Facebook now a bigger “Deal” for local businesses in Wichita
Posted on January 31, 2011 in Social Media in Wichita Kansas by JuggleMedia
FAcebook Deals, Foursquare, Google Places, gowalla, JuggleMedia
Facebook’s newest location-based service aptly named “Deals” can have a huge impact for
local businesses struggling in a down economy. As a social network with more than 580,000 users within 50 miles of Wichita, Deals was released late last year just in time to encourage interaction amongst consumers during the busy holiday season. Now that it is over (except Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter and Mother’s Day AH WHEN DOEW IT STOP?!?) Facebook Deals can help even the smallest of companies reel in customers.
If used in the right way, Deals can help businesses “generate awareness, encourage in-store traffic and build customer loyalty” the social-networking giant said. This is due, in large-part to the four different kinds of Deals a business can use.
First, a business can offer an individual deal like “receive 20% off your entire purchase” or “show this deal and receive a free cup of coffee.” It’s an opportunity for the business to simply entice the people at the location to spend more, or it can become a promotional opportunity to generate in-store traffic.
There are also loyalty Deals like “after 5 visits, we’ll give you a free appetizer” or “after 20 visits, you’ve reached VIP status. Enjoy 20% off.” These are easy-to-use loyalty program opportunities that bring people back time and time again.
Third, Facebook offers Charity Deals to allow not-for-profits and different causes an opportunity to make money from other business traffic. They gave an example of Starbucks donating $1 for every Deal to go to Conservation International. It’s a way for people to feel empowered and connected to different causes while generating a running-tally or goal for a campaign.
Finally, and what I think makes Deals ultra-powerful, is the Friend Deal. When people shop, chances are, they are not doing it alone. Friends Deals allow a business to use the power of the social networking giant to spread the deal. Imagine going to a retail location and receiving a deal for you and five of your friends. The catch is, you just have to tag (Facebook’s way of connecting people to information) up to eight friends and they will receive the Deal as well. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that, when used correctly, can help a business expand it’s social outreach, increase sales, and make more money from simply posting the Deal and letting their customers do the promoting for them.
So how does Deals work? An individual heads to the location of the business and “checks-in” using a mobile device like their cell phone. When they do that, Facebook Deals pop up either at that specific location or, if say somebody is in Old Town Square, you can see which Deals are near-by and decide to shop there. All a business has to do is set-up the Deal, promote it a little bit and encourage others to use it. Because it is social and Facebook is so connected, people will see the Deals in their feed.
Facebook Deals isn’t new. Sites like Foursquare and Gowalla have been offering location-based incentive programs for businesses for quite some time. However, due to the size and popularity of Facebook, Deals becomes a front-runner in connecting people to businesses. Combine Deals with a business Facebook Page, and you have a robust business connection tool that can essentially be a businesses entire customer-loyalty program. It’s a distinct opportunity to connect with customers on a personal level, making repeat visits or purchases socially driven.
It’ll be interesting to see which businesses throughout Wichita use Deals to entice more customers to head their way. Better-yet, maybe you’ll get a Deal from a local business you’ve never heard from simply because your friend wanted to share it with you. That’s the power of social networks.
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