4 tips from someone doing it right

I stumbled across this magnificent couple on the website mashable earlier today. They have great insight into what social media marketing looks like for a business, and more specifically a small business. Really small. Like that truck is their business; it's name is Lazarus. Their business is called Cravings Mobile Diner. Living in Tallahassee, they knew they would need to get creative with their social media marketing. Valuable content needed to be created. Not just the daily route or their specials. Facebook and Twitter needed to be avenues for interaction and engagement. The way this couple conducts their social marketing is spot on.

They have four lessons to live by:

1. SoLo is the Motto.
A combination of (So)cial media and (Lo)cation-based technology is the way to go for businesses like food trucks. Anytime they check in on Foursquare, their followers on Facebook and Twitter are made aware. They encourage customers to check in as well by giving them a free drink or waffle.

2. Get Creative
It's important to develop a social strategy that is unique to your business. With Cravings, they have a a "Waffle of the Week" poll on Facebook to decide what flavor waffle they should serve for the upcoming week. This is a great way to engage your customers making them feel like they are apart of the decision making for the business.

3. Nail Customer Service
Social media has a provided an effective way for businesses to handle issues with customers. Many people tweet about EVERYthing they do. If they have a bad experience at a restaurant, they will tweet about it. Engaging the customer in that arena the right way can help diffuse the situation. At Cravings they have done just that. They even went a step further creating a system where customers tweet about awesome experiences with the crew members at Cravings.

4. Tell Your Story
Your story is what makes you, you. This is a way to get personal with the customer. Social media provides an avenue to put this story on display, making it obtainable and easily multiplied. At Cravings they have done just that with their truck, Lazarus. Having the truck has been a journey of ups and downs. Through social media they take their audience on that journey by posting pictures of flat tires or the truck being towed away. Customers loved it. Not their misfortune, but their perseverance through life's obstacles.

These four lessons are each very practical and applicable for anyone. None of these practices twist customers arms for likes or sharing. Each one creates valuable content, and invites the consumer to partner with the business.