Social Media Drives Business Results

Social Media is a unique web experience, where users up-load content, create and share.  Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Flickr are the flag-ship Social Media sites, but there are a host of others catering for specific niche common interests. Recent Neilsen studies have shown that Australians are the most prolific users of Social Media web-sites in the world, with over 9.9 million Australian’s using Social Media and over 20% of all time spent on-line being spent in Social Media Sites – for Australian’s that equates to over 8 hours per week! Some say Australia is the Social Media World leader!

But is social media more than sharing photos of Fluffy the cat, and what party we went to last night ? Can you harness this for your restaurant or venue ?

Most Definitley!

In Australia, over 40% of internet users are interacting with brands on-line and through social media.  Through this shared experience, the brand profile, experience and recommendations can be shaped.

How can this benefit your business ?

Creating and managing a Social Media presence can generate new and repeat business by:

• keeping in contact with customers – getting feedback and providing responses in an area where your customers are really listening,
• bringing in new business through authentic recommendations and shared experiences,
• creating “sticky” customers, who feel closer to your venue through a deeper experience,
• reinforce other marketing activities and promotions – extending the reach and duration of campaigns in the cost effective manner.

Successful restaurants will create a strong on-line presence across their web-site, integrated with a blog, and in the major social media sites (Facebook, Twitter etc).  Most importantly, you need to monitor and interact with customers regularly and consistently over time in these areas.  And in short order, you will see the benefits flowing through with increased patronage.

References and other reading:

• http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/when-connection-becomes-an-obsession-20100301-pdn5.html
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/7359341/Australia-is-social-networking-capital-of-the-world.html
• http://www.nielsen-online.com/pr/i&t_video-feb10.pdf
• http://www.nielsen-online.com/pr/social_media_report-mar10.pdf