So, today I decided to expound on the social media world’s fascination with BACON.

Yep, Bacon! It’s the American blogger’s food-porn aphrodisiac. If it came between naked pictures of Kaley Cuoco (Penny on “Big Bang Theory”) and bacon, I truly worry that the bacon would get more views. Maybe Kaley’s photos would have a lower bounce rate, but that’s a whole different blog (and innuendo)…

Anyway! I honestly can’t go a single day without seeing a tweet or a post or a photo (notice the bacon bra?) of something to do with bacon. It’s everywhere!

So, why bacon? Why? WHY!?!

1. Bacon Emotes True Passion - Starting out with the obvious, bacon is… FREAKIN’ bacon!

You can whisper “I have bacon” in a crowded room and it’s pretty certain that you get a glorious, harmonizing response of “yummmmmmm…” similar to those Tibetan Deep Throat Chants.  (video)

that aside, the draw to bacon is so powerful, some retailers and hotels have been branded JUST by the bacon they serve!  I’ve read of entire restaurant menus dedicated to bacon, but to have an endorsement like this,

“if Bacon had a God he would live at The Roger Smith Hotel!” – Chris Brogan

makes an impact for bacon’s case that knocks you off your feet.

2. Bacon Has Spanning Relevance - While I really don’t need to go into the origins of bacon, I would assume that it took some grunting relative of ours about 10 seconds to figure out the salting and curing of the fatty back parts of pigs turned a generally disgusting part of the animal into one of the most succulent slices of meat human kind would ever stumble upon. It can be fried, diced, baked, grilled and even made into ice cream. So how can bacon NOT be relevant to every social and economical demographic under the sun?

3. Bacon Is Ultimately Unique – It has a taste like no other meat product.  It’s kind of a cross between glazed ham and beef jerky.  The sheer individuality of bacon makes it the most utilitarian meat source on the planet. And just try to search for “Bacon Recipes.” You’ll be reading (and drooling) for days…

4. And Bacon Is Soooo Engaging – How can one food, one simple, solitary slice of meat become the biggest meme of the 21st century?  How can bacon, a fat, salty slice of cholesterol become more consistently popular than Justin Bieber or Britney Spears put together?

Let’s just put it this way, have you ever been unhappy eating bacon?

UH OH…  look what I just did…

Can you hear it?  Sizzling like fat on a 400˚ griddle…  my branding brain did it again.

Even when it comes to writing a silly post about the popularity of bacon, I pull in the TRUE Branding formula.  It’s inevitable. When it comes to branding, like bacon, there has to be truth, relevance, uniqueness and engagement.

I haven’t asked pork producers but this could all be a big conspiracy to sell more pork product, but I’m sure they’re not complaining.

How would YOU like your brand to have the fan base bacon has? Imagine having your brand, your product, your name associated with everything personally rewarding and ultimately sinfully satisfying as bacon.

Try it.

Keep Cooking (until it’s crisp and satisfying.)
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

And with a hat tip to my blogging buddy @AdMavericks (Josh Fleming) I give you another tribute to BACON!

I just have to say “Brilliant!”
(Feed readers and Facebookers may need to click this link to see the video.)

“Anyone up for lunch…  the truck is on the corner of 3rd and Lexington until 2:00pm…” Of course, that’s in New York City, so, unless you live in NYC, “NO SOUP FOR YOU…”

Being from Central Iowa, what I can take away (other than may favorite corned beef on rye) is the idea that the ol’ “Brick n’ Mortar” businesses, even restaurants, have a unique advantage communicating with Twitter.

1. How do you let loyal clients know about unique, on-the-spot promotions?
2. If you’re a delivery service, how could you enhance customer loyalty?
3. Got more?

Here’s a few “local” Twitter accounts I follow that have the start to a great Twitter/customer service plan going.  If you’re around, feel free to follow ‘em.

@Pancheros - Regional Mexican specialty chain that uses Twitter to promote specials, events and answer customer inquiries.

@Dos_Rios – A local restaurant that sends multiple tweets per day on specials, unique recipe ideas and events at their location.

@Templetonrye – A recently resurrected whisky distiller that promotes it’s product via Twitter, as well as announce events and locations they can be found.

Hmmmmmmm…  Real food for thought.  Who in your area is using Twitter?  Are they using it to it’s best ability?  Get the word out about your favorite food/Twitter account…

Because, after all, I Will Tweet For Food…

Keep Cooking!
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef