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Learn How to b.good at Internet Marketing from Jon Olinto

  

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Ever since we conducted our first Tweet & A with Rebecca Corliss people have been dying to know who we were going to interview next. The PullnotPush team's passion for clever marketing and good burgers led us to Jon Olinto, one of the co-founders of b.good.

One of the best small business success stories in Boston comes from Jon and his childhood friend Anthony Ackil. The two's passion for good food and good people lead them to opening their first b.good restaurant in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood six years ago.  Their philosophy of cooking real food fast caught on like wildfire and created legions of b.good fans (or family as they like to refer to them) all over Boston.

Jon and Anthony promoted the restaurant over the years with clever contests and an active social media presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It wasn't so much an internet marketing strategy as it was simply sharing their story with their fans. This summer the two plan to fulfill a dream of buying an ice cream truck to distribute their tasty b.good shakes. They shared on Facebook and Twitter their search for finding the perfect used ice cream truck for the job. Their followers loved it.

Sharing their story seems to have paid off - the two are now preparing to open their seventh restaurant in Hingham, MA.  Jon was nice enough to take a break from the craziness involved with running a business and answer our tweets. Here's the recap from yesterday's Tweet & A:

@PullnotPush:  This summer looks super busy for you. Opening a 7th store and driving free shake trucks! How do you find time for marketing?

@b_good_:  Always believed telling story of real people who make our food is critical for our success. So, always has & will be priority.

@PullnotPush:  Fun videos seem to play a big part in promoting the restaurants. Has making videos and hosting video contests impacted business?

@b_good_: they're an engaging way for us to make customers part of the story that is b.good. we think that's how you create real loyalty.

@PullnotPush:  Are there any new contests coming up in the pipeline?

@b_good_: great one next wk. just bought old, yellow ice cream truck. gonna have our family name her. winner gets free shakes for summer.

@PullnotPush:   When it comes to supporting the local community b.good gets very creative.  Any tips for other businesses looking to get involved?

@b_good_: we never had lots of $ to donate. so, forced to do weird stuff. key is always focusing on causes of most passionate customers.

@PullnotPush:  Many smaller local businesses aren't very involved in social media. Do you think they're missing out?

@b_good_: yeah, i think every biz can be more human. SM allows biz's to be human - have emotions - instead of being faceless & voiceless.

@PullnotPush:  What are some things people you think people should avoid when promoting a new business?

@b_good_: on SM, i'd say avoid being anything other than who you really are. SM makes it's too too easy to sniff out cheesy salesmen.

@PullnotPush:  What's the next step for the b.good family?

@b_good_: World domination. But, before that, we're holding annual Family BBQ this summer. Local burgers, beer & bands for local charity.

@PullnotPush:  And finally, any advice for someone who's thinking about starting their own business?

@b_good_: don't listen to the "haters". people will tell you not to do whatever it is you're going after. block that out and get started.

PullnotPush would like to thank Jon Olinto for sharing his bits of wisdom with our readers. What are your thoughts on b.good's promotional tactics?