User-Generated Content
Blogs, Forums, MicroBlogging sites (Twitter), Video/image sharing sites, Facebook, etc
Adoption rate – 2009 Twitter processed 40 Million Tweets, today up to 90 Million Tweets
Wikipedia says.. ”Social Media are media for Social Interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social Media uses web-based technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogues.”
Think of regular media as a one-way street where you can read a newspaper or listen to a report on television, but you have very limited ability to give your thoughts on the matter. Social Media, on the other hand, is a two-way street that gives you the ability to communicate too.” - About.com
--maybe delete this slide and make these speaking points with the next 2
Many ways to get started..many free ways. We’ll be talking about some of the ways to get started and move into Engaging with your online fans
Here are a few conversations I found on twitter.
One of the simpiliest ways to listen to conversations online are with Google Alerts. Available in the More, then ‘even more’ menu of Google.ca.
Search.twitter.com – search keywords/phrases, Hashtags
Boardreader.com – Board/Forum Search engine
Google Blog Search – Phrases/keywords – chose a time period --blogearch.google.ca
I have heard it said that the average upset customer that calls into a call centre tells 17 people. The impact of Social Media are potentially a lot greater. A customer or potential customer could visit a forum/review site with a million unique visits/month and rant about the service they received. A twitter user can ‘tweet’ their experience for it to be picked up and spread around the web. If you have ever looked into these free tools above you know what your customers are saying and there is probably discussion already at your company or you have a presence.
There has been a shift where customers can chose to get some answers on their own
Wants the right answer when I’m ready, tailored to me- means I can call if I want, or chat in a forum, or tweet, I want to know someone will be there when I’m ready and that there is enough checks in place to ensure I get the right answer. The perfectly balanced scenario, is best for all involved. Potential cost savings, more loyal engaged customers that will support others.
Open internal lines of communication – Do reps in your contact centre have the ability to comment on Corporate/company decisions? Or are they commenting on Twitter/FB? What would they say if asked to ‘vote’ on a potential change based on their experiences. What if the CEO hosted a blog on your intranet detailing company decisions and reps could comment?
Foster employee trust – Are there any options to allow some flexibility in your call flows. Everyone has probably heard of Disney’s stance on Customer Service, Cast members are empowered to solve problems. Zappos Call Centre reps do not use scripts and are perceived to care..
Share Customer Feedback – Let employees see how their brand is perceived online and where conversations are taking place. Customers are more and more likely to find information on their own. Allow reps to do the same. Any way you can work ‘online research’ into their day? Allow some flexibility in the customer service they provide. Brands are expected to have an online presence. Are any of your reps helping customer already. What if you did a session in your new hire training classes on Social media and our customers perception. ‘Your goal is to foster or help us break this perception about our brand’. What if you did away with you internal Knowledge base and reps just used the web?
Customer Service options– Can you automate any additional processes based on your feedback? How is the best way for customers to heard, learn and buy your products. Is it showing off what you do right
What do you do before making a buying decision? Do you read customer reviews, do you talk to friends, do you go to the brands website?
Its too new – Social Media has been growing and hopefully that movie showed the growth rate.
Loss of control – never had control
Company Policy – What about company policy is preventing it? You are doing your customers a disservice by staying away. Clear policies on usage should help
Not worth the investment – An online fan base can be a strong advocate for your brand – recommending – commenting – promoting
Our Customers aren’t online – 26% of 65+ year old are online – 47% of 50-64 year olds
Too Many options/overwhelming – Reading and research will help narrow down your options
Regulation/Privacy concerns – difference between a presence and sharing information. Do you research on financial/legal limitations and take conversations offline
Your training notes to how you behave online
Anyone heard this quote before? Classic QA quote referring to a customer saying something on the phone that is maybe of topic, but needs a response.