Are you keeping up with the rapidly changing social media landscape? It’s changing daily.
Inc. magazine created a list of 30 useful social media tips. Here are my Top 5 Social Media Tips from that list that are most relevant for premium food marketers.
Offer a peek behind the scenes
Are you proud of your operation? Let your customers take a step behind closed doors to see how your product is made. This can be particularly useful for premium food marketers because customers are increasingly interested in what goes into their food. Or, give customers a sneak preview of what products are to come. John Doyle, founder of chocolate company John and Kira’s in Philadelphia, posts photos of new products on Flickr and invites comments from customers.
Put your Web site’s content to work
Increase traffic to your Web site by encouraging visitors to share content they enjoy. For example, GotCast a Web site that connects television casting directors with aspiring actors, draws new visitors by posting audition videos on Digg and allowing others to share video links on the site. Another easy option is to enable users to easily share your Web site’s content by adding a widget like AddThis that automates linking to popular sites.
Interact with visitors – really
If customers feel like they’re engaged by your social media efforts, they are more likely to come back and share with their friends, which gives you social relevance. Matt Mullenweg, founder of blogging platform Wordpress, lists not participating in comments as a surefire way to kill a community. Mullenweg and his team field the many suggestions users have for Wordpress through his blog.
Reward customer loyalty
Bring your loyalty program into this decade by running promotions through your social media platforms. For example, Sprinkles Cupcakes, a bakery chain based in Beverly Hills, California, uses Twitter to send out daily promotional offers. The tweets, which ask customers to whisper a “password” to receive a free treat, have helped the company draw more than 17,000 followers.
Make amends with dissatisfied customers, quickly
Twitter can be a great platform for customers to share their experiences with your product, but that won’t necessarily always be positive. Be proactive and respond to your dissatisfied customer in a timely matter. The owner of an Ace Hardware store in Denver, once came across an angry Twitter update from a customer who had bought a tool that broke after one use. He resolved the issue in a matter of minutes by referring the customer to an area store and notified him of Ace’s lifetime guarantee.
To view the entire list, visit http://bit.ly/6UaYBa
Don’t forget – all social media efforts should return to your strategy. Treat social media like you would any other channel of communication.
Labels: Ace Hardware, AddThis, Digg, Flickr, GotCast, Inc. Magazine, John and Kira's in Philadelphia, Premium Food, social media, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Stephan & Brady, Twitter, Wordpress
