It seems that just about every decent restaurant these days has a “receipt survey” in place. You know the kind I’m talking about, right? When I’m trying to pay for my meal, I get a long receipt with a code highlighted near the bottom.
It’s always a little awkward when the server says, “Visit our site and use this code and you will be 
entered into a drawing to win something useless to you.”
Okay. I know they don’t really say that, but that’s what I hear.
What are the exceptions for me, if any? What would cause me to actually visit the site and use the super-long encrypted code?
That’s easy. There are exactly two occasions when I would bother to follow through:
1. The service was phenomenally good.
2. The service was horrendous.
Everything else falls into the lukewarm spectrum in between. Is this really candid or valuable in any way?
With that in mind, how can restaurants (and other businesses, for that matter) get a handle on how they’re actually doing? Unlike the title of this post, I wouldn’t advocate actual, in-person eavesdropping.
I have another idea for them (and for you, too, if you're in the real estate industry), and it can be done free of charge. You can easily use some simple online tools to get a feel for what people are saying about you. Believe me, if you do much business at all, someone is having a conversation about you and your company.
If nothing else, you probably have a handful of terms that you're interested in tracking when they are mentioned, correct? If not, we need to talk. :-)
Here are a couple of places to get you started:
1. Set up Google Alerts (http://google.com/alerts) for your company name or the names of your competitors. If people are writing blog posts that mention how terrible your service is, you might be interested in knowing this. Conversely, if someone is a raving fan, figure out a way to reward them somehow, both publicly (thank them on your blog) and privately (take them to lunch!). QUICK TIP: Make sure you put your name or company name in quotes (e.g. "Jason Crouch" rather than Jason Crouch) or you will get every result for each individual word.
2. Use Facebook’s “deep search” function. Many people don’t even know this exists. Use the “SEARCH” box on Facebook and put in your company name (or your personal name). A dropdown menu may appear there automatically. If so, make sure you click on the “See More Results for ______ Here”, which will be the bottom result on that list. The results could surprise you. Try out your town and "moving" as an initial search.
3. Utilize http://search.twitter.com - the “advanced search” gives you a lot of options. Again, you could be surprised by what you see, and how easy it is to join the conversation with a prospect.
Of course, there are plenty of others, some of which are professional (read: paid) in nature.
If you need help understanding how to leverage social media tools to help you improve your company’s online presence and make more sales, let me know how I can help. I love this stuff!
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt/2517652/
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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Hey, Boss: Great information here. This should be featured!
Aaron - Thanks! I hope your opinion proves to be true. :)
Robert Thank you, sir! Happy that you found it to be useful.
Wow thanks for the tip. I have some searching to do.
Mike - I have plenty of other tips, but this is a terrific start. Hope it comes in handy for you.
Hmmm, the Twitter search presents some interesting possibilities. I wonder if there are potential clients to be found that way.
Jason, great information and tips for us to make sure our "online" image is what is should be!
Richard - No question about it. :)
Good stuff, Jason.
More and more we are hearing about Facebook as a source of business, in addition to engaing with others - I heard of some one else today who sold a home adn got 2 buyers and closed their deals via FB.
Jeff
You know how techno-challenged I am so check me out and tell me what my handicap would allow me to do to improve my techno-disability problems would you?
Great information, Jason. We know so litle about the ins and outs of Facebook.
Any person that I have dealings with have to pass the" test" be careful what you post out there
Jason, I use the Google alerts for several terms, but the Deep Search on F.B. I hadn't considered that as a "how are we doing" function...thanks for the insight!!
Jason - you are so generous with your information sharing!!! I am going to test this on facebook!
Featured @ Club Chaos
Jason, Thank you for sharing these tips. I have Google Alerts set, but had no idea about the deep search on FB either. Interesting stuff.
The way the internet works today it is pretty hard to keep anything a secret anymore. That's social media for ya:)
Jason,
Great information thank for sharing. I did not know about the Face Book function.
Thanks for sharing - I will check these tips out RIGHT NOW! Have a great day!
Be afraid, be very afraid of what peope are saying about you. LOL Great information Jason, I do have google alerts set up, but have not used Facebook or Twitter to search as of yet, that will change today. Thanks for some great information once again....
Good morning Jason,
Excellent post and information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!!
Jason, thank you, as always, for your generous sharing of great ideas! I hope you and your family have a spectacular summer! :-)
Excellent Jason, nope I didn't know about Facebook deep search. WOW.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Off to check it out.
Jason Thank you - I don't like snooping, but this sounds like an OK approach
More good stuff to try. Thanks Jason.
Good advice & people should 'monitor' their names everywhere they can. On a couple of occasions now I've been pleasantly surprised on what I've found and then every once in awhile you find something odd like your listing being advertised on a porn site in Russia. Everyone should pay attention to at least their own name.
Jason,
The Facebook deep search sounds interesting, I'll give it a try.
Paul
Jason,
Thanks for the tips. Your tips certainly make sense. You want to see what others are saying about you. I ditto Bill's comment. There is no secret these day with the presents of internet.
I've been Google watching myself and my company but haven't tried the Facebook angle yet. Thanks.
Good info, Jason! We have used all of these methods with good results. In addition, we also use Trackle, a service similar to Google Alerts, and TweetBeep, which touts itself as "Google Alerts for Twitter".
THERE'S SO MUCH TO KNOW!! Thanks for the shove in the right direction!
Hi Jason~ That just goes to prove there are no secrets, and that anything can be found out! I did not know about the search features in facebook or twitter! Thanks for passing those tips along!
I was just looking at the Google Alerts...I will have to look much closer real soon.
I love google alerts- I ahve had mine set up for about 3 years;)
Thanks for posting! I will check this out! Another tool for our benefit.
With 400,000,000 users, there have to be dozens of ways to find yourself on Facebook, and the business applications are just going to grow.
Jason, this sounds promising. Something that I will definitely look into when I have time after work today.
Cool! I love spy tools. What's your code name? I think I'll go by "sunshine."
Jason, I had never thought of it...Thank You for the prompt!
This is great Jason, I actually did the google alert thing on my name and got so many hits for "Evelyn" all over the country that I discontinued it. It takes each word you enter and searches them independently of the other words.I will try it again. The other suggestions on FB and twitter are fabulous!
Good info my friend. Thank you. :)
I do the facecbook search on myself and also on clients that maybe referrals or an internet lead just to get an idea of who you could be dealing with. So far I haven't came across anything negative but as a previous restaurant/hotel manager you would be amazed at what applicants would have posted on their facebook/myspace/twitter accounts. That sometimes was their first and last interview.
Thanks for the information--I will definitely check it out.
I have the google alert set up, and I have searched Twitter, but I hadn't thought to search Facebook. Thanks for the tip!
Great advice...I have my google alerts set up but have not heard of Facebook serach before now!!!
Wow! I had no idea, Jason...this is invaluable information. Thank you! (I'm not as incognito as I thought ;-)
Jason, I am sitting at an inspection in Lost Creek right now and tweeting away so I am going to look at your suggestions and implement them. Frankly I cannot believe I have not checked Google Alerts so far but since I have the time this morning will do so now! Thanks!
Jason, I use all three of these... and it sounds like we have same common feelings about restaurant survey receipts. Blah, Blah, Blah .... all I hear is... fill out this survey so we can send you some spam.
Good tips to help businesses address issues as well as reward loyal customers. Anyone with a public presence should have some kind of online listening strategy.
Google alerts I do, facebook thing... huh? going to check that out now. Thanks for adding another tool to my toolbox Jason. You're so smart.
**nerd alert** I love filling out surveys, don't know why, but I always do them! I read somewhere that women were way more likely to fill out form than men.
Jason,
Thanks for these tips. I have been using google alerts, but not in the same way. I will redo my criteria. Thanks again.
I am heading off to do it all right now! Thanks so much, Jason!
Jason, these are great tips. I was not aware that using the quotes would help in your search. Im going to try it out.
Also, the new 'Like' button on the bottom of posts is cool. Didnt notice that before. I guess I should visit Activerain more often. I've been slipping the past few months.
great information here!
Jason, as you know, we love teaching our clients on how to use Google Alerts effectively. There are some major benefits to it!
Hey Jason, I love this stuff too. I'm off to FACEBOOK now to 'search' for me.
Jason good info. I didn't know about facebook deep search. I do have google alerts set up. I had no idea how many other Mitchell Halls are out there.
Good point and good post. I need to set stuff up like this for my company. Thank you very much.
Great informatino, Jason. Thanks for the great post.
Great informatino, Jason. Thanks for the great post.
Oh, i am going to have to try this. Thanks for the information.
Great information! If you dont mind I will use it in my social networking webinar!
Jason - I don't think I've ever filled out one of those surveys unless their is a free meal or coupon involved.
I had no clue facebook had a "deep search" I'll have to check it out.
Thanks for sharing you knowledge. Search on FB tip just I was looking for.
Great information. I use the alerts for my name and surrounding communities but never thought to put one for the other local real estate agencies. Didn't know about the FaceBook search either. Thanks!
Hi Jason, And then there is the site which solicits negative feedback about agents ! I don't recall the name but it portrays itseld as a " rating " site for agents but the tone and demeanor suggested holding those danged agents feet to the fire !
Jason, it is always helpful to see what people are saying about you out there. I have the google alerts, hadn't thought of the facebook search, though. Thanks!
I've used google alerts for years but not the others, so THANKS for giving me the info to get there asap.
AWESOME! Did your tips and found all my ActiveRain stuff and more. Very cool, Jason! And no one cussed me!
Great info!
Great post! I have been using Google Alerts for some time but did not know about the deep search option on Facebook. Gotta get on that!
Great info, thanks! One question, did you win the pictured tool kit from doing one of those restaurant surveys?
This information is right up my alley! I've using the Twitter search function with some results, but I will try using Google and Facebook searches as well. Good stuff!
Thanks for the info. I did post a good/bad customer service experience when I updated my facebook status recently but I didn't know I could take it so far.
Sounds good Jason!
Thanks for taking the time for this post. I'm going to try the fb search tonight.
Jason - thanks for sharing...I have been a huge fan of Google Alerts for years!!!
Jason I set up my google alerts to certain terms. But I need to look into Facebook deep search button and Twitter Advance search. Thank you very much for sharing this. Congratulations on the Gold Star. Great post.
I love the Google Alerts! I have all the surrounding towns and people that I like to follow on "alert", including myself!
More good stuff here. It seems everytime I go on AR to look at blogs I learn something new.
Jason great information.deserving of a bookmark and to gather the strength to wander over and eavesdrop. Sometimes mixed emotions because no matter how great a job we feel we have done for somebody a bad comment can come in out of left field
Jason, thanks a lot. I am not familiar with the deep search function. Will definately try it.
Thanks Jason ... I love the Google feature!!! pippa
Thanks for the great search tips for Facebook and Twitter. I had not ever tried that before.
You rock and you are the king of social media! Thanks!
Good point and thank you for the valuable tips. I'm going to put those quotes on google alerts.
Thanks for the tips Jason. I have had the Google alerts set up for a couple of years.
Jason - Great tips to find out what clients and potential clients are discussing online.
Thanks for the information Jason. I love Google alerts.
Always thankful for good tips like this.
Patricia/Seacoast NH
Great information for keeping up and managing your online reputation. We all need to do this.
GREAT info Jason! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to try it out now...
I encourage my buyers to follow me to houses in their own cars so that they can speak freely to each other, but I agree that digitally we can eavesdrop all we want. Great tools, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for all of your comments. For those of you who have been using Google Alerts for years, I applaud you for this (me, too!). We have MANY consulting clients who haven't even heard of this free tool. :)
So much technology so little time.
Google Alert is awesome!!! Thanks Jason.
Hi Jason -- I have only done google alerts, so I'm going to go search the other two...good stuff, thanks.
Jason, I use the google alerts. I haven't done much with FB or Twitter or the others. But I do research search terms for my competition to see how they're generating attention.
Thanks for the tips.
Great information! I did not know this was possible.
I like the FaceBook idea. I didn't know this was available. Thank you for the tip.
Wow, this is an excellent post! I was aware of one of the examples you mentioned, but not the others. Definitely will try.
Great information. I'll go check it out.
Just checked this - good info!!
Hey, I never new about the advanced function on FB. Thanks
Thanks Jason, as usual I learned something from you!!!! I always appreciate you sharing all your wonderful knowledge. I just found quite a few potential people moving to Fresno soon. I messaged some of them and directed to my website. Let's see if I get any connections. I'm shocked about this. Thanks!!! Cool stuff.
Google Alerts have definitely been a major lifesaver for us! I love the fact we can tell what competition is doing quickly. I feel a little bit like a super spy like Michael Westin from Burn Notice :)
Thanks for the info. There's always something more to learn, isn't there?
Hi Jason...I'm so glad I came here. I use Google Alerts but have not tried #2 and #3. Will certainly do that.
Kate
Great advice for keeping track of online traffic.
Hey Jason, you are so right! I was one of the first Agents in Dallas to actually have a web site in 1997 and marketing it on the Internet was pretty close to free! Yahoo absolutely was the biggest one but I also remember AOL and Altavista and a few others that you felt privilaged to be on. They promoted your site because of the relevant content, not how much you paid for it. I ended up selling 25 million worth of real estate transactions in Dallas in 1998 and won Highland Homes Realtor of the Year from my web site! I had to figure out a way to compete with the older Realtors in the area. Re/max Plano was a big support as well as the manager, Jim Monroe. I know first hand the power of the Internet and how things can change within months:) Because of the Internet and promoting my web site is the only reason why I was able to move here to San Diego and start a web site here! Thanks for the post! Native Texan Proud! Tiffany
As usual great advice Jason. I've not used FB as much as others but the Google alerts and twitter searches are fabulous. LinkedIn too - there's so much info out there isn't there?
great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Jason I have been using the google alerts and knew about the facebook search but the twitter search is new to me. Now normally I bookmark something like this and come back to it but they seem to be piling up so I took care of this today. The twitter search is interesting and I have saved it to look at once a week or so. Thanks so much for the great information!
Jason, thanks for the ideas, I have been using Google alerts, but not the searches. I bookmarked you and hopefully I will have a chance to take a look at what I can find soon.
nice tools... thanks
GREAT Info.....thanks so much for posting it for everyone to share. I love Facebook and am not surprised at all, but you are right to point out the security issues. I think it will evolve as time goes by. Hats off to YouTube...I guess I better get busy with the videos!
Very interesting post -- I had never thought about setting up the google alert, but my husband does this for his business and is able to monitor what folks are saying about his products. Great idea!
Nice job with the blog post - I am delving a little deeper into the FB search function right now - and I'm surprised!
Grreat information Jason, I'll have to set up the Google alert and see what happens.
thank you for the great information
Use Facebook's "deep search" function. Many people don't even know this exists.
Uh oh.
I'm one of those "many people". :)
Thanks for the tip!
I have done this but only my post show up, nothing much else happens.
I actually received a thank you from the local Chamber of Commerce because I blogged about one of their events and it popped up on their google alerts. Works great!
I have just tried this, Jason, and found the same as Charles Stallions. Which platform do you use to access to FB? I've been worrying lately that the Firefox users have a different experience from Google Chrome and IE. Any chance I'm right? IF not, how come you get a drop down menu?
Juliet - I use Firefox mostly, but I use Chrome or even IE at times. If you are only seeing your own posts, that just means that no one is talking about you there....yet. :)
Thanks Jason, I had set this up a while ago, mostly it tracks the stuff I am doing. Haven't uncovered any conversations about me yet. Maybe I need to give thems omething to talk about.
Hi Jason - thanks for the " " tip - I got a google alert for "Alyce Martin" on the 'ol Blackberry. It was an obituary. YIKES!!
-alive and well in albuquerque,
Alyce Martin
I use Google Alerts. So far, I'm the only one who writes about me. :>(
Really kool..thanks for the info. I'm going to try those ideas right now.
Hi Jason,
Are you any relation to Gene Crouch in Lockhart? I've known him for many years.
I always enjoy reading your blogs, keep up the good work.
Jason:
Thanks for the links and tips, I'm going there now and see what happens!
Ty
Jason, is there any benefit to using "quotation" marks or parenthesis around my company name or personal name any time I use it when blogging or for use on internet or just when looking for it in a search?
Sharing all this info is great! Thanks Jason for all the tips.
Sharing all this info is great! Thanks Jason for all the tips.
Cindy - There wouldn't be any benefit when you're blogging or using it on your website - just for searching. Hope that helps!
Hi Jason, thanks for sharing, I did not know about the facebook deep search function.
Jason: I knew this was possible, but didn't know how. Thanks for the link. ~Rita