February 12, 2009 60 Comments

Twitter Taco Truck and the Times

Real big thanks to my friend, Ron Ploof for pointing this out to me: The LA Times covered the story of the Kogi taco truck’s use of Twitter to promote their business. It’s a fun story, and offers some ideas to small businesses with engaged audiences.

Another point of note: I love that the LA Times shot a video but then let me embed it, and that the reporter, Jessica Gelt, had links out to the various details in the story, such as the Kogi website. Good on ya, LA Times.

Watch this:

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  • http://ronamok.com Ron Ploof

    Thanks for the shout out, Chris. We are just scratching the surface of Social Media uses for business.

  • http://ronamok.com ronploof

    Thanks for the shout out, Chris. We are just scratching the surface of Social Media uses for business.

  • http://almightylink.ksablan.com/ Kevin Sablan

    Yes, good for LA times. I especially like that the story wasn’t presented with the usual “here is what twitter is” approach, and Twitter only played one part of Manguera’s story. Only thing missing was Kogi’s Twitter username: @kogibbq.

  • http://almightylink.ksablan.com/ Kevin Sablan

    Yes, good for LA times. I especially like that the story wasn’t presented with the usual “here is what twitter is” approach, and Twitter only played one part of Manguera’s story. Only thing missing was Kogi’s Twitter username: @kogibbq.

  • http://www.twitter.com/brandonacox Brandon Cox

    Very cool idea! It illustrates the connection between online followers and real-life flesh-and-blood followers.

  • http://www.twitter.com/brandonacox Brandon Cox

    Very cool idea! It illustrates the connection between online followers and real-life flesh-and-blood followers.

  • http://p0ps.tumblr.com p0ps

    A simple, clear, inspiring story. Thanks for bringing it here, Chris and congrats to LA Times for not messing it up.

  • http://p0ps.tumblr.com p0ps

    A simple, clear, inspiring story. Thanks for bringing it here, Chris and congrats to LA Times for not messing it up.

  • John Zurovchak

    Great story! I agree with Kevin that this was a very well constructed story that flowed from beginning to end. Twitter was only one part of the story, but it really stood out how Kogi communicates with their customers. I like how they aren’t trying to “sell” anything to their followers. They just say “Hey, we moved from here to here if you are interested.” Or “Hey, we have this special today” or “Try this new flavor.” That’s the way to connect with your customers and to build a community.

    Thanks for posting this, Chris.

  • John Zurovchak

    Great story! I agree with Kevin that this was a very well constructed story that flowed from beginning to end. Twitter was only one part of the story, but it really stood out how Kogi communicates with their customers. I like how they aren’t trying to “sell” anything to their followers. They just say “Hey, we moved from here to here if you are interested.” Or “Hey, we have this special today” or “Try this new flavor.” That’s the way to connect with your customers and to build a community.

    Thanks for posting this, Chris.

  • http://stevealbers.wordpress.com Steve Albers

    Very smart! I’m going to have to follow them to see if they’re going to be in my area anytime soon.

  • http://stevealbers.wordpress.com Steve Albers

    Very smart! I’m going to have to follow them to see if they’re going to be in my area anytime soon.

  • http://blogbuildingu.com Hendry Lee
  • http://blogbuildingu.com Hendry Lee
  • http://www.enigmamarketingcoach.com Pixie Stevenson

    Good story. I’m Korean. I would eat it.

  • http://www.enigmamarketingcoach.com Pixie Stevenson

    Good story. I’m Korean. I would eat it.

  • http://intrepid-llc.com Todd Schnick

    Thanks for sharing this story. I am using Twitter to promote a new restaurant client of mine (@fuegomundo) in Atlanta. Pleased with initial interest and feedback so far. And we really event haven’t kickstarted this effort yet!

  • http://intrepid-llc.com Todd Schnick

    Thanks for sharing this story. I am using Twitter to promote a new restaurant client of mine (@fuegomundo) in Atlanta. Pleased with initial interest and feedback so far. And we really event haven’t kickstarted this effort yet!

  • http://thefuturebuzz.com Adam Singer

    Damn that looks tasty. You’re killing me Chris, I brought a salad for lunch. Now I’m craving tacos!

  • http://thefuturebuzz.com Adam Singer

    Damn that looks tasty. You’re killing me Chris, I brought a salad for lunch. Now I’m craving tacos!

  • http://www.TGTmoney.com Mike B.

    I wish we had one of those around here. I had an idea similar to this but it would be a “gourmet grill cheese” bus.
    @bookerx3

  • http://www.TGTmoney.com Mike B.

    I wish we had one of those around here. I had an idea similar to this but it would be a “gourmet grill cheese” bus.
    @bookerx3

  • http://blog.tomabonciu.ro/ Toma Bonciu – SEO Services

    Hey,

    This is a great usage of Twitter. This is something that can happen in a society that really digs social media. Unfortunately in my country we didn’t reached this level of involvement.

    Great information in this article. Interesting !

    Thanks,
    TomaBonciu on Twitter

  • http://blog.tomabonciu.ro/ Toma Bonciu – SEO Services

    Hey,

    This is a great usage of Twitter. This is something that can happen in a society that really digs social media. Unfortunately in my country we didn’t reached this level of involvement.

    Great information in this article. Interesting !

    Thanks,
    TomaBonciu on Twitter

  • Erika Owens

    That food looked tasty. It is a smart idea for them to use twitter. Imagine when you were a kid waiting on the ice cream truck and never knowing where it was at, or when it was going to get to your house. With Twitter, if you’re craving these tacos that mystery is solved! Great story.

  • Erika Owens

    That food looked tasty. It is a smart idea for them to use twitter. Imagine when you were a kid waiting on the ice cream truck and never knowing where it was at, or when it was going to get to your house. With Twitter, if you’re craving these tacos that mystery is solved! Great story.

  • http://laroncarter.wordpress.com LaRon Carter

    Thanks Big B. Man I can always count on you to deliver the beef. This interview was extremely helpful for me because Roy was so transparent in sharing the truth about their journey. Great stuff Brogan as always.

    LaRon | @laroncarter

  • http://laroncarter.wordpress.com LaRon Carter

    Thanks Big B. Man I can always count on you to deliver the beef. This interview was extremely helpful for me because Roy was so transparent in sharing the truth about their journey. Great stuff Brogan as always.

    LaRon | @laroncarter

  • http://www.transactionequality.com/ Beth Pinson

    KOGI…BRILLIANT! I love it! Thanks!

  • http://www.transactionequality.com/ Beth Pinson

    KOGI…BRILLIANT! I love it! Thanks!

  • http://www.twitter.com/ericwade Eric Wade

    I’m all in favor of LATimes and great stories, but I feel kinda weird when LATimes gets accolades for getting something right. That should be the norm! Come on LATimes, we’re rooting for you!

  • http://www.twitter.com/ericwade Eric Wade

    I’m all in favor of LATimes and great stories, but I feel kinda weird when LATimes gets accolades for getting something right. That should be the norm! Come on LATimes, we’re rooting for you!

  • http://www.latimes.com Andrew Nystrom

    Cheers Chris, glad you found the embed code. I anyone else wants to share the video, click the email envelope, then the Grab tab…then you can customize the code.

    This follow-up blog post talks about how @kogibbq’s Twitter-fueled popularity led to a new brick-and-mortar location.

    Bon appetite,
    ~ Andrew | @latimesnystrom
    social media guy embedded in the LAT newsroom

  • http://www.latimes.com Andrew Nystrom

    Cheers Chris, glad you found the embed code. I anyone else wants to share the video, click the email envelope, then the Grab tab…then you can customize the code.

    This follow-up blog post talks about how @kogibbq’s Twitter-fueled popularity led to a new brick-and-mortar location.

    Bon appetite,
    ~ Andrew | @latimesnystrom
    social media guy embedded in the LAT newsroom

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  • http://utodd.com tsand

    I just ate lunch, and this made me hungry… again. When is the Kogi taco truck coming to Green Bay? Tailgate at Lambeau FTW!

  • http://utodd.com Todd

    I just ate lunch, and this made me hungry… again. When is the Kogi taco truck coming to Green Bay? Tailgate at Lambeau FTW!

  • http://www.howtopasstheapft.com APFTDude

    What a brilliant idea. This seems like a great way to increase customer loyalty, and I bet that customers who follow the twitter feed are much more likely to purchase on a regular basis. It’d be interesting to see a formal study done on this.

  • http://www.howtopasstheapft.com APFTDude

    What a brilliant idea. This seems like a great way to increase customer loyalty, and I bet that customers who follow the twitter feed are much more likely to purchase on a regular basis. It’d be interesting to see a formal study done on this.

  • http://www.BillTamminga.com Bill Tamminga

    What a great story. Thanks Chris!

  • http://www.BillTamminga.com Bill Tamminga

    What a great story. Thanks Chris!

  • http://twitter.com/jazzlover Dave Pancost

    Great, inspirational story, Chris. Love watching people successfully following their dreams. I especially liked the comment in the video about how they were kicked out within the first 10 minutes of their first stop. Just goes to show you that you can’t ever be successful without a healthy dose of perseverance. Thanks for sharing this.

  • http://twitter.com/jazzlover Dave Pancost

    Great, inspirational story, Chris. Love watching people successfully following their dreams. I especially liked the comment in the video about how they were kicked out within the first 10 minutes of their first stop. Just goes to show you that you can’t ever be successful without a healthy dose of perseverance. Thanks for sharing this.

  • http://www.amarketersview.com www.AMarketersView.com

    Great article.
    It’d be interesting to see an analysis of the cost involved in all the Twittering that is done on behalf of the Taco Truck.
    Yes, I know that Twitter is free, but time is not. So the important question to ask is, is this the best way to allocate these resources?
    I believe that for the taco truck, the answer is yes.
    For other business models, it’s not so simple. Let’s keep that in mind before deciding in a rush to get someone in our respective companies to spend time Twittering.

  • http://www.amarketersview.com www.AMarketersView.com

    Great article.
    It’d be interesting to see an analysis of the cost involved in all the Twittering that is done on behalf of the Taco Truck.
    Yes, I know that Twitter is free, but time is not. So the important question to ask is, is this the best way to allocate these resources?
    I believe that for the taco truck, the answer is yes.
    For other business models, it’s not so simple. Let’s keep that in mind before deciding in a rush to get someone in our respective companies to spend time Twittering.

  • http://www.wheremykeys.blogspot.com hoong yee lee krakauer

    passion enhanced by twitter. great recipe!
    i’m hungry for more. now, let’s see all of your folks with that fire in your belly to do more and be more, connect more!

    thanks chris

  • http://www.wheremykeys.blogspot.com hoong yee lee krakauer

    passion enhanced by twitter. great recipe!
    i’m hungry for more. now, let’s see all of your folks with that fire in your belly to do more and be more, connect more!

    thanks chris

  • http://www.skylinecoachingblog.com Nickolove Lovemore

    A great example of how twitter can help you promote your business. Made me feel peckish even though I don’t eat meat!

    @Nickolove

  • http://www.skylinecoachingblog.com Nickolove Lovemore

    A great example of how twitter can help you promote your business. Made me feel peckish even though I don’t eat meat!

    @Nickolove

  • http://DCincome.com/blog Matthew Loop

    That is an awesome story and I absolutely love Korean BBQ! Twitter is hot for those that understand how to harness it correctly. It’s still hard to believe how fast information actually travels there. I’ve been showing chiropractors how to attract new patients with social media sites for a few years now and the same principles apply. Just proves that regardless of what business you have, social media can light a fire under it :)

    @MatthewLoop

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