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Social media page supports local restaurants

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“It exploded” is how creator Jeff Allen described his Facebook page “Gering & Scottsbluff Local Menus.”

Locally owned restaurants are often among the hardest hit when a statewide emergency was declared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Allen, who has a background in community volunteerism, became increasingly concerned with the closures and orders for families to quarantine. He created an easy reference to help people find and support those small, independent restaurants during this time of crisis.

“The Facebook page is focusing strictly on locally owned restaurants because we get to talk directly with the owners,” Allen said. “Restaurants list their local menus, their hours, whether they offer delivery, curbside pickup or takeout. Some of them also list daily specials.”

Since the page was created five days ago, Allen said they’ve recorded more than 10,000 views. His goal was to eventually get about 300 likes for the page. In less than 48 hours, the number of likes has exceeded 700. He’s received inquiries from other counties that would like to start their own pages.

The purpose of the Facebook page is to be a single reference site for the public to learn more about the numerous locally owned restaurants in the local area. Some of the restaurants listed have received about 6,000 views since the page went live.

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“I feel that it’s important to have one uniform page for people to refer to,” Allen said. “It’s an easy access page so we can continue to support our local businesses in this time of need.”

He added that every time someone views the page, they might decide to try out one of the featured restaurants. It might even be a restaurant that wasn’t on the viewer’s top-of-mind recognition.

Helping launch the “Gering & Scottsbluff Local Menus” page was Brenda Leisy, director of the Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau. When Allen was overwhelmed with getting the page online, Leisy offered her assistance.

“We might not be utilizing all these establishments at the current time, but we’ll need them when they open back up,” she said. “We’ll need them for all our visitors and guests at events like the Old West Balloon Fest. Some of those events are huge so it’s important we support our local restaurants in these difficult times.”

One of the locally owned restaurants listed on the “Gering & Scottsbluff Local Menus” page is 16th Empire in downtown Scottsbluff.

“Jeff came up with a great idea, especially at a time when there are restrictions on restaurants,” 16th Empire owner Ralph Paez said. “Utilizing the Facebook page has allowed us to post our menus and specials. Our carryout and curbside pickup service has been growing, so we’re able to pick up some of the slack where we’ve lost revenue.”

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Allen said that through his years of volunteerism, he’s seen how a community can come together during a crisis to help heal the damage.

“The success of the page has nothing to do with me,” he said. “It’s a tribute to the small town, big-hearted people that want to make a difference. That’s the beauty of a small community.”

We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on!

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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