Country Outfitters

Lately, I have been falling victim to the tempting marketing techniques of Country Outfitters.  Country Outfitters has a website that sells western-style apparel and accessories, its specialties are the ornate decorative cowboy boots by various high-end designers.  I discovered this website via Facebook; a good friend of mine posted the link to a giveaway they were having.  These cowboy boots are absolutely beautiful, so clicked to be a contestant as well.  In order to be eligible for the giveaway, Country Outfitters requires that you do three things: 1- like their Facebook page.  2- share the giveaway on your Facebook. 3- "like" your favorite boot (the most likes will be the one given away).  This is smart marketing because it gives consumers a say in the prize and also requires them to spread the word in order to gain eligibility.  They also offer a consolation prize of $10 off any purchase of at least $75.  While this may be minute, it leads to the increased possibility of gaining business, and retains the consumers' interest in the company.

Country Outfitters -----> http://www.countryoutfitter.com
Facebook page -----> https://www.facebook.com/CountryOutfitter?fref=ts

Restaurants and Social Media

The restaurant business in one very dear to my heart.  I have been working in various restaurants since the day I got my working papers and I have had just about every position possible at some point or another.  Many of the establishments I have worked in have created Facebook pages.  They use these to post the night's specials, deals, and promotions to grow their consumer-base and retain people's interest.  Posting pictures of dishes and asking consumers what they'd like the specials to be makes the consumers feel valued, and hopefully gets them to come in.  I like what The Burger Shoppe has done with their foursquare page.  Offering free sides to those who proved they've "checked in" makes customers happy and creates more social media buzz about it.

The Burger Shoppe & other restaurants that are using social media efficiently
>>>>>>>> http://huff.to/QUYLf2

Foursquare>>>>>>>>> https://foursquare.com/

Twitter Kidnapping Hoax

Now this is something that just disgusts me.  This girl, Kara, got the entire twitter social network involved in what seems to be just a scheme to run away from home.  Kara tweeted "there is someone in my hour ecall 911," causing almost 34,000 people to retweet and about 95,000 people to follow her.  She could have been smarter about this escape plan, if you ask me.  Why would she call a taxi to her address right before she sent the tweet? Obviously the police are going to investigate the "kidnapping" of a 16 year old girl.  She was seen getting out of the taxi at a train station later on.  I am only sorry that so much effort was wasted on this girl's hoax, however, I do hope she goes home soon before something bad actually does happen to her.

click here for the full story >>>>>> http://mashable.com/2012/10/01/teenage-girl-tweet-kidnapping/