Starbucks started with one coffee shop in Seattle and created a coffee revolution. But this brand powerhouse did not get to where it is today without some struggles along the way.
Just a few years back Starbucks was scrambling to make sense of how their coffee lost in taste tests over McDonald’s coffee. Than in 2009 they introduced instant coffee called Via, and once again people found themselves a bit skeptical. Whatever their pitfalls have been, they have had great success along the way and built a brand which has become synonymous with the coffee experience.
Utilizing the same approach they did by starting with one single coffee house, they have now created one of the most succesfful brands online with social media. Starbucks has about 7 million fans on Facebook, and regulary uses networks from Twitter, to Foursquare, to YouTube to promote the business. Here is an interview from the Social Media Examiner with Alex Wheeler, Director of Digital Strategy at Starbucks talking about the path to this social media success. One of the most important things to take this interview is how being “scrappy” and rolling with the punches, while thinking fast on their feet has allowed for this success. Social media is growing at such an exponential rate that it can be tough to keep up, it’s key to remember that thinking outside the box and being flexible can make the difference between success and failure. And also, being willing to test the waters as you go.
Starbucks from Michael A. Stelzner on Vimeo.
