5 Food Truck Social Media Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding social media marketing mistakes may seem like common sense to most food truck vendors but then as the old saying goes, common sense isn’t nearly as common as the name would imply.

The problem that causes some social media mistakes to take place is that social media has become far too easy to use and there is no visible cost to doing it so people don’t think it through like they would other types marketing.

For example, no food truck owner would pay to run an ad that insulted customers, discussed religious views or took a political position (outside of food truck legislation). But doing it on Twitter or Facebook is so easy that the normal thinking that goes into marketing doesn’t seem to apply.

The problem is, this thinking is so wrong. Why do food truck owners create Twitter accounts or Facebook pages in the first place? Usually it’s because they wanted to extend their marketing reach and bring new business to their food truck’s service window. So why then turn around and use it to do things that will have the exact opposite effect?

5 Food Truck Social Media Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Religion

The rules of proper social media postings are similar to the rules of the dinner table. No religion and no politics. Religion is held near and dear to people’s heart and you definitely want to avoid any talk of the divine in order to not alienate customers. This rule applies to positive and negative posts. Just avoid religious comments. The chances that all of your customers are of one religion or mindset is slim so be careful here.

Politics

Have you ever heard the phrase “Political Hot Potato?” Well this could be a great term to describe the tone on social media especially around election time. Everyone has an opinion on who will best lead their city, state and country.

With that said, politics has no place on a food truck’s Facebook Page. I don’t care how loyal you are to a candidate. Those are your beliefs, and a food truck should not get involved in government affairs, unless of course you are trying to get better food truck laws instituted.

Discriminatory Jokes

You might think they’re true or funny. Your friends might think they’re true or funny. Your customers will not think they’re true or funny. Stay away from the “Blond Jokes” or similar off-handed comments because they can and will offend someone.

Critics and Mean Customers

We’ve heard a lot in the last few months about disgruntled service staff and even food trucks heading to social media to bash critics and poor customers. Who can forget the food truck employee that criticized a corporate customer who didn’t leave a tip on a large purchase?

Personal Issues

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Family, suppliers or staff members upset you? Well that’s not your customer’s problem. Post it on your personal social media accounts or better yet, keep it offline. Please don’t tell the world about your personal issues; good or bad. No one wants to hear it.

The Bottom Line

Prevent yourself from making these social media marketing mistakes by making sure at least two people read any message before it gets posted live and wait at least 30 minutes between writing and posting. That should help filter anything a single, upset person may be tempted to post in a fit of anger.

Have you run into other common social media mistakes you’d care to add? Please feel free to share them in the comment section, our food truck forum or social media. Facebook | Twitter