Use Twitter and coupons to increase customer visits

Ever since I started using Twitter (and I resisted for a long time) I’ve been fascinated by how people use it to communicate in real time. Unlike email, where you typically batch all of your communication, tweets (140 character messages) are timely notes about what you are doing or thinking right now. People use it to support their offline social (and professional) activities with impromptu invites along the lines of “off to happy hour at the Dubliner” and “Who’s interested in the beach Saturday?” And, within minutes, their friends respond right back. I guess you could say it’s the half way point between email and instant messaging/chat in terms of response time.

This has led me to realize that local venues, especially places that are good gathering spots have a real opportunity to promote timely promotions and get people in the door at specific times of the day. The most obvious example is promoting a happy hour right around the time office workers are winding down – say, 4:30ish. As people start getting together to discuss where they might head after work, a well-times tweet might remind them that you’re just around the corner and offering two-four-one until 7pm. Even better if you have a unique band playing that night or other entertainment.

A great way to develop your Twitter following is to provide valuable and interesting information in with your tweets. What’s more valuable than an exclusive Twitter coupon? With TwtQpon (pronounced Tweet Coupon), you can easily offer your best customers two-for-ones, free appetizers or no cover charge. Apprpriately timed and targeted, I think you can see how this might effectvely convince someone who was on the fence or not previously planning to visit your establishment today.

The above example was focused on a local restaraunt, but I can imagine timely messages benefitting all kinds of entertainment venues, stores and even service providers. Creativity and relevance is what makes these kinds of tactics work, so be original.