by MJ Ali

Do you remember the first ads for home-based jobs? They targeted stay-at-home moms and promised magical, effortless incomes… for just a little money down. Oh, and you had to drum up your own business. Needless to say, these companies failed to deliver realistic opportunities for a viable income. 

Well, times have changed. As people sought a more livable work-life balance and companies started to tally the savings—both in overhead and health—in providing telecommuting options for its employees, legitimate companies took telecommuting seriously and ultimately changed the landscape of where work gets done.

Now, mega corporations employ thousands of telecommuters, offering healthy advancement opportunities, competitive benefits, and a voice in the company. No longer considered a secondary income venue, telecommuters have become a vital part of the workforce. Smaller companies have also found the value in employing telecommuters. Co-Op Web, for example, has been offering telecommuting since 1998.

Single and stay-at-home parents in particular have been able to earn competitive incomes while taking a more active role in their children’s day-to-day activities, and that is invaluable. Beyond the benefits to families, there is an environmental benefit as well. Telecommuters reduce auto emissions and energy required to power larger offices. Walking to your office in your slippers definitely reduces your carbon footprint and commute time, and that means more time with family.

There is a gender gap in remote work, with men of all ages comprising the majority of the remote workforce. But that’s just one statistic. Here’s another: remote work is helping women close the gender gap in tech. A 2017 Forbes article points out that half of telecommuters are 45 years or older, and earn about $4,000 more than non-telecommuters.

Telecommuting jobs are growing, and more job curation companies are focusing on remote job opportunities than ever before. FlexJobs, Glassdoor, Indeed, Working Nomads, and remote OK all have slightly different listings. One or more will have something that will appeal to just about everyone. 

Working in isolation, even with a virtual team, has its challenges. There’s still stress, intensity of work, and balancing work-life in the same space. Telecommuting isn’t for everyone, but for those who make it work, it can often be life-changing. 

The post Are You Telecommuting? You’re Not Alone! appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by Abigail Edwards

How is it that we can spend hours on end surfing social media and never make it to the bottom of our feeds? Every time we see a notification for a new post, we’re drawn to stop whatever we’re doing and click it, which takes us right back to the top of the page for fresh content. It’s practically effortless and it’s been ingrained into our minds as the social media frenzy has spread worldwide. Whenever we feel that gnawing sense of frustration and boredom, our first instinct is to reach for our phones, tablets and computers to log onto our social media platform of choice and see what the rest of the world is up to.

Why is social media so popular? What is so exhilarating about reblogging an entertaining video on Tumblr or accepting a friend request on Facebook? Some say that over time Facebook has lost its luster but the statistics prove this rumor wrong:

• According to the Pew Research Center of Internet & Technology roughly 64% of U.S. adults are Facebook users and three-quarters of them access it every single day.
• It’s estimated that they have a monthly count of 2.2 billion active users. They have certainly come a long way since the days of Six Degrees and MySpace.
• Statista has projected that the number of social media users in 2021 will be at a colossal 3.02 billion.

Clearly, social media serves as much more than a means of sharing cute pictures and videos. Every user’s experience on the various platforms is different but the reasoning behind it is usually the same: we seek community. The Internet is a communal experience that we have constant access to. We can take a peek into each other’s lives and stay updated on the latest news without hunting down contact numbers or flipping through dozens of TV channels. 

Those of us who are naturally shy or poor conversationalists are able to speak out without the need to show their face, which gives an immediate boost to their self-confidence. Many social media users feel that they’re braver online than they are in real life—myself included. As an avid writer with many interests, I have been able to share my creative endeavors with thousands of people through my blog on a daily basis. The safety of sitting outside the screen creates a sense of validation and control. The screen doesn’t judge.

Sometimes social media is the only outlet available when users are lonely or lack encouragement in their personal lives. A friend of my family has often felt stymied in his attempts to socialize thanks to his long-term job as his elderly grandparents’ caretaker. He often faces more opposition from his family than support. This isolation eventually led him to social media, where he learned that others could sympathize and that some of them even shared his interest in professional costuming. Thanks to this revelation, he decided to create a media page where they could coordinate meetups, photoshoots and fundraisers based around their passion. Social media was, in fact, how I met him.

Comfort and support from friends near and far are always available over social media during difficult times. Angie, another personal friend, discovered this when her husband was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Friends and family who were separated by physical distance were able to offer their thoughts and prayers through social media and new connections were made in the process as she was directed to a brain cancer support group that could educate and reassure her while raising awareness about the issue. 

Not only does a social medium allow users to find the support that they need in seconds, it also allows creators to showcase what they have to offer. Tumblr, DeviantArt, and similar sites are dedicated exclusively to giving artists opportunities to display their talents. YouTube is also an increasingly popular platform for artists, performers and gamers to gain recognition and receive constructive criticism. 

Seán McLoughlin, a high-profile YouTuber who recently celebrated his 19 million subscriber milestone, has said, “I love watching people create, I love watching people find a passion, using their talents, getting involved in stuff, doing projects all together, being a community and working together to build each other up…It’s amazing.” 

It’s this sense of community—the ability to comfort, create and connect—that inspires more and more people to join social media platforms. This online “family of choice” is one that will confidently continue growing for decades to come. Whether you’ve limited yourself to Facebook alone or are a user of several sites, you are already a valuable part of it!

The post The Comfort, Creation and Connection in Social Media appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

Image from the Pixar movie Up

by MJ Ali

When I was 19 and attending school in Boston, I would do a lot of waiting for the T, the city’s rail-based public transportation. One morning, a light-footed woman in jeans and black Converse shoes swung her book-heavy backpack down between her feet as she plunked onto the bench next to me, and we immediately struck up a conversation.

She was graduating with her Bachelors and had already been accepted into a Masters program that fall. The excitement on her face said it all. She couldn’t wait to start graduate school. We talked about classes we’d had in common at our respective schools, sharing our experiences with—and criticisms of—traditional education. I didn’t even notice that we’d boarded, sat down, and were nearing my stop; we could have talked for hours.

So, why is this story at all remarkable? She was 80. There was a sixty-one-year age gap that, to us, was completely irrelevant. If we’d seen each others’ ages first, or allowed that difference to limit our communication, neither of us would have had the opportunity to discover our common ground, to enjoy an interaction that, at its very least, made a tedious trip effortless. It was much more than that, though; it shaped the way I’ve regarded age for my entire adult life.

My mother didn’t have any use for ageism either. Her friends ranged in age from twenties to eighties and I never really saw her make a distinction. Her behavior and outlook reinforced my own feelings and thoughts about the self-limiting precepts of age-assigned behavior and outlook.

Our life experiences may have different generational venues (analog versus digital, for instance), but the experiences themselves are relatable. In fact, some haven’t changed at all. Learning how to swim, first kisses, falling in love, heartbreak, first jobs, insecurity, accomplishments—all have a core commonality regardless of the decade in which they occurred.

Younger people often feel their opinions and input aren’t taken seriously because they haven’t been on the planet long enough and lack experience. Older people tend to feel as though they’re viewed as incompetent, and experience being treated like they’re superfluous by younger people, often feeling as though they’re invisible.

Our preconceptions create this barrier to communication, and we miss out on so much because of it. Imagine interacting with someone much younger or older and choosing not to put their age first, but allowing that interaction to unfold organically, without prejudgment. That’s freedom, for both parties. That’s exercising our inherent ability to adapt, to choose a flexible mind over a rigid one. 

Try it sometime. Let us know how it goes.

The post HOW DOES AGEISM LIMIT YOUR EXPERIENCES? appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by Abigail Edwards

We’ve all had those moments when we’re relaxing with a group of our friends and we’re the only one who doesn’t have their head ducked over a phone. It creates an uncomfortable feeling of exclusion that automatically creates the draw of reaching for our own device so we can be in on the action, part of the group. This does beg the question, however: if we’ve gone to the trouble of planning a get-together, shouldn’t we be chatting with those immediately in front of us instead of seeking out the company of online friends? When is it appropriate to dive into our virtual lives and when is it important to come up for the fresh air that reality provides?

First and foremost, it’s vital that we put down our devices if and when the distraction would endanger us. According to End Distracted Driving, over 58% of teen car crashes are caused by distracted driving. When we talk on our phones while driving, our attention is just as impaired as someone with a blood-alcohol level of .08%. Walking and texting is just as dangerous, causing over 11,100 injuries in the span of a decade. 

Second, putting down our phones can be a great courtesy to those around us. Restaurants are often taken to be prime places for phone usage; we’re able to take pictures of our lovely meal and send them to our friends who may be missing out. Unfortunately a picture posted from a cheaper, unprofessional cell camera may paint an image of the restaurant that isn’t as flattering as they’d hope, despite the good intentions of the photographer. It can disrupt the atmosphere and ambience that their surroundings are meant to provide. This is also true of movie theaters, where the excitement and immersion of the movie can be broken with one ring from a nearby seat.

Third, we ought to take time away from our online relationships to foster better ones with the people in our sphere of influence. Going on a date with your significant other won’t have the same value and closeness if both of you are checking your notifications every few minutes and as mentioned before, you and your friends won’t ever find the time to catch up like you planned if all of you are too busy refreshing your social media pages. 

When we turn down the volume and set our phones aside, we can better absorb the beautiful nuances of our surroundings. We’ll feel the wind on our faces and the warmth of the sun as we’re on the sidewalk or we have the car window rolled down. We’ll be more aware of the delicious food that we’re eating without worrying about the stains it may leave on our screens. We’ll be free to make jokes with the company we’re keeping and listen to them laugh instead of simply trusting a message that says “LOL”. 

These moments in life are the ones we should cherish the most. Our phones often prove to be a nice getaway from all of the pandemonium that takes place in our everyday lives, but no break or vacation can last forever. None of us will be able to do what’s tangible, substantial and real right in front of us. For the sake of safety, courtesy and better relationships, it’s important to look up from the screen every once in a while. Not only will this give us better balance in our lives, but we may find something valuable in the moment at hand, something that’s too beautiful to capture with the click of a camera. 

The post What time is it? Time to put down your cell phone! appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

By MJ Ali

The nap. At some point, the less wise started to equate it with laziness. That’s changing. Ask Google, Huffington Post, Zappos, Ben & Jerry’s, and other very productive and successful companies what they think about napping and they’ll give you a tour of their workplace nap rooms (and stats on their rise in productivity). 

Way before Europe was a thing and Siesta was a word (Latin for hora sexta, or sixth hour), people napped midday as a respite from the heat, to eat with family, and go back to work refreshed. History and traditions span the globe, and even though some countries have all but abandoned the art of the midday nap, the practice is once again on the rise.

Studies show that midday naps boost productivity, refresh the brain, and make for healthier, happier workers. 85% of mammalian species sleep for short periods throughout the day, making the human species a distinct minority. Did we adapt our sleep cycles over time? If so, why?

Do you nap? Some people think it’s a waste of time or a sign of laziness. But, if you could be more productive in the afternoon when most people are slamming back energy drinks or involuntarily nodding off, would you try it then? I was one of those people who thought naps would pull me down for the rest of the day, but I tried it a few times, and it made a significant difference in my energy, concentration, and productivity levels. So now, I’m a napper.

Cultural or not, species-specific behavior or not, there’s a lot to be said for the power of the nap. If you’re thinking of exploring whether napping might be right for you, I’ll start you off with a couple of fun articles:

Take Naps at Work. Apologize to No One.

America, It’s Time for Your Nap

And, for all the avid nappers, we’re in good company. Here’s a quick world tour of “nap” in languages around the globe:

• Arabic: qayloulah
• Bogotá Colombian Spanish: motoso
• Brazilian Portuguese: cochilo
• Chinese: xiaoqi
• Filipino: idlip
• Finnish: torkut
• Hausa: rurumi
• Maori: moenga
• Ojibwe: nindanweb
• Somali: waxeey

Nap well!

The post The Nap: Bad Rap or Approving Clap? appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by Abigail Edwards

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.”

– Laurence Sterne

Keeping this idea in mind while we’re posting online is incredibly important, more so than most may realize. When we talk online, we often say things that we would never say in person because of the safety that anonymity provides. Anonymity should always be taken with a grain of salt, however. What better salt to flavor our meal at the online table than proper social etiquette?

We’ve all been taught the importance of manners, particularly in terms of our words. “What do we say now?” is an age-old prompt from a parent for a “Please” or a “Thank you,” but it’s also an interesting question in terms of our online interactions. Because our Internet communications are dominated by words, we need to consider what a flippant message may mean to someone reading it on the other side. 

When we remark on how someone’s selfie reflects their bad hair day or complain about their political point of view, we never know who’s going to read it. For all we know, the friend we share our gossip with could know someone who is guaranteed to be hurt by what we’re saying. It’s hard to forget times I’ve seen mutual friends hurt because of a post that they happened across. I’ve found that rereading what I’ve written before I click “send” is critical.

Sometimes the comments we make on what we see are simply misinterpreted. 

• Poor punctuation or autocorrect slipups can easily create misunderstandings, but unfortunately there are times when abuse of online privilege is maliciously purposeful. 
• In an experiment by cyberbullying.org, twenty-five percent of 10,000+ minors admitted that they were victims of cyberbullying. 
• Our anonymity may provide a measure of protection for our identities but it doesn’t protect our hearts. We need to remember that those we interact with are more than just usernames; they’re real human beings.

I recently found myself following a heated discussion of online etiquette in regards to subtitles added to YouTube videos. A number of viewers were entertaining themselves by “hacking” the subtitles of their favorite YouTubers, adding their own jokes and comments to the closed captions in an attempt to feel included in the video. Obviously this raised several complaints and concerns from members of the deaf community, who rely on the subtitles for their best experience of the content. When inconsiderate users dismissed their needs, calling them selfish, problematic, insensible and fake, I felt compelled to chime in respectfully but firmly. Several others rallied to help me and a member of the deaf community later approached me to admit how grateful he was that I had spoken up.

The Internet provides many opportunities and venues to foster kinship and unity. Treating others with respect shouldn’t end when we log on to our favorite social media platforms. When we treat others poorly, we’re only alienating ourselves from the community we could have. Not only does proper etiquette demonstrate that we appreciate others and what they have to offer us, it fosters a safer environment for us and the people we interact with. Positivity, kindness and respect from online friends can be a light in someone’s life when nothing else is.

The age-old adage “Think before you speak” is now more important than ever. 

The post Civility is Easy… Right? appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by MJ Ali

 “My photos are all in the Cloud.” It sounds so non-material. Light, airy, unobtrusive, even magical.

Would you be surprised to find out that intelligent people of all ages and abilities have asked questions like, “If it’s a clear day, is my data being saved?”

That’s the brilliance of marketing: make something as energy-consuming as global-scale data storage sound fluffy.

The reality is that right here, on planet earth, there are massive data centers all over the world taking up ever more real estate and energy to accommodate the world’s insatiable appetite for saving every single picture they ever took or video they ever shot or text they ever sent or gif they ever posted.

Whether they’re called “cloud campuses”, “server farms” or “data centers”, companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and others buy up multi-acre real estate and spend billions to accommodate ever-growing digital storage demands.

If you were to go to Google Maps and search for: “Facebook data center Forest City NC”, and in Satellite view, pan out, and witness the scope of just this one data center. The three buildings dwarf anything else in this small city.

Head on over to North Carolina on Google Maps and take a look at the “Apple data center Maiden NC” and you’ll see not only one of Apple’s data centers, but an even larger solar farm powering that data center.

No one’s really talking about the environmental impact our digital clutter is having, so let’s focus on what we can do to reduce our digital clutter for other reasons. Safety, organization, and simplicity, are all good incentives to reduce digital clutter.  It’s also a lot easier than cleaning out a closet! 

The post Bringing The “Cloud” Down To Earth appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

By MJ Ali

Do you remember the first time you heard the word “no”? For many, it was a boundary being set by an adult. And, as children, the first time we used the word “no” was usually a reaction to boundary setting we didn’t agree with!

The tiny word “no” is one of the most powerful words in any language, but it’s gotten a really bad rap over the years. As we grew up, our use of the word “no” didn’t really grow up with us.

“No” is typically seen as excluding, negating, denying, as a shutdown. But we rarely think of “no” as empowering, freeing, inclusive, and a positive example when used in the right context, in the right way, for the right reasons.

Saying “no” is not typically an easy or comfortable thing to do. Getting to the point where you can do it without needing to breathe into a paper bag is a process, and that takes practice.

Knowing why we say “yes” when we really need to say “no” is half the battle. Once we know why, and observe what our bodies tell us when we imagine saying “no” (do we feel an immediate release of tension, and where, for example?) we’re provided with a lot of valuable information we can work with. 

Often, the motivation to say “yes” when “no” is the better option has to do with work: 

• Fear of losing job/clients

• Not being considered for a promotion

• Becoming invisible 

In our personal lives, our reasons for saying “yes” instead of “no” in different situations are much more complex. Family dynamics, and the place we hold in them, present a far more challenging relational landscape. Identifying when to say “no” may involve taking a look at some deeper, harder-to-get-at issues. 

Self-checks might include:

• Hurting feelings

• Stepping out of established role expectations

• Fear of missing out (FOMO)

• Enmeshment

• Fear of not being needed (link takes you to an article by the 14^th Dalai Lama)

Asking these kinds of questions helps us map out our own “no” zones—those areas of your life where you’re overextended–and helps determine how we honor overall balance and health. It’s part of setting healthy boundaries. Just one “no” used to set a healthy boundary can open the door to a different stream of healthier “yes” opportunities.

Practicing “no” affords us the opportunity to (among other things):

• Imagine the possibilities

• Nurture ourselves 

• Realize much better directed energy and attention

The power of “no” can also extend to not doing something that drains our energy unnecessarily. “Enjoy the Freedom Not To” by Dr. Rick Hanson provides some great examples, including arguing, self-criticism, and worrying what other people think of you.

I invite you to practice saying “no”. This New York Times article provides some great examples of how you can practice in non-critical situations, including how to be more assertive in how you convey your “no”. Are you ambivalent or tentative, leaving room for interpretation and setting a tone of uncertainty, for example, or do you make our response clear? Reading deeper into this article will also quell any fears you may have about being too assertive. Apparently, our self-perceptions about that aren’t so great! That’s good news!

The post The Power of “No” appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

By Abigail Edwards

Everyone appreciates getting a convenient deal. It’s a relief when everything else we shop for comes at a great cost, snatching our time and money before we realize what’s happening. People spend their time scrounging through magazines and catalogs for coupons and entirely miss out on the free opportunities the Internet provides because they don’t know where to look for them. When you search with a purpose, however, there’s a wealth of potential free and deep discount sites you can look into for big breaks. 

• Gift Cards 

If you’re running low on gift cards for your favorite retailers, you can visit swagbucks.com. It allows you to earn points for searching, taking part in surveys, and watching videos—simple activities that every Internet user does daily! They give out at least 7,000 free gift cards per day and have paid their members over $280 million dollars in gifts. Michelle P., a Swagbucks member since 2014, says, “Before I became a Swagger our budget was limited. Now I save my gift cards all year and spend them online!”

• Giveaways 

Justfreestuff.com has been around since 1997 and is still going strong. It has a broad range of categories; through referrals, contests and giveaways, you can find merchandise for beauty, books, clothes, recipes, music, magazines and more.

• Storage 

When you’re on vacation and you get the notification that your phone’s storage or camera’s memory card is full, you can store your memories in Dropbox. A free Dropbox basic account provides you with two to five gigabytes of space for pictures and documents. This service has been trusted with information by over 500 million users, including companies like Hyatt, News Corp, and National Geographic. You do have to pay if you want more storage than the basic account provides but for those who conserve their space, the basics are more than enough.

• Communication 

If there’s someone you love who’s living on the other side of the world, you can easily catch up with them using Skype. With free messaging, calls and videos that you can use on either your phone or your computer, Skype can be used for business calls, birthday greetings, long-distance relationships and collaborations on all kinds of projects, which is incredibly handy in this digital age. 

• Trivia 

Are you one of the millions who browse the Internet for something to do when you’re bored? Triviaplaza.com and youplay.com are free sites to entertain you and test your knowledge of pop music, movies, science, literature and other genres. I personally enjoyed the challenge of Triviaplaza’s movie trivia. These sites are fun and easy to use; they’ll definitely help you while away a few hours. 

• Entertainment 

Pandora Radio and YouTube are also diamonds in the rough. Both are free and allow you to listen to a vast variety of music genres. Whatever piques your interest and pleases your ears is open to you! On Pandora, you can create your own stations, tailoring them to your specifications. It evolves to your tastes. YouTube is considered by some to be for music alone, but there are also gaming channels and stunt channels that are endlessly entertaining. Team Edge, for example, is a family-friendly channel full of games and challenges that never fail to make me smile.

With all of these opportunities open to us, our shopping, vacationing, communication and entertainment are much more convenient than they would be otherwise. How many freebies do we miss out on because we’re religiously counting our coupons and our credit cards? Get out there and see! 

The post The Best Things On the Internet are Free appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by Shannon Franklin

Picture this:  It’s early in the day, and your kid has just fallen asleep for what you know will be a nice, long nap. You crack open your laptop, and just as you start making killer progress on your project for the day, you hear it. Bzzzz. Bzzzzz.  You check your phone for a new text.

Husband: “Hey, can you put in a load of laundry? I need socks.” 

Ugh.

Working at home seems to be a dream — you can keep moving your career forward without missing precious quality time with your little ones.  But what happens when the important people in your life just don’t get it? 

As a WAHM, you’re doing the work required as a freelancer, remote worker or entrepreneur to generate income, in addition to the more than full time job of raising your child.  It’s the ultimate work/life balancing act, and the boundaries are constantly being blurred. 

Partners, friends, and family have a hard time comprehending how you can have a productive day working from your dining room table. They assume that working from home isn’t as demanding as working in an office, so you should have plenty of time to do chores, run errands and have leisurely lunches.  The reverse is just as frustrating: when people trivialize the time and energy it takes to do housework, they expect that you can just “throw in a load of laundry” or “whip up dinner” during the time you’ve planned to work.  And, do all of these things while also taking care of your kids.

Even our remote coworkers sometimes have unrealistic expectations. Working with children in the home doesn’t leave much space for fire drills that pop-up out of nowhere and have a deadline of RIGHT NOW. 

Luckily, there are a few strategies we can use to help manage others’ expectations of us: 

1. Communicate – Very simply and clearly tell the people in your life exactly what they can, and should, expect from you.  Sit down with your partner to share what your typical day looks like, and explain how it makes you feel when your time isn’t respected.

2. Cut – I say “no” often and simplify my to-do lists when possible to keep from becoming overburdened and stay focused on priorities.

3. Commit – It’s easy to tell people all the things can’t, won’t and don’t have time for, but it’s just as important to choose a few big, impactful things (either at home or at work) you can commit to and give 110%. 

4. Care –  Practicing self-care around managing your own expectations is critical. Are you stressing yourself out trying to be everything to everyone?  It’s ok to be ambitious, but it’s also ok for that pile of laundry to sit on the floor for another day (or week) so you can go to bed at a decent hour. 

5. *Bonus: Cuddle – Your children have expectations of you too! Once their basic daily needs are met, they still crave your attention.  I plan “cuddle time” with my son into my schedule each day.  I close my laptop, put my phone out of sight, and give my baby my undivided attention. We sing, read, “talk” and play.  Planned cuddle time may sound a bit forced at first, but it’s really just my way of guaranteeing that I get uninterrupted quality time with my baby. After all, he is my reason for becoming a WAHM and meeting his expectations is at the very top of my list.

Additional Reading: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2018/03/08/we-need-to-change-the-conversation-about-moms-and-work-to-include-other-perspectives/?utm_term=.7fba89e1e3c3

https://theartofsimple.net/how-i-created-true-office-hours-as-a-wahm/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/wahm-when-its-time-to-put-the-kids-in-daycare_us_58f837c8e4b01d4eb1e16965

The post Since You’re Home Anyway, Can You Let the Dog Out? appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

by MJ Ali 

Our first sense—touch—develops in utero. It’s also our strongest sense at birth. We don’t give it a second thought, but touch is phenomenally complex. Touch is crucial to navigating our world, making sense of objects and intentions, alerting us to danger and calming us when we’re stressed. 

Not only do we react, respond, and adjust to feedback, we perceive through neural processing of social touch, fine versus crude touch, balance, and haptic perception. We also process touch very differently in different parts of our bodies, and there’s a science for that as well. This article on Vox breaks things down into manageable “touch facts”. If you’re feeling particularly geeky, you can read more about the somatosensory system on Wikipedia.

I’m going to start with something simple and work back from there, because if you have a phone with “haptic touch” (a non-button that feels like a button, for example), you understand the basic idea behind what our bodies are actually doing versus how our minds perceive what we’re doing. Haptic simply means anything relating to the sense of touch, but technology took the term under its vernacular wing and has been using it for any number of technologies feverishly under development in the past decade.

When you touch a piece of fabric, for example, and you’ve touched it before, your mind stores that information in its neural pathways and provides that information for you when you touch that fabric again. Technology is learning how to use that neural feedback to provide the same information remotely. Huh, you say? Huh, indeed!

Let’s say you’re shopping for a flannel blanket. You want a really soft flannel blanket. You go to a store that offers “haptic shopping” (we’re making this up as we go along because we can) and you see a blanket you like, but you want to know if it feels right. You place you finger on your smart phone and the website provides information that your neural pathways interpret as soft flannel. You then “feel” the texture of the blanket.

If this sounds too futuristic, think again. Take a look at some of these resources:

Tanvas’ haptic feedback system lets you feel texture on a touchscreen

“Feeling” Objects in Thin Air: The Future of Touch Technology

The Tesla Suit

Katherine Kuchenbecker’s TEDTalk regarding technology of touch

The implications of these technologies go far beyond convenience. Prosthetic hands with a sense of touch is just one of the many life-enhancing technologies that have been in various stages of development and realization for years.

Our minds have awe-inspiring abilities, including rewiring where our nerve endings are post-surgery. A Modular Prosthetic Limb allows patients to send signals to their prosthetic limb with their thoughts, and to receive signals as well.

In my next article, I’ll ponder how virtual touch might alter our social landscape.

Now, go hug someone.

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By Abigail Edwards

When my family and I walk into one of our favorite restaurants for dinner on a Friday night, there’s a sense of warmth that immediately puts me at ease. It’s a homey atmosphere that’s always bustling with activity but there’s always one thing reassuring me that I’m a welcomed customer: the waitress who recognizes us every time we come in. No matter what she’s doing, she’ll smile and wave, greeting us like old friends. It’s that familiarity and kindness that keeps us coming back. 

Both businesses and customers can get a lot out of knowing each other by name. Chester Santos, the “International Man of Memory”, says that when you can remember someone’s name, it shows them that they are important to you. This value gives the business a competitive edge in the market and in the minds of the consumers by establishing credibility and a sense of community that draws them to return again and again. 

It’s surprising how many people will sacrifice more money for a sense of belonging to go with their products and services. For example, anyone can pay twenty dollars or less at a walk-in establishment to get a good haircut but some are willing to pay up to five times that amount for a salon where the stylist knows their name and their story. I went to the same stylist for eight years, gladly paying more for both her quality and company.

Community can also create accountability. Gym members who struggle to maintain consistency in their attendance are more likely to keep coming back if they feel personally recognized and missed when they’re gone. One of my local fitness clubs actively calls members who are on their “Missing in Action” list, asking how they’re doing and if everything’s okay. These members are always pleasantly surprised to find out that the business was thinking of them and they often do return. 

Three generations of my family have gone to the same auto mechanic, not only because of the trusted quality and service that they provide but because they treat us like family. When my great grandma passed away, our mechanic came to her memorial service, surprising and moving us when she got up to speak for her. It’s that kind of business community that keeps us coming back. Everyone that we have referred has stayed with them too. 

I’m always impressed when I walk into a business I frequent and they call me by name. How do they remember my name among so many customers and how can I pay the kind, hardworking employees the same respect? Names are among some of the hardest things to remember, especially when you don’t see the other person frequently. Here are a few tips that have helped me remember names:

• Repeat the other person’s name if they give it to you. Answering back with something like “Nice to meet you, John” will help you keep your focus and cement the name in your memory. Repeat it again at the end of your conversation when you say goodbye.
• Focus on a particular feature of their face to associate with them. A trait like their small nose, large ears, unique hairstyle or freckles can be an anchor to their identity.
• Connect the name with a mental image. If the name is Steve, imagine a large, hot stove with the letter E cooking in the pot. It’s a unique picture that will come to mind whenever you see Steve.

Practice makes perfect! There’s no shame in asking them to remind you of their name the next time you see them.

With so much competition across the marketplace, it can be hard to decide which businesses to frequent. When it comes down to it, sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.

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Photo by Ravi Kumar on Unsplash

By MJ Ali

I went to a local restaurant with my sister the other day. We sat outside in a very large covered space, and nearly all the tables were full. Not unusual for this popular place, but here’s what was astounding: not one person was staring down at their phone. From teens to seniors, everyone was engaged in conversation, eye contact, and social touch. What’s more astounding is that witnessing humans interacting without technological interference is considered a rare sociological event worth noting.

With advances in technology and touch, studies are ongoing with regard to social touch utilizing touch technology. And, while we know virtual online environments have been used for social interaction for quite a while, this takes it a giant leap further.

For instance, anyone communicating in a virtual/digital environment doesn’t experience social touch as part of that interaction. With the help of technology, the Tactile Sleeve for Social Touch (TaSST) can provide mediated touch that our brain perceives as actual touch. This has far-reaching implications not only for long-distance interactions, but for digitally reaching out to those who are experiencing profound isolation.

People with social anxiety and phobia have access to therapy and other support venues because technology has provided us with the ability to help people through online media. With mediated touch, people who are touch phobic, for example, may soon be able to experience therapeutic mediated touch while remaining in a safe environment.

Realistically speaking, I think it’s safe to say that organic social touch is not going to be replaced by mediated social touch any time soon. In these technologically dominated times, however, more and more people are experiencing social isolation due to social anxiety, agoraphobia, and increased reliance on—and addiction to–virtual environments for their primary social interaction.

Touch technology has the potential to help countless people in very specific ways, but for the vast majority of us for whom technology is not a necessity for moving a prosthetic limb or re-enabling neural pathways, balance is key.

As we marvel at some of the amazing things being accomplished with touch technology, we can also celebrate our ability to get our hands dirty, press our toes into the sand, touch a loved one’s cheek, or hold someone’s hand. Because, while we may be able to simulate what all of that feels like, nothing can replace a spontaneous hug, a butterfly kiss, or a reassuring touch on the shoulder.

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By Abigail Edwards

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a fast food restaurant or a diamond resort, restaurants have been getting my brother’s order wrong his entire life. He’s allergic to dairy, which is an issue given that his favorite food is hamburgers. Over the years, we’ve concocted every possible way of saying, “Just the meat on the bun. No cheese, no condiments, just the patty,” but when we check under the bun, nine times out of ten, it’s covered in cheese and we have to send it back. By the time they return with the correct order, the rest of us are almost finished with our meals.

There are many ways that businesses choose to handle errors on their end. From ignoring the oversight to compensating us for the meal, we tend to remember the restaurants at both extremes of the spectrum. It’s the unexpected act of going above and beyond to make it right that earns our loyalty.

While we cross off restaurants on the bottom end of the spectrum, vowing never to return, there are those at the top end of the spectrum that have the potential to become multi-generational go-to eateries because of one simple thing: unexpected acts.

We recently went to a new local burger restaurant to celebrate a couple of birthdays with friends and family. As happens with the majority of places where our brother orders a burger with no dairy, they delivered a cheeseburger. When we brought it to their attention, they were very apologetic and remade his order correctly. We appreciated this, and didn’t expect anything more.

When the bill came to the table, however, we were met with an even more pleasant surprise: they had taken my brother’s lunch off the bill entirely. We immediately went to the front desk and booked our reservations for a holiday party we were planning; we were looking for a venue, and because of the great business practices at this restaurant, we found it.

It’s this kind of service that creates customer loyalty and positive word of mouth. No matter how restaurants treat their customers, poorly or exceptionally, it will be remembered and passed along to others as a reflection of the business’s character. In a competitive market, word travels fast and customers travel faster. Initiative, respect, generosity and gratitude toward the patrons directly influencing their success are often the difference between a company’s longevity and brevity.

“Set an example. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you—not because they are nice, but because you are.” – Marc and Angel

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Illustration by Ursula Osteen

Co-Op Web is an award-winning Social Media Marketing Management company that’s been around since 1998. From small businesses to large shopping centers, we provide comprehensive services ranging from live social media posting at events to ongoing Social Media Marketing Management. But, it’s not what we have to say about ourselves that’s important; it’s what our customers have to say that really counts.

Our Customers Say:

“As the Pacific Southwest Regional Director of one of North America’s largest publicly operators of open-air shopping centers, my expectations and needs were very high. We knew implementing social media at selected sites was key to meeting our mission to “inspire a sense of community” for our shopping centers. After working with Co-Op Web, for nearly five years, the bottom line is, I like everything that they do. We couldn’t be happier with their company and their work.”

Steve Naval
San Diego, California
Kimco Realty Corporation

“Co-Op Web is a talented team! We have been working with Ana and her Co-op Web team for several years with the various Social Media platforms. They understand our needs and are always willing to go the extra mile. ”

Pam Longbine and Cheryl Horton
Carefree, Arizona
Blend Marketing

“Being a large international commercial developer my expectations for our new websites for our Arizona Centers was extremely high. Co-Op Web not only exceeded my expectations with delivering a savvy, smart, interactive website but they are a pleasure to work with”.

Heather Brechbill
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Triple Five Development Corporation

Read More at Co-OpWeb.com

The post Highly Recommended! appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

By MJ Ali

It’s not in dispute: touch technology has a place in innovation, accessibility development, education, and recreation. This is the era of the smartphone, bringing online connection to the masses for the past eleven years. More people are able to access the World Wide Web every day, no computer necessary.

This always-in-hand intimacy with our technology has literally placed an arsenal of powerful tools at our fingertips. Unlike the introduction of Internet access and personal computers, far more people have access to smartphones, and subsequently access to all the information previously reserved for those with a computer and Internet service. This brought our connection devices from the home office, spare room, or public library right into our pockets.

This is a far more powerful change than we could have anticipated, not only in terms of the number of people with access, but the intensity and frequency of that access. Your music library, health information, social networking, photo sharing, and—well, pretty much anything—are accessed through touching a piece of glass in your hand or on your wrist. There are countless positive implications for this technology, and—because we’re humans, after all—countless negative ones as well.

A watch app can alert family and medical contacts to a seizure when you can’t. GPS can also guide you into a lake if you’re not paying real-space attention.

Looking at one’s phone has become a form of OCD for many smartphone users. Looking down at one’s phone has also started causing neck and back issues specific to the posture maintained when texting, playing a game, or surfing the Web.

As our senses become less exposed to the world around us, we are concurrently challenged with overstimulation via the Internet. There is a burgeoning movement centered around Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, that bears even a light read. While these ASMR sessions do occur in person, far more prevalent are YouTube practitioners who specialize in certain aspects of ASMR, helping their listeners wind down and find peace and calm.

How do we wind down from all of it? How do we find balance? More and more meditation and yoga practices have been focusing on the physical, spiritual, and sociological implications our complex—and often isolating—digital world presents, and offering practices that address overstimulation and stress related to our use of technology. (The links in this paragraph will take you to contextual information.)

Ironically, finding what works best for you might take some research—yep, on the Internet—and then putting it into practice. It might take some experimentation. Find out how tethered you are and go from there. Walking away from all your technology until you find yourself feeling anxious about being away from it is a great start. Whether it’s two minutes or two hours, this observation will give you a great base from which to grow.

And, no matter what you’re doing, don’t forget to breeeeathe. (Click for 4-7-8 breathing… easy, fast, and effective!)

The post Technology and Touch: Finding Balance appeared first on Co-Op Web: Social Media Marketing Managers for Businesses and Shopping Centers.

By Abigail Edwards

“It’s for a good cause!” This phrase is always an attention-getter when it comes to promoting a business. We support businesses every day by paying for their products and services, but how much better does it feel to support them when we know that they’re doing what they can to give back more?

Businesses that give back to the public have greatly strengthened their revenue and customer loyalty by fostering a sense of teamwork, togetherness and positive involvement as they strive for a goal. According to Inc. 500 Magazine, some businesses have had a revenue increase of 148 percent because of their generosity and kindness toward their customers and the community in which they live. Both local and international businesses can get in on the action!

Every month, coffee bar Big Heart Coffee lives up to its name by choosing a charity to support. All profits are directed to foster care and adoption services, child abuse prevention, trauma and crisis response, homeless connections, wildlife rehabilitation and much more. Through their work, they create an open and welcoming environment for every consumer crossing their path.

Lokai, an international accessories company, is based on the notion of teaching its customers how to balance hope and humility in their everyday lives. With this in mind, the Lokai Circle was created. This ring consists of partnering companies that receive millions of dollars in proceeds from Lokai’s business. The Humane Society, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Oceana, Make-A-Wish and many others have benefitted from their work. Just a few months ago, the customers who back Lokai formed a community of their own where they could safely discuss their mental and emotional health, knowing that the company was working with a charity in support of them.

Charity work isn’t the only way to reach out to a community.

• Social media has become a staple to extend your reach outside of the physical community. Sharing online content, answering questions and interacting with your customers there will undoubtedly open more doors for easy outreach.
• Joining forces with a few other businesses that complement yours is an easy way to find customers who may not have found you. Special offers to your partners’ patrons will draw their interest.
• Events like vendor fairs, popup markets and free vaccinations are always helpful and collaborative experiences for the community at large.

Speaking as a customer, I am inspired and gratified supporting companies that support the community, knowing that the product/service I pay for benefits not only myself, but others who may be in greater need. In the words of Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

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By MJ Ali

You’re sitting at the dinner table, and your teenage child’s chair buzzes. You know, the one who said his phone was off, because there are no electronics allowed at the dinner table. Yeah. That one. Your child looks very surprised, not because he was unaware of the phone’s presence, but because he thought sitting on it while it was in his pocket would be enough to muffle the sound of the vibration.

You’re driving your child home from school, and you thought you were having a conversation only to look over and see her face—and full attention—is fully focused on her phone. She’s there, but not there. This is a prime time event, being in the car alone together, and you were hoping to utilize the opportunity by discussing important stuff. Your efforts to redirect her consciousness fail.

Finding quality time has become a major challenge. Margarita Tartakovsky gives some very practical advice in her seven-point article on PsychCentral, and is definitely worth a read. It covers setting boundaries for you, your family, and for work/life balance.

With kids, Parental Controls on Android and Apple devices (as well as computers) help reinforce boundaries set around online time and website content. You can set pretty much anything from scheduling offline time to restricting certain types of Web content and apps.

Let’s be crystal clear: it’s not just teenagers. Divorces have loomed over the disconnects that happen when devotion switches from spouse to Samsung. “Phubbing” (fusion of “phone” and “snubbing”) is a real thing now, and was actually used as criteria in a study highlighted in this CNN article interviewing couples about how smartphones have challenged their relationships. This Berkeley article takes it a few steps further, going more in depth and offering a lot of resources as well as what-to-do-if suggestions.

It takes a village to control our tech, and we could all use a little help. Implementing our down time takes determination, planning, and practice; friends and family in solidarity can help make that slice of peace a reality, and who knows? Maybe that practice will start trending.

Co-Op Web, Inc., Social Media for business

Press Release
For Immediate Release: September 27, 2018
Media Contact:
Shannon Franklin
520.401.5644

shannonfranklin.media@gmail.com

Woman-owned Tech Company Reaches Major Milestone
Tucson-based Co-Op Web, Inc. celebrates their twenty-year anniversary

(Tucson, AZ) — Co-Op Web, Inc. (CWI), a Tucson-based business that provides social media management services, will celebrate twenty years in operation on October 1.

CWI is run and owned entirely by a team of seven women, rare for a tech company. Ana Lewis, the company’s founder, maintains a highly collaborative and supportive team dynamic, and encourages her team members to work in roles that are well suited for their individual talents.

“There is a magic about being surrounded by our sisters. We can be vulnerable, we can be real, we can ask for help and not be judged. Through our group software, we talk daily and someone is always here. I love working with women, and I am especially grateful to be surrounded by women daily,” said Lewis.

Lewis founded CWI in 1998. Before that, she was a dancewear designer, but became fascinated with computers and the web. A tour of her Internet service provider’s facility led to a job with the company, where she learned everything she could about the Internet. Next, Lewis ran the web department at another company before deciding to make it on her own. Fast forward to the present, and CWI has evolved from a website design and hosting company to focus on social media and web-based marketing. CWI’s current niche is catering to shopping centers and plazas, with clients all over the country.

As an early adopter, Lewis has always loved “tech toys and tools” and has an affinity for social media because she believes it can be a platform for inclusivity, while also connecting people online and off. Lewis practices yoga and meditation daily, and brings her real-life philosophies of gratitude and oneness into her business. This approach, coupled with her dedication to community, led Lewis to start Women on the Verge, a free community for women around the world to let their voices be heard, in 2009.

CWI’s clients currently include Loma Square in San Diego, Santee Trolley Square in Santee, CA, Mesa Riverview in Mesa, AZ and Gadabout SalonSpas in Tucson, AZ, among others. Past clients have included institutions such as Fox Restaurant Concepts, Triple Five Worldwide Group, Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson.

Co-Op Web, Inc. will be celebrating through the month of October on their blog and social media channels by sharing stories and insights from the last twenty years. Follow along at Co-OpWeb.com and their pages on Facebook and Twitter.

###

Abigail Edwards, Intern, interviews Co-Op Web CEO Ana Lewis, who is celebrating her company’s 20^th anniversary. From how it all started to where it’s going, Ms. Lewis speaks candidly about how her company reached this milestone, and what lies ahead.

AE: How did you first become interested in this business?

AL: I was a dancewear designer for many years prior to my work on the internet. Initially, as a non-computer user (or even owner), in 1994, I was curious. What on earth was this thing called the internet? What’s a website? I was fascinated. I started working with a friend of mine who owned a video apartment rental agency, designing and marketing his website, and learning new things every day. One day, I called our Internet Service Provider (ISP) and asked if I could tour the facility.  

As I walked into the bank of servers and saw the pride and joy of these young, brilliant men and all that they were accomplishing and learning, I wanted so badly to be a part of that energy. When we toured their beautiful offices overlooking the city, I exclaimed, “I could SO work here!” I wasn’t there for a job, but when I said that, they told me that they could SO bring me on board. They told me that they could teach me the technology, but they couldn’t teach me how to design, so if I bring my eye, they would teach me how the internet works.  

I spent four years training at an ISP. That first one was sold (yep, brilliant young dudes did well), and then I went to another ISP about a block away and ran an even bigger web department. That job ended with the owners going into the big-time moneymaking internet porn industry, so I decided to go off on my own.

AE: Why the name Co-Op Web?

AL: When I started Co-Op Web, I had cohorts who were programmers in the second web department I ran at the ISP. We KNEW we could direct traffic to a website, so considered the concept that we would build websites for free, but get a piece of the traffic. That worked out very well financially for us until 9/11. Most of our clients were in the resort industry; many people stopped traveling after that time (especially to international destinations), and we had to re-evaluate our business model.  

Since then, we’ve found that when we “cooperate” with marketing firms, we do our best work. We are part of a team. One piece of the whole pie. We bring the brand message to the masses digitally, and keep the message consistent. Thus, keeping that ideal of cooperating that has worked for us.

AE: Was it easy when you were starting out?

AL: When I started in the internet, it was super exciting to me. I learned something new every single day. When I decided to start Co-Op Web in 1998, it was a little bit scary, but I turned down several job offers in order to make it happen. I believed in the industry and the people I worked with, and also in myself. I was a single mom raising three children at the time, so I was very inspired to make it work.

AE: Was it easier than it is now?

AL: No, it’s much easier now. I am surrounded by a great team of women, and I am not alone. When I first started the business, I spent most of the first year working alone. The Co-Op Web team inspires me every day.

AE: What did you appreciate the most about the market environment back then?

AL: So many things used to be free or low cost. Domain registrations were free, hosting, internet connection and Web services were inexpensive. No one owns the internet, so initially, this leveled the playing field in a way that is not as balanced today. I appreciated that a small company could be on the same playing field as a major corporation in the 1990s. Internet advertising and the ability to be able to afford to implement higher security measures on your site has changed that environment.

AE: If you could give your past self any advice about the business, what would it be?

AL: It would be the same thing that I say to myself now. Relax! Go with the flow. It’s all going to be the way it’s supposed to be and it’s all going to be okay.

AE: What’s changed the most about the company over the years?

AL: The Company has evolved into being a fantastic team. I was lonely before, and that was one of the reasons I started Women on the Verge in 2009. Now I work with sisters every day and I am grateful for that change and growth.

AE: Was it your intention to be fully female owned and operated?

AL: Honestly, when I started there were very few women in the industry. I made friends online with other geeky women; in fact, Dena, who is on our staff, was one of the first I met at an online women-in-tech community called Pleiades. Pleiades no longer exists, but I still communicate with many of the women from there and also had some as clients through the years. But I am rambling…

I don’t think it was truly an ambition to be all women, as for years Jim Pietrangelo worked with me, and I love and trust him and his wife immensely. But, currently, being an all-women staff, I am super grateful and proud. I hope to bring us more work and continue to hire more women. That would be fantastic!

AE: What’s something that you’re still working to change?

AL: I believe that social media can be an important key to inclusivity on a global basis. We are all connected, and the internet is a physical manifestation of that connection. Social media gets a bad rap, but I prefer to view it as a platform in which there is room for everyone.

AE: What are a few of the company’s long-term goals?

AL: Hah! You’re making me bust out my business plan. I will quote our Vision, Values and Mission:

VISION
Co-Op Web will be the nationally recognized expert in developing inclusive social media communities that meet and respond to the unique needs of each client.

VALUES

Co-Op Web is dedicated to the following values:

• Using the internet to form positive, healthy, and supportive relationships
• Establishing working relations based on trust, respect, and integrity
• Working collaboratively to enable success for all

MISSION

The mission of Co-Op Web is to provide businesses with custom-tailored social media solutions based upon state of the art technologies and providing superior customer support in order to ensure each client’s needs are fulfilled. Every online community will foster an inclusive spirit based on community, relationships, humor, and friendliness.

AE: How much would you say the goals have changed since you started?

AL: I think we are much more focused now. We used to do it all on the internet, and now we focus on social media and how we can fulfill our Vision there.

AE: What’s a memory with the company you can look back on and laugh about?

AL: Even though we were successful building free websites and gaining income from the traffic we could generate, we didn’t think through the worst-case scenarios, such as when an online customer makes a return or is upset with the service they received. We don’t do that any more, and I am happier with a simpler version of that original platform. Now we simply get paid for what we do. Period.

AE: What is one of the best ways the company has helped its customers?

AL: Each one of our clients is our favorite. Just like children. We love them each for different reasons, in their own way. I think the fact that we are honest, we work with integrity and work very hard for our clients, it shows. Higher traffic, improved brand awareness and community building are our goals, and we have successfully accomplished that on a daily basis. We conduct monthly reports that document our success in this endeavor, so it’s not just me blabbing and bragging.

AE: What is one of the best things the company has changed in your life?

AL: I keep learning every day and am inspired to continue to grow and learn. Working in technology and in a community environment, even if everyone is working remotely (which we all are), we are still connected. This would never have been possible in earlier times.

AE: What motivates you to keep the company going?

AL: The easiest question of all. The people. It’s always the people. Our team, our clients, the marketing companies we have collaborated with—all the reasons we keep the wheels rolling.

AE: Is this something you’d like to do for the rest of your life?

AL: Haha! I am old enough to say, uh, yeah. This is what I do. I like to think that I will grow with the industry. Continue learning, growing and seeing what makes me take a second look. Right now I feel there are some exciting things regarding AI, 3D printing, automated cars, space travel and so much more. What we call “globally” now will seem limited in the future. To quote Neil deGrasse Tyson, “The sky is not the limit.”  

AE: What else would you like the public to know about Co-Op Web?

AL: I want the public to know that we try our best to represent our clients online in a supportive, community-building and inclusive manner. We walk our talk. We are kind of the “goody two shoes” of social media. We don’t make snarky responses, and we aren’t about the clever comebacks. We are about community and support, both behind closed doors and in the vast global environment called the internet.