Mike Langford

“I don’t care what you are having for lunch! How is seeing pictures of your food going to help me grow my business?”

I have invested a lot of time evangelizing social media for business over the years. The “pictures of food” objection has been second only to “I don’t have time” as reason why a business person is unwilling to invest in social.

Here’s the thing though…yes you do care what I am having for lunch. And your network actually cares what you are having for lunch.

Everybody Eats

It’s not about the food. It’s about what food represents to the people with whom we are connected or wish to connect. 

• How many times this week alone have you had a conversation about food?
• How many important or meaningful conversations have you had while dining?
• Why do you think cooking and dining shows and news segments are so prevalent on TV?

Everyone eats. Everyone can relate to food. Food is comfort. Food is life.

When I share a picture of food I see significantly more engagement from people I know and from new people who happen across the photo.

Take a look at my Instagram feed above clicking on the Instagram link at the top of this page. If you click on any of the pictures of food I have shared you will see a lot of likes and comments. Now few, in fact none, of these comments are about business but that’s okay.

It’s okay in the same way as attending a charity dinner or wine tasting to network are for your business. Social media is means to develop and maintain relationships. Every time someone engages with you via a like or a comment you it brings you closer together. When the time comes for you to do business you are already warmed up.

Is food porn a good marketing strategy? I think so. But then again, I love to eat. What do you think?