For 30 years tourists drive on Route 1 in Wells, Maine, passing Jake's Seafood , a year-round restaurant located conveniently, two miles north of Ogunquit Center (in area called Moody), just a mile from the beach. Since 1987, they have been serving up delicious lobster rolls, fried clams and the best lighter-than-air onion rings!
Today tourists are using mobile devices to discover local places. Jake's Seafood Restaurant had not claimed their business presence on the Internet. Sites such as Google Business , Google+ , Yelp , Trip Advisor , or Foursquare did not have consistent up-to-date business information. Jake's listing is similar to another Jake's restaurant in another state which has a higher ranking on Google. Jake's does not ask for customer emails or keep a database of regular and returning tourists.
For many business owners and decision-makers the challenge is finding time or having the knowledge or interest to setup and manage Internet, email and social media marketing. However, today businesses are optimizing their Internet presence and expanding their services on social and professional networks as part of doing business.
Facebook and Google Adwords are powerful tools to locate clients, find new ones and extend your brand's reach. Using specific criteria: gender, age, state, city, zip code and interests, the Ads populate on those peoples pages who meet the set criteria. Those who click the Ad; find their way to your website or place of business are potential customers.
Authenticate interactions through a concerted effort with monthly emails, weekly social posts and follow-up conversations create and sustain true demand creation, brand recognition and a loyal network, organically.
In January 2015, Nicastro consultants was hired to redesign Jake's website, claim their business on Google Business , Google+ , Yelp , Tripadvisor and Foursquare. We also implemented a strategy for Jake's to capture email addresses. In addition, we set up a business Gmail account, a Google+ Business Page and a Youtube Channel. Jake has a presence on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
An email template was created to match their new website, their social icons are connected to the email newsletter. Jake's is ready to collect customer email addresses at the restaurant, on their website and on their Facebook business page. Tourist, regulars and fans can easily find, connect and engage with Jake at the restaurant and online. Jake is poised to grow a virtual network through monthly email newsletters about the restaurant with regular posts to their social channels to encourage brand loyalty, recognition and expansion.
Where do you begin? Google your name and the name of your business. Consider claiming or setting up a business presence on sites such as Google Business , Google+ , Yelp , Trip Advisor , or Foursquare. Start with a social audit. Determine: 1) where you are, 2) where you want to be 3) and a plan to guide you there. Its more about where your clients reside. However, expand your presence and increase your brand recognition so you can easily be found and quickly engage with potential customers and opportunities.
Consider building a brand and presence with a Google Business account, a Google+ Business Page, and a YouTube, channel. Create and or optimize a Facebook business page, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram presence. Make it easy for 'like-minded' people to find you. Customers are checking-in and leaving comments. Businesses that are not engaged online are at risk of not responding with potential clients, resulting in missed-opportunities.