I’m in New Mexico this week getting some much needed sunshine. Yesterday I decided to Yelp restaurants in Albuquerque. Yep, Yelp is now a verb like Google.
Currently ranked number four in the city of Albuquerque by locals and tourists alike is Pho #1. A vietnamese restaurant. I love Pho (which is pronounced Fuh as in WTF this is the best soup in the world!)
If you’ve never had Pho, you have not lived. It’s medicinal and aromatic and gorgeous healthy goodness. Since moving back to Portland, I’ve been on the quest for the best. My buddy Paul and my sister Daedre and I discovered a blog the Pho King. We too intend to invade this gastronimical world with fervor.
The Pho at Pho #1 is truly the best I’ve had so far. The reviews were spot on.
My point of this post, this could never have happened with traditional marketing. Not in Albuquerque, New Mexico where people travel for hundreds of miles to eat Hatch green chile and see the hot air balloons. Pho #1 couldn’t buy enough TV, radio or billboards to drive traffic to their place. But now that the people have spoken, on a Friday night, prepare to wait.
If you’re still campaigning (begging) for business by screaming on the radio about how good you are, or buying bus wraps and full page ads in the local rag, why not take a page from Pho #1. Be the best and let your customers market for you.
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May 4, 2010 at 11:21 am
Thomas Bowen
Pho Shure! I love Pho! I am pho-tunate to live in a highly populated area of Asian consumers who also have a small love affair with Pho. I am also a fan of Yelp and find myself Yelping everything that I can think of in my area. I do not make a move without it. I now pick where I get my hair highlighted (sorry D, not a natural blonde) and cut (currently the local Paul Mitchell Hair School…), where I eat out, where I grocery shop and where I take my car…all Yelp-able!
I highly recommend credit unions that are looking to get to the Gens that you have one of your loyal members right a review on Yelp. FREE WORD OF MOUTH MARKETING…people! Trust me on this one…Pho enuff!
May 12, 2010 at 9:27 pm
decidida74
Pho is definitely great. I have gotten the chance to come into the world of Pho while in Vietnam and I recently introduced my mother to it. Don’t forget a nice tall glass of ‘cafe sua da’ to finish it off!