An exceptional coffee and tea bar people talk about --[EXCELLENCE], [SERVICE], [ATTENTIVENESS]

This is from the excellent marketing blog of David Henderson - consultant, author, journalist.

Jane Told Claire, Claire Told Me

Posted: 18 Apr 2009

Word of mouth marketing is like third party endorsement. It's the most influential and powerful form of social media. Here's an example -

Jane P-B, a writer and professor in New York City, told our daughter Claire about a small coffee shop that she found to be remarkable. Claire loved it, too, and told me. I visited the coffee shop this weekend, and found it to be one of the best coffee shops I know of in North America. And, I am sharing with you.

If you are waiting for me to mention Twitter or some online social media tool … sorry, not this time. This is about old-fashioned third party endorsement, which remains a heck of a lot more enduring and important than any online tactic.

Oh, yes … what's the name of this wonderful coffee shop? 71 Irving Place. That's also the address, just a couple of blocks east of Union Square in Manhattan.

What's so special about 71 Irving Place?

• They craft outstanding coffee drinks from their own roasts, and have wonderful tea.
• The food they sell is delicious and outstanding quality.
• They have free WiFi.

They do not sell CDs, espresso machines and breath mints like Starbucks. Starbucks has lost its compass … it's purpose … and has become the Wal-mart of coffee shops. They can learn lessons from 71 Irving Place about how to be a truly exceptional coffee and tea bar that people talk about. It's a simple lesson - be really good at what you do.

Here's their Web site - www.irvingfarm.com.