Will Tweet for Food
As an under-employed, aspiring blogger, it’s occurred to me more than once that I’d gladly help spread the word about local eateries in exchange for an occasional free meal.
It’s also occurred to me that businesses might do well to attract people to their establishments by connecting with active tweeters, bloggers, social-media addicts, etc. to help fill their tables on slow nights – and get some publicity in the process.
Seems that the good folks at TasteCasting agree:
TasteCasting combines socially networked people and the social media platforms and applications they use to help establishments build awareness, announce grand openings, introduce new menu items, distribute special offers and encourage people to visit the establishment.
How it works
As described on the site:
- Establishments provide the date, time, location and maximum number of tasters.
- The establishment’s TasteCasting request is scheduled.
- TasteCasting team members RSVP.
- A TasteCasting Team Captain is appointed.
- The Team Captain confirms the date, time, location and other details with the establishment
- The TasteCasting team attends, tastes, tweets, and posts the stories, videos, pictures to TasteCasting.com
- All team members add comments and include links to their blogs, photos, and videos
Where
So far TasteCasting is available in the following cities and seems to be looking to expand: Columbus, Denver, Cincinnati, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tucson, Aspen, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis.
To Help, Not to Hurt
I just found out about the site today, via a tweeted invite from Alice Louise Karow (thanks, Alice, by the way!) so have yet to attend a tasting. You’ll be sure to see some tweets, blog posts, status updates and/or photos once I do!
That is, assuming I like what I taste! One item of interest is TasteCasting’s stance on feedback. In response to their FAQ on What If You Don’t Like The Taste? the site states:
My goal for this idea is to HELP small business owners not to HURT them. “Social Media and the participants have the power to do both.”
Please remember – Everyone’s tastes, likes, and dislikes are different. If you taste something and you don’t like it, tell the establishment representative. HELP them with your honest opinion. Then try something else.
Because we’re invited guests to the establishment and we are being served the selections – in some cases we may be a focus group for new menu items. It would be unkind to Twitter a “negative” and “harmful” post to our social networks.
Enforcing what TasteCastings twitter about is not something that can be controlled. I strongly encourage anyone who joins the team to be kind and constructive in your communications. As a member of a Twitter Taster Team you will be strongly encouraged to Tweet using the Golden Rule…” If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”
image is from TasteCasting.com
Personally, as someone who values her network, I try not to exploit my social media connections for the sake of a free meal. My readers’ trust is paramount to me, and I’m sensitive to the potential perception that reviews could be influenced by compensation from the reviewee (not sure if that’s a word – but if not, it should be). That said, as someone who’d prefer to keep things positive (time of month, notwithstanding) unless I feel that the public is being blatently “wronged”, I’d just as soon not write a review, rather than use my blog for trash-talking. Accordingly, I can appreciate TasteCasting’s approach.
The reality is, a business that’s going to give stuff to bloggers is going to get blogged about. And rarely do you see a negative tweet about free food. Does making things a bit more structured make a difference?
One thing you can rest assured of – if I share details related to a TasteCasting tasting, it will be with the same spirit, frequency and openess I apply to anything else I share with my network. Translation: I won’t be fake, I won’t spam and I’ll disclose I got something for free.
To Be Clear
From what I’ve seen so far, I’m a fan. I only mention TasteCasting’s “Golden Rule” approach in the spirit of laying everything out on the table in advance; to provide the full picture.
In “light of the current economic climate” (cliche alert!!), anything that promotes local businesses, socializings, and putting food in bloggers’ tummies, is all good in my book!
What’s Your Opinion?
Is it selling out for bloggers to accept a free meal, or to share where you’re eating in exchange for free food – only if their thoughts are positive?
Have you seen similar sites or clubs? What have your experiences been?
Restaurant owners can request a tasting.
Read more about TasteCasting here.
UPDATE!
I’m officially a San Diego “Team Captain”!
If you live in San Diego and are interested in becoming a team member:
head over to TasteCasting.com, click on “Join” and list San Diego as your city!
(mention you heard about it here!)
Not in San Diego?
You can still join by following the above steps – just list your city instead of San Diego!
Link to this pagesimilar posts you might enjoy
Responses to “Will Tweet for Food”
spotlight
Turn Survivors into Leaders in Less Than 5 Minutes
“Empower women who have overcome adversity to be leaders in their lives, their families, and their communities. Through her vision & the Women’s Leadership Institute, Dana Bristol-Smith changed my life (so much so, that I’ve recently been offered — and accepted — a position on its Advisory Council). We are currently in the running [...]
Call for Nominations Now Open for “Women Changing the World” Award!
One of the most vital lessons I’ve learned this past year is the importance of reaching out for help. The Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute is accepting nominations for its “Women Changing the World” Award. As I’ve expressed in my most recent blog posts, the Women’s Leadership Institute was a life-changing experience for me. [...]
Inside the Bloggers Studio: Chris Blake
Chris Blake is an example of why I love sites like Twitter. I’m not sure how our tweets crossed paths, but I am glad they did. Chris is a talented musician. I love his music, but music reviews are not what I do best. Instead, to give you an idea of why I <3 Chris, I’m “borrowing” from another TV institution. Today’s installment of Inside the Bloggers Studio will be prefaced by my own “Top 10 List”. [click on the star image to read more]
Twitter Comment
Foodies who love Social Media! RT @faryl Will Tweet for Food! @TasteCasting pairs bloggers & restaurants [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @mayhemstudios Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
another cool Twitter trade RT @mayhemstudios: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post] #microbiz
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @BuzzEdition RT @mayhemstudios: Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @mayhemstudios: Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post] (via @mayhemstudios)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
I agree up to a point. There are plenty of ways to be honest without being mean. Giving only a positive review isn’t completely honest. But, I think this is a great concept and could be a lot of fun!
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy’s last blog post..Random Thought: Bar Fight
Twitter Comment
RT @BridgetAyers: RT @faryl: Will Tweet for Food! @TasteCasting pairs bloggers & restaurants! Read more [link to post] (please RT)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
@erinblaskie Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post] Interesting post @tastecasting
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
In San Diego? Check out this post from @faryl “Will Tweet for Food”
[link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Fun idea for SD foodies! –> RT @ADramaticMommy: In San Diego? Check out this post from @faryl “Will Tweet for Food” [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
@airasheville This is similar to what we’ve been kicking around at @smcasheville [link to post] Thoughts?
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Dude, I’m in! I’ve been having so much fun being introduced to great new eateries in San Diego through recent Tweet and Twine Ups… places I would have never found otherwise. I think it’s a great idea and an awesome way to spread the word. Keep me in the loop… please and thank you.
Sugar Jones’s last blog post..The Dish on Food, Inc.
Twitter Comment
Reading: Will Tweet for Food: Social Media helping restaurants by @faryl. [link to post] RT: @mayhemstudios
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
New media can put food on your table. Literally. [link to post] (Fearless Blogger)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @Twitter_Tips: Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] –Share this peculiarity: http://bit.ly/xicG0
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] RT @Twitter_Tips
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @Twitter_Tips Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] –Share this: http://bit.ly/KcTfx #fb
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @Twitter_Tips Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] –Share this: http://bit.ly/KcTfx
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] –Share this peculiarity: http://bit.ly/xicG0
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @Twitter_Tips: Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post] < -- coming to a town near you?
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT: Alex_Zubarev Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @Twitter_Tips Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT@markblomeley via @Twitter_Tips Yes, this *actually* happens: Will Tweet for Food: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
I agree. It’s important to disclose all affiliations and to not exploit your network – as you might have considerable influence. I also agree that if the restaurant is kind enough to have you there and cater to you for the hope of decent press, you should be at least kind enough to give them a fair shake – and do your best to post a fair review.
Monica Hamburg’s last blog post..Communicate, Curse or Sue – It’s All Up to You!