Social Web TacticsSocial Web Tactics

  • Marketing
    • Reaching Your Audience
    • Content and Website Optimization
    • Effective Storytelling
    • Creating A Strategy
    • Finding the Right Technology
    • Outreach and Engagement
  • Who We Serve
    • Education (K-12)
    • Education (Higher Ed)
    • Government Contractors
    • Technology
  • Insights and Resources
    • Insights and Perspectives
    • Articles and Blog Posts
    • Webinars
    • Research Services
  • About Us
Michael Hackmer
Thursday, 12 September 2013 / Published in Creativity

Create Some Adventure By Going Underground With Your Business

Underground-DiningAn interesting story out of New York City the other day (CBS 2 Investigation: Underground — And Illegal — NYC Dinner Parties), where underground dinner parties or supper clubs have emerged to offer foodies, tourists and others a more unique and exclusive dining experience.

Through online networks of foodies and members-only websites, people are booking reservations and having meals in homes and secret, revolving locations, for meals prepared by people who love to cook. Some are professional chefs, whereas others are simply food lovers. And while New York was the subject of this CBS investigative report, these events take places in other countries and other cities in the US (see The Secret Supper Club in Denver. What is it? Where is it? And more.)

While the nature of the investigation focused on the fact that these secret dining hot spots are unregulated by the health department, and the owners run the risk of a $2,000 fine, I am more fascinated by the whole nature of people taking their business off-the-grid, in a way, and going underground.

Going underground with these personalized eateries allows the owners to experiment with different cooking styles and techniques (blow torches, nitrogen and yes – the article references that one cook uses a vacuum machine to prepare meals – yuck.). It also creates a bit of adventure and exclusivity and mystery.

This brings me to those specific qualities that I just mentioned: adventure, exclusivity and mystery. If you are running a consumer-facing business (B2C), you should ask yourself – how am I engaging my consumers? In a world where retailers are in constant “sales” mode, using an element of adventure, exclusivity and perhaps even mystery (Halloween is a month and a half away after all), could be a way to differentiate your business from everyone else.

Maybe there is a way to take an element of your business underground? If you sell tea, for example, you could follow the supper club model and have secret locations for tea tasting parties where special new teas are brought in for an unique subset of your customer base. You also could replicate this model for shoes, clothes, existing restaurants, wine tastings, beer tastings, education and more.

In an age where we are bombarded by an endless stream of the same media messages, sales techniques and chain stores that have sucked so much uniqueness from our daily lives, the idea of creating adventure and taking an element of our lives and business underground, could just be something that everyone needs.

For Fun – A Short List Of How To Find Underground Dining

Delish – Underground Restaurant
WikiPedia Listing Of Underground Restaurants
Supper Club Fan Group – NING

Author

  • Michael Hackmer
    Michael Hackmer

    Michael Hackmer is the founder of Social Web Tactics. Born in Boston, MA, Hackmer has lived in the metro Washington, DC region since 1998. He specializes in digital marketing strategy, seo and sem, social media, merging online and in-person events for best engagement, business development and more. With over 15 years experience in government, non-profits, public and private corporations, spanning a number of industries, Hackmer has a unique wealth of experience. He currently resides in Ashburn with his daughter.

    View all posts

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Tagged under: B2C, CBS 2, foodies, Michael Hackmer, Michael Patlazhan, Naama Shafi, New York, Tamara Leitner, underground business, underground supper clubs, unregulated businesses

What you can read next

Where to Find Content Marketing Inspiration, Photo by Una Laurencic
Where to Find Content Marketing Inspiration
Lightbulb Headed Man
Is Your Team Where Big Ideas Die?
Collaboration
Thoughts On Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Creativity

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Let's Discuss Your Business Needs

Let's Discuss Your Business Needs

Click here to schedule a meeting. Or call us at: 703-362-1586
Marketing Services

Need Help With Your Marketing Campaigns?

Check out each of our services or click here for the services overview.
Identify Your Audience

Optimize Your Website For Search Engines

Create Amazing Marketing Content and Resources

Automate Your Marketing For Better Lead Generation

Create Lead Generation Campaigns (Webinars, Whitepapers, Emails, etc)

Advertise Your Products / Services

Engage Your Audience On Social Media


Catoctin Education - Online, Classroom and Training

Catoctin Education Courses

Courses are coming soon.. Questions? Call us at: 703-362-1586

Recent Posts

  • Create Amazing Content - Content Marketing - Social Web Tactics

    How Government Contractors Can Produce Successful B2G Marketing Content

        Author Michael Hackmer Michael Ha...
  • SEO - Search Engine Optimization

    Why It Is Time To Audit Your Website and Optimize For Search SEO

        Author Michael Hackmer Michael Ha...
  • B2G Marketing Guide For Government Contractors

    Author Michael Hackmer Michael Hackmer is the f...
  • Government Contractors - B2G Website - Social Web Tactics

    Government Contractors Website To Launch April 2018

    Several years ago, a number of us had the oppor...
  • How Marketing Automation Works For Government Contractors

    Author Michael Hackmer Michael Hackmer is the f...

Core Marketing Services

  • TARGET AUDIENCE
  • SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
  • STORYTELLING & CONTENT
  • DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY
  • MARKETING TECHNOLOGY
  • AUTOMATION
  • LEAD GENERATION
  • ENGAGEMENT

Additional Marketing Services

  • B2B and B2G Lead Generation Webinars
  • Industry And Market Research

Industries We Serve

  • Enterprise Businesses
  • Small to Mid-Sized Businesses
  • Start-Ups
  • Government
  • Government Contractors
  • Higher Education
  • Technology (Hardware and Software)

Marketing Resources

  • What Is Marketing Automation?
  • Why Do You Need Marketing Automation?
  • Marketing Automation Software Pricing
  • What Is The Social Web?
  • Benefits of Hiring A Marketing Consultant
  • Social Media Statistics and Reports
  • What Is Business To Government (B2G)
  • Government Contractor Groups On LinkedIn
  • Government On Social Media
  • How The U.S. Military Uses Instagram
  • B2G Marketing Guide For Government Contractors
Social Web Tactics (SWT)
Phone: 571-271-5976
Email: GetStarted
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Copyright 2022
Social Web Tactics - Digital Marketing Agency
TOP