OneFortyPl.us

By Jim Belosic, CEO of ShortStack.com

Ed. note: ShortStack is an instrumental tool in my job nowadays at NLMC. When they approached me about doing a post here about food trucks, I was game for it naturally. Check out these social tips for mobile eats, and let us know what you think!

Economic woes coupled with a rise in online social networking popularity has created a playing field where food trucks win. Their recession weapon, you ask? Social media. Here are 5 ways food trucks are using social media to improve their bottom lines:

1. Facebook: For food trucks, having a strong social media presence reigns in importance over print flyers and newspaper placements. “Word-of-mouse” packs just as great of a punch as traditional word-of-mouth marketing. With knowledge of that, food trucks are using Facebook Fan Pages to connect, communicate and build relationships with their customers off the streets. 

2. Twitter: Twitter is the golden boy for real-time communication. Tweeting up-to-the-minute truck locations connect hungry customers with their favorite street vendors and foods. As it’s uncommon for food trucks to hold set hours and a location, customers have to get tactical with using social media. Food trucks pose as moving targets; Twitter helps these targets become more hittable.

3. Foursquare: At the end of a treasure hunt there’s usually a reward. Food trucks use Foursquare to provide that reward. Although Foursquare limits badge development to selected brands and campaigns they want to associate with, there are other customer incentives that make checking-in worthwhile. Discounts for first time check-ins, a promo code for repeat customers or a free “x” if you try the day’s special, are all ways food trucks are encouraging their customers to engage with their business.

4. YouTube: Television placements are expensive, making a YouTube video is not. Most recently, food trucks are creating video content to promote their mobile businesses. With camera in hand, social-savvy street-vendors are vlogging and filming food tutorials & customer testimonials to promote their brands and real in customers.

5. Instagram: Food bloggers and amateur food enthusiasts love Instagram. Naturally, the fun photo sharing application has risen in popularity with street-food vendors as well. Food trucks are using Instagram to take and post mouthwatering photos of their daily specials to their Facebook Walls and Twitter feeds.

These are just a few ways social media can be utilized to help promote a growing business easily, effectively and cheap!

What food trucks have you seen that serve up excellent content through social channels?