Twitter To Go: How one local coffee shop used Twitter to double their clientele. What’s YOUR story?

Update: More than 750 Retweets - THANKS for appreciating this story! 

Photo_47_bigger This is a guest posting by Erica OGrady (@ericaogrady). She currently the Chief Experience Officer of Peanut Butter Media, and sits on the Advisory board for Knowbility.org, CreativeSpace, & Westwood College. See original post on Touchbase here

When J.R. Cohen, Operations Manager for CoffeeGroundz (@coffeegroundz) Cafe in Houston, Texas first heard about Twitter from one of his customers, he was puzzled but intrigued. Today, he credits Twitter with almost doubling his clientele and with opening his eyes to a whole new way to build Community.

If you’re reading this article, then chances are you’re already on Twitter, and you may even have experienced the power of Twitter for building your own personal or corporate brand. Recently, more and more companies have jumped on the Twitter bandwagon to help manage their online identities making it increasingly harder to stand out from the crowd.

But Cohen and CoffeeGroundz have found a way to do just that. Shortly after joining Twitter, Cohen started following members of the local Houston Twitterati and in no time had amassed over 1000 followers. Cohen is a naturally charismatic, giving, and friendly guy - traits that make him a natural on a network like Twitter.

On Becoming The Purple Cow

Nothing can build your brand faster than being or doing something remarkable. Seth Godin, author of the recently released Tribes calls this becoming “The Purple Cow”. Cohen didn’t set out to become a Purple Cow - but with one brief 140 character message - that’s exactly what he’s done.

On October 31st, 2008 Sean Stoner (@maslowbeer) was hungry. As a regular customer at CoffeeGroundz he sent the following Twitter to Cohen:

sean

Cohen quickly replied and Sean went through the drive-thru at CoffeeGroundz to pick up his burrito.

coffeeground

This simple exchange got a lot of coverage on Twitter and was hailed as potentially the first time that Twitter had ever been used to place a To-Go Order. Seeing an opportunity, Cohen started taking to-go orders via direct message from any of his Twitter Clientele.

CoffeeGroundz offers free Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, and they serve beer and wine - making it a cross between a Coffee House and a Lounge. Today, customers can order beverages and tasty bites from the comfort of their seat using Direct Messages to @coffeegroundz. How cool is that? You don’t even have to stop working to walk to the counter and order a coffee.

Building Community While Making a Profit

coffeegroundpic

Recently, CoffeeGroundz was the venue for a Houston Tweetup that Cohen nicknamed “The Great Twitter Party”. Nearly 100 Houston Twitterites spent a lovely Sunday afternoon there at the largest Houston Tweetup to date. And did I mention that they bought lots of food and beverages? So the next time someone tells you that you can’t make money from Twitter, tell them to think again!

This post, by Erica originally ran on Pistachio Consulting’s TouchBase Blog, featuring what business people need to know about Twitter and microsharing for business. You can subscribe to TouchBase here or follow@touchbase on Twitter.

Are you a Twitter user? Mr Tweet regularly shows you good people you are missing out on, recommends you to others, and updates stats on your Twitter usage. Click here to see more!

Category: Unique Insights

  • Bizwithabullet
    Aaaah why can't I think of a great idea like that!
  • Looks like pretty good place to come in.
  • kenwilkinsen
    How to design your shop on a shoestring budget
    http://howtoopenacoffeeshop.info/
  • kenwilkinsen
    I'm hosting a university tweetup tomorrow in the cafe of the SU I manage. I predict collaboration and coffee. Will share the great stuff.
    http://howtoopenacoffeeshop.info/
  • Twitter is great for business http://www.sellbiztoday.com
  • davidbaer
    . Small Business owners are largely forgotten. Thats why I only focus on them. I have experience several members of my family file bankruptcy due to small business failures. I also I suffered through 2 destroyed businesses due to failure however, in my failings I have learned some of the secrets to success. (Who can say they know it all?)
    What I like about small business owners is that they are not afraid to take huge risks and lay it all on the line. But, I agree they do need a lot of help with their marketing. I think having them go the social media and email route is not only the least expensive but its also the most effective. Thanks for the stats!
  • kumarprasanta
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  • hawaiistaffingpower
    Most of the users to follow twitter. Twitter is very much useful in developing our business. Thanks for twitter.
    To find your best career visit staffing power
  • Great information. Very good for business.
  • Colleen
    Thanks for the great post.

    Certainly using Twitter has been a good idea for this coffee shop. I'm wondering what sort of business increase it has seen? "Doubling clientele" doesn't mean doubling your profits.

    I seem to gravitate toward businesses that tweet special offers that I don't see/hear in their regular ads. This, to me, seems the best thing about Twitter for business: the ability to create a fan base that you have INSTANT ACCESS TO. Fresh batch of blueberry scones just came out of the oven? Buy yesterday's raspberry scones for half off? I want to know!
  • I use Twhirl on my desktop to follow my Twitter account. It’s up all during my day, which means I can watch and join in coversations all day long. I usually watch and join in between things I’m working on, but can definitely spend an hour or more there. But I’m also seeing a tremendous boost in my business at the moment because of it.

    It’s all about balance and knowing what you’re trying to achieve.
  • michaelBT
    I keep thinking of the reasonably common scenario where it is finally your turn at the counter to be served and then the phone rings and the assistant goes off to take an order by phone.
    This just seems like another pushy way to jump the queue
  • Great post.. this is really a great information..This will be useful post.. I will comeback for more..

    Cheers
    good-jobs.org , providesloans.com , airprints.com
  • loriskoumalreeves
    This is so cool! We own a coffee shop in Pocatello, ID and always open to new ideas.
  • readytoeat
    When I first heard about Twitter, my wife and I were searching for a site for to make and sell ready-meals. We had a plan, a name and four years experience doing something similar on the other side of town. We're now 2 weeks away from opening and plan to use it to advertise what we've made, special offers and take-orders.
  • Even though this was posted months ago, with all the fury of activity surrounding it and where it has gone, I thought I would drop a note and say thanks again to @ericaogrady, @pistachio, @coffeegroundz and countless others. I've been schooling many on the personal and business benefits to social media tools like twitter and I'm glad to be one of the case studies! :)
  • Hmm - Disquis has me as seanstoner. I am @maslowbeer, lest there be any confusion (probably should create a new Disquis account)! :)
  • stephencraine
    At last someone has shown me a positive business use for Twitter. I must admit I couldn't see what all teh talk was about but now I'm starting to see the potential.
  • jonathannelson
    Awesome article! I normally don't do this, but if you're a small business and want to utilize our technology to target people geographically centered around your business shoot an email to: admin at twittermass dot com and I will personally walk you through the app as well as let you test drive the app free for 30 days. We need small businesses to rise up now more than ever and help stimulate our struggling economy.
  • This is a truly outstanding idea. There are not many articles published with small business success stories such as this. We are looking at how to integrate this technology with wedding photography to connect with Brides in an organic, natural way. Thanks for the insight!
  • How would Coffee Groundz and other coffee shops like to serve and offer Americas first health coffee? Healthy enriched Ganoderma coffee, mocha, tea, black coffee. Gano Excel natural enriched coffee takes the acid in coffee and makes it Alkaline. Opening up coffee to people who can't drink coffee because of the acid. I'm one of them.
    Just a thought.
    Bruce Walker
  • RexMorgan
    Because making things convenient for the consumer is sooo evil! Idiot...
  • 完全無料出会い系限定恋人セフレ即会い即ヤリ思いのまま！
  • WOW! A really innovative idea! Twitter is growing all over the world and thousands of people are joining on a daily basis. I've tried to love Twitter. I really have.
  • Ruben Reyes
    So, I guess that even though you can send the same message via email or by making a call, the owner do not seem to care for those unfashionable methods of communication.
  • What a great story to pass on to my clients. Obviously Mr. Cohen found the silver bullet secret in using social media for business...just be real.
    Thanks for sharing this.
  • Great story. Thanks for sharing this with us. I will share this story with my circle of people. It helps them to understand the power of twitter. Of course we have do it in the right way with our clients.

    Thanks so much for this inspiring story and hope I will read more of your article in the future.

    Best regards,

    Susie Cheng
    www.twitter.com/susiecheng
  • bloominfields
    Would like to promote my soft sculpture doll business via twitter much like the above coffee story. How do I go about obtaining this?

    Site: www.bloominfields.artfire.com

    Thanks

    LGB
  • donpower
    Do you have any recommendations as to how a local real estate agent could use Twitter?

    Don Power
    @donpower
  • pieprincess
    Thanks for visiting my site, sedonapies.com. I was intrigued in how CoffeeGroundz built their business using twitter.

    I found twtad to create an coupon to use on Twitter. I just haven't posted it yet, as I got to get my pricing up on my site.

    Speaking of using Twitter, like CoffeeGroundz, has, the Sedona Nerds is hosting a Tweetup, just register at htp://twtvite.com
  • More small business need to see things like this. A lot of people simply don't understand teh power of twitter. It can be very useless if you don't know what your doing. However if you make a plan and go after something its very powerful.
  • That is a great idea. I think that using Twitter that way is very imaginative.
  • The is a wonderful recommendation to build a biz using Twitter. Grassroots marketing. Great job!
  • Twitter hasn't had as dramatic an effect on my sales yet, but it has allowed me to reach a new audience and those of my audience who communicate more fluidly with Twitter. And I did just sell my first pieces directly due to a Twitter connection to @copyblogger. So that has me excited.

    Peace.
  • that is impressive.
    after this example I can get out of the box and see what is possible
  • Speaking of great Coffee Houses, did you know that chain stores and businesses are banned in Katonah, New York and that we have our own privately owned "Perks".
    Starbucks has been trying to get into both Bedford and Katonah for Years and we won't have it!
    Perks is a great meeting place and with the great weather today I am certain that people will be hanging out with their friends, families and dogs in the outdoor cafe!
  • How can twitter help someone in Australia sell to the trade show market in Australia

    It's a nice read, but how does it help some sell his products and services when he is the product people buy


    Are my customers using twitter?
  • Wow! that's awesome to see how community networking is changinf the business. I have an online store with great products, and I do have a twitter account, what would you suggest me to do to increase not only traffic, but sales because I offer 1$ on every purchase to a non-for-profit organization in Haiti that help feed and educate kids.
  • As a resident of San Francisco, I'm ashamed that a coffee shop in Houston beat us to this great idea.
  • Patricia
    I am so jealous, I want to learn and grow in this venue, but I keep getting lost in the interesting stories and amazing people.
  • That is a very inspiring story. Twitter is being used as a marketing engine; it's available to anyone wishing to promote what they're doing, whether it's selling java or books. All you need is a little time and effort. I'm a cartoonist and writer who's looking to gain exposure. I use Twitter, Facebook and social bookmarking sites to reach out to new audiences - it really does work! (Check out: http://splendidmarbles.com/)
  • I know a msn-based order placement system that works fine in Shanghai. (with Sherpa, a company that delivers you food from the restaurant you want). Its been working for 3 years now (I think).
    The cool thing with Twitter is that you can have an active policy when you follow potential customers, which you can not do with msn.
    Anyway great idea.
  • グンｔｈ
    cool yet basic,

    how do I want my caffelatte in downtown frankfurt

    オイッシイイカナ
  • lnl
    WOW..what a success story. I wish that a local upscale coffee shop could have been enlightened on such a resource before closing their doors a few months ago. Failing economy and competition were the reasons used for closing. However, this coffee shop was unique, and was similar to the one mentioned above by serving import beers and wine. Its a shame some folks choose to look at circumstances and not go beyond and realize thinking outside the box could save ones business. Of course some boxes in in a black hole.
  • Eve
    Great story i want to intergrate twitter onto my hospitality websites....its the way forward!
  • Jan de Landtsheer
    It's a red herring, isn't it? Twitter=phone call=text message=email. It's not free when using mobile phone, and why would anyone except the coffee-shop would like to see the order? It could also be dangerous. Imagine the gasman to follow the tweet and arrange a mate to break in the house while the owner is getting his coffee. I'm reading all I can about Twitter and have still not found any use for me or the business I'm in. How the owners make money with it is nowhere explained, is it? Or is the owner a smart rich guy just waiting for Google to buy Twitter?
  • A cool place, to stop for a drink
  • cyclrmom
    So if I wanted to become the melaleucamom I just write about it?
  • ceecret
    hello. I think this is an awesome opportunity to create a community online.
  • Help. I'm a Twitter newbie. If I accept Twitter texts to my cell phone, will I be getting so many that it might become expensive? I have a decent texting plan, but don't want to find myself in a position where it's costing much more to get tweet. (Sorry if this question sounds stupid.)
  • I just love stories like this! I joined Twitter for my business and it has been great so far. Since I work mostly in the bridal industry, I started following people who had a bridal blog or worked in the field. The results have been new bloggers writing about my company all the time and many people asking me to send them information on our products once I started following them. It is a great community! Follow me- @WeddingRunners
  • Great Story..this coffee shop owner was right on the mark, he must have someone sitting at a computer or is he getting his tweet sent to his phone.

    Any Suggestions for a Old Realtor to use Twitter to build business?

    Cheers, thanks for the story :O))
  • What a great idea. It pays to be open and out of the box with it comes to customer service.
  • healingu
    This is great. It is wonderful for small biz to network. Thanks Coffee Groundz for the idea. Look for my info on my biz for your next massage in SA, Tx. Therapeutic Massage on tired, stressed muscles.
  • Great Job with communication 2.0!

    Best wishes from Portugal

    Sara Batalha
  • As a relative newbie to Twitter and other social media "tools" (I am 56, a retired high school teacher, and own Mom Generations with my 2 daughters), I have been searching for a blog like yours to kind-of get my feet wet. I enjoy your writing style... seemingly effortless in your informational enthusiasm. You don't toss out the word "expert"... ah, which is very intimidating to some (well, me!) people. I am following you on Twitter and looking forward to reading all you have to say!
  • lnl
    Love to see women in business on learning how to twitter...I am there with you.
  • 1fa1
    This is a good example for how twitter enables a business to engage with its customers old and new. If businesses are able to think outside the box they may find twitter a good ally in their marketing toolbox.
  • And yet nowhere on their website do they link to their twitter. Weird.
  • That's qute an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing, makes me wonder how I can incorporate Twitter into my service business
  • This is really inspiring! Thank you.
  • Inspirational! I sent this on to my friends in Houston in case they feel the urge to get food fast :0)
  • GAW
    Its a great story, giving a lot of small businesses ideas of connecting with people, but I have to say this feels like just another way for speed through life! Will anyone actually stop long enough to smell the coffee?!
  • Great post. The one truth here is that you have to appreciate and spend time on building community to make your business a success. Simply being on Twitter won't do it. Thanks for the great example!
  • Used to sell lots of Classical Antique Engravings to Texans..Where are you all ??...guess drinking coffee, beer and wine at cooffeegroundz..
  • Wow! I wonder if any of my beading customers belong to Twitter? What a unique way to hear from like minded people, and to let people know about my lovely, friendly little bead shop down here in Adelaide, South Australia!
  • lnl
    Obviously Twitter is a way for a "little bead shop" to connect with folks like me from the Southeast United States. Do you have a website? Mine is under construction. The launch for it is scheduled for May 1.
    Who knows, because of twitter, some little southeastern USA gal might need some beads from South Australia.
  • A very unique way to use Twitter!

    I can see the potential for abuse from pranksters, and many companies like Pizza Hut, etc, are already invested in their own to-go systems, but this is a great idea for little local places.
  • This was a great twitter story to start my Monday off with.
    Thanks!
    I am drinking my Kona coffee right now.
    Cheers from the Big Island of Hawaii!!
  • Instead of Twitter users coming up with chance solutions like that, Twitter must take the lead and build an ecommerce platform offering. It could be dating, shopping or anything else.
  • I dont make coffee but i am a travel agent in Australia so if anyone needs any help at all making their travel plans please follow me/email me and let me know. Weddings, flights, accommodation, groups, tours, cruises insurance and much more! Im licensed and registered with the Australian Federation of Travel Agents so you know im not a con artist and your money is safe! Oh, im a member of the Travel corporation fund too as well as being an ex flighty before i decided to start my own franchise as a travel counsellor! Hope to hear from you soon!
  • Thank you for the unique insight. Would like to share with everyone the greatest energy drink with a lot of BUCK. http://www.blufrogenergy.com/joyhealth
    #1176201
  • Fantastic! I am so glad to see this kind of thinking! Technology need not alienate; it can bring people together and open new ways of communicating.

    That said, I work for a corporately-owned coffee shop that runs more like a small shop in that my boss hires friendly, outgoing people and we get to know our customers. We try to learn their names and anticipate what their regular orders are, know what's going on in their lives, etc. I always think it's kind of like Cheers, only no drunks. ;) It's the most fun I've ever had at a job.

    Just a couple weeks ago, I started thinking about introducing some sort of Twitter contact for our local shop, even if it's just to let our regulars know when we get new roasts in or have specials going on. Of course, we have to get approval from corporate for stuff like that, but I really think it a wise move.
  • I love it! Very inspirational and entirely organic
  • Kudos to Cohen! Thinking outside the box to service his (present and new ) customers! That is what it takes! I have always tried to do the same. That is why I have joined Twitter today!
    Enjoy your Sunday
  • Unikat ist der tollste Wollladen der Stadt. Dank Claudia Wende habe ich meine lang verschollene Lust am kreativen Umgang mit der Nadel wiederentdeckt. Es gibt immer wieder neue tolle Garne, Knöpfe, Stricknadeln und alles was die Strickerin so braucht und meine Mützen, Schal und Strumpfkollektion wächst ständig. ... und wenn man mal nicht weiterkommt - einfach Claudia fragen, sie steht immer mit Rat und Tat bereit. Und Ihre Modelle mit Anleitung und Tipps sind einfach Spitze.
  • If you think this is cool, you should checkout what we've been doing over at @kogibbq.
  • mingyeow
    Hi Mike, would love to hear more about what you are doing at kogibbq - any
    more details
    M
  • Seems like an absolute classic, use of a new technology to make your business different. That is truly what needs to be done to set yourself apart nowdays
  • Top post. Thank you very much. :-)
  • ajleon
    I am most impressed with the Coffee Shop owner's ability to embrace Twitter as a viable tool to help increase his business. Most people that are not inside of "techy" circles typically laugh it off without considering the power Twitter as a community building platform. Great article!!

    AJ
  • chigozie
    that isa good. make money go to www.moneyisgoodo.blogspot.com
    www.homepaidjob.blogspot.com.
    for all your women health problem rush to www.womenhealthsecret.blogspot.com
    be richer and have fun
  • LynneRuffin
    Too nice!!! Pie in the sky type action. Now that's service. Where's our local Twitter cafe?
  • Coffee Groundz is my and my husband's neighborhood coffee house. It is our study place, work place, and just whatever place. The first Twitter Meet Up at CoffeeGroundz we attended had less than 25 people. This was organized by an awesome gal named @imelda. The Twitter Meet Ups used to round on different venues...we met up at other coffee houses, restaurants, and even a pizza place. This was pre- @coffeegroundz era. The number of people grew a whole lot when @coffeegroundz became a twitter-er(?)/twitter-(ite) himself. J.R. opened his shop to everyone with arms wide open and great specials! A wonderful evolution then happened!

    Cheers!

    @timeless
  • Thats great for coffeegroundz! we'd like to target eco- friendly travelers looking for a unique place to stay in Italy. Check out our website, we're ready to offer huge discounts!
  • Love that positive energy...You Go CoffeeGroundz!! Love that positive Vibe!!!
  • Twitter was just a tool... it was the flexibility and the spirit of JR Cohen that made it all happen. That's the way business get's done and grows. Always keep an open mind
  • mingyeow
    right on! I most definitely agree
  • Sounds a great idea for Australia business in the food industry to put in to practise
  • kong
    I wonder how I could use this the get more listeners to my podcast? Anybody got any ideas or suggestions?
  • What an awsome story..thank you for sharing.

    This just prompted an idea how I could use tweeter for my business.
    Thanks a MILLION.
    Daphne Clarke-Hudson
  • Yeah! Social Media touches down!
  • Thank you for this update. I wrote about Twitter as a marketing tool back in December and this is great proof of how valuable Twitter really is.
  • Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Plus, I love the idea of ordering via Twitter while in the place, so you can avoid have to deal with the distractions of conventional ordering. Wish this was done more often by similar establishments.. Hint. Hint.
  • Great success story! If you think about it, this makes so much sense! Kind of a head-slapper moment in seeing the potential here for many 'traditional' businesses to harness technology.
  • Ilana Herring
    Thanks J.R. Cohen and Coffee Groundz for showing us it can be done!
  • Thanks for the inspiring article. I will pass it to my Japanese retail clients for inspiration. I joined Twitter myself yesterday, and yours was the most inspiring comment from there so far. Keep changing and keep your customers coming!
  • Excellent case study. And very heartening! Will use at our next eCommerce Learning Group.
  • mingyeow
    Thanks! Hey Ian, we would love to know how you folks are thinking about social media. Wanna chat more? mingyeow@gmail.com
  • Alaria Sun
    What great way to create community especially with the state of things.
  • marcnm
    I am a Houstonian twitterer and I mostly use it to become LESS productive at work!

    twitter.com/darthvoorhees
  • Another great example that these social media tools are here to add value not to be taken advantage of!!
  • Darcybev
    I like the idea of combining on line with off line - the party to celebrate and get to know the other people. Nice to be able to match names and faces and start more discussion. Any chance to "help others" is always a good place to start.
  • What a great story, this is something any of us could help start in our own communities.
  • Lynda Kelly
    Thanks for the post. At the Australian Museum in Sydney we experimented with Twitter for a large sold-out science awards event as a way to update people that couldn't be there. As I always experience skepticism from staff I also made note of how long it actually took and what lessons we learned and you can read about it here - http://museum30.ning.com/profiles/blogs/2017588...
  • tibbon
    I see the value here, but I'm not sure how it's doubled their clientle or reach, asides from the headline
  • ijlwebsolutions
    OK, I do like twitter, but I am still not convinced about this.

    The problem with Twitter is the white noise, and the only way to make sure your tweets get through this is to use DM, but then this is really just the same as an SMS.
    Sure, add this to your other marketing tools but it's hardly something new.

    I suggest if your targeting this sort of demographic, you should accept/promote orders via email, SMS, DM, fax, and phone. You should also have (and maintain) an effective community presence on Bebo, Facebook, Myspace etc (depending on your target demographic, location etc). You should also use some/all of these methods to encourage youyr clients/potential customers to interact with you, and give them free content (tips, advice, coupons, promotions, etc).

    I applaud this company, but don't see Twitter as unique or life-changing :-)
  • Ed Kelly
    I'd say that doubling sales is pretty life-changing.
  • Doh!, I pitched a twitter feed to a newly-opened coffeeshop 14 months ago. The owner looked at me as if I had two heads and said she'd get back to me. Of course what she really did was hire someone else who basically cut and pasted a flyer for the shop as the website.
  • I love this story. I am beginning to see the value of twitter and social networking. I love the idea of a twitter party. It's almost like online dating! You never know....
  • mingyeow
    I am trying to get one of my friends to do a dating site on Twitter! You just never know.l ;)
  • Let me know. I am getting ready to re-enter the dating world after almost 25 years of marriage! Would love to play with the new social networking as a means to find the right one....
  • mingyeow
    wonder if we can evolve mrtweet in that direction. =)
    M
  • And what do you mean by that?
  • I am currently working to bring Twitter to my company. Although we cant do exactly this (we are a much bigger company and don't really work in a related industry) this is a great example of how just being innovative can help you work with social media
  • Really cool. I love this article-- I wish all businesses could work this way and this smoothly! I have the feeling any large chains won't be doing this anytime soon though.. :)
  • What a great story of how to use Twitter to get clients...

    I've been telling local business owners in the Tampa area to start using Twitter because I feel that the potential is unlimited if used right.
  • Great example. Customer service, targeted sale campaigns, and good old fashioned conversation with your community and demographic will go a long way in building relationships and loyal customers. Perfect business example of why Twitter matters.
  • cirano
    And how is that different from a simple email order? I got my email client open all day long, but I use browser only from time to time.
  • I would say that its different from email in a couple of ways. The first is that Twitter is the "IN" thing to be on right now so some people live on Twitter and its easier for them to just send a DM through Twitter on their phone than to send an email. Another is that people are getting very much into Social Networking and want to have as many people see their Tweets because that way they can meet more people that can help their own business.

    Hope this helps

    Robert
  • I've read and agreed with both comments, but I still feel that email could be a "better" way of ordering online. Why? Because of replies; your order can be confirmed so you know for a fact there'll be a latte waiting for you, and this also forms the basis of a commitment and a legal transaction.

    Most importantly, it would be wise for businesses to cater for both services - Twitter and email - and whatever comes along next, too..
  • mingyeow
    Yes - it is not a ONE or ONLY thing. Every medium of communication needs to be serviced.
  • Great and innovative idea here. This is truly something adapt in the local communities. 2009 will be the year that Twitter will make a difference for local business. Would not be cool to tweet a hotel/resturant reservation or something similuar.

    Will also retweet this article..

    WTG.

    Cheers..
  • Inspirational, Refreshing, and Uplifting :-)

    Thank You

    Cyres Cafe is a Coffee Shop and Lounge in Antwerp, Belgium, and I hope to meet Tweeple here.

    @lawofattraction
  • I'm not a big fan of Twitter, but this is another case of it helping out businesses. It def has its strengths.
  • Great idea. I wish the restaurants around me, especially the ones that don't have a drive thru and take 15-20 minutes to make your carry out order, would take DM orders. Maybe the next big thing is that you can text in your order to a restaurant and they'll text back a confirmation and pick up time.
  • nick
    stupid idea - sure let's just bury the minimum wage worker with your tweet request for lunch, since you're time is so much more important then everyone else.
  • Wes
    how would that hurt the worker, more money for the business he works at?
  • Great story! Twitter still has so much untapped potential, and sometimes it's just things like this that can go big.
  • I think you just referred to using twitter as working. You know you've been using twitter for too long when... :)
  • RicRaftis
    It's so nice to read stories like this. A true entrepreneur is the person who takes and idea and makes it work as this man has. You hear many people decry Twitter as a joke and people like this prove its use as a tool to make money and build relationships with their clientele. That is where the world of business is definitely moving in my opinion.

    @RicRaftis on Twitter
  • Incredible Article!
  • Great story and just the tip of the iceberg. Over the coming months we will see more and more stories about how people are being very innovative about how they are using the power of social media. It is a great time to be alive:)
  • This is great, I'm sharing it with my local merchant group . . .
  • Awesome story. Here is mine - 10 weeks on twitter better than 10 months on other social sites - http://vizedu.com/2009/01/twitter-a-powerful-we...
  • Beanzaround
    I have a coffee biz in Aiustralia. I might see if we can get some of thos good stuff happening
  • This is awesome. I'm constantly asking how does one monetize social media and you've provided a great case study here. I wonder how long it will take before this story gets into business schools? Probably to long if they aren't on Twitter. lol
  • nick
    Typical money whore...."what can we do with this to make more money". Why can something be invented just to ease one's life/existance
  • Thank you for reminding me of Twitter.
    It' will be part of my week end project since I acn't come to LA for the show!
  • ValerieC
    Brilliant! Endless twittabilities.
  • Great Use of Twitter
  • swag
    Wow. This is just as sustainably monumentous as... when every coffee shop got a Web site.
  • Looooooove it. Rigt on from a customer service perspective (which most companies are lacking these days)! kUDOS.
  • Faith09
    Man that is great I wonder how I can use this?http://twitter.com/faithworks2005
  • Great story, thanks :)
  • That sounds Great! I'd use that for selling Music lessons and guitar repair etc.

    I think there is a potential for our business in this area without a doubt.
  • mingyeow
    Let us know how that goes! Would love to know
  • Great stuff!!! Do you think one day it may even be able to save a life?
  • mingyeow
    we have a story coming up around how it helped a temporary homeless person
    find a place to stay. is that of interest? =)
    M
  • that's pretty neat...gotta try it out...never thought about it using it for marketing.

    http://www.jacksonvillecolors.com
  • This is exactly the kind of story I need to help explain to some of my more traditionally-minded clients (and coworkers) about the benefits of getting involved with social media. Maybe our local coffee shops will take the hint!

    Thanks for passing it on.
  • I am glad to see a restaurant use the power of twitter.
  • i am glad to see a restaurant capitalize on the power of twitter.
  • kmccaskey
    Great article! Here's an article I wrote, "Six Surprising Ways Twitter Can Make You Rich"

    http://blog.geezeo.com/2008/12/six-surprising-w...
  • Thank you Erica!! If anyone has any questions or I can be of any help, feel free to email me at jonathan@thecoffeegroundz.com. I am very thankful for what Twitter has help me accomplish and would like to do something in return.
    Cheers.
    J.R. Cohen
    The Coffee Groundz
  • mingyeow
    Hey Jonathan - thanks for allowing us to feature you! =)
  • swagv
    As the novelty of Twitter wears thin, this story will not even qualify as a footnote...
  • hernga2
    Equator Coffees (@equatorcoffees) in San Francisco CA uses twitter to communicate its monthly website specials, announce its new products and channel their travel blog postings to their customers.
  • mingyeow
    Any clear results we can blog and write about? that will be great!
  • hernga2
    I would love to share our story with you. what would be a good way for us to get a hold of you? Feel free to shoot me an email at ghernandez@faganwelles.com

    Thanks
  • mingyeow
  • Amnon
    Great twitter story - So did CoffeeGroundz intend to reply with the game wii or just missed on the spelling of oui?
  • Brilliant!
  • parboo
    I'm hosting a university tweetup tomorrow in the cafe of the SU I manage. I predict collaboration and coffee. Will share the great stuff.
  • mingyeow
    Yup, please do share the great stuff with all of us! =)
  • Great story about a very successful use of Twitter. Businesses every where should pay attention.
  • Great story and example. Thanks for posting this.
  • Only a hundred? In Houston? I reckon we could get more to attend a tweetup here in South Africa :)

    Good going though. The only similar profile here that I can think of (that semi-regularly tweets) is @CappellosSandton
  • Tom
    Hello, I run @Tweetup and @SnowgooseSA runs a few Johannesburg tweetups. Example: http://twitter.com/tweetup/status/1049868397

    I think they only get about 20-30.
  • J
    I don't understand why Twitter has to be involved... couldn't you just email in your order to the same effect?
  • I think it actually comes down to the speed of access, twitter can be almost more instant then email.

    However that is why this story is this story, because it combined twitter with making orders for coffee, or such in this manner. If it has been email you would not have heard about it.
  • Twitter is an app that can be accessed via a variety of ways. One popular way to access it is via your cell, so let's say you're at your doctors office waiting to see him/her about a backache you're having. You plan to be there about an hour or so, then you decide you want to grab some grub before picking up my kid from school, etc. But you want to place a to go order as you're pressed for time.

    Instead of pulling out your clunky laptop to send someone an email, you pull out your handy dandy (and smaller) CELL PHONE, and use this to send a tweet to the local deli to place your order.

    Get it now.
  • Sandra
    Then I use my Iphone to send the e-mail, why use Twitter?
  • Thanks for sharing this story. I have used twitter to grow my clients lunch crowd, but never thought of using twitter for to go orders. This is a great example of the power of social media and how using free social media tools can grow your client base.
  • @brianvanh
    Small business owners would do well to take note of this. Here in Des Moines, we have a very active Twitter group who like to jump on the bandwagon of those who participate in the community. Have seen a few companies get on board, but not as many as you'd think.

    Great story!
  • Great story! But what about load? What if everyone started to communicating over DM instead of going to the counter? Would this create a position in the coffee shop?
  • Tweet! Great story, and shows what great community and business benefits Twitter can bring.
  • This is a great story. That customer service is what carried him over the top!
  • Great story about a great business that embraces people AND technology!

    I love Coffee Groundz and I'm not really a coffee drinker, and that's the beauty of it, you don't have to be. There is such variety, you can find something for everyone. I was just there this morning.
  • Excellent use and execution of twitter and social media to expand your brand and obviously the impact to your clientele. Great to see more companies doing this. I'm not even in Houston but will start following @coffeegroundz just to see what they're going to do next! Also spreading the word to our local coffee shop here @thebeancup Woo hoo! Go twitter!
  • Wow! Awesome idea!
  • Great story! Now if I can only convince @starbucks to remember that, in the afternoon, some people just want a regular cup of coffee...and it ought to be fresh! Grrrr.

    Mark
  • I'm with you on that one, it's close to impossible to order just a 'coffee'.
  • Whoa! A really innovative idea!
    Twitter is showing its true worth.....helping many tweeple all around the world.
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