The Secret Sauce in Digital Marketing: Neil’s Top Tips for Vending Operators
Katie Waxman / January 31, 2025
Just like with barbecue, there’s a secret sauce to successful digital marketing. To do it right is as much art as science. It needs patience, dedication, great ingredients, and enthusiasm.
To help vending operators with their online marketing journey, we sat down with co-founder and CEO of VendCentral, Inc., Neil Swindale, who was once a vending operator. Now, with decades of experience as a professional marketer, he shares his top tips, or secret sauce if you will. Check out what he says will make your digital marketing effective and can grow your business.
4 Tips to Heat Up Your Vending Business Marketing
Tip 1: Keep a Constant Stream of Content
To get the best result from marketing, it needs to be low and slow. In other words, there should be a steady stream of content going online versus brief sprints of content. Across blogs, additional web pages, video creation, and photos, it’s a must to keep the content going. The reason is that someone will stumble across your piece of content. Even if it’s a year from now, that can be a lead. So keep adding online content to your website and social media.
Tip 2: Use a Professional for Your Marketing
Think carefully about who you put in charge of your online marketing. Is a family member or friend the right person to tend to this sales tool? Will the IT guy who knows firewalls and AI excel at digital marketing, too? Maybe. But remember you need a steady stream of content. Will they be around when you need them? Or will they be on vacation, in college taking exams, or implementing new technology for you?
One might argue that your sales department, and thus the marketing that supports it, is the most vital part of your company. It makes sense then to put someone who is dedicated and well-versed in the industry in the digital marketing position. Like our professional marketing team at VendCentral Marketing.
Tip 3: Make Things Interesting
When you’re basting the internet with content, you’ve got to make it fiery. If the content isn’t interesting, then people won’t click it, watch it, or engage with it. And that is the point of online marketing. To get users to see and interact in some way, ideally entering your sales funnel. VendCentral Marketing can help you create engaging videos and social media posts that will make a big impact and get noticed.
Tip 4: Partner with the Team at VendCentral Marketing
Back in the day, you landed new accounts by hiring a few sales reps to go knock on doors. This can still work, but it’s expensive and limited to daytime hours. On the other hand, your online presence is always working for you as a sales tool. Putting your content online gets noticed by search engines. Clients looking for breakroom services will find you and learn all about you from your well-designed website or up-to-date Google Business Listing. Hiring an enthusiastic marketing team, like VendCentral Marketing, can result in many new clients. Plus, it boosts your professionalism and brand.
These Tips Are a Recipe for Marketing Sales Success
Online marketing with creative content, like a good BBQ, takes time and practice. To master it, you need to put in the work. Or, you can partner with an experienced team. That’s where VendCentral Marketing comes in. We bring strategy and an assigned account manager to the party. You are not alone in the kitchen but are supported by our in-house graphic designers, web designers, and SEO professionals. We have all that you need to be successful with your digital marketing. Our energy and excitement will make your content sizzle.
Contact us to talk about vending marketing goals that can help you grow your business.
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NAMA Show 2023: The Future of Refreshment Services
Katie Waxman / May 24, 2023
The NAMA show, hosted by the National Automatic Merchandising Association in Atlanta, brought together leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts in the refreshment services industry. The VendCentral team had the privilege of exploring the trade show floor, attending panels, and networking with key players in the industry. From exciting innovations found at “Imagination Way” to the launch of new products, the show left a lasting impression.
Interested in learning more about the world of possibilities for the industry’s future? Keep reading to discover a few of the show’s highlights, latest product trends, and more!
Coffee, Coffee, & More Coffee!
Office coffee took center stage at the NAMA Show, capturing the attention of attendees at every turn. The Emblem bean-to-cup coffee brewer was ever-present with its exceptional on-demand brewing capabilities. Definitely, a staple to include on your office coffee equipment roster. National brands and local coffee roasters, including Segafredo, Seattle’s Best, Starbucks, Ellis Coffee Company, Bodecker Brewed, and more kept everyone fueled throughout the 3-day show.
Additionally, the popularity of on-the-go coffee options, including nitro brew, cold brew, and canned coffee is undeniable. Brands such as RISE, La Colombe, Wandering Bear, and Costa Coffee made a significant impact, offering unique coffee drinking experiences for attendees.
Bubbling with Excitement: NAMA Beverage Takeaways
The NAMA Show showcased the latest trends in the beverage industry. It came as no surprise that energy drinks continued to dominate. Well-established brands like Red Bull, Celsius, Monster, and C4 Energy drew substantial attention. However, the show also provided a platform for up-and-coming brands such as Alani Nu, PHOCUS, UpTime, and Sparkling Ice Energy Drinks to make their mark.
Better-for-you beverages were another highlight of the event. Healthy soda alternatives like Poppi, Zevia, and Good Mood made their debut, captivating attendees with their healthier and more flavorful options for the refreshment services market.
New-Age Vending Equipment & Technology
In the realm of vending equipment, the NAMA show revealed groundbreaking innovations. For example, Just Baked’s hot food kiosk was a must-see. Offering a wide range of delicious meal and dessert options, you can select, pay, and be eating in minutes. The convenience and quality of these hot and fresh treats left a delightful and memorable impression on everyone’s taste buds.
Supply Wizards Supply Wizards wowed the crowd with their revolutionized online ordering process. Their user-friendly software seamlessly integrates with operators’ Vending Management Systems (VMS), making invoicing and tracking inventory a simple task! On average, operators have seen an increase in order sizes by 24% when using Supply Wizards for their online ordering. Therefore, this product is ideal for operators looking to grow their office coffee and pantry services!
ZippyAssist ZippyAssist emerged as a game-changer, enabling vending operators to provide immediate support to customers. With simple-to-use features like instant refunds and maintenance requests, they’ve streamlined customer service. This text-based platform accessed from a customer’s mobile phone is helping operators across the globe enhance their unattended retail experience.
Embracing the NAMA Show Momentum
Overall, the NAMA show was a resounding success leaving operators inspired by new ideas and technology for the refreshment service industry. From the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to the introduction of cutting-edge vending equipment, this event set the stage for a future of innovation and growth. The VendCentral team looks forward to implementing the lessons learned and supporting the members of our industry through comprehensive marketing services.
VendCentral is solely focused on the refreshment services industry. Contact us to learn how our marketing programs can help your business GROW!
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