Comments on: Where fine dining and social media meet http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/ Engage. Innovate. Discuss. Thu, 24 May 2012 16:21:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: towerdeli http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35928 towerdeli Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:18:30 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35928 It is true that social media marketing is helping the food industry including restaurants in making a name for themselves. Raves about your dining establishment in Facebook and Twitter can be potentially good for your business because so many people use these social media sites everyday. <a href="http://www.towerdeli.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.towerdeli.com</a> It is true that social media marketing is helping the food industry including restaurants in making a name for themselves. Raves about your dining establishment in Facebook and Twitter can be potentially good for your business because so many people use these social media sites everyday. http://www.towerdeli.com

]]> By: E-mobile Phone Deals http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35927 E-mobile Phone Deals Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:59:32 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35927 Dining is a niche that is tailor made for social media and reward schemes. Here in the UK, Toptable were early pioneers in terms of vouchers, coupons, and dining for rewards. Even though the social media network didn't even exist in those days, offline word-of-mouth ensured very rapid growth. It's actually funny how compelling these schemes can be, I found myself always going to the site before planning a meal, and recommending the site to everyone I met. Facebook and twitter are just additional facets that will help to reinforce a formula that has already worked for a long time. Dining is a niche that is tailor made for social media and reward schemes. Here in the UK, Toptable were early pioneers in terms of vouchers, coupons, and dining for rewards. Even though the social media network didn't even exist in those days, offline word-of-mouth ensured very rapid growth.

It's actually funny how compelling these schemes can be, I found myself always going to the site before planning a meal, and recommending the site to everyone I met. Facebook and twitter are just additional facets that will help to reinforce a formula that has already worked for a long time.

]]> By: The SEO Dentist http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35926 The SEO Dentist Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:08:48 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35926 This post seems to have created a rather heated debate. Jeffrey makes a good point - "You can't buy loyalty and trying to encourage it with bribes is pointless". However you're not asking for loyalty, you want someone to try your product or visit or restaurant on a whim, and by providing positive reviews and a discount you're offering a smorgasboard of delight to a social user. Sure it's not quite that easy, but looking at the bigger picture we're not trying to get people to like us (although that would be a bonus) we're trying to acquire consumers. With the advent of foursquare and facebook places bribing users is now commonplace and seems to be working. My recent post <a href="http://www.seodentist.co.uk/how-to-successfully-utilise-twitter-and-social-media-to-market-your-services/" rel="nofollow">How To Successfully Utilise Twitter &amp Social Media To Market Your Services</a> This post seems to have created a rather heated debate. Jeffrey makes a good point – "You can't buy loyalty and trying to encourage it with bribes is pointless". However you're not asking for loyalty, you want someone to try your product or visit or restaurant on a whim, and by providing positive reviews and a discount you're offering a smorgasboard of delight to a social user.

Sure it's not quite that easy, but looking at the bigger picture we're not trying to get people to like us (although that would be a bonus) we're trying to acquire consumers. With the advent of foursquare and facebook places bribing users is now commonplace and seems to be working.
My recent post How To Successfully Utilise Twitter &amp Social Media To Market Your Services

]]> By: Melbourne Restaurant http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35925 Melbourne Restaurant Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:13:35 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35925 How do you market a restaurant? What makes a restaurant endure and earn the loyalty of several generations of customers? I am one of those industry professionals who are now starting to pay attention to web marketing which is why it led me to this article. The article seemed convincing at first but eventually the previous comments here made me go back to the soul of the restaurant business. It will always go back to the food. Its value---recipes that have been perfected and tweaked for generations. Your enjoyment of the food---you simply have to bring your friends and family over. And it's scarcity. If we can't get that 'taste' in another restaurant or when we try to copy the recipe at home. Recommendation from friends counts a lot but I don't know if 'social media friends' are as influential. Will my facebook friend or twitter contact take me to the restaurant? My recent post <a href="http://www.restaurantmelbourne.com.au/paella-recipe" rel="nofollow">Paella Recipe</a> How do you market a restaurant? What makes a restaurant endure and earn the loyalty
of several generations of customers? I am one of those industry professionals who are now starting to pay attention to web marketing which is why it led me to this article.

The article seemed convincing at first but eventually the previous comments here made me go back to the soul of the restaurant business. It will always go back to the food. Its value—recipes that have been perfected and tweaked for generations. Your enjoyment of the food—you simply have to bring your friends and family over. And it's scarcity. If we can't get that 'taste' in another restaurant or when we try to copy the recipe at home.

Recommendation from friends counts a lot but I don't know if 'social media friends' are as influential. Will my facebook friend or twitter contact take me to the restaurant?

My recent post Paella Recipe

]]> By: James http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35924 James Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:19:48 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35924 When you combine food and a social community, you have a dynamic duo. Dinning has always been a very social event, so it was only a matter of time before the restaurants jump on board. I look forward to all the possibilities that social media can bring to the dinning sector of life. My recent post <a href="http://tradeassociations.org/?p=118" rel="nofollow">A Martial Artist’s View of Ronin &amp Robert De Niro</a> When you combine food and a social community, you have a dynamic duo. Dinning has always been a very social event, so it was only a matter of time before the restaurants jump on board. I look forward to all the possibilities that social media can bring to the dinning sector of life.
My recent post A Martial Artist’s View of Ronin &amp Robert De Niro

]]> By: Tower Deli and Diner http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35923 Tower Deli and Diner Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:03:40 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35923 The social media can be a very helpful avenue especially to those who have businesses and want to spread the word of their great service throughout the world wide web. When satisfied customers, and most of them are members of various social networking sites, they tend to post words of praise on their web pages and other readers get curious as to what they are talking about and try the restaurants or delis for themselves. This is why restaurant owners and other companies need to be careful with the kind of impression they project to their customers because as simple as it may seem, they can raise you up or destroy you. The social media can be a very helpful avenue especially to those who have businesses and want to spread the word of their great service throughout the world wide web. When satisfied customers, and most of them are members of various social networking sites, they tend to post words of praise on their web pages and other readers get curious as to what they are talking about and try the restaurants or delis for themselves. This is why restaurant owners and other companies need to be careful with the kind of impression they project to their customers because as simple as it may seem, they can raise you up or destroy you.

]]> By: In the Midst of a Recession, Marketing Premium Food Gets Social « Marketing premium food http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35922 In the Midst of a Recession, Marketing Premium Food Gets Social « Marketing premium food Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:18:27 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35922 [...] Read Slayter’s article here. [...] [...] Read Slayter’s article here. [...]

]]> By: Paul Chaney: Restaurants Are Obvious Choice To Engage In Social Media http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35921 Paul Chaney: Restaurants Are Obvious Choice To Engage In Social Media Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:13:10 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35921 [...] Where fine dining and social media meet – SmartBrief on Social Media [...] [...] Where fine dining and social media meet – SmartBrief on Social Media [...]

]]> By: Paul Chaney: Restaurants Are Obvious Choices To Engage In Social Media http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35920 Paul Chaney: Restaurants Are Obvious Choices To Engage In Social Media Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:14:28 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35920 [...] Where fine dining and social media meet – SmartBrief on Social Media [...] [...] Where fine dining and social media meet – SmartBrief on Social Media [...]

]]> By: Michael Hartzell http://smartblogs.com/social-media/2009/12/28/rewards-network/#comment-35919 Michael Hartzell Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:01:07 +0000 http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/?p=6758#comment-35919 While there is a trend to having more diversity in how people connect with each other and potentially with a business, the basics remain the same. Adding the social media tools to the mix helps a business to listen and then hopefully respond more quickly and also improve the ability to listen beyond the front lobby doors via the virtual world. The new technology does NOT replace the need for one on one connection / service / hospitality and by using the new tech to simply send the old message in a new way will not improve the business. (Had someone ask me the other day: "Mike, How do I get onto the GPS maps for my restaurant?" He makes a point, for some the tech is simply their to lower risk and improve convenience. (though for fine dining this would not apply) "Social media also affords everyone an opportunity to be a restaurant critic." This is definitely true and being so means the "marginal performers" need to be ready for a time of permanent reviews available to all. The aspect of "predators" who would harm others via review sites or pump up their own business is also possible. It means that personal connection needs to be emphasized like never before or the "online perception" will become the only reference. Jeffrey Summers: "You can’t buy loyalty and trying to encourage it with bribes is pointless. You can’t buy loyalty – period. You have to earn it and that comes from establishing trust through the consistent action of adding real value to the guest experience." I can't say it better than that. If social media tools allows for a restaurant team to be in touch more... then it's icing on the cake. Last weekend we considered two restaurants across the street from each other. One (where we ate) was empty. The other had people waiting to be seated. Neither used social media or cared nor did their guests. (I asked because that's what I do.) Our lunch was surprisingly great with ample portions to boot. We chose right because of "heart & soul" and value received. Social media tools are here to stay and will a distraction, a tool to listen, hyped up, confusing to many. If a restaurant knows how to use the social media tool to listen and respond, treat guests and potential guests as "friends, family or royalty" and be not simply a place of transaction.... but a place to help people celebrate life (if only for an hour), everyone wins. While there is a trend to having more diversity in how people connect with each other and potentially with a business, the basics remain the same. Adding the social media tools to the mix helps a business to listen and then hopefully respond more quickly and also improve the ability to listen beyond the front lobby doors via the virtual world. The new technology does NOT replace the need for one on one connection / service / hospitality and by using the new tech to simply send the old message in a new way will not improve the business.

(Had someone ask me the other day: “Mike, How do I get onto the GPS maps for my restaurant?” He makes a point, for some the tech is simply their to lower risk and improve convenience. (though for fine dining this would not apply)

“Social media also affords everyone an opportunity to be a restaurant critic.” This is definitely true and being so means the “marginal performers” need to be ready for a time of permanent reviews available to all. The aspect of “predators” who would harm others via review sites or pump up their own business is also possible. It means that personal connection needs to be emphasized like never before or the “online perception” will become the only reference.

Jeffrey Summers: “You can’t buy loyalty and trying to encourage it with bribes is pointless. You can’t buy loyalty – period. You have to earn it and that comes from establishing trust through the consistent action of adding real value to the guest experience.” I can’t say it better than that.

If social media tools allows for a restaurant team to be in touch more… then it’s icing on the cake.

Last weekend we considered two restaurants across the street from each other. One (where we ate) was empty. The other had people waiting to be seated. Neither used social media or cared nor did their guests. (I asked because that’s what I do.) Our lunch was surprisingly great with ample portions to boot. We chose right because of “heart & soul” and value received.

Social media tools are here to stay and will a distraction, a tool to listen, hyped up, confusing to many. If a restaurant knows how to use the social media tool to listen and respond, treat guests and potential guests as “friends, family or royalty” and be not simply a place of transaction…. but a place to help people celebrate life (if only for an hour), everyone wins.

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