3 Quick Social Media Marketing Ideas

If you’re the type of business that has a daily special – say, a restaurant or bar – then you can’t go wrong with getting the word out through social networking. It’s free and fast. Best of all: You might get fewer phone calls every single day asking what your special is, and you could also inspire customers to visit you when they’re debating what they want for lunch. Here are three social media options for your business, and be read on to the end for ways to promote these new accounts. Twitter. It’s free to set up a Twitter account. Some profile image ideas include your logo, a signature dish or you, the owner. Choose a searchable username – for example, if your business is called Sunnyside Café, see if “sunnysidecafe” is available. Add your city if you need to differentiate it from businesses with the same name. But avoid usernames like “sscafe1438” – you want customers to be able to search and find you. Once your account is set up, in the “what’s happening” field, enter your daily specials each day. For example, “Already dreaming of lunch? How about a fried-chicken sandwich with slaw and a side of homemade potato chips! Dine al fresco,” or, “Mary is behind the bar tonight mixing up broken heart shots. Drown your sorrows for $4 - happy hour is 5-8!” You have 140 characters to compel customers to choose your establishment. Facebook. Every business should have a Facebook page. Once you set up a free page, it’s quick and easy to maintain. Include your address, company website, hours and a description of your business in the Info tab. Upload photos of your staff, your establishment and some signature dishes and drinks. Then, under the Wall tab, share your status each day. Unlike Twitter, you have more than 140 characters in which to state your specials. You can even add a photo or video to better entice your customers: “Watch Chef Manny prepare tonight’s dinner special: meatloaf just like mom used to make!” Foursquare. Customers likely have already been checking into your business on Foursquare, so you might as well take advantage of it. Do a search for your company and then “claim” it. Once Foursquare approves you as the manager of this account, you can edit the venue, such as adding your Twitter account and ensuring the address is correct. You can also upload photos. While customers can add tips – “Come for the chopped salad; stay for the back patio!” – you can add tips yourself, such as, “Be sure to ask about the homemade soup of the day!” Next, set up specials for customers who check in to your venue via Foursquare. For example, “Get a free soda every third check-in,” or, “Check in on Valentine’s Day for a free shot!” The person who checks in the most during a two-month period is deemed the Mayor, and thus you should encourage customers to vie for this title by giving them incentives. Foursquare’s example special is, “The Mayor gets one free drink, every day of his/her reign. Plus, your favorite burger will be named for you on our menu if your reign lasts at least a week!” Publicity. Now that you have social-networking accounts set up, how do you alert your customers? Posters on your walls, in the restroom, on your front window and at the counter or bar are always eye-catching. The usual terminology is, “Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/psprint,” “Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/psprint,” and, “Check in on Foursquare: http://foursquare.com/venue/41354.” Add that customers will be able to find out about “Twitter-exclusive specials” or “discounts for the Foursquare mayor.” Remind customers that they can always look on Twitter and Facebook for your daily specials. Include your Facebook and Twitter websites on your business cards. Hang a weatherproof banner that asks passers-by to check you out on Facebook. Keep a stack of postcards or flyers at the counter with your social media accounts so customers can take them home and remember to look up when they return to their computers. Even a luddite can handle maintaining Twitter, Facebook and foursquare accounts. And because it costs you nothing but a few moments each day, you’re doing your business a disservice by not marketing yourself in the social-networking world.