Oct 19, 2025
3 min read
Traders say they are attracting customers from all over after it goes viral on social media.
If you post, they will come: A company that turns likes into a living
Social media products like Tiktok and Instagram are more addictive than ever before in the world.How does it feel when your business is at the center of a viral reaction?
Spend any time on social media and it won't be long before you see footage of some vacation disaster with the voiceover saying, "Nothing beats a Jet2 vacation."
The travel company's funny theme song and slogan have become an internet meme, and many small businesses are also benefiting from their social media fame.
This includes the Benelli Mega Chip, which has grown tenfold thanks to videos on social media.
"Spudman" - Bedoni - after the end of his video, she most likes his avalcato clothes to give to clients.
Elsewhere, "Chip Shop Diva" Destiny Harold has become an Internet star, thanks to her appearances in Merchant Fish and Chip Shop's online videos.
Meanwhile, in Essex, a number of companies are currently enjoying a boost in business after going viral.
"Customers walk to our burger for three hours"
It was just after 09:00 on a Tuesday morning and a flurry of customers had already peered through the doors of Honywood Sandwich Shop in Basildon.
It's the most consistent thing that comes out for breakfast, but I'm told it's the weekend and people will be out of it.
The sandwich shop posts its videos on tiktok, but the content of its customers has grown in the country.
Shop owner Murat Mutlu, who employs nine people, says customers have started traveling long distances to try his food after his regular posts about the shop and other customers followed suit.
And while traditional sarnies may be the shop's bread and butter, the other items are what TikTokers are talking about.
"It was a big surprise for me to hear [customers] travel for three hours for our chicken burger," said the 42-year-old, who took over the shop two years ago.
"It's amazing, really"
Around 1.5 million UK businesses operate on TikTok, according to figures shared by the social media platform last year.
Among them is Krystalls Boutique, a prom dress shop in Leigh-on-Sea, whose team sketches based on funny moments they've seen in the store have racked up millions of views.
Kristy Chamberan, who opened the shop in 2012, says teenagers travel from the sewer islands and even Cyprus to pick up a dress after watching the skits.
She started posting on the platform about 18 months ago, after being encouraged by her son.
"Some people drive four or five hours here," says the 45-year-old.
"I always ask them if they close with a family visit and they're like, 'No, my daughter said she wants to come here.'It's really amazing."
"It's taken over my life"
More than 200 million business people worldwide are using Instagram from customers, according to the New Business Academy.
One of these, in a nearby industrial area, is a boutique, online clothing store owned by Linda Hunter.
She started posting on platforms during the pandemic and after 46 years of selling clothes at markets in Essex, Kent and London she was finally able to pack up her stall.
The 62-year-old has moved his business completely online and delivers clothes all over the UK and even Australia.
Pulling into the warehouse, I watched as Linda shuffled through boxes of papers while her team tackled a new project.
"It took over my life," she laughs.
"All my stuff was lying in my van and my grandson pulled himself over and said, 'We need to make a video.'We started in our living room."
He is now followed by a combined 320,000 people on Facebook and Instagram and provides samples of fresh content that he provides five times a day.
"Responsive media has honestly changed our business"
Partners Chloe Huggins and Ross Bliss, both 27 and from Thundersley, started posting videos of their children's parties on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook after setting up Little Love's Pamper Bus last December.
According to Ross, the campaign has had about 45 million views within a year.
Together they travel around Essex and surrounding areas in their mobile beauty salon, but have received requests from viewers in the US and the Bahamas.
"The trust in social media has really changed our business, as she showed me the window.
The couple says they originally expected the party to be a weekend drive, but now the youngsters help with the party almost every day.
"People buy from people"
Laindon-based marketing expert Faye Martin says social media has made it easier than ever for businesses to reach new customers.
"Marketing in recent years is such that brand awareness is at the heart of it," he says.
"People know what advertising is, and they don't want to sell. They buy from people.
"Subliminal marketing and little skits ... What a great way to show your authentic brand, so they can see, 'Oh, I'm going to buy from them.'
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