Week 10 - Newletter Feedback

Reading about what others are thinking of doing for their newsletter is a pretty cool exercise. Not only can I try to envision what my classmates are trying to accomplish but it also helps that I can give some input so that maybe their ideas can be further expanded or supported with my own thoughts. The blog's I looked at and commented on were:

• Dani Girl Cake Pops
• New Song Online Church
• Tia's Bakery

Week 10 - Email Marketing: Content Ideas

I never really thought of doing a newsletter for my business. First, i really wouldn't know where to start and then what to talk about and share with my audience would be such a big task that not sure I would be able to pull it off. Thinking of last week's post on categories, I think that content that I would possibly share in a newsletter would be more about the crafts we would like to do and have been working on. Additionally, I think talking about some of the dishes we do, especially for catering events, would be to give a small history of how the food/dish is made, when it's commonly cooked (especially occasions like XMAS or Día de los Muertos) and if there are any variations to the recipe based on locations. So once I organize and plan the layout of my newsletter would be more informative and insightful so that my idea of a cultural exchange would be more feasible than just thinking about it!

Week 9 - Blog Categories

Categories are always helpful, in everything not just in our blogs, because they outline the overall organization of our blog/business. They form the skeleton to the main text/blog so that we can just plug in a certain idea or thought quickly into that section and retrieve such "artifact" much quicker whenever it may be needed again.

The categories, main ones divided into subsections, that I think would be beneficial to organize my blog would be:

• Recipes
• Traditional cuisine
• Salsas and appetizers
• Desserts
• Sweets
• Tart and Fruity
• Crafts

The blogs that I commented on were
Tia's Bakery from Marilyn
Dani Girl Cale Pops from Danielle
Learn Spanish with That'Spanish  from Cassandra

Week 9 - Blogging PERSONALITY for Business

This week we look at blogs once again, but made to think and answer the following: how personal do you think you can be on your blog? When does is make sense to add personality to a post, and when does it not?

I think that it is very important to always show some personality on a blog. Just like in writing our personality translates into the words and sentences we are using. At some level our psyche is always prevalent but that doesn't mean that we will always be speaking in a vulgar and/or demeaning manner. There is always a time and a place for when things need to be said and best times when certain "secrets and/or truths" are to be revealed.

With my business, Así Como Mamá, I feel that my personality has to come through a bit more than normal. Not only do I want my audience to experience a more cultural aspect with the recipes, foods, and crafts being showcased but it also shows that the cultural exchange I want to happen with my audience. I think that the best example of how my personality come through is in the info for my Facebook page is that there is a blurb in Spanish followed by the English translations. I think this is a big indication to my audience that there will be a use of both languages, and no not "Spanglish," but some basic words to better describe the food and crafts we make.

Whether it be a personal blog for your own business or as part of a company, showing a bit of personality also helps. In a company or corporate business, if one is solely in charge of taking care of the blog then they have the right to be a little more relaxed and have some personality whether it be humor or more speaking in general terms, it helps the reader be more at ease and more likely to come back and stay tune to what one has to say. Now if the blog is updated by more than one person than maybe showing personality through one's writing differentiates one's message/topic from the others and depending on how the text is developed, bring more traffic to the company's blog.

Week 8: Twitter

This week we are to create a twitter account (@asicomomama) for our business. As before Así Como Mamá will have a new outlet for exposure and the greater opportunities for exposure and new fan base!

The two lists I created were Publicity which would include Chefs and Food people and people within in the food industry and the other list created is Partners which is for networking possibilities with other businesses. The keywords that I used were: Mexican food, catering which gave me a bit of results. In terms of trying to get "food' people was a little more difficult and gave up for tonight to try and get some accounts into that list...with a clearer mind I'll def be going back to get some peers into that account!

The reason for creating these lists to help me organize in that publicity would be for marketing ideas from professionals that usually work to market businesses. The partners list would serve more as a network from other business that have similar goals/focus as my business and would serve as a collaborative to bounce ideas and possibly try new recipes and products for the public to eventually try.

I think that the time that would work best for customers to see my tweets would be during lunch time ad early evening. The reason for this would be that usually during lunch time people are always trying to find where to go eat and what to eat. Having a quick and menu option through twitter could make people try out my food and order from us. The early evening would also be ideal because it be right before diner which anyone making food at that time could tweet me for ideas on how to spruce up their dinner Mexican style or even ask if certain substitutions would work best if they were to chose to change up my original recipes.

Week 7 - Competitor's Visual Media

I continuation of week 7's work with visual media platforms we had to established an appropriate visual media platform, if applicable, to our own business. Additionally, we are to see the effectiveness of visual media with at least two different businesses similar to our own.

Rubio's http://www.rubios.com/
The visual media that Rubio's use is Instagram which is linked to their Facebook page. They also use Twitter. Their Instagram page is well used not only do they profile some of their food and current celebrations such as "Taco Tuesday starting at 2:30pm." Events such as beach clean ups and the fun atmosphere at their corporate center like their ugly Christmas sweater contest. Their twitter account also highlights their events such as beach clean ups and more recently an event by sandiegomag. Overall their use of visual media is effective because whether Instagram, Twitter or Facebook they allow their guests/fans/followers to talk directly to the company and give their opinions about their events, food, and commitment to social responsibility.

Starbucks http://www.starbucks.com/
The visual media that Starbucks uses are Google+ and Twitter as well as Facebook. Similarly to Rubio's their twitter serves as a channel to receive feedback and communication from their guests and followers. One of the biggest differences is that Starbucks does not have their accounts linked which works for them since they can definitely attract different audiences by keeping each medium separate. One cool aspect of their visual media platforms is the use of Google+ because one of their menu tabs is "YouTube" and upon opening that tab you get quite a few videos such as "How to Clean a Coffee Press" or "How to Brew Iced Coffee" and even includes a link that takes you directly to their YouTube channel page with many more videos including their "Meet me at Starbucks" film and other videos that are locations based.  The visual media that Starbucks uses works great for them because each medium can cater to different people and each having a specific target audience that helps them see different aspects of what to improve or what the people like.

For my business I have chosen Instagram (http://instagram.com/asicomomama/ or @asicomomama), after all, "Instagram is all about capturing the world's moments. And some moments need more than a still image to come to life." Since we tend to eat with our eyes first and the our stomach, this medium works best for me because I can showcase my recipes in their final stage and the delicious food that we cater and/or allow others to try and make if the recipe is given to our loyal fans. This would also work great for crafts that we are selling as well since we can track through pictures the different stages such items are being made and how long it actually took to make some of our cultural crafts. Overall, Instagram is the best medium for my business at the time and with time branch out to other visual media platforms such as YouTube to have actual videos and have my customers/guests known my staff and me.

Week 7 - Visual Networks

This week were to compare the four most common visual platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and and Tumblr. Having a food service type business I think that all four visual platforms would work best for my business, Así Como Mamá.

YouTube: This platform would be a good way to market my business. It would be really neat to include video on how to make certain dishes or the process in which certain crafts, especially doily's and the likes, are made and record how long it takes to make one such object/craft. One issue I can findmyself coming across would be getting my staff to allow me to record them on video as they help create the crafts and delicious homemade dishes my business does. Other than that it would be a good visual platform but at the moment maybe not quite my first choice or options. Another obstacle would be ways to introduce my meals as well as how often to create and upload videos.

Instagram: This platform, by far, will be the best way to promote my business especially in these early stages. The reason for that is that a picture is much simpler to edit (mainly crop) and planning on how to present the content interest could be made much quicker and more eye-catching. Another aspect making this the most ideal platform for my business is that I always carry my phone so thoughts, ideas, and new foods will be easy to capture as a picture and then upload on Instagram via my iPhone or on my computer once at home. Also, adding filters and different effects can definitely draw more viewers to check out my Facebook page and business. Plus, the overall presentation and creativity are endless making the process more fun and catering to so many viewers. Also, one caption can say it all rather than explaining what the picture is and can get input/opinions from viewers by allowing them to make comments and like picture.

Pinterest: This platform would be a neat way to get my business out there. I would be able to get ideas from other Pinterest users. At the same time I could easily build a community of support, and followers, by appealing to the millennial women/mother's by providing my recipes for them to use on their "Mexican dinner nights" and then getting feedback such as changes they have made to modify my own recipes. This would be such an awesome exchange of information since I would also be able to get ideas on much healthier options, substitution of ingredients or transforming the recipe itself to cater to vegan only eaters, gluten free, etc. One challenge I can think of would be finding a way to organize my bulletin boards, although I can of started in the different albums on my Facebook page, as well as the frequency on when to post. If anything, a bigger and more defined strategy would be needed in making this platform a real success and much more marketable to my business.

Tumblr: This would be a combination of the other three platform but most likely not the best for my business. The reason I think that this platform my not be suited would be because more time would most likely be needed to upkeep the content being shared and it would be more of a blog as well. One thing I have been struggling with, especially in for this class, has been my time management so falling behind would only hinder the success I plan on having for my business using this platform.

Week 6 - Screenshot of Scheduled Activity

I know it's been way too long since I've been keeping up with my blog. Troubles at work which mainly have been employees dropping like flies and terminating their employment with the restaurant I work at have impacted my own work schedule and the scrambling of finding who will cover what shifts including longer hours for some of us who are already scheduled to work. Not so fun!!

Also, I made a post on my own personal page to "promote" my business and at first it was a desperate attempt to get more likes and would have deleted the post but was running late for work so left the post on. To my surprise i got some responses and I started with only 5 likes and as of now I'm at 16 likes for Así Como Mamá. So excited!!

Week 6 – Strategic Connections with 7 Liked Facebook Businesses

This week we were to “research” and check out at least 7 Facebook businesses that could be strategic connections to mine. Especially since at the moment I haven’t had much traffic…so far I think I have 5 likes although many of my classmates have left comments!

So this is my strategic list of 7 businesses

1.    Tia’s Bakery: this would be a strategic connection because since they also focus on food maybe they can help with making some of my homemade recipes more “healthy” or consider other delicious recipes such as gluten free or low carb options.

2.    Dani Girl Cake Pops: Another page by one of y classmates this would also be a strategic connection in that she focuses on desserts. There are many Mexican desserts that with her help I could figure some creative way of making it bite size and even attempt a Mexican cake pop style dish. Such knowledge and/or tips would be helpful!

3.    Freshii: Belonging to another of my classmates this page would also be a helpful connection. They focus on healthy eating and are a vegetable/fruit store so they could benefit from my recipes such as Mexican “liquados” (dairy-based shakes), “aguas frescas” (fresh flavored waters like Horchata and Jamaica) and “raspados” (fruit slushies). Also can make items for them to possibly boost or sale that promote Así Como Mamá.

4.    Que Tortas! Is a small Mexican sandwiches and fruit salad restaurant in Esocndido. They would also be a strategic connection in that some of our recipes could be shared with them as well as maybe help them promote traffic with my “catering” vision and aspect of my business. Much networking could be done through them as they have a high Latino community influence.

5.    Paleteria Pelachos: Similar to Que Tortas! They too are a small food business in Escondido. Networking and business promotion could happen here as well as the exchange and sharing of recipes or at least improvements to recipes.

6.    3 Paco’s Party Supplies: This is a party supplies store in Vista that tends to cater to the Latino community, especially with an emphasis on Quinceañeras. I think that this would be an awesome connection because as a catering service business if their partners were to cancel they could definitely count on Así Como Mamá for their catering and I think that since my business would also attract more people due to crafts we can focus on adding little souvenirs for special occasions noting that they were provided by my business and expanding my possible clientele.

7.    Hadas y Sueños: Is a party supply store in Lima, Peru. Realistically can’t go down the street and pick up or order supplies. However, they can have more unique items that I could use to make my platting, decorations and crafts a little more authentic to Latino/Mexican cultures. The sharing of information would be helpful in how to make certain crafts or providing certain substitution or advice for completion of crafts.