So How’s That Twitter Thing Working Out For You?

August 21st, 2008

by Laura Thieme

So in the event you’re wondering how that Twitter thing is working out for me, let me share the news updates. Honestly, I had forgotten about Twitter for the past 10 days or so, because when I’m not working at the office, catching up with client projects at home, and dialing into conference calls with clients up until 11:30 P.M. LATELY, I’ve been working on something kinda special.

MY NURSERY FOR BABY GIRL MELINA!

Yes, warm glow - sighs - breathe deep. I’ve noticed now that the room is painted lilac, and the daybed has arrived to sleep beside her, and to welcome all those nice guests who are coming into help me the first few weeks, I seem to stare off into space, or into lilac space, for several minutes at a time. Then, it’s organizing time - again, and again. Then it’s measurement time - okay - here’s where the crib is going to go - no, that won’t work - how ’bout here? Yeah, I think I’m beginning to chirp like a nesting bird preparing for her little one(s) to arrive.

So when I’m not working on the nursery, I’m working and thus, not Twittering much. Until I saw that in the past week, people I didn’t know started to “follow me” on Twitter. A man I don’t know, a magazine, called Derf Magazine - now this is kinda funny because they know where all the hip parties are in Cincinnati. I’m not sure how much of a worthwhile news source I’ll be on that, but in terms of promoting their site and service - uh, well, good to know!! The most recent newsworthy additions in the past two days are Angela on 10TV, in Columbus, Ohio, and 10TV themselves. I’m honored that they chose to “follow” me on Twitter. Very cool.

So why Twitter? Now that more people are asking, ’cause I’m telling them I’m getting followed, and whether that’s cool or not, I have to prepare my answers more carefully. Twitter is a great way to send out a newsworthy mention, or something silly, or non-sensical to your entire network of “followers” from your mobile device, which is tied into your Twitter account. So, I can send 140 character message or less to a specific number, tied to my account, and it updates the web version of www.twitter.com/bizresearchlmt.

How can marketers use Twitter? To send out special announcements to clients, colleagues and various contacts through one quick 140 character notice off of your cell phone, or web account - and it will immediately distribute this information via your “followers” network. Your followers can choose to receive the information via the web, or via their “approved device” such as a cell phone.

News organizations, such as 10TV.com, can set up their Twitter account to disburse newsworthy mentions through their entire database of followers, which could possibly be distributed to people’s mobile devices.

It’s also an ego game - just like with LinkedIn, or Facebook, how many friends or contacts can you get? It’s a numbers game to some, although I choose not to have all my clients, contacts or colleagues/friends in the system - I worked hard for those contacts - I’m not going to share them with everyone. Rolodexes are huge investments for marketers and take time to build. So, despite that, I might want to work on my numbers game at Twitter in my spare time, in between running a business, teaching a class at OSU, having a personal life, and oh, yes, preparing for the arrival of my first child, Melina. But I can’t only have 7 followers, which is all I have right now - shucks!

Okay, I’m back to work, taking care of clients, and working on our new platform - see there is an announcement waiting to happen on Twitter and Facebook and LinkedIn - Bizresearch announces the release of its new search marketing all-in-one reporting platform - well, that’s premature news right now…. but you heard it here first, in the old form of social media marketing that’s now outdated compared to Twitter - it’s just a blog by a girl running a business.

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Not on Facebook? LinkedIn? Twitter? Why You Should Be

August 2nd, 2008

The value of business networking through social networking - today’s way of getting and staying connected
by Laura Thieme

I’ve been on LinkedIn for a while, and have encouraged employees and colleagues to be on LinkedIn. One of my recent favorite things about LinkedIn, is if you post a job ad, you can see how connected a candidate is - and this could influence your interest or hiring decision in some way. There is extreme value in networking, and the latest form of that is in social networking.

As many of you know, I’ve elected to become a single parent by choice (for more details, see www.laurathieme.com). I’m used to jet-setting around the world to speak at conferences, and take care of clients and build relationships in a more traditional sense. Now that I’m pregnant, it’s not as easy to jet-set. Once I have my daughter, Melina, it will be even harder to do this without advance preparation.

I was feeling a bit disconnected as I’ve already missed one SES conference, this year’s NY SES conference. I’ve spoken at every single domestic Search Engine Strategies conference since December of 2001. That’s three a year, for seven years, or 21 conferences, and at least 10 international conferences - so over 30 conferences in seven years. I’ve also spoken at numerous vertical conferences, including the Inner Circle of Advocates, where I crossed the stage with previous presidential candidate John Edwards, the Direct Marketing Association’s conference, as well as a couple of Shop.org events.

Emails are kinda crazy - phone calls - people’s schedules are nutty - but the most recent way to stay connected with my speaker colleagues, believe it or not, is not LinkedIn, but is Facebook. I joined Facebook (see Laura Thieme Facebook Profile) a few weeks ago, and can’t believe the social networking value. My colleagues are on there - we’re editing our “status” on a near-daily or weekly basis, and keeping in touch. Some speaker friends, or exhibitors that I’ve gotten to know over the years - they’re all on Facebook.

So, the next question that comes up - do you put your personal and professional Facebook friends in one profile? I say no, personally, to this. I think some friends who can cross over in both professional and personal realms are very special, however, I’m not sure that I’d have everyone in my professional network. After all, I’ve built that for years with much investment speaking and attending over 30+ conferences. Not anyone can get into my network, although some do try despite my refusal to let them in.

Sounds kinda egotistical, right? Yes, I can be at times, but I’ve worked hard to build my social network, and that includes speaking events, in recent years - blogging, and being present at many notable events in our industry. It also entails leadership, and setting the pace, or the trend in many ways, that others hope to follow. So, if you’re not on Facebook, and you’re looking for a job, or looking to connect with like-minded professionals, you should be using it to increase your network.

A close colleague of mine, Lee Odden of TopRank surveyed people to ask them which social networking tool is most effective for their business. I voted for Facebook, most recently as it’s brought about some new lead sources from colleagues, however, if given the chance for second priority - I would have chosen the winning social network, for business, and that’s LinkedIn. I prefer it for job hunting responsibilities, recruiting, if you will, as a business owner.

You say, you don’t have time, for Facebook. I know, I know. The only reason I probably have accomplished this, is because I have some insomnia while pregnant, and have often gotten up at 4 or 5 A.M. and have chosen that time to add to my profile, including pictures, plug-ins, etc. I’ve looked for my speaker colleagues and have sent out friend requests, etc. In three weeks, I’ve gone from zero friends to 51, 98% of whom are speakers in the search engine marketing industry.

The last question - do you put your clients on the Facebook profile? I say be careful here - as your speaker colleagues are also your dear competitors and some would encroach without hesitation. Most would not, but some would, so be careful.

Facebook profiles are lastly, another way to fill up that real estate in Google’s organic listings. If you search for Laura Thieme on Google, you’ll see that the Facebook profile is reaching into the top ten, or first page organic listings. Give it another couple of weeks, and it’s likely to be on the first page. My LinkedIn profile is also there.

If you’re a speaker, or an author, or any public persona - this is a must-have. If you’re wanting to create any of the above, as a public persona - you also need to get started on this.

If you need help creating your Facebook profile, or a social network to help you promote your business, or public persona, contact Bizresearch today.

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