NY Coffee and the Value of Online Reviews.
What does coffee have to do with online reviews?
If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I enjoy having conversations on marketing, branding, foodie things, and places I visit. Right now, I’m sipping an almond latte at Stumptown Coffee‘s Manhattan location. I discovered this lovely NY coffee shop, which shares a lobby with Ace Hotel, through a friend’s Foursquare recommendation. And yes, the coffee is delicious!
Her recommendation sparked a thought on how many brick and mortar businesses miss valuable opportunities to move an amazing offline experience to an even deeper online connection. When your customer enjoys their hand-crafted coffee, or farm-to-table Denver omelette why minimize their response to a simple “thank you?” Help your customer share their experiences online, and potentially expand your consumer base!
Fun fact. 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations (up from 79% in 2013). This means that consumers are making decisions based upon buzz or lack of buzz surrounding your business. Yelp, Foursquare are a few of the obvious conversation starters, but don’t forget the conversations happening on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Do you need help moving your customer’s offline experience online, and connecting with them on a deeper level? Send me an email at lola at omylola dot com, and let’s get started!
Here’s exactly what I said on Twitter today. I stand by it everyday.
First time at @acehotel and I’m digging the vibe.
— i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
First, I grabbed a coffee at @stumptowncoffee and now am chilling in their shared lobby. Great coffee, free wifi. Perfect work space! — i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
Gotta thank @sheenalashay though. Saw on @foursquare she had been here once and had to check it out.
— i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
Some of y’all brick & mortar businesses are slipping on encouraging customers to participate, and engage with you on social media. — i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
I came here on a personal recommendation and even walked past three other coffeeshops on the way.
— i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
Look for continuous ways to push those authentic, positive offline experiences online. — i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
By doing so, you build a relationship with your current customer and potentially expand your customer base. You hear that? Ka-Ching lol.
— i am lola (@omylola) November 6, 2014
Here are a few experts that agree. Take a look:
Under the Influence: Consumer Trust in Advertising
Ecommerce Consumer Reviews: why you need them and how to use them
More Customer Reviews – Why Customer Reviews are So Important
