Recently I wrote a review of our old Maglite flashlight and its use during a home invasion. I shared the link on Twitter and I got a "like" from Maglite.
I was then contacted by the director of sales for Latin America. She told me how much she enjoyed my article and said she'd like to send us some new Maglite flashlights. She told us to pick two and she'd send them out.
My husband was like a kid in a candy store, trying to decide which two would suit our needs.
The two we chose are photographed here. The difference is astounding as they allow us to see to the edge of our property and on to the dunes behind.
Although my review was written to show our appreciation of their product, I was pleasantly surprised by Maglite's response.
I thought so too.
I just wanted to share the news as I think as writers, we often wonder if our work is getting read.
I guess this just shows, people are reading our articles.
That is cool! That is so nice. I had a similar bonus when I wrote about a bread mix and received about a dozen mixes in the post and the Company added a link to my own article on their website. I was chuffed.
Sally,
Just as we like getting comments on our articles, I'm sure companies like to know that their products make a difference in people's lives.
I think people are more inclined to contact a company when things don't work as expected. So positive reviews are welcomed.
When we stop to think about how well a product has served us, why not write a review?
I think it is wonderful when companies contact appreciative owners.
Getting your mixes must have made your day.
What a nice surprise. Great. Perhaps your next review might be of the latest Jaguar car? And Jaguar would offer you two new ones!!??
They are one of my favorite cars, alas where I live completely unsuitable so I guess that review will have to wait. LOL
That is excellent! How nice of Maglite, and how nice for your husband, lol.
Hi Kari,
It was such a nice gesture by Maglite. My husband, at 67 isn't impressed with much, but he was like a young boy given his first flashlight.
The first night he came to the door saying, "You'll never guess what I've got".
I said, "a nightjar" you may call it a whippoorwill.
He brought one in to show me. They have a huge mouth. We've only ever heard them at night and seen them once during the day.
He is like an old boy scout. LOL
How cool! isn't it lovely when people appreciate what you have done? Enjoy!
Hi Nell,
Yes it is.
My husband reckons these torches will outlive him.
Thanks for your comment.
@BlondLogic,
Congratulations and keep up the fine work!
@Blond Logic Always Thinking of You and Your Great Writing Talent.
This is a great story. Your Hubby uses flashlight to whack home invader over the head, that is amazing! And then receives brand new flashlight from the company. I love it.
Hi Christy,
I was both surprised and pleased. The flashlights will be put to good use here on our farm.
Without you, your team and Hubpages, it wouldn't have happened.
So thank you.
Oh wow, that's excellent.
Congratulations.
That's great. Some companies are extremely generous. Maglite must be one of them! Good job!
Thanks Sondra,
I was impressed with their products before and now their company has also proven they are stand by their products and their customers.
I have nothing but praise for them.
Great to hear from you.
Talking about being all praise for them, why not include this generous offer into the review? People would naturally trust companies when they can connect with them.
That's a great idea, Brandon. I will add a note to the end of the review.
Congratulations Mary!
When you tweeted it, did you include a hashtag for Maglite? I'm wondering how they found your tweet. That would be good to know for anyone writing reviews of products.
Hi Glenn,
I had to go back through my Twitter feed as I wasn't sure if I had or not.
The answer is no, I didn't but they still found it. With hindsight, throwing in a hashtag would have increased my chances of them finding it.
Thanks for asking.
That's amazing that they found it without hashtags. They must be watching for specific keywords in text. I looked through your Twitter feed but didn't find it.
Anyway, congrats again.
Thanks Glenn,
I think it was in August, I had to go back quite a bit.
I'm pleased they found it.
Here's what I put in my tweet.
"There's more to a Maglite flashlight than illumination. Here's how we use it on our farm in Brazil." and then a shortened link to my article. I also put an image up, as I tend to get a better engagement with a photo.
I have also had another person make a video after reading one of my posts. It was about crowdfunding a sailing adventure and one of the couples I mentioned in the article, created a video about the topic after reading it.
I think using Google Alerts is how they know if someone mentions their name on the internet. I haven't used it but I think it is worth checking out.
Yes, I use Google Alerts too, to catch plagiarized copies of my hubs. HubPages doesn’t always find them as fast.
Glenn, that is a good idea. I will have to do that.
Thanks for letting us know about using it to catch plagiarists.
What a lovely story! Congratulations on the new flashlights, Mary.
Thanks Linda.
My husband is now doing nightly strolls, to see what nocturnal animals are around.
What a lovely surprise and so nice to have your work validated.Well done.
Hi Glenis,
You're right about that. To see the Google Analytics is one thing but to have a comment or someone contact you about an article, then you know your words have had an impact.
Writing can be a lonely game so when something like this happens, it means a lot.
congratulations... the flashlight was a bonus but to be noticed because of what you have written is priceless..
Hi Maria,
Thanks.
Our misfortune of a break in had a silver lining after all.
It is wonderful when your work is recognized.
That is absolutely fantastic! You must be walking on the moon with the feeling of appreciation. Especially attention from such an esteemed company with a high quality product.
Hi,
Yes I am. Although my husband is more excited about the flashlights, I'm thrilled to bits at having been noticed.
Our old Maglite is a legend in our neck of the woods after my husband smacked a thief on the side of the head with it.
The Brazilian police came and were impressed with the weight of the Maglite and its usability as a weapon.
Thanks for your comment.
Congratulations, Mary! What a great surprise for doing what you like to do. Hope there are others.
Hi Dora,
Although it is lovely to be noticed, it wasn't my intention to get Maglite to read it when I was writing it. They have a set of stories on their website where people have listed their experiences with their Maglite flashlights but I didn't realize this at the time.
My article was more of a story of how we used it in a robbery we had at our home.
Like your reviews of the books you read, mine was showing appreciation of a well-made product.
When we can make a review interesting and tangible, they have more impact.
Great to hear from you, I hope you've had a wonderful weekend.
Finally had the chance to read the review. It's sort of like a thriller that ends in a single chapter
Hi Snakeslane,
Yes, that is it in a nutshell. Their flashlights are robust. I believe they are used by the US police and the military.
Thanks
Hi Brandon,
Looking back, that night changed everything that has happened since.
It altered the business we decided to start, our attitude towards strangers, and has taken the shine off living in paradise.
Thanks for reading the article.
I do hope it changed things for the better
Congratulations! That was a blessing indeed. Writing stuffs could really bring unexpected opportunities! Expect more to come
Thanks,
I know there are others here on Hubpages who have similar good fortune. You never know who is reading or sharing your article.
Great to hear from you.
Cool, and lucky you! - I'm always saying nice things about manufacturer's and retailer's products on Twitter, or posting links to reviews on HubPages but most of the time they never reciprocate.
Hi Eugene,
Thanks. Maglite have users stories on their website so they encourage people to share their experiences with their products. I didn't realize it at the time when I wrote my review, however.
Perhaps it was the intensity of the event. Cracking an armed thief on the side of the head with a flashlight before being tackled by the other two was rather eventful for even a young person, let alone a 60-year-old amputee! Pinned to the ground, with the robber's knee on his neck, a gun to his head and his prosthetic leg off, my husband was incapacitated.
I got off easy and only had a knife held to my throat while the third person ran through the house stealing our belongings.
I do think it's a shame that more companies don't acknowledge satisfied customers. To my way of thinking, they are the best advertising money can buy. I suppose you could send your review directly to them, at least you'll know they've seen it. Some companies are still slow in seeing the positive impact a social media presence can have on their company's bottom line.
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