HARO Rocks

I'm researching a story about working at home with the kids for the next issue of WHY magazine. I've been using HARO over the past six months or so to find experts for stories I'm writing -- for WHY as well as other freelance projects. HARO has always come through with good and plentiful leads. This time, however, I was overwhelmed by the response I received. Since my query was sent out yesterday morning, I've received more than 100 (and counting!) responses. Amazing! And it's FREE! HARO rocks.

I Heart Twitter

There has been so much media hype about Twitter over the past week, with Ashton Kutcher and CNN vying for the 1 million follower mark and Oprah tweeting for the first time on Friday. Non-Tweeters seemed more outspoken than usual about their dislike (or is it the inability to realize the potential?) of the social networking site, and those who were the first to jump on the Twitter bandwagon began complaining that Twitter had jumped the shark with all this new, rather mainstream attention. For me, Twitter remains a fantastic way to market a home venture, such as WHY magazine, or any small or large business. Networking has never been so financially feasible and fun! I've "met" a bunch of amazing entrepreneurs and telecommuters and have learned a lot from all of them. Shark or no shark, I'm here to stay.

WHY Xtra: 5 Telecommuting Myths Debunked

1. "No schedules!" Au contraire! At-home workers may not have to punch a clock, but the onus is on them to chisel out blocks of their day for work or they risk getting nothing done.
2. "Too isolating!" Social media has helped take the lonely out of working from home, but successful telecommuters schedule regular face-to-faces with colleagues, clients and friends.
3. "No office politics!" Because they’re not at “an office,” telecommuters can have a hard time staying on their boss’ radar. Make periodic visits to your company office if you can, or schedule monthly conference calls with your boss or team leaders so that you can stay in the loop.
4. "I’ll gain so much weight!" Yes, the fridge is just a few steps away, but just as working from home is all about discipline, so is meal planning. Find ways to fight those cravings – make a bagged lunch, if that helps, and drink lots of water.
5. "No child care needed!" Whoever said this never experienced the stress of a conference call with a screaming child in the background. Although full-time daycare may not be necessary when you work from home, hiring a mother’s helper for an hour or two, and scheduling all your calls for that time period, is helpful when a SpongeBob DVD or box of cookies won’t do the trick.

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Staying in Constant Contact

I've been using Constant Contact for my WHY magazine emailers for more than a year. You probably know that already, because I'm so happy with the level of service I receive from the company that I gush about it to just about anyone who'll listen.

Earlier this month, there was an issue that came up with my account, and in the process of remedying things, I had a run-in with a poor customer service rep -- I mean, REALLY poor, the kind that makes your mouth hang open in utter shock. I was so infuriated with him that after I hung up the phone, I took to Twitter with some heated ramblings. Within minutes, I received a DM from a vice president of Constant Contact who assured me that he would help me solve my problem and get to the bottom of what had gone wrong with my communications with his sales rep. He was patient, he listened, he tried to crack jokes -- he did all the right things to make the customer (me) feel appreciated and understood.

Within minutes, my account was back in working order, and all was well.

Over the past year, I've read about varying degrees of customer service issues that have been resolved with the help of social media. It wasn't until now, though, that I personally have been able to experience its power in helping customers get their voices heard.

Although no company should be judged by one poor customer service rep, I do believe that companies SHOULD be judged by their responses to those inevitable glitches that pop up in long-term (or short-term) business relationships.

Props go to Constant Contact for its speedy attention to my glitch. Let the gushing continue!

WHYing Solo

For those who have not yet heard, my business partner Lucille has left our little company to pursue other interests, and it will be just me, myself and WHY going forward. I'm excited, motivated, determined and scared to death -- just the way I like it.