Comments on: How To Not Lose Your Favorite Restaurant

By: earwood

earwood — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:51:35 +0000

Alex – Agreed, 100%. You can't spend enough ad dollars to match what a happy customer (Deryl aptly calls them advocates) can do for a business.

I think you've also just shown me what my next post will be… why Melillo's was my favorite place. Thanks.

By: earwood

earwood — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:51:35 +0000

Alex – Agreed, 100%. You can't spend enough ad dollars to match what a happy customer (Deryl aptly calls them advocates) can do for a business.

I think you've also just shown me what my next post will be… why Melillo's was my favorite place. Thanks.

By: Alex Morse

Alex Morse — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:06:58 +0000

This hits close to the heart for me. While living in South Florida, I accidentally stumbled upon a brand new Thai restaurant. It was sandwiched between two completely forgettable other businesses in a completely forgettable strip mall. The signage was bad. You couldn't really see it from the road. Basically it had everything working against it.

But the food was fantastic.

At the time, I had a lot of connections in the area so I pretty much gushed about the place as often as possible. At work, with friends, at conventions. I got to know the owners the first time I was there (because they hardly had any customers at that point.) They said I should have people ask for them if I sent them, so they could get a discount. Win win, so of course I did.

The place survived. More than that, I have never been treated as well when I went to eat out. I was constantly getting free appetizers, % off my bill, even gifts. I wasn't seeking any of that, but they would always insist.

The most powerful marketing in the world is a very happy customer.