ROFLMAO

Quick post again because today’s going to be busier than yesterday. Writing and editing are happening. That’s a big YAY! It’s been so long since I’ve had such a productive streak. I think I can finally admit the worst of the year is behind me and life here in the Green household is getting back to normal. That is another huge YAY!

Better yet, Mom is getting back to normal. For the last week or so, I’ve seen more of the woman she was before she fell in July than I have since that terrible night. While the fall and subsequent surgery have had a lasting impact–she is over 90 after all–she is bouncing back and doing much better than I dared hope. It is so wonderful seeing that spark again, even if it means we butt heads more often because I’m having a hard time not hovering. But I’m learning.

Now, as for the ROFLMAO in the title of today’s post.

I haven’t said anything here about the Bud Lite/Dylan Mulvaney debacle. Someone either at Bud Lite or their advertising partner failed to read the room and realize who their customer base was. Anyone with two working brain cells would have been able to predict the backlash. That was failure number one for the company.

Failure number two came when the brand went dark on social media for as long as it did. Whether they were seriously trying to figure out how to respond to the backlash or hiding their heads in the sand and hoping the problems went away, I don’t know. But when your core customer base is letting you know you’ve taken a misstep, ignoring them isn’t the way to keep their business. Even if you don’t agree with their position, you need to discuss the decision with them. Win the over–or at least let them know that they are still valued and aren’t being ignored.

Now for the ROFLMAO.

Bud, if not Bud Lite, has been identified with American values and patriotism for years. Everyone recognizes the Clydesdales. Many of us have been misty eyed by the end of their commercials. Who can forget the 9/11 tribute the company did?

In a play on that, and in a backhanded swipe at Bud Lite, Yuengling Brewery has tweeted its own patriotic message. The “message” wasn’t lost on the Twitterverse, nor on the media. Since it first went live, the tweet has 55.7k likes and 4.8m views. I’m sure the bean counters at Yuengling are thanking Bud Lite for giving them the chance to punch back like this.

The message is simple. No matter what your product, no matter what your political, social, economic, etc., beliefs, you need to remember who your customer base is. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to expand that base or even trying to change your image. But you must find a way to do it so you don’t lose that base–and the money it brings in–before you’re in position to take the hits to your bottom line and to your business reputation.

Finally, on the writing front, Surtr’s Fury is almost finished. The draft, at least. I had to take a few days–okay, a week or so–to go back and rewrite major parts of the opening third of the book because of changes Myrtle the Evil Muse hit me with later on. That has been done. I’ll probably spend part of today making sure everything carries through the rest of the draft. Then I’ll finish the draft (again) and send it off to the alpha reader. While it’s there, I’ll do a final edit push on Designation: Freyja.

Like I said, writing is happening and life is getting back to normal.

Hurrah.