Tastecasting: You tweet while you eat

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Sometimes, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are just for fun. Sometimes, they are used for business. But the motivations appear to combine in a new phenomenon being called "tastecasting."

The Cajon-Creole restaurant YATS has earned a devoted following. But owner Joe Vuskovich said his restaurant had humble beginnings.

"Our initial marketing was all done by word-of-mouth," said Vuskovich.

Nowadays, patrons can use Twitter to tip followers off about a great meal or post similar messages to friends on Facebook. When a team does it, that's called tastecasting.

"They tweet while they eat. They blog about their experience, talk about it on Facebook. So, it's kind of like word-of-mouth for the Internet," said Nick McMurray of TrendyMinds .

The new tastecasters in Indianapolis say it's not as easy as it looks.

"Yeah, it's funny because you have all these people who are very social. But, at the same time, we're not really able to talk to each other because we're getting the word out online and we're eating our food at the same time," said tastecaster Ryan Sawrie.

Certainly, it's is a great way to sample new food. But, there is an element of public service among the tastecasters.

Tastecaster Adrienne Bailey explained her motivation.

"Help out local businesses, promote all the great things that they're doing. They're enhancing Indianapolis," said Bailey.

Vuskovich said he thinks the whole thing is pretty cool, but it only helps as long as there's good food coming out of the kitchen.

"That's the most important thing," said Vuskovich.