Social Media Strategy for Apartment Complexes

by Mark Bingaman

For some reason, the thought just popped in my head. “Let’s randomly select an apartment community in the U.S. and see what they’re doing with their Facebook and Twitter efforts.” Being an individual who tends to listen to his thoughts, I went with the flow. A quick search of Twellow with the keywords “apartment community” showed La Maison River Oaks in Houston, Texas to have the most followers - 2,866 - of any apartment community profile on Twitter. On one hand, that number seems quite low. On the other, that’s sort of why I chose this category; building a large following as an apartment community must be relatively difficult. After all, who’s likely to be interested aside from the people who live there?

If you’re managing the social campaign for an apartment complex, you’re probably trying to accomplish three things -

1) Use Twitter and Facebook as a tool to keep residents up-to-date with community happenings.

2) Build a Social Media community that strengthens the sense of actual, real-world community that already exists among residents; a sort of bonding tool to keep them passionate and happy about living in your complex. The cool thing is that Social Media is probably the most effective device for that purpose EVER.

3) And, of course, it would be nice if lots and lots of people followed and friended your Social profiles - hopefully, qualified people who, someday, just may be interested in making your complex their home. Ah yes, there’s nothing like new business, is there?

Well, the truth is, succeeding with Number 3 is likely to take a good amount of effort and maybe a little bit of cash and Social marketing dollars. But doing great things with numbers 1 and 2 is relatively easy. (By the way, the Social Media Chamber of Commerce is developing Social strategies for apartment communities; contact us for details if you’d like to utilize Social Media better to your advantage.)

The folks at La Maison River Oaks provide a good mixture of Facebook posts and tweets that alternate between offering apartment complex information and general, topical info that resonates with residents and followers.

One tweet and post from La Maison honors Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, another - on Cyber Monday - provides a link to tips on staying safe from cyber scammers, while others promote a toy drive, a happy hour at the complex lounge and, among others, the posting of pictures from a community event on their Facebook page. Overall, La Maison River Oaks serves their followers relevant information, mingled with just the proper, polite amount of self-promotion.

It’s a bit surprising to note that their Facebook page suffers from significantly lower interaction and friends, but with their solid Twitter following, I’m sure a bit of effort will easily expand the Facebook opportunity for La Maison River Oaks.

Overall, it’s a good effort. There’s quite a bit more that could be done, but this apartment complex displays the basic components of a solid, nuts and bolts beginning in Social Media community development.

Grade: B


La Maison on Twitter

La Maison on Facebook

THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

Restaurants, Twitter & Facebook: A Milwaukee Hotspot Loves the Social Thrill

by Mark Bingaman

Our buddy @ChrisBrogan turned us on to a Milwaukee restaurant chain that's taken to Social Media marketing with flourish. Chris recently posted a video interview he conducted with Joe Sorge, owner of 2 restaurants in Milwaukee, AJ Bombers and Water Buffalo. You'll find the link to the video at the bottom of this post.

Great information and inspiration from a restaurant owner who feels the power of social connection helping to build his business. In the video, he says the restaurant does its' best to keep the @AJBombers twitter and Facebook communities forefront with customers.

A check of the @Water_Buffalo Twitter profile showed 724 followers (obviously there's more work to be done there) but @AJBombers boasts 2,420 followers while the 'Bombers Facebook page displayed 900+ fans.

The restaurant also utilizes FourSquare, the burgeoning social community that rewards users of Social Media for visiting places of business.

Enjoy the interview and consider the thoughts of a hospitality entrepreneur investing in the Social Media opportunity.


How Social Media Can Power Your Business – Kitchen Table Talks

Posted using ShareThis

To Party or Not to Party; Social Media Strategy for St. Patrick's Day.

Hmm, only about 3 weeks away from St. Patrick's Day, are we? Whaddaya say we mull over some old-fashioned Social Media marketing plans for the day devoted to everyone's favorite Irish saint.

Certainly, if you're in the hospitality industry, your overall marketing approach and budget is already planned out for the wearin' of the green. But, is there a Social Media campaign ready to roll? I mean, c'mon, you can't have a rip-roarin' social event like a drinking holiday without plenty of Social Media action.

For many of you, given the embryonic reality of the Social Media world, this may be the first year you've been active on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Guess what? Social Media can add a whole new element of fun to the party!

Now's the time to start growing buzz among your followers and make sure they know where the party is! Will your friends be receiving any special treats for receiving your tweets? Don't forget to plot your approach throughout the day of the event itself. Will you be actively tweeting and posting throughout all the green eggs, ham, and beer debauchery? A couple of Facebook posts and random tweets mentioning a party several days before the holiday just won't cut it. Your friends are more sophisticated than that. What will you do special for them in the social media universe? How will you shine and maximize your social opportunity?

If you haven't become active with YouTube yet, contemplate dipping your toe in those waters. Anyone hosting a blow-out bash should make sure portions of the event are being filmed for post-promotion efforts as well as marketing material for next year's shindig.

Are there vendors reliant upon your business who have taken to Social Media with special relish? Vendors who may be open to partnerships and allow cross-marketing to their fans and followers in an effort to drive more customers your way?

Then, there are the countless businesses who have no relation to drinking or parties whatsoever. What unique approach will you utilize to leverage your friends and followers, i.e. customers, to spike traffic and sales that day?

The bottom line is that this is an incredibly active day with people traveling here and there, often with no plans whatsoever. A smart business owner can utilize the immediacy of Social Media to pull customers to his or her location rather than the spot across town.

And the same holds true for consumers who don't fall into the "party" mold. Many of them still desire to be out and active, even if they have no interest in heading to the madness of the pub or restaurants. Give them options. A Social holiday demands a Social Media connection.