It’s never too late to start using social networking to market your business. That’s what Big Fat Daddy’s owner Wayne Schafer figured out the hard way. Schafer, who sells barbecue for a living at fairs and festivals and never gave much thought to putting his life on the computer screen, much less networking with his customers or anyone for that matter.
He was a very private person who had three decades of professional grilling under his belt. Big Fat Daddy’s nearly hit financial ruin after the economic drought combined with an abnormal rainy season, two hurricanes, a twister, and an earthquake fell on the East Coast one summer season. Unable to grill and cook in pouring rains and monsoon winds, he sat home without pay and dabbled on his computer.
First he moved his website from a standard fixed website to a free blog, unsure how his customers would react. He lost placement and visitors, until he grew knowledgeable on how to place a few keywords in his niche area. Soon he would learn how to post and interact, and having total control over the website and real time updates, opted to keep it as a blogsite.
Soon people were calling including the local newspaper for an interview and someone from Rachael Ray Magazine. This publicity then landed him more invites to more fairs and festivals. The small time investment was paying off.
