My favorite local Los Angeles restaurant now has a little sign on each table asking people to “like” the restaurant’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AlGelato to be entered to win two free Lakers tickets.
The restaurant Counter has this printed at the end of the bill: “Follow us on Twitter for special Twiter only offers and promotions ….. twitter.com/CounterBurger”
My favorite yogurt place has a sign at the cash register asking people to follow on Twitter at twitter.com/toppingsfroyo
You’ve probably started seeing these social media marketing signs popping up at the local places you frequent.
Social media question: If these businesses appreciate the power of Twitter and Facebook to connect with people, what’s holding you back in your business?
Twitter and Facebook are not numbers games. They are not a race. Do not feel you have to quickly get 1,000 or 2,000 connections.
Instead you want to get people who are interested in you, whether they are connected with you on Twitter or Facebook.
And if you are already participating on Twitter and have a Facebook Page for your business, be sure to display the links in as many appropriate places as possible.
For example, you’ve probably seen how caterers at events leave their cards out so that guests can know who did the catering. The truth is that those guests might not have the need right now for a catered event. But down the road they might – and if you are a caterer will you be top of mind?
Put your Twitter and/or your Facebook Page on your business card and encourage the guests to follow you or “like” your Page. This will help you stay top of mind when they do have an occasion for a catered event.
Business cards do not cost that much, so do not be penny wise and pound foolish – waiting until you’ve finished using your current cards. Get new business cards now to promote your social media presence. (And recyle the old cards.)
Yael and I just had new cards designed by a member of the Beverly Hills Leads Club chapter of which I’m a member. Check out Richard Jacobs of Lone Star Press and consider getting new cards designed by him wherever you are. Reasonable prices and great design sense and customer service. (This is NOT an affiliate link but it is an endorsement.)
And for more about how social media sites have impacted business cards, read the Miller Mosaic post “Networking: Impact of Social Media on Business Cards”
© 2011 Miller Mosaic, LLC
Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller on Twitter) is the co-founder of Miller Mosaic Social Media Marketing. Download now the company’s free report “5 Tips for Staying Top of Mind With Your Prospective Target Markets” at www.millermosaicllc.com/los-angeles-social-media-consultant
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: tonyeldridge
January 21, 2011 at 7:41 pm
I have noticed the same thing on receipts in Dallas, TX. The great thing for local businesses who are not on social media yet is that this is confirmation that investing in a Social Media marketing campaign is worthwhile investment.
Twitter: chatmeter
January 22, 2011 at 10:51 am
Great tip about putting your FB/Twitter information on your business card, that’s a good idea! Your post confirms what us Local Social Media/ORM techies have been predicting all along, businesses are going to start realizing the value of social media marketing and local online presence.
Tony and Isaac –
Thanks for these comments.
Tony, good point about using this info when talking with local businesses not yet using social media.
Isaac, I only wish local businesses would realize this sooner than later. Sometimes I feel as if I’m knocking my head against a wall when I talk to companies not yet on social media.
Great suggestions re: using social media for your business. It took me over 1 year to build >1000 Twitter followers.
I bring business cards displaying my Miller Mosiac Designed webpage (www.patrickmahaney.com) with me everywhere!
Thank you,
PM
Patrick –
Thank you so much for this lovely comment regarding your Miller Mosaic website at http://www.patrickmahaney.com
And a year to build 1,000 Twitter followers is a good pace because it shows that you aren’t using software to just add Twitter numbers but are organically growing followers who are interested in what you share.