Businesses Turn to Social Media to Connect with Customers
Owners send marketing messages in the digital world
Matthew Murnane
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Social networking is such a predominant part of the Internet. Whether it's Facebook, or Myspace, Twitter, or blogs, now more than ever before are we seeing the highest rates of user interactivity through the World Wide Web. From breaking news, to things to do on a Friday night, information travels like wildfire from user to user. We have even begun to see companies use advertisement strategies through social networking sites. Especially in college towns like Albany, where many of the local businesses are supported by computer savvy students, can we see the most effective way to get the information out.
We know that just about every student on every college campus in America has access to a computer. Whether it's a personal laptop, a desktop in a dorm, or the library's computer lab, it is understood that all students have access to the Web. With this massive number of Internet users comes a high number of social networkers. It's become so prevalent, that the creators of sites like Facebook and Twitter have even made applications for smart phones like iPhone, and Blackberry.
Pete Corcoran runs the Bomber's Twitter account that was originally set up by owner Matt Baumgartner. Although they haven't seen a direct increase in customers because of social networking, it does keep people entertained, and in the loop when not at Bombers.
Vintage's online coordinator works to keep the Web site and social networking sites up to date. Vintage, a bar in White Plains, has seen an increase in customer satisfaction. Through social networking, patrons can make suggestions, give feedback, praise (or complain) about a staff member, review bands; the list is endless. In fact, it has become so popular, the owner; Declan Farrell has considered starting a blog for all his customers to follow.
Tommy Murray, a UAlbany senior says that "Part of the reason we have a Facebook, is to see what's going on with the bars. You can plan you're weekends by the events page". Social networking can be considered the free way to promote for any business. While it can only be deemed effective if the consumers are computer savvy, bars, restaurants, entertainment geared towards young adults, all have potential to be advertized free on hosts like Myspace and Facebook. Even Twitter, which only offers 140 characters to state your information, can allow you to post a link or a particular event that's going on.
When asked about how a blog could help increase the number of customers at Vintage Bar, Farrell answered, "It may not bring new people in, but once they hear about it, hopefully they will like what they read and bring them back. Hopefully, random White-Painians will stumble across the blog and decide to give a place like this a try. And maybe, it will keep the customers at the bar, without physically being at the bar."
Vintage just completed it's renovations, completely redoing the look of the bar. One major upgrade that you cannot see however, is the addition of a wi-fi router. "This allows all customers on laptops or ipods to connect to the Internet and maybe even the Vintage website", said Farrell, half kidding.
We all can feel the desire to stay connected to people across the room, or across the world. Social networking allows us to do that. However, we are now seeing businesses tapping into 'the network' and how successful it has turned out for places with computer savvy customers.