At Dorothy Lane Market, social media equals ‘word of mouth’ with connections to customers

August 21, 2009

DLM home pageIt’s funny to read what the president & CEO wrote, if only because if you’ve ever shopped for bread, wine or seafood at Dorothy Lane Market, you get the message real fast that the grocery’s employees want to talk with you. They ask if you want that loaf of asiago cheese bread sliced, if you’ve considered the new summer rosé from one of their favorite French organic wineries, or if you’d like them to prepare a dinner of Crispy Dijon Tilapia for you.

So it’s funny, at least to me, that DLM boss Norman Mayne is surprised by how much his customers use social media, including Twitter and Facebook to talk with one another and with Dorothy Lane Market’s employees.

“Who knew that a short 140-character message could be so meaningful to so many people” Mayne wrote in his company’s August newsletter. Read the rest of this entry »

3 Comments | Business, Facebook, Networking, Social Media, Twitter | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris Celek

Want to learn about social media, get up for breakfast

July 24, 2009

995326_22286617Listen closely at breakfast and you can confirm what for many folks is still hard to believe. Official studies, market research and business news headlines report:

• Top business executives in their 40s use Twitter every day or several times a week, according to a June study by Forbes and Google.

• The number of Facebook users 18-25 years old decreased by nearly 600,000, while their parents (and grandparents) used the networking web site in record numbers last month.

• 51 percent of small businesses surveyed in March told Sage North America that they use social media to acquire and retain customers. Also, 57% said tough economic conditions are “very” or “extremely” important in their decision to use social media as part of their business strategy.

Choose to believe these surveys and the experts who compile them — or not. But you can get closer to details about how older adults are adopting social media for their personal use and, yes, for business, by listening to what’s said around the breakfast table.

I swear I didn’t bring up the subject Tuesday morning. Didn’t have to. Read the rest of this entry »

Comments Off on Want to learn about social media, get up for breakfast | Social Media | Permalink
Posted by Chris Celek

You can do this: Best ways to connect your business to customers with social media right now

June 22, 2009

0622090840Excellent advice at Podcamp Ohio 2 at The Ohio State University on Saturday, June 20 came from a designer, who I expected would share ideas for what makes a web site attractive and usable.

We got that from Daniel Lewis of D. Joseph Design in Northern Kentucky and more. His ideas for what to say on social media sites are perfect for what businesses want and need to do to connect with customers.

Most important thing for business people to know: These tips from Daniel apply regardless of the web site or online service you use. There are lots from which to choose now. And today’s most-popular — Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Flickr, among them — may not be what you’re using 12 months from now.

No matter. Read the rest of this entry »

3 Comments | Social Media | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris Celek

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