Nextdoor is a social network platform that connects people in their local communities and is a great tool for promoting your homemade food business to people in your area. Follow the steps below to get started on Nextdoor!

Step 1: Create a Nextdoor account

Step 2: Create Posts in your Neighborhood

Step 3: Find, Join & Post in Nextdoor Groups

If you haven't already, create a Nextdoor account here. We recommend creating a personal account versus a business account, so you can join & post in groups, but you're welcome to do either (or both!). Once you have joined your community, you can start promoting your food business.

Note: You will need to verify your address to join.

We've provided a few example posts to get you started, but don't forget to personalize them! We encourage you to get creative and post anything you feel is relevant to your area and/or your customers!

Note: With personal accounts, Nextdoor sometimes does not allow you to include links or promotional discount codes. If this is the case, encourage people to message you for that information, but be prepared to follow up with them via direct messages.

Create your first post by introducing yourself and your food business to the community! You can include information about what you cook, your cooking experience, and your passion for food. Be sure to also include a link to your menu and encourage neighbors to message you within Nextdoor, so that you can provide them with your give-get referral code to receive a discount!

Example post:

Hi everyone, my name is [Insert Your Name], and I'm a passionate cook who loves preparing homemade food for you, my neighbors! I specialize in [Insert Cuisine] cuisine, and I have been cooking for [Insert Number of Years] years. I'm excited to share my delicious dishes with you all. All of my food can be delivered to your door through Shef! If you're interested in trying my food, you can visit my menu here: [Insert Give-Get Referral Link], and you're welcome to message me for a first-time discount code.

One of the best ways to promote your food on Nextdoor is by sharing pictures of your delicious dishes. You can share pictures of your dishes on your Nextdoor profile or in the Nextdoor newsfeed. Make sure your pictures are high quality and showcase your dishes in the best possible light.

Example post:

Hi everyone, I wanted to share some pictures of my delicious [dish name]! As you can see, it's made with fresh ingredients and cooked with love. If you're interested in trying this dish, you can order it here: [Insert Custom Link to Dish]. Message me for a first-time discount code before you order. Everything will be delivered right to your door. Hope you enjoy!

Tip: Build a custom link in the "Promotions" section of your "Grow Your Business" page (via your Shef Dashboard). You can create a link that sends customers to a specific dish and attach your give-get referral code to it as well.

To spark interest with neighbors scrolling through their Nextdoor newsfeed, consider starting a poll. Then, follow up with people who voted or commented and encourage them to try your food!

Example polls:

Similar to Facebook, Nextdoor also has interest-based groups that you can join and post in! To find them, click "Discover" in the menu bar and scroll down to the "Discover more groups" button. You can use any of the example posts above or create your own to get the conversation going!

Types of groups you could join:

Promoting your food business on Nextdoor is a great way to connect with your local community and get the word out about your delicious food. By following these steps and posting engaging content, you can build your reputation, attract new customers, and grow your food business. Good luck!