All opinions are mine and mine alone.
The days of calling up companies and waiting on hold for 20 minutes just to get mediocre answers from an external customer services representative are over.
Nowadays, most reputable businesses have a presence across various social media platforms. And interacting with them through these channels is a much more effective — and potentially lucrative — option.
If you’re not already taking advantage of this communication method, now is the time to start. The following three reasons represent just a few of the ways to start making social media interactions work for you.
Quick Customer Service
If you have a problem and want a quick answer, you should try contacting the company through Facebook, Instagram, or — best of all — Twitter. While some people try to show off to their followers by taking a combative stance and seeking to publicly embarrass the company, you can attract a lot more bees with honey. A simple, respectful message that expresses your disappointment and explains the problem is often quickly addressed.
If you want to say, “I AM NEVER flying @Delta again after today,” then that is surely your prerogative. But you might try saying something more like: “My last three trips with @Delta were great, but today’s delay was unacceptable and I was very upset that I couldn’t get any information from the desk attendants.” Not only is this more likely to get a response, but some companies will use the public nature of the interaction to offer you a discount, refund, or other benefit as a make-good for your unpleasant experience.
Finding Work Opportunities
While customer service is the first thing people think about when interacting with companies online, there are many other reasons to do it as well. Not only can readers learn more information about businesses by following them on social media, but they may find work opportunities as well. Even if you aren’t looking for a new full-time job, there are still potentially lucrative possibilities out there if you look in the right places.
Take Amway, for example. The company maintains a robust YouTube channel that shows viewers ways to make money online with Amway, something that some of the global brand’s now-successful independent business owners used to get their start. Even beyond breaking down such opportunities, the company brings more value through life-hack videos, entrepreneurial success stories, and other valuable content that can help you develop professionally.
Giveaways, Discounts, and Products
While work opportunities are great, there is one more fantastic incentive to keep up with brands: free stuff. Marketing managers today know that their future depends upon cultivating loyal customers among the younger generations and these people tend to spend a lot more time on social media than reading print ads or watching spots that air on live television.
So they often reserve their best discounts, pre-sales, contests and giveaway announcements for these channels. It makes sense. Rather than sending out some coupon book to grandma, they can push top promotions on social and watch their messages proliferate as eager users share it with their friends. As evidenced in this “best Instagram hashtag contests” list from Wishpond, this is a trend that is only continuing to grow. It might as well be you who takes advantage.
Brand Interaction
Let’s be real: You’re already on social media anyway. And interacting with the same friends and long-time online pals over and over is probably starting to get boring.
So why not start branching out and being more friendly with brands? By getting to know some of the companies whose products and services you use most, you will have a much better idea of how to get the best customer service whenever a problem arises. You may also be among the first to see when they offer money-making or money-saving opportunities as well. You might even get something for free out of the deal.
Whether you’re looking for an immediate resolution to your problems, a new job, or savings on your favorite products, there is a lot to be gained. So go ahead and hit that “follow” button the next time you log in because you never know what you are going to get.
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