Archive for the ‘Services’ Category
Social Media Changing The Dynamics of Marketing
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 am by Livvie
Social media is changing the dynamics of marketing and in 2010 will continue to revolutionize marketing as we know it.
In this economy businesses are seeing the huge benefits and potential Social Media Marketing presents for:
- Expanding their reach to existing and potential customers
- Relationship marketing and establishing credibility
- Becoming a thought leader in their area of expertise
- Increasing sales
- Cutting costs in printed marketing and advertising
- Low to no cost marketing on Social Media platforms – i.e. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, and virtual events (Tele-seminars, Webinars, Podcasts, etc)
Lisa Olinda of OlindaServices.com is hosting 2010 Social Media Masterminds Event with a line up of amazing guest bloggers sharing their expertise in social media marketing each day during the month on January.
Read JoAnne Westwood, owner of Westwood Virtual Associates, guest post on the Dynamic Changes in Virtual Events . JoAnne’s post shows how businesses are changing the way they are hosting events through Social Media outlets.
What are some ways you see Social Media changing traditional business marketing?
Posted in Blogging, Bus. Promoting, Email Mktg., Services, Social Media | 
Tags: Blogging, email marketing, Internet Marketing, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing | 
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Social Media: Good Customer Service Really Can Build Relationships
December 18th, 2009 at 2:46 pm by Livvie
I received an early Christmas gift today! The engine light had come on in my car letting me know it was time to have the oil changed. Since purchasing my Toyota, I’ve had it serviced with Toyota Scion of Concord NC. They have always done a very good job and provided good service.
When I called and made the appointment this morning I was told it would take about an hour to change the oil and rotate the tires. My husband drove his truck so we didn’t have to wait around while they completed the service and they were to give me a call on my cell when it was completed.
Jack and I went to Starbucks, bought pumpkin spice latte’s , went shopping in Garden Ridge, and made a trip to WalMart. After almost two hours and no phone call that my car was ready, I was getting a little irritated that it was taking so long and I hadn’t received a call. After all, it was Friday…I had places to go, people to see, and things I needed to do! So we headed back over to the service department.
When I walked in, I didn’t see Paula (Marlowe) the lady who had helped me. So I asked another service person if they could tell me if my car was ready. I explained I was told it would be an hour procedure and it was now two hours and I hadn’t heard anything. This was about the same time that Paula walked up. She said she was just getting ready to call me.
Then she took me over to her area and read the list of “recommended service” that needed to be done. I wasn’t doing any of that today, but told her I’d like a list with the prices included to discuss with my husband. Paula then said it would take about 5 minutes and she’d have the list ready and I could check out.
Twenty minutes later and even more irritated, I asked the check out person to see how much longer it was going to be. By this time I had really gotten ill.
Just at that moment, Paula appeared and instead of coming on in the door and walking me to the check out (their usual procedure), she called me to the door again. I thought….gezzzz are they going to recommend more work to be done…am I ever going to get to leave today??!! Now I was really getting upset!
Then Paula said, “Ms. Matthews, we’ve taken care of your oil change and rotated your tires for you. I’m sorry for your wait and the inconvenience to you…the service is on us today, there is no charge to you! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and come back to see me!”
Talk about being caught off guard and being speechless…my husband loves it when I’m speechless…doesn’t happen too often he says. As I regained my voice, I said in a very humble tone, I hadn’t expected that and I really appreciated it!
Now that’s customer service! I hadn’t said anything, but I’m sure Paula could tell in my actions that I was gettung upset. Even half price would have been nice, but no charge…WOW!
In just two short sentences Paula had made me feel she valued my time, appreciated my feelings, and valued me as a customer!
Thank you, Paula Marlowe and Toyota Scion of Concord NC!!! Will I go back…ABSOLUTELY! Will I recommened Toyota Scion of Concord NC…ABSOLUTELY!! After all, isn’t this what we’ve been talking about with Social Media…Good Customer Service Really Can Build Relationships!
What are your thoughts?
Posted in Bus. Building, Cust. Relations, Services, Social Media |
Tags: Building Business, Livvie Matthews, social media marketing |
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Building Relationships….Priceless!
May 31st, 2009 at 9:00 pm by Livvie
There are many things you can and will do along the way to building your business, but few things will have the impact on your business as that of building relationships.
Some think because you don’t “see” your viewers – customers, you don’t have to “interact”. In fact most of your business is conducted using web sites, e-mail and autoresponders. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Web sites, e-mail and autoresponders are the reasons you must build relationships! Think about it. Don’t you absolutely hate answering machines or voice mail when calling a business? There is no contact.
Reputation…What’s Yours?
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm by Livvie
With all the news of unethical corporations and businesses in today’s troubled economy, is it any wonder the public is asking who’s trustworthy in these seemingly untrustworthy times and are skeptical about who to trust for doing any type of business?
With the financial and economic crisis dominating the news, there’s no doubt about it…we are in an economic storm. Unemployment is up, consumer spending is down, cutting back is in, and over spending is definitely out!
Whether you are a new or an established business, these are changing and often scary times and changing times require changing courses…literally.
But not all is doom and gloom. At this time it’s critical you review your current marketing materials and develop new marketing messages that address your clients concerns, their changing values, and their priorities for helping them and their clients survive in these economic down times.
Time is of the essence, and if you don’t feel comfortable in revising/creating your new materials or are pressed for time, contact a reliable freelance copywriter.
WOW…IKEA!
February 27th, 2009 at 2:26 am by Livvie
Saturday my daughter and I went to the new IKEA here in Charlotte, NC. Their furniture showroom had everything you could imagine and they had it in every color. It was quite an experience…a very good experience!
This experience started with the parking. Even the parking attendants were organized. You would have thought you were going to a huge concert the way they were directing traffic…for a minute I thought I was going to have to pay for parking. As one car left, the parking attendants would direct another car into that very space. No cruzing the parking lot to try to find a spot…they directed you right to it!
Next we went inside and up to the showrooms. Every inch of space was organized with a theme and furniture to match. Even with the large number of people there, the inside traffice kept flowing. If you ran into a problem, there were plenty of the IKEA staff there to answer any questions.
These employees made you feel like you were the only visitor they had with their one-on-one customer service. They didn’t rush you or brush you aside, they simply took the time to listen and answer your questions.
In Summary…IKEA had anticipated their clients needs …were prepared to meet them…and went the extra mile in doing so.
Which brings me to you and your business. Are you taking the time to simply listen and answer your clients questions? Have you anticipated their needs? This can be as simple as a brochure with frequently asked questions, a web site, an information product, a report, or a combination of all these.
Maybe you have some or all the above mentioned items…how long has it been since they’ve been updated?
We are living in the age of “instant gratification”, your clients want information and they want it now. Anticipating your clients needs and being prepared says a great deal about who you are…you are a company that’s interested in meeting your client’s needs by solving their problems.
Bottom line: You want them to know you not only HAVE their solution…you ARE their solution! Then you are on your way to being a…WOW…IKEA!
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Livvie Matthews, freelance writing services/Owner of Write Business has been helping businesses with their online and printed marketing content including Brochures, Web Site content, White Pages, e-mail Marketing, and Newsletters since the late ’90’s. e-mail Livvie@writebusiness.net or Visit http://www.WriteBusiness.net.
