I’ve recently been contacted by a few restaurants and retail stores I frequent as well as by a telephone equipment supplier here at work to Like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
The restaurants and stores did not mention an incentive to engage with them socially but the telephone equipment provider offered to put my name in a drawing for a free iPod shuffle if I simply clicked the Like button. My first reaction? “What a cheap gift.” I was just about to delete the e-mail when I stopped and thought about it a minute. What would it take to make me engage? Guarantee me an iPod touch? Discounts? Cold, hard cash? (I realize these are probably not financially feasible.)
I did not socially network myself with any of the firms that reached out to me, although I am relatively plugged in to social media: I have Facebook on my phone; I’m connected to over 1,200 people of LinkedIn; and I have a Twitter account. If the company had sent me a survey about their product or service, I would have offered my feedback. If a potential customer had called or e-mailed me for a reference, I would have gladly given the company a glowing recommendation.
So why was I so reluctant to publicly endorse a service I use and trust? Is it the (perceived) weak incentive or is something else at play? What motivates you to click that little thumb? I would love to hear what other are doing to engage their customers.