I tell you that there is nothing like |
| - Posting your menu - there are always a few | | | | having 1,000 or more advocates talking about |
| surprises that no one ever thinks of and that will | | | | your business! |
| provide comfort under the right circumstance.Daily | | | | All of that adds up to free advertising, which |
| / Weekly / Monthly specials | | | | equates to more traffic coming into your |
| If you aren't currently on Facebook, go to their | | | | business. Keep up the fun while they are there |
| site and create an account. After that create a | | | | and they will be back...with their friends! |
| fan page, add your logo and some posts. Don't | | | | Marketing arm without the cost! |
| start to "fan it up" quite yet. Upload some photos, | | | | Think for a moment how much it would cost you |
| videos and 4-7 posts before you start inviting | | | | to direct mail 1,000 targeted prospects for your |
| people to join (No one wants to be a fan of an | | | | business. Now consider that by having a Fan page, |
| empty fan page). If you don't have a Flip type | | | | your business or restaurant can virtually have a |
| video camera, use your cell phone to take pics | | | | marketing machine at little or no cost (initial cost |
| and videos. Tag everyone you know in the pics. | | | | of having a professional help you do it right) that |
| Encourage others to sort out the "strangers" to | | | | reaps huge returns! |
| make them feel welcome when they return. | | | | Social media can and does help restaurants and |
| Nominate a Fan page "captain" to post something | | | | businesses! |
| regularly and to keep up with what happens at | | | | If your restaurant or business has not started to |
| your restaurant throughout the course of the | | | | employ a social media strategy, I believe you |
| week. This will keep fans coming back to the site | | | | would benefit by jumping in. The results for those |
| on a regular basis and ultimately stopping in to | | | | that have done so have been great. Done |
| spend both time and money at your | | | | properly, there is no reason your experience |
| establishment. | | | | would be any different. |
| Did someone of notoriety come in to eat or | | | | Other posting opportunities? |
| drink? Let people know! Even if they are not big | | | | Make it fun and generate "buzz"! |
| movie stars and more like community icons, it is | | | | Creating a Fan Page is easy and quick! |
| good business to let others know that your place | | | | What are some of the things you could post on a |
| is the eating establishment of choice! Have a | | | | fan page? |
| contest and give away a free meal. Perhaps put | | | | |