social networks
Restaurants using Facebook to drive online orders
A growing number of restaurant chains are using Facebook to drive sales by connecting fans on the social network to their online ordering systems. Other chains with online ordering systems accessible from their Facebook pages include Dallas-based Pizza Hut. Full article.
Customer service gets social
Online microblogging sites enable any company to instantly know what its customers and potential clients are saying, and social networks are, in effect, a new medium for word-of-mouth marketing. However, if you are an entrepreneur or a part of a growing business, you may not be able to hire a person dedicated to answering in-coming customer service issues and to scan popular social networks for customer issues not directly addressed to you. There are several things you can to do to help maximize your resources. Full article.
Online vs. In-store shopping
A recent Social Shopping Study conducted earlier this year revealed that 83% of consumers are more confident about making a purchase decision when conducting research online. Social tools signal a game-changing force in online shopping, because the convenience and depth of the online shopping experience and social networks relevance results in educated shoppers whose research online impacts offline purchases. Full Article.
FTC Takes on Spam Dispensers
If you think you get too much spam, try visiting the second floor of the FTC building in Washington. That's where a computer server holds the world's largest collection of spam e-mail—314 million messages, with 200,000 more arriving every day. The FTC has steadily expanded its mandate to shield consumers from fraud and other deceptive business practices and is actively targeting threats to users of social networks and mobile devices. Full Article.
LA Looks to Twitter to Get Out Disaster News
As LA deals with the devastating oil spill off its coast, state officials are learning about the pros and cons of using social networks to get out information. The LA Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is legally bound to answer every question it gets over Facebook and Twitter, even if it responds by directing people elsewhere. LA plans to use Twitter and Facebook more as hurricane season gets under way. Full Article.
Defeating the dark side of Social Networking
For all of its blessings, social media Web sites are vexing lots of companies. For the most part, though, companies are too slow to respond to the online flood of information being published about them by consumers. Since it's easier than ever for customers to tell each other when service is bad, responding quickly is critical. Repeat buying is usually driven by positive customer service, not price. Full Article.
Real-time Brand Management
Brands really live in the heads of consumers, and companies need to start thinking about real-time brand management at the speed in which customers form opinions about them. Notifications or conversations about an experience may begin on Twitter, but they can be immediately posted to all social media around the world. Full Article.
