Discussions

Discussion: Open Dialogues With Those Who Matter Most


In the age of social media and instant commentary, businesses have gained many indispensible tools to help move their products. The ability to simply ask and receive actual, meaningful answers is a goal that would seem absurd, even insane just ten years ago. However, in this day and age, it’s the norm. Vistaprint corresponds with customers on Facebook, FUNimation engages its customers on Twitter, and even unlikely organizations like Bandai Namco maintain active Facebook communities. These communities, if nurtured, can serve as invaluable tools for those who know what to work with

Every comment and every post, be it positive or negative, yields an insight into that particular’s customers, wants and needs, as well as whether they’re being met. How this input is treated goes a long way in determining whether a customer puts his faith in the company, or whether he’ll take his money elsewhere. In short, it determines just how likeable a company can be, and how human a face it can take on as it works with customers.

With a trusting community, one can gather incredible insight on how an organization should change, or remain the same. Simple questions of “What are we doing right?” and “How would you change things if you had the chance?” can produce surprisingly frank and honest answers from the community. Simple apologies and quick resolutions can do wonders in converting detractors and irate customers into advocates. Even random questions of “What types of anime do you enjoy the most?” can determine where a business like FUNimation or Section23 can most wisely invest its limited resources.

So, tonight, in the spirit of this commentary, I’d like to pose a brief question: What one thing would you change about us, given the chance? Is there a feature you want more of? Less of? Something you’d like to see in general? The ball is in your court.

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

Anime Herald

Support Anime Herald

Anime Herald is brought to you through our Patrons and Ko-fi supporters. Consider backing us for as little as $1 a month to help us keep the site ad-free and pay a fair rate to our writers.

Patrons and backers can access several benefits, including Early Article Access, our members-only Discord, and the ability to suggest articles for our team to write on your behalf.



Latest Posts

Columns

The Evolution of Abridged Anime Part 4 – No Screwing The Rules

Fears about legal ramifications were fairly common in the world of comedic anime fandubs, despite some arguing they might be protected under parody laws. Philip Sral of Sherbert Productions shared a story of how three fans caused a large amount of stress while trying to get a copy of one of their works by pretending […]

By Borealis Capps