Everything Vending Operators Should Know About Content Marketing
Katie Waxman / July 26, 2023
Content marketing is a key part of a successful marketing plan. It has the power to bring you new customers and build trust with those you already have. But first, you need to understand what content marketing is and how it works. Then you can use it to your best advantage in growing your breakroom services business.
What is Content Marketing?
This type of marketing aims to attract, engage, and retain breakroom service customers. How? By answering their questions and giving them the information they need. It’s helpful, solving pain points and offering a solution. That makes it valuable to your clients.
What Does It Look Like?
There’s no one way to offer content marketing. It can be done via blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, podcasts, ebooks, social media posts, and more. Most vending operators start with blogs about their services and products. These can answer a specific question a client might have, which makes it a valuable resource for them. The mention of keywords in the blog also helps with search engine optimization (SEO). It makes your site more discoverable and thus, a value to potential new clients as well. That’s a powerful benefit.
The 3 Things Content Marketing Should Do
Every piece of marketing should have a purpose. Content marketing is no different. Here are the three must-dos to make this type of marketing effective.
- Establish Authority – Use content to show you know your business. It can be based on your experience of which products sell best in a vending machine. Or it might be how you can help human resources with a corporate wellness program by installing a micro-market. Ultimately, it’s about sharing what you know so you are the expert.
- Generate Interest – When facility or office managers come to the internet searching for breakroom ideas, you want to be there. Sharing the products you put in the breakroom, the benefits of micro-markets, or even how to bring a cafe vibe to the office can engage and educate. The idea is that you want content that will get your client or potential client interested in your company’s services.
- Build Trust – Through content, share answers to common problems your clients have. When a facility manager comes upon your marketing, they will find a solution and feel informed about the decision they need to make about the breakroom. That’s how content marketing can build trust. And generate qualified leads.
What You Get Out of Content Marketing
When done well, content marketing offers vending company owners a great return. The content uses service and product keywords that will boost SEO. Thus, your website and company will be easier to find and appear higher on search pages.
Another benefit is lead generation and sales. As your content is discovered via an internet search, you’ll get more prospects and more sales. Seeing all the valuable content you have online will make them trust your company and want to reach out even more, which is the point.
Finally, with customers looking to your content for answers and ideas, it will grow awareness of your company. Clients will remember your brand and your company name. You will be the provider they think of when they need a solution or move to a new company looking for refreshment services. That’s a big win!
How to Start Now
Most vending operators are full of knowledge and experience. Start sharing that in blogs, short videos, social media posts, etc. The key to making it great content marketing is to ensure it resonates with the target audience. Remember, it should address their pain points and provide a solution or valuable insight.
Want help with content marketing? VendCentral has been successfully assisting refreshment services companies to grow their marketing efforts. Content marketing is one of the many services offered. Contact VendCentral today, or call (866) 699-8363.
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Breakroom Service Providers Unite in Support of America’s Workforce
aaron / June 26, 2020
Source: Cool Breakrooms
State by state, the gradual reopening of businesses has started. Many companies are beginning to take measured steps towards returning to work at the office. They are developing new procedures and accommodations to ensure employee safety amidst ongoing concerns about COVID-19. The decisions they make about the company breakroom will be an important part of their go-forward plan.
Last week, members of the refreshment services industry banded together to send a heartfelt and reassuring message to their customers throughout the nation. The message (shot in isolation from each person’s home or business) is an inspiring 2-minute video led by VendCentral, a marketing company dedicated to the industry. The takeaway from this video is clear: breakroom service providers are here to support companies as they transition toward a safer working environment.
Breakroom service providers are each responding to their own state’s COVID-19 re-opening schedules and guidelines. Moving forward, they are adopting even stricter health and safety measures than before. Delivery drivers are maintaining social distancing practices and are washing their hands or putting on a fresh pair of gloves before each visit. They are also sanitizing all contact surfaces and high touch areas at the end of every service call. The intent is to leave their clients’ breakrooms cleaner than they find them. Additionally, providers have developed social distancing policies in their own offices and distribution centers and are closely monitoring their employees’ health.
The company breakroom will be a valuable resource for employees in their new working environment. In fact, micro-markets and vending machines inherently provide a safer way for employees to access fresh foods, snacks, and beverages. Items offered in micro-markets and vending machines are individually wrapped in secure packaging for quick and easy “grab and go”. Vending machines and micro-markets also provide cashless payment options, limiting contact even further. By providing employees with plenty of fresh foods, snacks, and beverages in the breakroom, companies are able to satisfy their employees on-site during the workday, limiting their potential exposure to viruses by reducing trips outside the office for food.
Companies are increasing the frequency of their breakroom cleaning and sanitation and many are reducing or eliminating their seating options for now. However, they are continuing to provide food and beverage services. They are recognizing it as both a convenience to their employees and an opportunity to limit outside influences on their controlled office environment.
For companies looking to increase breakroom services for their employees, there’s help. Coolbreakrooms, a company dedicated to improving breakrooms across the nation, specializes in helping companies find trusted breakroom service providers in their hometown. For advice or assistance in modifying or upgrading your breakroom services, contact them at 866-699-8363 or info@coolbreakrooms.com.
VendCentral’s Mobile Vending App Eases Operations for Providers
aaron / June 26, 2020
Source: Vending MarketWatch
VendCentral’s Mobile Request Platform improves communication between operators and customers.
VendCentral’s Award-Winning Mobile Request Platform, specifically designed for the vending channel, has played an increased role in helping refreshment providers better serve their customers post COVID-19. The technology provides automated communication between customers and providers using a QR code and smartphone.
With the app, customers can directly access important COVID-19 information, report machine issues, request items, and more, all from the convenience of their own smartphone. QR codes are placed on vending equipment and include easy to follow instructions.
VendCentral’s app eases the workload of facility and office managers, allowing them to focus on other tasks. In the new workplace environment, they are appreciating this streamlined, contactless form of communication more than ever. Providers are also seeing improvements. The app helps them process requests in a more organized and efficient way, resulting in better customer service.
VendCentral’s Mobile Request Platform was previously awarded Product of the Year by Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. The company plans to continue to improve upon its exclusive technology and introduce a new version of the app in Fall 2020.