Think having a static website is enough for your coffee shop business? Think again. Implementing the right social media tools can unleash incredible potential to market your product and brand.
Here is why you should consider social media to your marketing mix:
- In a competitive market, relying on quality product and environment is not enough to expand your consumer base.
- Engaging with your customers outside of your coffee shop is difficult but using the right social media tools, you can interact with them, share ideas, promote events/products/services, etc.
Next, consider some of these popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube. You don’t need to be everywhere at the same time. Follow where your customers are likely to be online such as posting images on Instagram or tweeting on Twitter or liking pages on Facebook.
How to Implement Social Media The Right Way
When done correctly, utilizing social media can maximize the reach of your current and potential customers, build relationships with your clients outside of your coffee shop and receive feedback on your brand and products.
Engage! Engage! Engage!
- Initiate conversations on Facebook or Twitter. Communicating with your customers through social media can be powerful and when they’re engaged with your business, you can receive very useful information that will help make your business successful. But do pay attention to responses as sometimes you’ll learn more about them than you thought (i.e.; tastes, thoughts, ideas, etc)! In return, customers will feel values and their voices heard, creating a relationship between you and your business.
- Try marketing your product indirectly by implementing photo contests with brand related contest and prize that brings them back to the shop such as gift cards or store merchandise.
- Vote contests also allow you to understand your customers better while empowering your customers.
- Boost demand by offering a limited time only exclusive offer.
- Don’t forget to build your fan pages, e-mail list and followers as well!
Visual is Key
- Good quality visual graphics, company images, banners, running events, number of likes or followers all create a positive perception of your business. Make sure that the graphics are dynamic and fit the themes of your store.
- Keep in mind that images are more powerful than words.
Stay tuned for Part II: Social Media 101 for Coffee Shops where we’ll discuss time management for social media.
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