I am preparing a series to discuss nonprofits and seeking questions you would like answered.

Have you wondered how much of your donation actually goes to the cause? Rather than executive salaries.

Did you know the finanicals are public information and free to look at?

Want to know who is on the Board?

Please share you questions to be answered in the next blog series.

Social media has become the norm now days that people even create social media profiles for their babies and pets (Yes even for dogs and cats). We use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many other sites to connect and share our lives with other people.

Currently every business needs to have a social media presence whether your business is a brick and mortar store or only use web-based sales. It has shocked me to find out how many businesses I frequent don’t have social media presence. A restaurant I go to hadn’t done a Facebook post for over 2 years and when they posted it was about the closure of the business because of the Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order by our Governor. I was shocked to find out they hadn’t had a real presence on Facebook for years and they haven’t posted much after reopening. They are currently following the Governor Guidelines which do offer limit indoor seating, however, based on social media only outdoor seating.

But why the need to be on social media? It is because it has become one of the most important marketing tools, which provides incredible benefits that helps reach millions of potential customers. Add on top the small amount of investment (if any) it cost to manage your social media sites.

Today we are going to focus on Facebook in the Restaurant Industry and the benefits it has on your restaurant.

When you go to a new restaurant do you look them up on the internet before going? What happens when you don’t find a website or Facebook page for the restaurant? Do you decide to go somewhere else? Facebook allows for people to learn about your business and many times will be the place they go to before they visit you in person.

When it comes to having your Facebook page you want to have at least the basic information filled out. This would include your business name, location, contact information, About section, and a profile photo, banner photo. But don’t stop there!

Facebook allows users to review your business, share pictures, and communicate with your business.

Having a successful Facebook presence for your restaurant can reach potential customers, promote loyal customers, inform what to expect at your restaurant, and allow you to address issues even when a customer isn’t physically in your business. As stated earlier, people will look up your business before they even visit but also people will “Like” their favorite restaurants to stay up to date with what is going on and have engagement with the restaurant. It informs the person easily of your location, hours, special events, special food offerings, and if reservations are needed. This year restaurants have struggled with having to close for a period and may be able to only offer take-out. By using Facebook and keeping the information up to date your customers know what is going on and what you are offering. Up to date information keeps people from calling asking the same question over and over or just going somewhere else because your Facebook page is out of date. Plus, Facebook provides a 24/7 line of communication and access to details about the restaurant.

Customers can also provide reviews on their visits and if there is an issue you can respond and address the issue. Studies show that customer service increases by 25% if a business directly responds to a customer’s complaint through social media. Also, when people share positive experiences of your restaurant you should give a comment and “like”. By using Facebook, you have a direct connection with your customers.

When we think of a restaurant so many senses are impacted from sight to taste. Share photos of your food but take the time to take high quality photos. No blurry, stock photos, or pictures from 20 year ago. You will want to grab a person’s attention to the food and what to expect when they eat at your restaurant. Share the delicious dishes your Chefs are cooking up and specialty drinks your Bartenders are mixing up. Post regularly throughout the week daily specials, weekly specials, and special events.
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Having an effective presence on Facebook can attract new customers, promote loyalty, and establish your brand in the restaurant business. Why would you pass on the opportunity to grow your restaurant with little to no cost?

​While the President has continued to state that when the country reopens their will be an economic boom, economist disagree. We will have a long road ahead of us to recovery rather than the light switch approach Trump believes. Recently Mr. Trump has predicted that once the economy restarts, it will rocket itself out a deep recession and lead to an economic boom “perhaps like never before”. Will the economy recover from this deep recession – YES! However, Trump is exaggerating on the time it will take recover. I have had the opportunity to speak to several individuals that have followed the President addressing the economic recovery. The majority feel that once stay-at-home orders and restrictions are lifted the economy will bounce right back to where it was. This is a false hope which is detrimental the recovery process and for individuals/families to plan on the future economic wellbeing for themselves/family.
 
Historical data shows that after a period of recession the stock market rebounds, however, it does take time. Below is an example of the Dow Jones Industrial Average chart for the period 1895 to 2015 with shaded areas indicating US recessions. 

​We are all seeing and feeling the impact this virus is having on our lives, the US economy, and the world. Over the past couple months many States have issued stay-at-home orders only keeping essential businesses open. Many businesses are having to furlough employees during this time. Within four weeks after the President declared a national emergency more than 22 million people were unemployed. And that number continues to grow because of the massive influx of applications to unemployment agencies in each state. Estimates predict the unemployment rate could be around 20 percent due the coronavirus. Economist are agreeing that we are in a recession, with the disagreement on how deep and painful it will ultimately be.
 
Why is the immediate economic boom not possible that Trump is consistently stating? FACTS!!
 
The economic recovery isn’t based on just the stay-at-home order and other restrictions. There is also a human element from consumers and workers. Unemployed individuals will have limited resources to purchase goods and/or services.  The unemployment rate will not immediately return to the pre-virus rate. People will remain to be afraid of contracting the coronavirus until a vaccine is created, which scientist state will take over a year to eighteen months most likely. Just because a restaurant opens back up doesn’t mean the level of business will return to the level prior to the virus. A company that reopens may not need to rehire all the people due to a decreased demand for their goods/services. With the concern of contracting the virus vacations may be postponed to a future date.
 
We know that some type of social distancing and precautions will need to be in place until a vaccine or cure is created.  Therefore, our new normal will not be our old normal!
 
There is concern and disagreement on the path the US is taking on reopening the country. We all want to go back to work, see our friends and loved ones, and get back to normal activities. As Trump pushes Governor’s to reopen States we also hear Governor’s and Scientist discussing the need to increase testing.  There is a need to both increase capacity of testing and supply of testing materials to effectively reopen their State safely. Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and on the Presidents Coronavirus Task Force, warns Americans about returning to quickly to life as it was before the pandemic. During an interview on “Good Morning America” he addresses if States open up to early “It’s going to backfire, that’s the problem.”
 
Economist are also warning if we rush opening to quickly, without the safeguards to prevent a second wave of the outbreak, we would just be creating more economic damage.
 
The safeguards are necessary for us to start an economic recovery and to start moving back to a normal life.