Don't Stress Over Customer Success Over The Busy Holiday Season

Customer success is hugely important at any time of the year but it is vital to succeeding during the holiday season. I feel like an expert after the issues and problems I’ve had over the past couple of months, especially during the big sale days such as Cyber Monday and Black Friday. I frequent most of the same shops online and offline and I am always in the market for new businesses. If something new catches my eye (or my kid’s eyes) or I see a brand who brings something new to the table. (Typically on social media.) I love to seek out new, unique brands and products and depending on their “attitude”. I may or may not make a purchase and I may or may not come back year after year, month after month. If I fall completely in love with the brand or whatever it is they’re selling, I’m probably going to tell everyone I know about them whether online or offline. Being a business owner myself, I try to reverse the roles and fix what I need on the business end.


Attracting customers is essential if you want to stay in business! This is where your marketing comes into play.  A social media presence is a must these days and if you throw in a customer service team or a customer service representative to operate online, you’re golden!

There are so many companies out there with active social media accounts and then there are some who are nowhere to be found. Personally, I prefer a company that is active online, available to help with questions and maybe even troubleshoot any technical issues. A little sense of humor or your brand’s own personality also wouldn’t hurt! I’m sure you’ve seen Tweets from some of the extra hilarious brands. (Mainly Wendys) While there are a few others out there who emulate the Wendys Twitter account, some failing, some holding their own, there are others who are doing their own thing and doing quite well. Of course, this isn’t necessary to survive but, it does get people talking and sharing online… 

Wendy’s isn’t just a funny account. They are there every single day, replying, advertising, tackling customer complaints, and fixing any problems that may pop up. If you ever read their Tweets and replies, including those to customer complaints, you’ll find that they take a very friendly approach and this satisfies the customer, more often than not. It seems they’re sometimes, “too cool” for many to really want to flip out or argue. The customer just wants the situation resolved so they can get back to eating their fries and reading and Retweeting their Tweets. There are a lot of brands out there to take lessons from and they all share the same thing in common. They are often there, never too busy to respond to a customer and they resolve the problem swiftly and with grace. Thes interactions aren’t just being noticed by that one customer but by many others who are aware of the type of personality your brand has. New customers are interested in knowing how hard it will be to get in contact with you and how simple resolutions will be. 

Of course, not everyone is on Twitter or Facebook. You’ll still need a team to respond to emails, calls, even letters. The most important thing is to stay on top of your customers and make yourself as available as possible so that they and others can see how much you actually care. Make your customer service availability public information. One of the most annoying tasks for a busy customer, especially during the holiday season, is having to chase after a brand just to ask a question. If you don’t already have an email newsletter or a blog, now is a great time to start one! You can make these things easy to find directly on your website and at the bottom of every email. 

Unless you are a brand who makes the only one of it’s kind with absolutely nothing to compare it to and positively nothing at all in this galaxy comes anywhere close to whatever that thing is, you’re going to need to retain your customers. In other words, keep them. Win them over and make sure they won’t ever be tempted to leave. No, there is no need to hand out millions of dollars in free products to keep them. This is also where special sales or discounts come in but, for the most part, selling a quality product, standing out from the rest, listening to concerns, complaints, resolving issues, letting your customer know you’re grateful. Customer success plays a vital role in any business. No matter how big or small.

5 Tips For Younger-Looking Skin

Over time, your skin can go through changes. For example, it may lose its elasticity and no longer hold moisture as well as it used to. When this happens, it is easier for wrinkles and other age-related skin issues to occur.

Wrinkles, age spots, crepe-y skin, and so on not only change the way you look. They can also change the way you feel about yourself. However, there are ways that you can keep your skin looking younger, longer.

1. Aesthetic Treatments

Facial rejuvenation services and other aesthetic treatments can help to prevent lines and wrinkles from forming and even to minimize the appearance of those that are already there. With a wide variety of such treatments available from a dermatologist, you are likely to find one that works for you.

2. Sunscreen

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can have adverse effects on your skin, such as wrinkles or hyperpigmentation. You should get into the habit of using sunscreen on a daily basis whatever the weather. Choose one with an SPF of at least 30.

3. Hydration

All the cells in your body need water to function properly. Dehydrated skin cells are more susceptible to wrinkling. However, your body rations water, sending it to the vital organs first. Your skin is not a high priority, so you need to drink a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated. Additionally, you should also use a moisturizer after bathing to keep moisture on your skin where it will do it some good.

4. Gentleness

Avoid the use of harsh chemical products and hard scrubbing to remove makeup. Instead, use water-based soap and oil-based cleansers. This will help prevent wrinkles by preserving the collagen in your skin, which can break down with harsh treatment.

5. Vitamins

Vitamin C and antioxidants derive from vitamin A help to prevent wrinkles by either fortifying skin to prevent damage or reversing certain types of damage when it does occur. You can include these vitamins in your diet by eating certain food or using supplements. You can also use skin serums that include them.

Family Traditions For The Holidays

One of my very favorite things to look forward to during the holidays as a kid was a brand new, cozy, warm pair of Christmas pajamas. Every Christmas Eve we would visit relatives and eat and open gifts at my grandparent's house. We were always excited to get back home because we would have pajamas waiting for us and sometimes even a new pair of slippers! This was always one of my most favorite family traditions so of course, I kept this one for my own kids. We are also fortunate enough to have the Official Santa Norad Tracker so we always have this on one of the laptops in the kitchen. (If you haven't already included this into your family's traditions, your little ones would be thrilled to track where Santa is and play some games and learn about other parts of the world!

When my daughters were a bit younger, we used to find matching Christmas PJs for them and their dolls. Unfortunately, I was only able to find the cute sets for girls and their favorite dolls in toddler sizes and sometimes up to a size 6. (Why don't these pajama companies think of bigger sizes and our favorite teddy bears or Snoopy stuffed toys?!) Really though, there were a few times I found some adorable matching sets for mom and daughter. I even found matching pajamas for dad and son! I did order those a few years back but they only ever wore them at the same time on Christmas Eve!

Along with matching PJs from Lazy One, cookies are a must! I must admit, baking cookies on Christmas Eve goes much more smoothly if you make some of the dough ahead of time. I usually make the sugar cookie dough ahead of time because those are always the cookies that need the most time for the little artists to decorate. If I didn't cheat a little bit, we'd be up all night. Or at least I would be!

We live in a rural area so this may be odd to some people but we have Santa parades through town thanks to our local Lions Club and fire departments. Each fire department brings Santa through on a Saturday night during December and then the biggest and final parade is on Christmas Eve! It's the most fun tradition of all! The fire trucks are decorated with lights and at the end of the parade, you'll see Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Their elves run around to each of the houses dropping off popcorn balls and Hershey's Kisses for all of the kids and then it's time to get letters to Santa written and finally, off to bed.

This is when I can make a fresh pot of coffee and start preparing the gifts and stockings for Santa to fill.

I'd love to read about your family traditions for the holidays! Please leave a comment and let us know what your family will be doing in just a couple of weeks while they wait for Santa!