Is Social Media Necessary For Good Customer Service

I don't know how many times I've heard about a product or service and figured I'd "check them out online" as soon as I had a chance, only to find that they have no social media presence. This is always a bit shocking, considering how many people have Internet access and how many billions of people are online. It's literally free advertising and if you have a business, you should probably have some way for potential clients or customers to contact you. Of course, the good old phone numbers, billboards, TV ads, radio ads, and print will always come in handy. But, with so many people online, you're missing out on reaching virtually everybody in the world. 

Social Media Advertising

Of course, just simply having a Twitter or a Facebook page isn't going to be enough. Sure, people will be able to find you a little better but you're going to have to communicate with customers and try your best to reach new people. 

At the same time, there are a few companies I can think of right off of the top of my head who have a very large following on social media, regular posts, but they lack quality customer service. Typically, people will comment or message and ask questions, leave comments or reviews. If nobody answers them, they will go elsewhere. (I've done this many times.) It's unfortunate, but, if you can't respond within a few days or you just post and let everything sit while you ignore everybody, it could end up hurting you in the long run. 

Depending on the size of your business you may want to consider hiring a social media manager. They can post on your social networks for you and manage replies, reviews, complaints, questions, offer giveaways, promote, share, basically everything you need to have customer success. You should have an active social network where you can share everything there is about your brand, What do you do? How much does it cost? What makes you stand out? What do your customers think? Offer promotions, deals, coupons, and even post when you have positions available. If you're a small business, a few simple eBooks and maybe some online courses about social media marketing and you're set! 

There are more advanced opportunities out there but once you take this step in the right direction, you'll advance and learn quickly! 

Look For The Companies Who Are Doing It Right

There are so many brands out there. I'm trying to think of even just 1 brand that we use at our house for anything that I don't follow online somewhere. I feel like if you can't take the time to make sure I'm content, you're probably not worth it. If I have to Tweet for several weeks straight, asking for help regarding my ISP and the wishy-washy connection and you haven't responded, I'm going elsewhere. (and it's a good possibility that I'll take a few others with me. Or at least turn a few away when they research you and find my complaints.) 

There are thousands of makeup brands out there who all make some sort of lipstick. If I decide I would like to try 4 different brands of lipstick to find my absolute perfect match, I have criteria I follow. Highly pigmented, fair price, ingredients, availability, packaging, history, mission, do you donate to any charities? Do you offer any rewards programs for repeat customers? If I have a question, do I have a tiny 1800 number to call between the hours of 9AM EST and 4PM EST? OR if I Google search will I find a website with links to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ or any of the above? When I find these links, are you active? What are other customers saying? How do you respond? If any of the above does not look totally excellent, I'll be moving on. Am I the Queen of lipstick? Nope. Not at all. But, I'm a customer who could end up being devoted to your brand and I could be bringing my friends, family, followers, and possibly others who read my online reviews about your fabulous lipstick and phenomenal customer service! 

There are a LOT of brilliant social media accounts out there for brands! Of course, the bigger they are, the more they can spend. They may be online around the clock, manning the comments, tweets, and reviews. Or they might shut down at nighttime and are right back at it in the morning. 

I'm sure you have already seen something in the news or maybe your friends have brought up something funny they read or saw on Twitter. You may have heard about the Wendy's Twitter account once or twice. This is a brand who is doing it right. They are always there, always have clever comebacks, and they are consistent with replies to disgruntled customers. They will make you laugh, scour Twitter for people Tweeting about how hungry they are, they will go above and beyond just to attract and keep customers. I'm not sure who runs their Twitter account but whoever it may be, that person is a genius. This account has made national news more than once and will continue to in the future. 

Learning from others is essential when building your own network. You don't want to copy but take notes There are a lot of great accounts from great brands. Wendy's sells burgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and salads. So do quite a few other similar restaurants. But, they have managed to find their difference and they will be impossible to beat at the social media game.  

You wouldn't ignore thousands or possibly millions of customers banging on your door. Don't ignore them on the Internet. They could make or break you and you need them for customer success! 

Periscope Addiction

So, I have this new addiction and I can't even begin to imagine life without this new app.
I was only recently made aware of this app and immediately just had to grab a new Android, so I could grab it. Yes, I had an Android but it is a very old one. (Maybe 4 years or more.) It had a pull out keyboard and I tried to hang onto it as much as I could. I am just not that great at this new touchscreen stuff. Although, I guess I will be texting a lot less.

A couple of weeks ago, I received an invite for a webinar, all about Periscope. I was still a bit confused but figured I should try this out. You know, at least claim my blog name and try and make a few "Periscopes". So, I got this nifty, Sony Xperia, activated it, installed Periscope, and that's where I have been since.

I met a cool guy from New Zealand, who makes grilled cheese sandwiches on a George Foreman type grill, with butter, "American Style" mayo, cheese, and bread. He also drinks tea while he waits for his morning grilled cheese sandwiches and he says he is, "from the future" lol. (Once, he said it was Tuesday and somebody couldn't believe that, since it was still, Monday, in Vegas.)So, he very cleverly, explained that he is from the future and not to worry because the future looks bright :)

This morning I met, Isaac, a young gentleman from Ghana. He holds daily Periscopes, called, "Learn everything about Ghana". He told us that there are 24 million people in Ghana, they have 14 regions, (some countries call them, states.), and he has a cool, 2 bedroom apartment and for fun, he goes to the beach and likes to hang out with his friends.

When you install, Periscope, it will tie in with your Twitter if you have one, and takes your profile picture and description right from your Twitter account. From there, it will take you to a list of about 100 people that you already follow on Twitter. Hurry up because, after that, you will see a map of the world with little red circles all around. Some circles will have numbers which will show how many people are on, broadcasting live, right now. Some won't have a number. This just means that there is only 1 broadcaster on at the moment.

No worries if you miss a Periscope! You will be able to replay them. (Unless the broadcaster decided to delete the replay.) But, you can find recent broadcasts on their channels. You won't be able to "talk" and it won't be live, but you can still leave some hearts for the videos that you do like.

Usually, a common thing to do when you first connect with a live broadcast, is to say, hello and maybe let them know where you are from. The broadcaster can read your chat messages and will often reply and answer any questions you might have. The cool thing is that you get to see the world through other people's eyes.

I have always been very fascinated with The Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia. So, whenever I see a red circle pop up in any of these places, I click to see who's on. Periscope doesn't get to full just yet but I am figuring on this being a fairly big social network in the very near future. But, for now, it is easy to connect and you can chat unless the broadcaster limited the feature to only people they are following.

I have been putting Instagram as my favorite social network but Periscope is really climbing high up there and is quite possibly at a tie for first, next to Instagram. I love both networks for different reasons. I also believe that Periscope will end up helping a ton of brands and bloggers with their businesses. I would advise to at least claim your name and start a account if you can.

If you happen to get on Periscope, please come visit my page and follow me :) I will follow back and would love to chat with you!

Book Reviews for June!

I apologize I took a few days off here, I kind of have a "gig' I do on the side, for www.Fiverr.com, and after some technical difficulties, and issues, I was pretty backed up!!
I am almost caught up there, and have lots of book reviews coming in the next few days from there as well!
I also work weekends, as some of you know, and being a holiday weekend, it was extra busy around our house, opening the pool, spring cleaning, or um starting spring cleaning, LOL! But, you know what I mean;)
I then decided that since we had dr appointments and a few other important issues going on, that I would take a couple days off from here, but tomorrow, we are back with a BANG:)
I actually planned on posting 2 reviews today, but honestly, I was super busy making contacts, networking, and landing some more gigs, and received some very awesome book review opportunities!! TONS OF THEM!! Mystery, thrillers, political, children's, and bunches more!! I love the June line up and I hope you will too!!
Tomorrow is also an announcement of a very cool eBook giveaway!!!!
Every 200 entries, will add a prize! You can enter several different ways and wait until you see the awesome lineup you can unlock!!!!
I was hoping to do the giveaway for the whole month of June, and if we have enough entries, we will do a winner a week, or even more if we have it! It can be endless! thanks to a super cool friend that I actually met through Fiverr;)
So, look for that announcement tomorrow!!
June will be booked solid!! Meaning, if you need a review of any kind, you will be scheduled, but we are scheduling into July now! The 2nd week of July is almost booked solid, after today lol, so if you can wait until the third week, contact me!!!
I typically have a 45 -60 day period anyway, between first contact and final reviews, so it isn't that long of a wait!! In the meantime, I will gladly share, pin, post, and start the review site reviews, as you may know, we do review your books on all other book review sites!! (The advertising and up to 6 other reviews on review sites, are all included with the original review deal;) That is very cool, I must say, ;p
Click my social media buttons on the top right, and you can see who will be checking out your books, or products!! and then.... email me at busymommylist@yahoo.com asap!! I have room for 15 more books, a few more products and after that, we will be in August!!!!

Very Interesting Video I Found!

I am happy to have found this, as it explains a lot of how blogging and social media works.
It's a fun hobby, or job, and it is very rewarding!!!
You are your own boss, and you can spend as much or as little time as you want!

What am I Doing Here?

I started this blog, and my 2nd blog, (www.momscrazyday.com), a little over a year ago, and had big giant plans for both of these sites.
What started as a blog on, momscrazyday, to help others learn the art of coupons, finding deals, freebies, samples, discounts, recipes, (the recipe part is being worked on every day), and how to earn money online, and well, I guess all that other good stuff that mommies like to share.
ell, that blog pretty much is what I wanted, I have some reviews over there, and some other content. I also wish I had more time to share personal stories about my family and all the funny things the kids say and do. I don't get to post that very often, and as soon as I am organized a little better, have a better schedule, and figure out what days are best for what, that part is still going to happen.
This blog however, was supposed to be a little bit about me and my little ones, and all of our favorite stuff, our reviews, and most importantly, BOOKS. So, I think I have been accomplishing this part of it and I am fairly content with it.
My next main goal was to help small businesses, direct sellers, crafters, companies that are owned by stay at home moms, families, and even brands that I personally use and love. So, I do have a lot of companies and people like this, that I help promote and share with my readers. I love small business and I love standing behind the brands i use and truly adore, so if you do see ads and links for places like this, rest assured, I am not just linking to places I know nothing about.
That being said, I am a firm believer in helping others who are just starting out with blogging. I started out with nothing and am still fairly small and I learn new and fun things each day! I am blessed with many friends and family who stand behind me and believe in me!
So, just in case you are wondering, yes, I will also have blogs and websites on my blogs and social networks that I love to read and will help any newbies out:) I still consider myself one, so any help I can get is always appreciated and in return, I love to help others and share any success stories with them.
I also really enjoy those sites and programs that will pay you to take surveys and open emails, shop, and all that other fun stuff! I do share and post most of that on Momscrazyday!
One thing I would have liked to have done by now, is a site that I can help people earn gift cards, one that doesn't send spam, and one that everybody can trust. (I am still working on obtaining proper info for this project!!)
So, for now, I guess this blog will always be for reviews, book reviews, helping to advertise and promote others, and help authors with their books and reviews! We also have giveaways from time to time, usually posted on Momscrazyday as well:)
If you are a brand or a small business and you would like to have an ad posted here, links, or reviews, you can contact me! Same for blogs, site owners, and services, products you would like promoted, I will do my best and offer backlinks, social networking, and lifelong relationships! If you need somebody to help host giveaways, email me! I also run a "Moms group", and we are also available for samplings and reviews with pictures and soon videos! (This is also a new blog that will soon have all the content filled in and will be posted on regularly by our mom members:)
My next project, on top of all of this, is to make a mom planner that is useful and cheap! I have no idea how to make eBooks, (another plan I have), or how to attempt our lip gloss and lip balm brand, or how to gather the best pages, covers, ideas, and where do I go to get these made to sell??
I have been shopping for one that would have all I need in one, and have had no luck, so I decided I will learn how to make my own.
Any suggestions are appreciated:) As usual!! Lol!
In any case, this is what I am doing here, and I plan on being here for a very long time!

Social Networking and it's Swift Growth (Roadrunner-digital.com)

I seriously have a new addiction, and of course it has to do with reading, and networking, social media, social marketing, lol, but my addiction is this site that carries all of the books and guides I have been looking for!
Roadrunner-Digital.com
I am so happy to have been given a chance to download some books from this site! This one, in particular, Social Networking and it's Swift Growth, is just the beginning of many more just like it available for immediate download on this site! It definitely fell right into place with what I have been trying to get accomplished online.
This is a very, straight to the point guide, it isn't overbearing, great for a beginner, and teaches you right off the bat, what social media is, and it's benefits.
Of course we have all heard of Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and so on, but for those of you who don't know very much about what you can gain from networking and how to actually network in the most beneficial way possible, this book is definitely for you! (It was also a book for me, as even though I have heard of these places and have the accounts set up) there is valuable information that could prove to be quite helpful!
Are you a stay at home mom? A blogger? A small business? Do you want to learn how to get the most from all of the advertising and networking that is available to us? Then, I would highly recommend this book!
I will be doing several series of book reviews for books on this site, because it is my most favorite place to gather reputable books, guides and legitimate information that will hopefully help me throughout my blogging and networking career. So, if you have any experience with this site, Roadrunner-Digital.com and any of the books, please always feel free to comment!
I am looking into which one to read next anyway, so any help would be greatly appreciated!! Understanding SEO is the one i just started next. Well, with the exception of a few recipe books:)
Stay on the lookout for 30 Lip Balm and Gloss Recipes and many more along those lines as well! I think my youngest daughter , Genevive and I will be working on this in the next week or so, so we will have to post pictures and share our recipes and outcomes!!

Book Reviews and More Giveaways!

I have to apologize to everybody for the extended lapse of time between book reviews.
I had a slight emergency last week with eye surgery and didn't expect a longer recovery time. However, I am fine now, and will be back on schedule with all reviews and new giveaways!!
If you have a book, (we also review products and anything that is awesome, something we can't live without, and something we would highly recommend to our readers and friends), please email me at busymommylist@yahoo.com!
We would love to read your books, post reviews for you on Amazon and other sites you prefer, and promote your sites, books, products, all over our social networks and blogs.
We can embed your video, make a video, post pictures and of course, host giveaways!
We are still a little under a year old, but we have a decent size network that is growing every day.
We also offer ad space, blog buttons, whatever you need help with promoting, we will be glad to help. Most only requires that we have a sample, the book, of course, a product, and ad space is simply $5 per month and this includes promoting all over our social networks.
We are normally on time, but due to my recent eye issue, I have fallen behind some but will be caught up this week!!