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8 ways to communicate with your customers using Yelp Connect



Clear, concise, and regular communication is the key to connecting with your customers and generating business. Yelp Connect is an engaging tool to get your customers’ attention and share timely updates about your operations. Plus it’s easy to set up by logging into your Yelp for Business account and clicking on the Yelp Connect tab.

How it works: Create posts—using video, photos, and your own text—that share updates with potential customers on your Yelp Page.

Here are eight content themes you can use as guidance for your Yelp Connect posts, helping you spark interest and action with your customers.

1. Current hours and services

Whether you’re a restaurant owner or a chiropractor, the biggest question customers have about local businesses like yours right now is: “Are they open?” Keep your message simple, and try a Connect post that lets people know you’re open, including basic details about when and how they can interact with you.

Give a brief rundown of which products and services are available now, and invite them to patronize your business. Share exciting updates or changes to your normal operations, such as a new happy hour schedule.

If you’ve pivoted to open up new revenue streams with services you didn’t offer before, be sure to highlight that to your community. Share details like new dining arrangements—such as heated tents for outdoor dining—which could be the factor that sets you apart from other available options.

For restaurants specifically, be sure to communicate all the carryout/delivery options and platforms that are available to your customers. If someone knows that they want to enjoy your food, the next bit of information they need is how they can order it.

2. Virtual services

If your business is offering virtual services of any kind, use Connect to help spread the word. From online workout classes to virtual zoo tours, consumers have gotten used to doing all types of things online now.

Even businesses that don’t have an obvious way to offer virtual services can get creative. Some jewelers, for example, offer virtual ring consultations so that customers can move forward with celebrating special occasions, even while at home. 

Wellness providers have also been going virtual to help clients easily access the expertise of a physician. For some medical professionals—such as therapists—telehealth has opened up new options that some patients prefer as the norm now.

3. Tips, education, or instruction

Using Connect to share your expert advice is a great way to jumpstart conversations and organically develop a lead list of potential future clients. It also helps to keep your business top of mind to people who hadn’t thought about all the differenet types of services you offer.

If you have a lot of information that doesn’t fit within one Connect frame, you can use a Connect post as a teaser. Give an overview of the topic and then link to a blog post or page on your website, just like Pier Market Seafood Restaurant of Simco Restaurant Group did. “People love seeing what we’re doing, and they want to know what to expect,” said Marketing Director Ines Rodriguez.

4. Deals, discounts, offers, and rebates

If you’re promoting special deals on services or products—whether it’s a new offering or a discounted rate—outline all the details for your potential customers in a Connect post. Include information about the product/service itself and the special pricing to build connection and excitement even from a distance.

Offering a Yelp-specific deal or directing customers to your preferred transaction point is also a great way to track the activity coming in from your Connect posts. 

5. Day-of announcements

Connect posts don’t always have to share preplanned information or evergreen content. Connect is perfect for sharing information about a special event or promotion you want to draw attention to—or even something that’s happening in the surrounding community that would be interesting to your group of followers. Connect is helpful for these pop-up style events, and posting this type of content also encourages customers to come back to your page often to check out what else you may announce.

6. Fundraising, events, and collaboration

Use Connect to alert your customers about any fundraisers to support your business or your staff.

Collaborations with local organizations or other businesses are another great way to spread awareness about what you’re currently offering. If there’s another local business that you typically partner with or refer customers to, consider teaming up to see how you can support one another by providing bundled services or promoting each other’s offerings. Collaboration is worth celebrating and communicating to your network via a Connect post.

If you’re hosting events or utilizing your business’s brick-and-mortar location for a gathering, you can promote those happenings through a Connect post. For example, Win Athletic Club hosted a trunk show in their parking lot and promoted the event on Yelp Connect. 

7. Customer features 

Highlighting one of your customers and/or their reviews is a great way to market your business and highlight the types of services you offer. Similar to how you share reviews on social media or promote positive feedback on your website, you can highlight a happy customer (with their consent) in a Yelp Connect post. 

8. Holiday content

Around the holidays, you may have special items or offerings to highlight in the coming months. Use Connect to visually show what customers can expect from your business over the holiday season, and in the description, paint a picture that gets consumers excited to celebrate with you and your business.

To get started with Yelp Connect, just log in to biz.yelp.com and click on the Yelp Connect tab.

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The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.

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