What would I do?

So... I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

New bar open. Right across the O’Connell bridge, on the South side. I peaked inside and it did not look bad. Their offers displayed in the window didn’t look bad either. 

So what would I do?

1. I’d stick a big F for Facebook on their large funeralish looking banner add that 2. doesn’t even include the name of the bar. Branding, branding and branding again, people! Why include the name? Because you want people to know who you are. Isn’t it the first thing you do when you introduce yourself to somebody ‘’Hi, my name is Mimi, nice to meet you’’. Put your name out there, let people look for you online even, if they don’t come in immediately. 


3. Get social media to spread the word. Facebook and Twitter in this particular case. Build your database of friends, tell them that you exist and show them why they should bother coming entering your premises. Just because you are ‘’new’’ and ‘’now open’’ doesn’t mean that hordes of people will be Qing outside. I am stating the obvious in a semi sarcastic way but only to underline the point I am making: your first steps are important and things that seem like small details can be of great importance.

I took these pictures over a month ago. Seems that their online presence is growing since. Their name is Lafayettecafebar. Check them out, they seem to be interesting enough. I have a feeling I will like them.

4. And one more thing: it is very important to tie your offline presence with your online presence (not just the other way around). Seems that these guys are growing their online presence but they had no signs of existing on the net in their actual premises. Studies have shown that when Facebook users for example ‘’Like’’ a business or another, in many cases, they do so because they have been asked to. So ask them to Like you when they sit down at a table... or pick up a menu, or a flyer, or even... go to the loo... You ask them directly... or you ‘’ask’’ by simply showing that you exist online. You ask in whichever way it works for you and your marketing strategy. People like companies that understand how the world behaves.. and how they, the customers themselves behave. Because everybody, more or less, is using social media. Be friendly, user friendly, be smart, don’t be pushy and just be. Online.