Comments on: Some Business Gimmicks Backfire

By: cathlawson

cathlawson — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:54:11 +0000

Hi Ruth – It sounds like that guy is not doing much for Dell’s reputation. I’m glad you told them what he is up to, as I’m betting they had no idea he was doing that.

Hi Wilson – definitely. It’s one thing coming up with a great way for folk to remember you – but you’ve got to make sure they’re remembering you for the right reasons.

By: Wilson Pon

Wilson Pon — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:41:30 +0000

I agreed with your opinion here, Catherine. We should always watch out for the backfire, as it might get ourselves burn if we didn’t pay attention on it!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:58:29 +0000

The only Twitter guy I’ve run into from Dell left a really bad taste in my mouth. But that’s because he was running a mini-crusade against auto-dm thank-yous. He was publicly shaming people who used them to thank new followers and he was even shaming people who’d actually dmed him personally because he assumed it was an auto dm.

His username is richardatdell and he comes off as a complete self-righteous douche (ok, he was “exposing” some of my friendly friends who actually sent him a thank-you dm they’d written themselves and I got annoyed). I actually wrote a short note to the Dell social media team letting them know that if being a douche on Twitter wasn’t part of their marketing plan, then they should consider taking him off it.

By: cathlawson

cathlawson — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:06:42 +0000

Hi Kathy – Thanks for your support. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw all their accounts – but it’s a bloody good idea.

I’ve also had problems with HP products. And I’d never buy another PC from PC world, as they’re not one bit flexible if you’re a few days over your guarantee.

Like you – I used to buy from shops – sometimes small ones. Then I started getting them online – often from Dabs. If you buy a Sony laptop, don’t bother paying extra for the 3 year guarantee, as they don’t get back to you and not everything is covered.

Hi Robin – It sounds good doesn’t it.

Hi Barbara – Thanks I’m hoping you’ll have something to sell, after you launch your new proect. Don’t forget to let me know when you’re done.

Hi Brad – Twitter is proving to be a great tool isn’t it? Probably the best social media site so far I reckon.

Everyone seems to be trying to second guess how they’re going to monetize it. I don’t blame them for not rushing into it – they need to get it right. Apparently – they’ve raised over $50 million in venture capital, so I guess that buys them quite a bit of time.

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:35:07 +0000

Hi Cath, Yes, Companies are finding new ways to use Twitter every day. Dell's example is quite a model, and it makes perfect sense for all the reasons you give. Any company can take advantage of Twitter's power, provided their customers or potential customers use it. Huge opportunity. Brad Shorr's last blog post..25 Writers Who Are Shaping My World

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:37:05 +0000

Hi Catherine – After all of the wonderful articles you’ve written about Richard Branson, he should know you are his #1 fan. What gives?

I like the idea of having multiple Twitter accounts. Like you said it’s a great way to get out of the faces of people who don’t want to be sold to, and target a buying audience. Too bad I don’t have anything to sell.

Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..In Their Own Words

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:50:39 +0000

Hi there Cath – that’s a good idea about having different Twitter accounts for different purposes – thanks for that.

Interesting about Branson!

Robin’s last blog post..The Journey, With Brandon Bays

By: Kathy | Virtual Impax

Kathy | Virtual Impax — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:51:15 +0000

That cute yellow VW bug with the mouse ears will never cause me to break out in a silly smile ever again! (Thanks for the mention!)

By the way – I’m boycotting Richard Branson’s Twitter because of his obvious lack of respect for his “biggest” fan. (VERY BIG GRIN)

I LOVE the idea of a separate Twitter account to alert people to special offers!!! I know I’m subscribed to the Dell Outlet Twitter account – I didn’t realize they had 31 others!!!

However, your post made me realize something – even though I’m subscribed to the Dell Outlet Twitter feed – I just got off the phone with my local computer store. This is the THIRD hard drive failure in my HP media center desktop and I’m getting ready to head down there to buy a laptop.

Twitter may let me know about the latest Dell deals – but there’s something about talking to a REAL human being and holding a product before you buy it that must still appeal to me. I mean, why didn’t I check the Twitter feed instead of picking up the phone and calling?

Kathy | Virtual Impax’s last blog post..An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

By: cathlawson

cathlawson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:28:38 +0000

Hi Vered – It seems that way. Big brands definitely win – even in social networking.

Hi Mare – I thought your face seemed familiar – but i haven’t seen a pic of Gloria Estefan for a while.

You don’t have to actually look like Richard Branson – although it seems that way at first. You’ve just got to pose like him in one of the pics. I’m going to enter – you get to go to his party plus free return flights in “the bubble” to New York.

By: Marelisa

Marelisa — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:23:14 +0000

Hi Cath: I’m a big fan of Richard Branson as well. There`s a man who deserves his success. I don`t think I’d do well in a Richard Branson look-alike contest, although some people have told me I look like Gloria Estefan from Miami Sound Machine (I wonder if she’s having a look-alike contest).