idawang: Original Post #3 (Business and Word-of-mouth)

In present world, small business can use social media to have more visibility and gain more customers. It’s a good chance for small business to promote their products or services. AJ Bombers is a perfect example to embrace the new technology. This company utilized social media to have increased the number of customers in one year.

AJ Bombers became a successful burger brand in one year. They utilized Facebook and Twitter to spread messages and connected with potential customers. They offered to new FourSquare mayors free burger and fries and in doing so, encouraged repeat visits and more check-ins among its fan base. They also posted some videos on YouTube to promote their burgers. Without spending lots money, AJ Bombers still can earn customers and good reputation. AJ Bombers doesn’t have to wait for random customers show at their door. Instead, they can use social media to reach their future customers. On Twitter, AJ Bombers has tweeted more than 10,000 times to its 3,000 followers. On Facebook, the restaurant updates its status several times a month and engages with 1,000 fans. It built a successful social network to bridge the store and the customers. After going to AJ Bombers, some people will write their thoughts on social media. These messages and pictures will spread out immediately. People will believe opinions from the peers on the Internet rather than advertisements on the television. That’s called Word-of Mouth. Those reviews and opinions can build a good reputation to attract more and more customers through social media.

Just like “Groundswell” said, word-of-mouth is a powerful amplifier of brand marketing. (p.130) Company can use this to build the brand image and good reputation. The reasons why word-of-mouth can be so successful is that it is believable. People can express their opinions on their pages without limitations. It’s self-reinforcing and self-spreading. Nobody can force people to write something they are not interested in. People are willing to talk about things they really want to share with their friends. People usually don’t get anything when they post their opinions on the Internet. Karma is the only thing people can gain after they post their voices. It’s the most honest form of marketing activities. (p.131)

AJ Bombers showed how they use social media to become a famous restaurant and how they influenced perspective customers with social media. They used social media as a tool for spread word-of-mouth effectively. They proved if you can give your customers good experiences, you can be outstanding. As long as you have good products and services, you can become famous brand on the Internet. All that you have to do is use social media properly.