Cashing in on Facebook

Local businesses use social networking to increase customers

CRAIG L. MORAN/VIEWBobbie Rihel, left, the general manager of Remedy?s Tavern, takes a video of bartender Maggie Garnica during a social networking promotion. Many Henderson businesses are using social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to promote their businesses. CRAIG L. MORAN/VIEWRemedy?s Tavern chef Robert Oset displays some of his creations as he is tapes an instructional video promotion on Sept. 18 at the bar at 3265 St. Rose Parkway. The bar?s owners plan to post the videos on their Facebook Web site to promote the tavern. Advertisement

Although they didn't call it that, social networking started with teenagers sharing pictures and thoughts online with their friends. Today, keeping in touch through MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and other Web sites has spread to all age groups and even has become a marketing tool for businesses.

Many companies in Henderson are creating their own online communities to share information and connect with their customers.

REMEDY'S TAVERN

Remedy's Tavern, which has two locations in the city, recently added one-minute quick-tip videos to its Facebook and YouTube pages.

"It's a more personal connection," said Bobbie Rihel, general manager. "(Customers) get to know us a little before they even come in."

Rihel said she hopes the videos, which give people kitchen tips, such as how to make guacamole, flip an egg, how to make crab cakes or how to make a Lemon Drop martini, will entice people to create some treats at home, as well as stop by the tavern.

The instructional videos will be updated periodically and will include tips from Remedy's chefs and bartenders. Future videos will include how to make the perfect martini and how to make couscous.

Rihel said the tavern's Facebook page went up in August and they quickly got nearly 200 fans.

"It's just fun," Rihel said. "I can post events, and less than a minute later, I'm getting phone calls."

Rihel, who has been working in bars for about 20 years, said she isn't used to getting such an immediate response.

"It's such an easy way to keep in touch and share information," Rihel said.

Remedy's Tavern is located at 3265 St. Rose Parkway and 530 Conestoga Way.

CITY OF HENDERSON

The city's numerous departments use various social networking sites.

Henderson launched a general site in September and already has more than 700 fans. Tim D'Souza, senior administrative analyst in the public information department, said the site is a great way to communicate messages to different audiences.

"It's great to see people's comments," D'Souza said. "We're building a community online."

The city shares photos, events and announcements on its site. For more specific information, the city's Parks and Recreation and Cultural Arts and Tourism departments have their own Facebook pages.

The parks and recreation department also launched a Twitter page in July.

"It's effective for us," said Kim Becker, parks and recreation spokeswoman. "We know from how people register that more than 90 percent of our customers are online."

Becker said it's not about how many people follow the pages, but who is using the information she is posting. About 15 to 20 percent of the tweets she posts are being clicked on, which brings users to the city's Web site and allows them to register online.

"Our primary goal is to engage residents," Becker said. "This gives people a real-time, visual connection."

Henderson's Police Department will launch a YouTube page to let residents view surveillance videos and public service announcements.

"This is going to be another way to get people to see these surveillance videos," said Keith Paul, police spokesman. "It will help us with robberies we want solved."

Paul said there also will be an educational component to the YouTube page. How-to videos will be created by members of the police department to give residents tips to protect themselves at home and how to react when being pulled over, among others.

IMAGINE MARKETING OF NEVADA

Anthem-based Imagine Marketing is educating clients on the best ways to use social networking, while learning on its own.

"We like to say we're our own best client," said Amber Stidham, director of strategic planning.

Stidham said Imagine's goal in using blogs, Facebook, Twitter and e-newsletters is to drive traffic back to its Web site.

"Marketing is about selling," Stidham said. "And to sell, you have to be where your customers are. And customers are online."

She said social networking really works because customers want to be engaged and it's a less-expensive way to target an audience than traditional marketing.

Good social networking takes a lot of manpower. Stidham said it takes a lot to manage multiple sites and make sure the messages are fresh and on target.

"If it's done right, you can really create a culture," Stidham said.

HENDERSON LIBRARY DISTRICT

Henderson Library District Director Tom Fay said the library uses various networking sites to hit different demographics. He said Twitter is for people in their 20s, Facebook for all ages, and library staff uses MySpace to work with teenagers. For the library's visual projects, such as the annual teen talent show, staff posts to YouTube and keeps a photo album of events on Flickr.

"As something new comes up, it's great to be able to let people know right away," Fay said.

The library staff also has created numerous blogs that can be accessed through www.mypubliclibrary.com. Among the blogs is the reader advisory, which highlights and markets library materials.

MORE CONNECTED HENDERSON-BASED BUSINESSES

Lake Las Vegas, The District at Green Valley Ranch and U-Swirl all have Facebook pages. The M Resort shares information with its fans through a blog in addition to Facebook. The M Blog (www.themresort/blog) promotes upcoming events, shares photos of things happening at the resort and gives information about the vision of the property.

The Galleria at Sunset mall created its own social networking site just for shoppers, galleriaatsunset.shoptopia.com. Shoptopia is similar to Facebook but is for shopping fans. The site lets people connect with other die-hard shoppers and their favorite stores.

Contact Henderson View reporter Lauren Romano at lromano@viewnews.com or 477-3839.