Comments on: Are You Selling the Sizzle?

By: Tom Anderson

Tom Anderson — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:34:48 +0000

Hey Matt, this article was very well done and the restaurant sounds amazing. Thanks for the post.

By: Steve, trade show marketing

Steve, trade show marketing — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:01:30 +0000

hi Matt,
I want to eat at this restaurant!
It reminds me of our local Italian restaurant, but even better. That said, our local place gets over half our eating-out business, just because they know what they’re doing and serve good food in a friendly, family environment.
I think Frank missed the point, not that there’s anything wrong with what he said.
To me life is about more than making money, it’s about enjoying what you do. The fact that this guy (your restaurant owner) is still in business says he has probably done just fine. It also sounds like he loves what he does, and he has plenty of happy employees and customers, which is something that is very hard to put a value on.
Anyway, I want to eat there. ~ Steve, trade show marketing
PS. You missed posting on the 8th and 12th… sorry, just giving you a hard time. I don’t know how you do it.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:31:04 +0000

This engaging article was very well written and on the mark. This is my first visit to your site. I will certainly be back for more.

By: smallbizbee

smallbizbee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:10:50 +0000

@Karen Swim
Starbucks is the perfect example of a company who lost their way a little bit when it comes to creating an experience.

They wanted to be known as people’s “third place”. We had home, work, and our third place would be a comfy Starbucks on the corner. Now that they are selling Starbucks in grocery store kiosks it doesn’t fit with the experience of a “third place” that they built the business around.

It’s classic brand dilution, and even though they have been successful in expanding, they are now paying a bit of the price in this economic downturn. I’m not saying they could have completely escaped needing to downsize in a recession, but maybe not to this degree had they kept their way with the brand?

Thanks for coming by and adding to the conversation!

Matt

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:06:17 +0000

Ah, I’ve never been a greedy person, Matt. I cherish my clients and editors and strive to make their experience with me the most pleasant possible.

I’m loving your site, by the way–you always have such great stuff here! And, I’m like George (aka Tumblemoose), I simply love your little cartoon guy.

*smiles*
Michele

By: smallbizbee

smallbizbee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:05:40 +0000

@Tumblemoose
You make a great point for all the people selling online. Part of how you build and experience online, when I can’t touch and feel your product is through the appeal of your webpage. A dumpy webpage doesn’t scream “BUY MY STUFF!”

Matt

By: smallbizbee

smallbizbee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:04:31 +0000

@Gerald
As always I appreciate your kind words. If you’re ever in Portland, OR you know what restaurant we’d be hitting.

Matt

By: smallbizbee

smallbizbee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:02:40 +0000

@Michele
There really is no substitute for customer service, and really that goes so far in creating the experience I’m talking about here. Take the time to know your customer, don’t treat them like just another $$$ in your pocket, and they will reward you with more biz and word of mouth marketing.

Matt

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:32:53 +0000

This post totally hits the mark! One of the issues I see is people not knowing and trust their market. The Italian restaurant is not in competition with McDonalds. They know their market and are creating an experience that caters to THAT market. Starbucks is a good example of a company who initially understood they were not selling tea and coffee but an experience. They lost their way by over expansion and failing to continue to sell the experience. Now they are trying to compete with others on price and it’s not the same.

By: Tumblemoose

Tumblemoose — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:07:32 +0000

I would hope that folks know enough to create ambiance with their websites. Someplace folks want to come and visit time and again, because it makes them feel so good.

That is exactly how I feel about SmallBizBee.

Cheers, Matt. Well done.

George