What I Learned about Twitter on Holiday Vacation

Happy New Year!!

I figured that learning about the social networking, micro-blogging phenomena Twitter would just take a little time and attention...each of which I don't have as the head of a company from day to day.  So what did I do but dive into it over my holiday vacation.  My staff would say its likely because I just can't stop working. (Newsflash: I used my Blackberry to tweet over the holiday and not do other agency business.) But this was not only research, it was fun.  What I came away with was some straightforward tips for any company looking to attract more followers and build their brand among social networkers and do so efficiently.

This caution...Twitter is deceiving.  What seems like a really simple concept is actually very powerful, and if you are careful, you can truly build a brand image in relatively no time.

1. Twitter is more than just an IM vehicle.  In fact, if you use it as such frequently, you've missed the point.  Twitter is all about mind share and info sharing.  Beginners will tend to chat it up with everyone they know primarily.  Not saying that you shouldn't, I have, and it's been fun.  But for those networkers looking for information, they may become wary of your tweets and tune you out. They don't know you like that.  Which brings me to #2.
2. Give a little to get a little.  I have found a wealth of useful information on the Internet thanks to my Twitter followers and friends, but its easy to be pigeon-holed as a "consumer" and not an "enricher."  Those so-called influencers on-line have something in common, they are enrichers--meaning they give more than they take.  Everyone follows them because what they give is frequent and consistent. 

3. Understand your Internet brand and be consistent.This likely deserves its own blog post, and I will remind myself to write it soon, but your Internet image has everything to do with the information that you interject into cyberspace.  So if you Googled yourself, what would you find?  If you looked up Chris Brogan, you'll find that he is one of the authorities on social networking and blogging. In fact, according to a recent "Best of 2008" survey, Mr. Brogan was listed among the biggest influencers in social networking.  Chances are, if you are following him on Twitter, you are on the right track.  He is consistent in the type of information he provides.  And linking to Tweeps like him leads me to #4...

4. Link to the Twitter influencers...that is if you indeed mean business about your Tweets.  Not just for the information that you will receive, but for the visibility it gives you with the other influencers among their followers.  As I connected with the followers of influencers and began to engage with them, the "right" followers began to knock on my virtual door to request an add...which happens to be a great lead in to #5...

5. Connect consciously and don't be afraid to shed followers/friends.If you Tweet for business, it's important that you approach it as such.  Tweet narcissists have no room on your friends list.  Why?  They are just broadcasting for themselves and they do not engage with you.  I just recently shed a well-known talking head (who was by the way, in my wedding) because his tweets were all about which news show he'd be on coming up.  He never answered one of my Tweets.  He's my friend "IRL," but "TTFN."  Friends who do not update?  "Buh bye."  Friends who thank you for the follow, then do not return the favor within 24-48 hours (it's fair to watch your threads to see if you mean business), shed them.  Finally, it's best to shed chatty Kathy Tweeters who tweet an ongoing stream of "hey, girl" or give shout outs in lieu of enriching information.  They'll only blow up your tweet stream, and you'll miss the really meaningful ones.

6. Ask yourself, "how will my tweet enrich my followers?"Have something to offer. Why are you even Twittering?  Make certain that most of your tweets reflect that. That said, it's a fun medium...don't take yourself too seriously.  Some of the influencers that I've started to follow have great information, but you never see their humanity.  They seem to be human Twitterfeeds.  Just spewing out information, but never offering that third dimension.  The premise of Twitter is "what are you doing?"  Don't be afraid to sprinkle the answer to that question in every now and then.

7. Connect and engage.  Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with those influencers that are important in your space.  Read their blogs and DM (direct message) them about it.  Once you strike up a conversation with s/he, you'll be on his/her radar.  Before long, you can offer your own mind share and content, so chime in!

8. Put great tools to work for you. Because I realized that a busy exec like me can't consistently keep up with Twittering at the laptop 24 hours a day, I took some time to explore the apps and tools that others were using to make it look easy.

   1. Get a good mobile client.  A mobile client allows you to tweet on the go.  Inspiration doesn't always happen on the desktop, right? I'm a die hard member of the Blackberry Nation.  Twitterberry by Orangatame Software is my pick over Blackbird. Tried them both.  

   2. Get a great tweet organizer.  TweetDeck is my favorite.  It allows me to categorize tweeters so that I can ensure that I interact in a timely, efficient and meaningful way.  It also puts, TwitPics, TweetShrink, TinyUrl and other Twitter apps conveniently at my fingertips.

   3. Sign up for Twitterfeed or Feedburner, so that you have a consistent stream of meaningful information tweeting even when you are not available.  I tested this for a couple days and found that a few tweets a day from agency content (like this blog, my de.licio.us bookmarks, and some LinkedIn content) and then from other relevant news sources was just what I needed to pick up the slack when I'm away.

   4. Look for a social networking management tool.  I prefer Ping which allows me to hit Twitter, LinkedIn and any of my other social networks with the same information all at once.

9.     Finally, never stop exploring the Twittersphere. The day you stop learning is the day that Twitter will leave you behind.  Something as getting an eye-catching background for your Twitter page may seem minute, but you know what they say about first impressions is really true.  (Try MyTweetSpace or Twitbacks) It is an ever-expanding culture, complete with its own language and protocol.  The wonderful thing is that you can contribute to the culture.

Dive into Twitter with MSI's help, and we'll help navigate the Twittersphere and help build your on-line brand.

Now...have a wonderfully productive and profitable 2009!

L. Michelle Smith is the President/CEO of m strategies inc., a full service public relations agency that specializes in media strategy, media training and messaging and has completed award winning work in social media for a major consumer brand.

Comments

[Met]

So how much commission do you receive from Twitter??? Lol! j/k

[Tanya]

Excellent! The DeVa