Small Business Blog Review: Mani’s on Fairfax
(www.businessandblogging.com) We talk a lot on this blog about the reasons why you should have a blog, how you should start a blog and the things you can do with a blog. But in the end, nothing is as useful as an example.
So, today we are starting a new series - profiling small businesses who are using blogs in their business. We hope that seeing how other businesses are successfully leveraging blogs will inspire you to consider how to incorporate one into your own marketing, public relations or community outreach plans.
The first blog we are going to review is one that does so many things right - I hardly know where to begin. But I guess what stands out most for me about this blog is their focus on building community.
All truly successful blogs build a community. They make readers feel more connected to the blogger and the business. The blog at Mani’s at Fairfax goes one step further - it helps customers feel more connected to each other.
Mani started blogging in February of 2005. After about a year, he upgraded to his new website on the advice of his blogging consultant Denise Wakeman of the Blog Squad. Mani was skeptical at first, but has become a real believer.
The blog is written by Mani and by several of his employees. The blog has a variety of articles to keep the reader engaged:
- mouth-watering photos of desserts and pastries
- off-beat bios of the employees
- references to local museums and interesting sites near the cafe
- posts about Mani, store policies (wifi!!) and special events in the cafe
- educational posts about healthy eating or special ingredients
- recipes
- weekly soup lists, specials and new products
but the very best posts are photos of actual customers enjoying themselves at Mani’s.
There are pictures of babies and puppies and families, repeat customers as well as new. It all combines to make a community scrapbook of a place that has good food that is good for you.
By providing his employees with cameras and the opportunity to blog, Mani is
- creating a more vibrant and welcoming establishment for both the customers and the employees
- making the customers feel more connected to the restaurant even when they are not there
- giving employees and customers something to talk about besides the food and the weather
- encouraging the employees to feel more excited, more appreciated and more trusted
I don’t live in LA but Mani’s blog sure has me looking for an excuse to make a visit there. And I’ll be telling my friends about it.
What more could you want from word-of-mouth advertising??
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