Words of Wisdom from TheCamel

Disney Level Service

Shane Hodge • Jan 06, 2021

Care Like Mickey and Tinker Bell

I have a great mate of mine, John Dwyer or JD to his mates. He is an Aussie from the Gold Coast, superstar Marketing Advisor to the stars www.theinstituteofwow.com and when asked about customer service, his favourite quote (and he has a few) “You have to aim for Disney Level Service”.

What is Disney Level Service? A great quote from the Disney organisation is "We aim to deliver WAY BEYOND good customer service.......after all, everyone EXPECTS good customer service. We aim to deliver EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES!"

Back to JD, his quotes like most of his jokes, over the years I just nodded my head, rolled my eyes every time I heard him say that about service, but it wasn't until a couple of years back that I really got smacked right between the eyes and totally understood what the old fella was on about. And would you believe it, it actually happened at when-you-wish-upon-a-star Disneyland, itself. And not just any Disneyland, I am talking about the one and only original Anaheim USA Disneyland.

And it was a moment I will never forget.

I t was 2018, and we had a business trip to the USA planned, a lot of people to see, and meetings to have, but seeing as we were travelling all the way we thought we might also fit a little site seeing into the trip.

As luck would have it, a month before we were set to leave, this stormtrooper was attacked by one of Asia’s finest tummy bugs, star performer it was, will spare you the gory details but my once former Greek Adonis frame was transformed into one that was modeled on the guy they kick sand in his face on the beach. Rapid weight loss and on top of that, I ended up acquiring lactose intolerance. So, I looked and felt like a shriveled up old man, rather than the GQ poster boy I was used to.

I was not a happy chappy, had to fight off comments from family members such as, “I don't mean to pry, but is there something you’re not telling us about your health”. It was miserable, but being the Trojan I am and having paid for the ticket, hi ho Silver, jumped on Philippines Airlines finest and Home of the Brave, Land of the Free we were headed.

Yes, we had great meetings, met some awesome people, but it was freezing cold (us tropical people don't do cold well). I was feeling off, not looking great, overall? I was not at my gold medal winning performance self.

The thought of lining up at Disneyland for hours to get on a bunch of rides that threw me upside down and sideways, was not high on the excitement list, but unless I wanted to face an even worse thing called divorce? It was giddy up, bad luck Mickey, Goofy, Minnie here we come.

Disneyland is pretty incredible, good old Walt had the right idea. It does look pretty awesome when you arrive, but hello, from the moment you get in its wall to wall to wall, people and everywhere you turn? There are things to buy, buy, buy. I was in major whinge mode, all I kept saying? OMG how commercial is this place, where is the fun in that?

Next thing, we are in a line to have a picture taken with the famous Tinker Bell. Not happy but I’m doing it. One by one people cozy up next to the little blonde-haired, super white teeth gal in green, big SMILE and like a production line, next, then next, and finally, it’s our turn.

Tinker Bell asked me how my day is and can you believe it? I am whinging to Tinker Bell at how commercial Disneyland is, it's all about money, money, money. Like hello, it’s Tinker Bell.

Now, the key to this? All the characters at Disneyland are in character. So the gal playing Tinker Bell for the day? Is Tinker Bell, and Snow White, the Evil Queen, Minnie, Mickey, they are totally in character. They answer questions with Disneyland speak.

Tinker Bell was a real fairy, and she listened to my whining and just looked at me and said, “All you need to feel better? Is have faith, trust, and a little Pixie Dust” and all the fairies here need you to believe what I just said, coz every time people say, “I don't believe in fairies, there's a fairy someplace out there that falls down dead” And you don't want that do you?

OMG, I was converted, I hugged Tinker Bell, shouted: “I believe”. I was like a new convert to Christianity or Amway, I tell you, I walked like I was floating on Pixie Dust, it was awesome.

And then, there was Mickey.

We spotted Mickey and Minnie surrounded by people all vying for the selfie shot so we joined the queue and whilst we were moving forward a strange thing happened to me. It was like I was transported back in time, all of a sudden I was like 5 years old. It was a Sunday night and the family were sitting around the black and white telly, all excited as we were about to watch the weekly episode of Disneyland, and as the clock ticked over to 6 pm the magic would start and so would my Dad’s singing.

Like clockwork, dad would start in harmony with the TV singing, “When you wish upon a star'' which was the theme song played at the beginning of all Disney TV shows. It stuck with me that memory and no matter how old, no matter where I was in the world, anytime I heard that song I thought and still think of my dad RIP.

Oops back to the story, all of a sudden, we were at the front of the line, Mickey outstretched his arms and I fell into them and this 60-year-old stormtrooper became a 5-year-old kid. All the pressures of business and the health issues went out the door and I was in the arms of Mickey just sobbing but feeling so safe and secure.

Memories of my dad, my childhood all just hit me, but Mickey knew and gave me a nod as I had to let go and make way for the next selfie player.

But it wasn't over folks.

Mickey and Minnie were done with the 30-minute photo op and were ready to make their way back inside to have a cup of tea or maybe cheese and biscuits as Mice do. I was talking to my wife about how special that moment was, what it really meant to me and how glad we had come, I was using all the Kleenex, and I felt a tap on my shoulder, it was Mickey and he opened those big arms again and gave me another hug like he knew I needed more than just a selfie.

A Disney moment, I will never forget, a truly Extraordinary Customer Experience.

Mickey, Tinker Bell? They really worked on the principle of people. Customers don't really know how much you know? Until they know how much you care.

And that kids, is today’s blog message, and a good one for 2021. What is your plan to deliver awesome service, to really focus on showing your customers how much they mean to you?

This COVID year has been so tough on us all, I am sure so many of you reading this right now would love a little pixie dust from Tinker Bell or a comforting hug from Mickey.

I can’t arrange that, but what I can do is leave you with a reminder and ask you to take a walk outside tonight, close your eyes and hum this.
“When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are... when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true”

Enjoy the wish, and your dreams, be in the moment and make sure that 2021 is your year of delivering Extraordinary Customer Experience.
Hugs from TheCamel.Co® !

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Reconnecting Through Facebook: Rekindling Relationships with Old Clients

By Shane Hodge • 10 May, 2024

Introduction: In today's digital age, social media platforms like Facebook have become powerful tools for businesses to reconnect with their old clients. This blog explores how you can leverage Facebook to find and encourage your previous customers to use your business again. We'll delve into the process using an example of finding a long-lost friend and the joy of reestablishing that relationship. And hey, who doesn't love a good reunion story? 1. Utilize Facebook's Search Function: Facebook's search feature is like a detective's magnifying glass, helping you find those long-lost clients. It's time to put on your virtual Sherlock Holmes hat and start sleuthing! Search for your old clients using their names, locations, or any other relevant information you have. Once you find them, send a friend request or a message to initiate contact. Elementary, my dear business owner! 2. Personalize Your Outreach: When reaching out to your old clients, it's time to channel your inner smooth talker. Mention specific details about your previous interactions or transactions to jog their memory. Show them that you remember the good times you had together, like that time they bought your product and rocked it like a fashion icon. Express genuine interest in reconnecting and let them know that you've missed their fabulous presence in your business world. 3. Share Engaging Content: Let's face it, Facebook is like a virtual circus, with all sorts of entertaining content vying for attention. To stand out, you need to be the ringmaster of engagement! Create and share compelling content on your Facebook page that makes your old clients go, "Wow, this business knows how to entertain!" Whether it's informative blog posts, hilarious videos, or quirky memes, make sure it's something they can't resist sharing with their friends. Laughter is the best marketing strategy! 4. Leverage Facebook Groups: Facebook groups are like secret societies, where your old clients might be hiding in plain sight. Join relevant groups and become the undercover agent of connection. Engage in conversations, offer helpful advice, and sprinkle in some witty remarks. Show them that you're not just a business owner, but also a master of banter. Who knows, you might even find some new clients along the way! 5. Run Targeted Ad Campaigns: Facebook's advertising platform is like a magician's hat, full of tricks to grab attention. Create targeted ad campaigns that make your old clients go, "Abracadabra, I need to check this out!" Use eye-catching visuals, clever copy, and irresistible offers to make them stop scrolling and take notice. Just remember, the real magic happens when they click that "Buy Now" button. 6. Offer Exclusive Promotions: Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it's exclusive! Offer your old clients promotions that make them feel like VIPs. It's like rolling out the red carpet for their return. Make the offers time-limited or available only to a select group of customers, and watch them scramble to get in on the action. Who knew your business could be so exclusive and glamorous? 7. Provide Exceptional Customer Service: Once you've successfully reconnected with your old clients, it's time to show them that your customer service is as smooth as butter. Respond promptly to their inquiries, address any concerns with a touch of charm, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations. Make them feel like they're getting the royal treatment, because hey, they deserve it! Conclusion: Facebook presents a remarkable opportunity to find and encourage old clients to use your business again. By leveraging its search function, personalizing your outreach, sharing engaging content, joining relevant groups, running targeted ad campaigns, offering exclusive promotions, and providing exceptional customer service, you can rekindle relationships and foster long-term customer loyalty. And remember, a little humor goes a long way in making those connections even stronger. So go forth, reconnect, and sprinkle some love and laughter along the way! Love and Hugs from TheCamel!

Unleashing the Marketing Magic:

By Shane Hodge • 22 Apr, 2024

How Ai Can Add a Touch of Humor to Help Small Digital Agencies Stand Out.

The Secret Sauce of Success: An Algorithm With A Dash Of Humor

By Shane Hodge • 15 Mar, 2024

In today's competitive business landscape, capturing customers' attention is crucial for success. With the rise of digital marketing and the ever-increasing noise in the marketplace, businesses need to find innovative ways to stand out. One effective approach is to develop an algorithm that can help businesses captivate their target audience. In this blog, we will explore the key steps to creating an algorithm that can capture customers' attention and drive business growth. 1. Define Your Target Audience: The first step in creating an attention-capturing algorithm is to clearly define your target audience. Understand their demographics, preferences, and pain points. Conduct market research, analyze customer data, and gather insights to develop a comprehensive understanding of your ideal customers. This will serve as the foundation for building an algorithm that resonates with your audience. 2. Identify Key Engagement Factors: To capture customers' attention, it's essential to identify the key factors that engage them. These factors can vary depending on your industry and target audience. Consider elements such as personalized content, compelling visuals, emotional storytelling, interactive experiences, and social proof. By understanding what engages your audience, you can tailor your algorithm to incorporate these elements effectively. 3. Leverage Data and Analytics: Data and analytics play a vital role in creating an attention-capturing algorithm. Utilize tools and technologies to collect and analyze customer data, website analytics, social media metrics, and other relevant information. This data-driven approach will help you identify patterns, trends, and customer behavior, enabling you to optimize your algorithm for maximum impact. 4. Develop Personalization Strategies: Personalization is key to capturing customers' attention in today's digital age. Leverage your algorithm to deliver personalized experiences to your target audience. This can include personalized product recommendations, tailored marketing messages, customized landing pages, and dynamic content. By making customers feel seen and understood, you can significantly enhance their engagement and loyalty. 5. Implement A/B Testing: A/B testing is a powerful technique to optimize your algorithm's effectiveness. Create multiple versions of your algorithm and test them against each other to determine which one performs better. Experiment with different variables such as headlines, visuals, calls-to-action, and user interfaces. Continuously analyze the results and refine your algorithm based on the insights gained from A/B testing. 6. Embrace Automation: Automation can streamline your algorithm's implementation and execution. Leverage marketing automation tools to deliver personalized messages, automate customer interactions, and optimize content delivery. By automating repetitive tasks, you can focus on creating compelling content and refining your algorithm to capture customers' attention more effectively. 7. Monitor and Adapt: Creating an attention-capturing algorithm is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor its performance and adapt as needed. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, customer preferences, and technological advancements. Regularly analyze customer feedback, engagement metrics, and conversion rates to identify areas for improvement. By staying agile and responsive, you can ensure that your algorithm remains effective in capturing customers' attention. Conclusion: In a crowded marketplace, capturing customers' attention is a challenge that businesses must overcome to thrive. By creating an algorithm that is tailored to your target audience, leverages data and analytics, embraces personalization, and incorporates automation, you can significantly enhance your ability to captivate customers. Remember to continuously monitor and adapt your algorithm to stay ahead of the competition and deliver exceptional experiences that resonate with your audience. With a well-crafted attention-capturing algorithm, your business can drive growth, build customer loyalty, and achieve long-term success. Love and Hugs from TheCamel!