| I won't argue that going out to eat isn't an | | | | your area gives you the opportunity to toot your |
| interactive experience. As much as our family | | | | own horn. Reply to Twitter users and offer a |
| patronizes restaurants, we certainly do our share | | | | special to entice them to visit. |
| of meeting restaurateurs and waiters. Often we | | | | Offer coupons through Facebook: Like Twitter, |
| do search the Internet for local specials and | | | | Facebook is accessible on handheld PDAs through |
| menus to steer us in the right direction for | | | | specialized applications, making it easier to |
| satisfying cravings, so if you own a cafe, a deli, a | | | | promote your business. Set up a fan page for |
| bistro, or a full-fledged bar and grill, it's time for | | | | your restaurant and encourage patrons to join. |
| you to get social online. | | | | You'll then have a captive audience to whom you |
| Do you have a website for your restaurant? If | | | | can offer dining discounts and free appetizers and |
| so, great! Having an online placecard where | | | | desserts. Once word gets out you may find your |
| patrons can find menus and directions is important | | | | fan base growing. |
| if you wish maintain high visibility among crowds | | | | Upload video of commercials on YouTube: If you |
| of hungry Web surfers looking for a good place | | | | advertise on television, why not post your |
| to eat. Given the dynamic nature of the business, | | | | commercials online? YouTube is the second |
| however, it may not always be convenient to | | | | largest search engine behind Google, and these |
| constantly update your site whenever new | | | | days people are turning more to the Internet than |
| events and specials arise. Supplementing your | | | | their sets to watch TV. Create a YouTube page |
| online presence with active social media profiles | | | | for your restaurant and offer TV ads and even |
| keeps your patrons informed of changes and | | | | short videos enhancing the dining experience. |
| encourages an interaction that builds trust among | | | | Show people what they're missing when they |
| your diners and people discovering your eatery. | | | | don't visit. |
| How can you use social networks to promote | | | | Digg up great reviews: Have you been praised on |
| your restaurant? You'll find there are many | | | | Yelp or TripAdvisor? Definitely you'll want to link |
| options, all of which can be handled personally or | | | | those reviews from your Web site, but you want |
| by any Internet savvy staff: | | | | people to know what your patrons have to say. |
| Post daily specials on Twitter: What's the soup du | | | | Utilizing social bookmark functions like Digg, |
| jour? Has the dessert cart changed? You can | | | | Delicious and similar sites help give exposure to |
| keep patrons up to date on menu changes as | | | | the great reviews, and may prompt readers to |
| they happen with the real-time functionality | | | | research you on their own...or even come over |
| Twitter offers. One good example is a frozen | | | | for lunch! |
| yogurt bar in Virginia Beach, which informs | | | | Your restaurant may be a great place to eat and |
| followers of daily flavors. | | | | socialize, but the more you use social media to let |
| Also, using Twitter's search function to determine | | | | diners know, the better for your business. |
| if anyone is taking suggestions on places to eat in | | | | |