Free Agent Musings

Twitter as a customer service tool

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:12:50 -0400

I havent written in a while. No excuses. Now is as good a time as any to start again.

A friend and I have a running debate about how luxury doesnt translate well over the internet. A luxury brand’s retail store, if set up properly, is an experience. The design, music, service, etc are all meant to reinforce/promote the brand’s image. Over the web, however, there is little that a brand can do with its website to give this same feel. Good UI, easily findable items and the like are good business practices for all companies, not just luxury brands.

I keep thinking that the only way a brand can distinguish itself online is by using the web as a tool to provide better service. I’ve had different ideas on how this can be done and today’s idea revolves around Twitter.

Reach out to your best customers and find out if they are using twitter. If they are, follow them. Be selective. Following your best customers allows them to send you direct messages. Encourage them to do so. Encourage them to ask question and give feedback. Listen and respond back with a direct message. Provide the ultimate customer service. 24/7 access to the brand that is exclusive and private.

I think that good customer service always wins. So seperate youself from the pack by using the web as a tool to provide the best customer service possible.

Employers cut 533K jobs in Nov., most in 34 years - Yahoo! News

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:52:24 -0500

Employers cut 533K jobs in Nov., most in 34 years - Yahoo! News:

Things get worse everyday. I almost want to start a website that only posts good news.

An Apprenticeship Worth Applying For

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:03:18 -0500

Seth Godin is offering a 6 month apprenticeship for a few lucky candidates. If you don’t know much about Seth, I strongly encourage you to read his blog. Seth is a marketing genius, modern day philosopher and a successful businessman. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone that gets into the program. I am applying for the position and think that you should to.

If you end up applying, please shoot me an email.

Sorry - We couldnt find www.google.com Really Time Warner? ...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:38:24 -0500

Sorry - We couldnt find www.google.com

Really Time Warner? Really?

Dreaming of World With No Catalogs

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:39:07 -0500

Today my mailbox was taken over by no less than 5 catalogs. I have opted out of some of these catalogs already using catalogchoice.org. these companies are insistent on reaching Alana and I, not realizing that they creating an ever increasing negative image in our minds. foolish.

To date, I have tried opting out of 34 catalogs with catalogchoice.org. 15 have confirmed (although some still send), 16 are unconfirmed and 3 catalogs wont participate in the opt out process.

These are the ones that received today…..

Home Decorators Collection - According to catalogchoice, they have already told the merchant that I dont want this catalog. Merchant refuses to listen.

Gorsuch - According to catalogchoice, they have already told the merchant that I dont want this catalog. Merchant refuses to listen

Art.com - According to catalogchoice, the merchant confirmed with them that Alana will no longer get this catalog. A new one came today. Unreal.

Home Decorators Collection - According to catalogchoice, they have already told the merchant that I dont want this catalog. Merchant refuses to listen

Travelsmith - According to catalogchoice, they have already told the merchant that I dont want this catalog. Merchant refuses to listen

Wintersilks - First time opt out

Absolutely mind boggling stats on our “exponential”...

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:43:01 -0500

Absolutely mind boggling stats on our “exponential” world

alanabeyda: VOTE!!!

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:34:05 -0400

alanabeyda:

VOTE!!!

Oprah Spurs Kindle Sales

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:13:06 -0400

Just use twitter search to see how many people are saying that they got the kindle because Oprah endorsed it. It’s unreal.

BTW - twitter search is a great tool to see if people are talking about your brand/product/startup/etc

NYC Bus Ads Target by Block, Zip Code and Time of Day

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:52:31 -0400

NYC Bus Ads Target by Block, Zip Code and Time of Day:

Geo targeted advertising like this has so much promise. I get how huge the mobile market it, but I would rather have a big ad on a bus that is geotargeted over a tiny ad on small mobile screen.

Google Upgrades Analytics Functions

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:33:31 -0400

Google Upgrades Analytics Functions:

I’m looking forward to learning how to implement some of the new features

LinkedIn Debuts B2B Network

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:29:55 -0400

LinkedIn Debuts B2B Network :

I’m surprised they didn’t roll this out sooner. It almost feels a little behind the times. UGC is created everyday. Its a matter of parsing the content and analyzing it. If you can do that, you get insights into topics from users that havent been incentivized to participate.

I dont work for a big company. Part of me wants to. First thing I do at my next gig will be to implement a twitter search RSS feed for key words that relate to the company.

Barack Obama for president - Los Angeles Times

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:56:54 -0400

Barack Obama for president - Los Angeles Times

Is Barack Obama a terrorist?

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:23:00 -0400

Is Barack Obama a terrorist?

NYC National Debt Clock runs out of digits - Yahoo! News

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:12:59 -0400

NYC National Debt Clock runs out of digits - Yahoo! News

Google Me This

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:26:30 -0400

According to Google Trends, the hottest search term right now is “vice presidential debate time”

Guess which of our candidates is bidding on this term?

Neither (shocking)

I would bid on this term, create an ad that favors Biden, and send searchers to an Obama/biden webpage that shows the debate times. On that page I would give channel info for CNN or MSNBC only. if I was in McCain’s camp, i would do give Fox news info.

Fringe Advertising

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:29:36 -0400

At the start of each commercial break for the hit show Fringe, viewers see a note across the top of their screen saying that the show will return in 90 seconds. It is, to my knowledge, the only show that does this.

I wonder if this has had any effect on commercial viewing habits. When i see that note, I think that 90 seconds isnt so bad and that it wouldnt be the worst thing to watch the commercials. Truth be told, I only think this and then fast forward. The point is, i cant remember the last time i even considered watching commercials (super bowl does not count).

Hulu does this for its online repeats and it to be very effective.

Hack the Debate

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:54:31 -0400

Current.com has partnered with Twitter to show live debate related tweets on the current tv channel (channel 103 in NYC). I love the idea of interactive television and using twitter as a means of communication. People hate on twitter a lot, something i just dont understand.

This really works for any live event. American Idol, for instance. Imagine Simon or Randy saying that, based on tweets received, the audience at home didnt like the performance.

Sarah Palin explains how Alaska’s proximity to Russia...

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:44:00 -0400

Sarah Palin explains how Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience.

How is it that some people are still claiming this lady is qualified?

Marquise Williams - The Top Kindergarten Prospect in the Country

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:51:47 -0400

Marquise Williams - The Top Kindergarten Prospect in the Country:

Marquise is an 8 year old basketball phenom who is using Youtube to promote his name. Looks like its working. Marquise is the lead story on ESPN’s NBA page.

Patrick Ewing - Love Him or Hate Him but Always Respect Him

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:41:04 -0400

Patrick Ewing - Love Him or Hate Him but Always Respect Him