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Written by Emily on January 31, 2024

LinkedIn is a social media platform designed for the business community. And there are many reasons to use it to grow your vending business. It can help you establish credibility with a wider audience and earn you new customers. It can boost your brand awareness, generating new leads. LinkedIn can also let you showcase your services and locations. As a result, sales will grow at existing locations and new clients will be enticed to reach out.

6 LinkedIn Must-Dos Every Operator Needs to Know

LinkedIn is a popular online tool because of its many benefits. But like any tool, there are ways to wield it for better success. This blog has a roundup of how breakroom service providers can optimize their LinkedIn presence.

1. Clear Profile Image

Your profile image on LinkedIn is vital. It helps clients put a face with your name and can influence their first impression. Select a recent photo that actually looks like you do today. It doesn’t have to be a photo taken by a professional (although that is a bonus). but you should be the only one in the picture. That means no cropping or zooming in on you in a group. Your face should take up at least 60% of the frame and show you dressed as you would for work. Don’t forget to smile and look friendly! You want clients to feel you are approachable.

2. Crafted Background Image

Once you have your profile photo, you will want to consider the background image. This is the large image at the top of your LinkedIn page, right behind your profile picture. Consider carefully what to use here. In a glance, it should help people understand what you do. Perhaps you can show an image of your micro-market or office coffee services. An award you or your business has earned can show dedication and professionalism. Opt for a quote or your company mission statement to reinforce customer service. Make an effort to reinforce your company’s brand. Choose colors and/or an image similar to the look and feel of your other marketing. Above all, choose a clear, high-quality image. That will show you care about your LinkedIn profile, and ultimately, your work too.

3. Thoughtful About Section

After sorting out your images, it’s time to turn to words. The About section is a perfect place to share what you are passionate about. People want to know what makes you get up in the morning and stay focused during the day. It’s the place to highlight your work, not only what you do, but the impact you’ve made on others. This can be in the vending industry as a whole or more locally. Describe your skills and accomplishments, especially what they mean to you.

4. Growing LinkedIn Community

Being on LinkedIn isn’t the same as using it. You must also build a community. Connect with customers to keep them up to date on your latest news. Reach out to prospects so they can learn about you and what you offer. Connect with local business leaders to strengthen your community ties. Plus, use LinkedIn to connect with employees of your own company. This boosts communication and makes your staff feel more involved.

5. Regularly Posted Content

One of the most intimidating hurdles for most vending operators is what to post on LinkedIn. Don’t overthink it. Show photos of your work, such as installs and grand openings. If your client gives permission, show breakroom before and after shots. Celebrate your employees on your page. Give a shoutout for anniversaries or announce new hires. Another great option to feature is your new products. If you added a popular beverage or the latest healthy snack item to your inventory, showcase it. Clients love seeing you are up on trends and offer fresh products. To show your expertise in breakroom services, share industry news, or offer insights on employment matters related to your business. Even just personal, yet professional responses to local topics and events can have a positive impact.

6. Engaging With Others

Now it’s time to put all the pieces together. You have great, meaningful images and a well thought About section. You have connections and content. Now it’s time to get social. That means leaving supportive comments on posts. You can also join groups and contribute to the conversations those groups are having on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to use LinkedIn messaging to reach out personally to others and start a conversation.

Benefit From an Enhanced LinkedIn Profile

The exposure and connections you can get from LinkedIn are well worth the effort. This is especially true for service businesses, like vending operators. Your business growth is based on forming new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. That’s why you’ll want to review our tips for LinkedIn Success. It will ensure you have the best chance of growing sales and gaining leads.

Need guidance with LinkedIn or marketing services? VendCentral can help. We specialize in digital sales and marketing in the vending space. Reach out to learn how we can help drive your business forward.

Written by Emily on October 10, 2023

Is a Vending Marketing Program in your business plan for next year? If not, you may want to consider it. The right Vending Marketing Program can act as a compass to guide your refreshment services business toward success. How exactly? Well, that’s what this blog is all about. Keep reading to find out the seven reasons why you should invest in a Vending Marketing Program.

1. Capitalize on Marketing Trends

Running a business dedicated to breakroom services takes time and know-how. That makes it hard to also captialize on marketing trends, which change often. Fortunately, that is exactly what a Vending Marketing Program does. The VendCentral team is committed to modern, effective, and on trend marketing practices that work for our industry. We ensure your refreshment services business utilizes the right methods and to keep pace with how customers are shopping.

2. Stand Above the Competition

VendCentral offers a variety of programs tailored to your needs. We look at your company, your goals, and your location. Then we put together an action plan to boost your SEO and give you an edge over your competition.

3. Amplify Sales and Conversion Rates

The best sales tools for your vending business are your website and marketing strategy. It is these that bring HR and facility managers in for a look and then turn them into customers. VendCentral will guide these prospects from interest to contract, boosting your sales.

4. Forge Lasting Customer Connections

VendCentral’s marketing programs not only bring in prospects, they also grow existing client relationships. Tailored web content and social media are effective at fostering loyalty. This leads to more referrals, upgrades, and overall growth for your vending company.

5. Grow through Data-Driven Insights

Marketing can be hard to analyze. Is it attracting new clients? How about expanding your reach? To answer these questions, VendCentral uses a data-driven approach. We look at the analytics in order to refine marketing strategies and boost the effectiveness of your program.

6. Adapt to Industry Shifts

The convenience services industry has shifted and evolved over the years to give customers what they want. Your marketing approach needs to stay nimble too. Your online messaging to prospects and clients must always be up to date and on target. Our programs refine your approach as needed with plenty of marketing expertise.

7. Strengthen Brand Identity

Customers, prospects, and even potential new employees must be able to clearly understand and connect with your vending company. That’s why our marketing programs consistently reinforce your brand identity. This fosters recognition and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

A Vending Marketing Program Leads to Higher Sales

In the end, a VendCentral marketing program provides a clear pathway to growth for your refreshment services business. Our know-how helps you navigate your marketing through a dynamic landscape and come out ahead.

Learn more about the different marketing programs available. Or, contact VendCentral to discuss which Vending Marketing Program works best for you. You can reach us at (866) 699-8363 or info@vendcentral.com.

Written by Emily on February 22, 2023

Testimonials and Reviews are akin to word-of-mouth marketing. And we all know how important word-of-mouth is to a vending business. Testimonials from happy vending customers are a top way to get new vending customers. And a nonpartial third-party review strongly impacts a decision maker’s buying process. So, how do you make the most of a client’s testimonial or review? And how do you get more?

Share Testimonials on Your Website

One of the first places a prospective client visits is your website. And because as many as 93% of buyers read reviews, displaying testimonials on your website is a must. Ask your long-term customers to send you a statement about their experiences with your company and services. Let them know that you plan to share it on your website. For even more impact, include a picture of your customer along with their statement. This helps show prospects that the testimonial is from a real person.

Don’t be tempted to create testimonials on a client’s behalf. Make sure every testimonial is authentic. Overly positive or promotional reviews will stand out. Savvy decision makers will see right through them.

Ask for Reviews on Social Media

A prospect who does research on your vending company will look on your website. But that’s not all. They will look elsewhere online for feedback too. That’s why reviews on your Google Business Listing and social media are also critical. An active Google Business Listing with lots of reviews will also gain a higher SEO.

Make it easy for clients to share their honest opinions by sending them a link to your Google Business Listing. Don’t worry about imperfect reviews. It is a chance to engage a client and turn the situation around. Do not be tempted to pay for reviews or to reward customers for submitting them.  The feedback on your Google Business Listing should be organic and people should be inclined to leave them without incentives or rewards.

Video reviews are also becoming more and more popular. If you’re visiting a customer who is raving about your service, ask to record them. Use your smartphone for a quick video review of the happy customer. Then post it to social media. It’s a great way to spread the word about your stellar service.

Get Testimonials. Gain Leads.

Testimonials and reviews by a customer can impact future sales. Make sure your vending business is getting the leads it deserves by focusing on your testimonials and online reviews. If you want to grow your business through testimonials, reviews, and other digital marketing strategies, VendCentral can help. We offer various digital marketing plans created just for breakroom service providers. Call us at (866) 699-8363 or reach us online.

Written by Emily on October 26, 2022

A growth strategy is important after your vending website is built. It will help maximize your website’s performance and attract valuable leads. Your vending website is your strongest marketing tool and online investment. Maintaining it is key to its long-term success. But what should your website’s growth strategy look like? Read our 3 steps-to-success specifically for vending websites.

1. Grow Your Web Content

Regularly adding content to your vending website has a more positive impact on marketing and sales than a redesign every few years. Therefore, you will want to add new web pages and update existing ones routinely. Consider what content will support your sales goals. Plus, what type of content will enhance your SEO. For example, let’s say you create a web page for a new service offering. Anyone who searches for that type of service should see your website suggested. The same is true if you feature trendy new products or showcase a specific coffee brewer. Get on a schedule where you regularly evaluate, update, and add content to your website.

2. Blogs are Key to a Growth Strategy

Writing blog posts is a vital way to stay current. Blogs allow you to communicate frequently with customers on a variety of topics. Blogs also show you’re an authority on top vending industry trends. Finally, blog articles go a long way toward enhancing your website’s SEO. For instance, when you write about services or products, those keywords are associated with your vending website.  Therefore, your website will show up in search results more often and attract more breakroom leads.

Here’s a bonus tip: Once you publish a blog on your website, share it on social media. It
doesn’t have to be a long post; a short sentence with hashtags will do. Your social media post gives your blog more exposure and opportunity for views. Don’t forget to add an image, which increases the chance it will be noticed.

3. Keep Your Website Clean

Every website needs housekeeping now and again. Check that your address, phone number, and email are correct. Also review all the links and menu options. You want to ensure those links go where they should. It is vital for an overall positive customer experience. After all, your website’s performance can affect how potential customers feel about you. A statistic from econsultancy reports that 80% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a bad experience. So, don’t let a broken link stop your vending company from getting a qualified lead.

Another website section to check is service areas. If you have expanded into new cities or counties, be sure they are mentioned on your site. Ditto for product and equipment additions. You’ll want the most current information available for your existing and potential customers.

A Website Growth Strategy Opens More Doors to Success

Use our tips as a guide and create a website growth strategy of your own. It will help you keep your vending website performing at its best. Add content, write blogs, and check your online information. It will ensure your vending website remains a powerful sales tool available to customers 24/7.

If you need help with your vending website or are looking for powerful online sales and marketing tools, contact VendCentral. We specialize in digital marketing for the breakroom services industry. From a growth strategy to a marketing plan, we can maximize sales for your vending business. Reach out to info@vendcentral.com or (866) 699-8363 to get started.

Written by Emily on October 12, 2022

Vending operators often ask us how social media can help their company. Our answer? Social media makes your vending business stand out from the competition and attracts quality leads. It lets you connect with customers and prospects in ways that influence their decisions. It is a powerful tool for increasing sales. Did you know that more than 50% of customers say they learn about new brands and products specifically from social media platforms? That means your vending business needs to be there.

Keep reading for tips on creating social media posts that engage your existing customers and make new prospects want to do business with your vending company.

Showcase Your Expertise

Social media is a great place to display your industry knowledge. Use it to inform your customers about new products and equipment. For example, post about the latest single-cup brewer you installed and the features you love about it. Don’t forget to tag the manufacturer to get more exposure.

Another great way to show your expertise is by sharing the latest breakroom news and trends. It will show customers that your company stays on top of what is hot in the industry. Showcase your latest installs too.  Make sure to mention how your breakroom upgrades improve the workplace and tag any clients who give you permission.

Keep it Consistent

Posting regularly on social media is key to building a relationship with your audience. That is because frequent posts help grow your online reputation. They also increase trust in your brand. But don’t worry. Social media posts don’t have to be long. In fact, short to-the-point posts are best. Bite-sized content is easier to scan and retain.

In addition, it’s a good idea to regularly ask questions or take polls in your social media posts. This will spark conversation. That means your audience will be better engaged. And, it will help you learn more about your audience too.

Include Visuals

Remember the saying: a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, it’s true. Great visuals attract attention. But it’s not just photos. You can use infographics and video content too. A statistic from Twitter Business puts it in perspective, Tweets with video get 10 times more engagement than those without. The takeaway? Add visuals to ensure greater impact.

Make it Genuine

When you post on social media, an authentic and honest approach works best. Why? Because 86% of Americans want transparency from a company, says SproutSocial. That means you should show the human element in your business whenever possible. Plus, be open, honest, and clear in your posts. It will help you develop a stronger connection with your vending customers.

Need more reason to be real? LinkedIn posts with personal images get two times higher engagement. So, get personal to ensure your posts are read and remembered.

Now that you know when and what to post, it’s time to boost engagement. Invite your clients and industry colleagues to follow your business. And do the same to theirs. The larger your audience, the more powerful your social media will be at attracting new customers and maintaining current ones.

If thinking about social media posts makes you feel stressed, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are digital marketing specialists just for the vending industry. That’s us. Reach out to VendCentral for help today.