Keep Your Friends Close and Your Followers Closer

What’s more important:What you say or what others say about you? When it comes to your brand what matters most to you? Are you self promoting and only allowing good comments to be posted? Where do you draw the line?

Social media is a tool the should be used to help others speak about you. When there’s a negative comment do you delete it? My suggestion is to leave it. Although,  it may not be a good or accurate reflection of you it lets others see that you’re real. If all you ever read  is good content (about something) then usually you jump to the conclusion that something is not right with that individual. We’re not perfect and we can’t make everyone happy. The bad comment won’t ruin you. It’ll give you credibility. It shows that you can take criticism. You can deal with it and you can move on from it. However, do not mistake dealing with it as ignoring it. You want to respond to all negative publicity no matter how severe.

You can draw the line at slanderous material.

Self promotion is good when done in moderation. I would rather not go to your Twitter account and only see you patting yourself on the back. Yes, it’s good to read about your accomplishments and your other latest successes… However, there has got to be more to you than that. If not, consider yourself un-followed. Thank you very much. Spend time complimenting the successes of other people. Get to know your followers and give back by retweeting or engaging in conversations. Engaging with others fosters relationships, which will ultimately create community that you are apart of. This bodes well for you especially when a dreaded negative comment appears.

In times of trouble you’ll have all the friends you need to back you up  because of the community you’ve invested in. It’s  similar to the old saying “treat others as you’d like to be treated”. We may have grown up but childhood principles can always be applied.

What Type of Twitter User Are You?

After reading Chris Brogan’s 50 Power Twitter Tips I started really thinking about how people are using Twitter. The tips are insightful and should be read by everyone who using, thinking about using, and obsession over Twitter. While most of the tips Chris covers are included in my book, Twitter Marketing for Dummies, it is important to point out a few more things and maybe… ask some questions!

Below are questions outlining the ways that you use Twitter….Choose the answer that best fits you

1. While on Twitter you click every link that interests you
A. For the most part
B. When Bored
C. If it pertains to my work
D. I’d rather retweet then actually read it

2. Twitter is where I go to vent in under 140 characters
A. Only if pertains something other then myself such as news
B.I typically hold nothing back
C. Not usually
D. I guess

3. I find the majority of my current news on:
A. Twitter or other social sites
B.Sometimes Twitter, wherever
C. I check it but it’s not my only source
D. If I’m on Twitter I’ll read what’s going on

4. I found out about Twitter from:
A. A reliable source
B. I wrote the book
C. My boss
D. My best friend

Which Twitter category fits you the best?

A. Informative
B. Personal
C. Business
D. Bandwagoner

All or Mostly A’s- You are an Informant. It’s good to gather and share news on Twitter. However, if that’s all your doing then your missing the action. Yes, Twitter is a great source for news but it’s also a great place share your own news. You can also connect with other people who share your interests, business ideas and more. Don’t be short sighted!

All or Mostly B’s-You are Twitter for your own Personal reasons. Cool. Let’s get one thing straight. People don’t want to follow someone who only talks about themselves. Also be sure to understand the power that Twitter can have for your business purposes. Although your account is for personal reasons you can still share and contribute for your business goals. Remember whatever you are posting is how people (who don’t know) will view you.

All or Mostly  C’s- You are on Twitter for Business. Whether for yourself or for your boss. It’s good to be using Twitter for business but be sure you are engaging with your followers. It’s more important to share others information more than your own. Self promotion is boring. Also, people like interacting with people. They want to get to know the people behind the business. (plus spamming is obnoxious and will be ignored)

All or Mostly D’s- So you jumped on the Bandwagon?  You are only on Twitter because everyone else is. You are rarely on and have little to contribute. Let’s face it you sometimes forget you even have an account. I’m not dogging you here but don’t just join Twitter because everyone else has. Think about some creative ways to really use Twitter for your benefit. You never know you may have some really great ideas!

Changing Politics One Tweet at a Time

In the past politics and social media have gotten to know each other fairly well. However, I think its safe to say they are now becoming very good friends. President Obama showed the potential for success with the tying of politics and social media in the 2008 election with his millions of friends. The younger generations are getting most of their news from social media channels which includes political news and information. So how can politicians use the power of social media?

Personal connection plays a big role when deciding who to vote for. Voters can get to know a candidates thoughts on issues and have personal contact with them. Although most sites are run by professionals there is still a closer feeling to the candidate. As if voters do have a voice that can be heard. Using social media also allows for a discussion rather then candidates talking “at” voters…if used correctly. During elections it’s hard to reach audiences but through social media new audiences can be if candidates pay attention.

Recently, I was reading how candidates in California have been using social media to personally communicate with potential voters. By sensing the need for more personal connections California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown has had a growth in the number of Facebook friends. This is mostly due to people recommending him to their friends and so on. Yet, his connections have grown.

I suppose in this day and age it makes sense that we turn to Twitter and Facebook to help determine our vote. Hopefully, before actually casting your vote you have researched by doing more than viewing a candidates profile or looking at their Twitter feed. Have you heard of TweetCongress? You can find polticians tweeting and then follow them. This relationship with social media will save candidates a ton of money by focusing less on paid ads. The relationship will continue to grow and change but it’s definitely one to pay attention to. Social media allows candidates to create a lot of impact with minimal effort.

Introducing the Twitter Business Center

A little late… but you always save the best for later…. right?

Twitter is paying attention to what its social media users want. Like fellow social media sites Twitter is working on a new business feature. This feature is  to be called “Twitter Business Center,” and will gradually make its way to the public. So far only a couple accounts have access to the feature while Twitter refines and polishes it. The business feature will allow businesses to  customize its profile, verify it with a badge, select extra preferences, and add extra contributors so that other people can tweet from one account.

A cool feature is the verification badge. As soon as set up it is verified and the verification badge will show up on the profile (in the past Twitter was selective in allowing accounts to be verified). Another interesting feature will allow businesses to direct message between followers and non followers. For instance, I can DM a company about bad customer service and they can respond without having to follow me back first. It will also be beneficial to have more contributors allowed on the site to keep the profile up-to-date and less overwhelming.

This feature is still in the works with many questions surrounding its cost, tools and debut. For now, to all you lucky businesses that are it testing out, make the best of it!

More posts about the Twitter Business Center:

The Next Web > Twitter Gets Serious, Adds Twitter Business Center

Mashable > Twitter to Launch Business Center

Small Biz Trend > Get Ready Here Comes Twitter’s Business Center

Why Social Media ISN’T a Waste of Time

After an extensive career in IT systems development, Robby Slaughter discovered that to become more effective and efficient at work, we need to empower individuals with authority and responsibility. He founded Slaughter Development in 2003 to focus exclusively on assessing workflow challenges and creating stakeholder satisfaction in businesses throughout Indianapolis. For more information, visit www.slaughterdevelopment.com.

Although many of the people reading this blog might think that social media is one of the most important inventions in modern history, there are millions of others who dismiss social media as a “waste of time.” Why the disparity?

As a productivity expert, I’m often called upon to make pronouncements about what is and is not an efficient use of time. So let me make this claim: social media is not a waste of time, because it’s a mechanism by which we engage in social behavior.

That’s really what sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are all about. It’s the reason we blog, Stumble Upon and comment. We’re being social. As John Donne famously noted: “No man is an island.” We’re all connected to each other and depend upon each other, and social media is yet another way to express that connection.

So why do people dismiss Facebook? Why do they scoff at Twitter? Why won’t people join sites like Smaller Indiana? I believe the reason is dangerous misconception: many people think of social media as a video game.

That’s not to disparage the multi-billion dollar business of gaming, or to say that gaming doesn’t have its own complex social structures or myriad benefits. Rather, people think of gaming as merely entertaining pastime, conducted in the quiet of our own homes by the glow of a screen. If you reduce the entirety of social media to a form of electronic solitaire, it’s pretty easy to rationalize this world to a “waste of time.” If we think of social media without thinking about society, it’s just an interesting distraction.

This way of conceptualizing social media is outright destructive. It causes employers to ban social networking websites at the office, because of the thought that they necessarily prevent work. By this logic, however, we should also ban idle conversation at the water cooler and prohibit people from receiving a personal phone call. If we really don’t want people to use social media, we are asking them to not be social.

Perhaps it is more fundamental, however, to note that so many of our critical roles in our business and personal lives rely upon social dynamics. Sales and marketing comes from building rapport; research and development arises from teams that foster creativity and embrace both failure and success. Routine tasks are done with more enthusiasm when we have someone to share them with. Friendships and families are built not on procedures but on socialization. We need each other not just to grow, but to survive.

The belief that social media is a waste of time is based on a misconception of social media. Although these are services made possible through cool technology, they are powered by our fundamental propensity to connect. We need to work together. Social media merely makes doing so easier and faster than ever before.

Is Twitter Just a Big Popularity Contest?

When looking at your Twitter account how many of your followers/following do you really know? Sure, we follow people because they follow us and vice a versa…but why? What makes people choose to follow you? If you look at many “popular” (not celebrities) users do you notice any trends? Maybe they have great content, interesting jobs or informative blogs….but how often do you honestly take the time to read the tweets of the people your following. It seems as though people look at numbers rather then content. When deciding whether or not to follow someone do you look at how many followers they have or what they are tweeting?

I’m guilty of following people based on numbers. If they have so many followers then they must be important…right?

This question came to mind when thinking about high school and how being popular is so important. Is Twitter the modern day popularity contest? In high school, your looking for your niche and a group of friends (followers) who fit in with that niche. Twitter embodies this same ideal. You set up your account and then hope to find some relevancy. Some users are more “popular” than you so in your efforts to be like them you become a follower…

Once again let’s take this back to your high school days….were you a follower or a leader? Don’t worry about fitting into someone else’s niche. Instead define/redefine your own. Gain friends (followers) the old fashioned way by being nice and being your own person.

What do you think?

Should we have a Twitter prom among our followers to determine who the King and Queen are? (Just kidding) My point is that Twitter isn’t high school. So don’t take it personal when you lose followers. Don’t take it personal when people won’t follow you back.  Maybe your content isn’t relevant to them. You want to have followers who share your interests and who will actually read what your posting. Don’t just be a number among many be someone to follow. Likewise, follow the people who matter to you. We all should be more content driven rather then defining relevancy through the amount of “friends” someone has.

11 Ways to Use LinkedIn’s New Company Follow Feature

LinkedIn deserves a big “Thank you” from its millions of users with its new Company Follow feature. This feature lends itself to a multitude of tasks such as finding those coveted job openings, company developments and opportunities all which are current with the growing rate of companies using LinkedIn. So “Thank You” we all needed a little motivation and push toward the right direction.

Company Follow is beneficial for the Jobseeker in many ways. You can be among the first to know about the companies you follow in ways that benefit you. For instance, when employees, leave a company, join, are promoted and when a company is advertising a job oppurtunity through LinkedIn. All of these notifications can be delivered by email daily, weekly or whichever frequency you need. Get the most out of LinkedIn by taking advantage of the Company Follow feature.

Jobseekers
1.Be selective of the companies you follow. It’s imperative to follow companies where you will be of greatest value and that have a good reputation.
3.Discover what hidden jobs these companies may have by staying current its news.
4.Who’s coming and going? Find out what jobs are opening or closing and why.
5.Promotions. A friendly congratualtions to an employee receiving a promotion can garner itself into a beneficail networking relationship
6. Know what “Top Dogs” have joined with the company. By knowing what Executives or Senior Managers have joined you can insight into what the company is doing, accomplishing, or needing, which could be window of oppurtunity.

Companies use LinkedIn for various ways such as building a community, gaining new talent, or watching its competition. The Company Follow feature will ensure greater success for using LinkedIn to it’s fullest potential.

Companies
1. A new stream of followers and potential employee oppurtuinity can be built. There is no restriction on the amount of companies a person can follow allowing a followers to build.
2. Pay attention to the competition. If anyone can follow you so can any company so know who is paying attention to you.
3. They said what? Know what the conversations surrounding your business are whether you like it or not. It’s better to know than not.
4. Keep your employees happy. By following your competitors you will know if they are in need of someone who could be found in your company. This provides you with an unique oppurtuinity to keep your employees happy in ways that matter most.
5. Follow freely. You won’t be blocked so follow your competitor to protect your company and find ,if needed, new employees.

5 Ways to Use Twitter to Develop Personally and Professionally

Today’s guest post is by Dana Nelson. Dana Owns @Danmnelson where she helps connect people to build community.

1. Monitor

Monitor your name,  brand, company, competitors and industry. Watch for your favorite trade topics. Follow interesting people and thought leaders within your company and industry.

Watch for topics about which you are passionate, such as your favorite charities,  hobbies, sports teams, actors or role models.

2. Listen

Listen to people, whether it is your 80 year old neighbor or Cisco’s CTO.  That tweet came from a PERSON. Would you ignore your neighbor if she were there in person?  Would you disregard the advice of @Padmasree  if she were sitting across your desk?
Over time, when you listen to people, you get to know and help them, and they you. THIS builds trust and relationship.

3. Engage

Talk to them – That tweet came from a real person.
Don’t be afraid to tweet people. As a newbie, I tweeted @zappos . He tweeted back! I about fell on the floor!   Research showed that he not only answers his tweets, but ALL Zappoes employees must answer the phones and take customer service calls. (He gets it!)
Comment on a picture, disagree politely, ask a question, but ENGAGE PEOPLE!

@sradick said,  “I can teach you how to tweet. I can’t teach you basic communication skills.” Twitter is no different than any other conversation.  Keep that in mind as you interact.

4. Support

Share your knowledge. Many people say they can’t blog, because they don’t have much to say. These people talk for hours IF asked about the right topic. Most people are passionate about, skilled or expert in something and could advise on that topic if asked. This is Twitter.  Share your expertise in a tweet.
Reach out.  These are REAL people. Emotionally support those in your Twitter circle, as you would  co-workers sitting next to you.  Show you care.

5. Prospect

Get a job. Tweet to show prospective employers who you are.  Show your subject matter expertise.  Show your caring  compassion, and your teamwork.   Show your passion and engagement.  (Employers will look anyway, so make it good!)
Find employees with Twitter. See how often and on what topics prospects are tweeting, check their twitpics and with whom they tweet regularly.  A tweeting brand advocate can be a valuable asset. (Once hired, they will hopefully become your brand advocate.) HELP someone else. If you know someone is looking for a job, RT it! If you know someone seeking a new employee RT it! Both sides will be grateful.

Build the community! Is there a local event that supports one of your causes or involves the whole community?  Tweet about it!  Is a charity new to twitter? #FF them.  People will be grateful.  If you do these things,  prospects will find YOU!  By supporting and engaging the people in your Twitterville community, you will have plenty of business and personal “prospects.”

3 Things to Search for Before Using Twitter

When you first start to look at using Twitter as a communication and marketing platform it is important to verify that the tool is going to be worth your (precious) time. The first thing that should be done before implementing Twitter is to actually search and test the tool before adding it into your overall marketing strategy.

The listening and monitoring phase of social media is extremely important to your social media mix. By using tools like Twitter Search you can decipher whether or not to use this wonderful communication medium.

Three Things to Look for When Monitoring Twitter

1. Current and Potential Clients - When searching on Twitter it is important to figure out whether or not potential clients are using the tool. Search for keywords associated with the different companies you work for (or would like to have as clients).

Example: If you are a small business lawyer it is important to search for terms associated with your industry. An easy way to pinpoint keywords is to look at your search engine optimization strategy. It could be “forming an llc” or “collections” or “small business legal help.”

It is also important to find out whether or not your current clients are using the tool. If they are… there is a good chance other people are as well.

2. Competitors – This should be self explanatory… Twitter can be a great tool for market and competitive research. If your competitors are using Twitter effectively it is probably a tool you should be using in your marketing and communications strategy.

Search the company names of your competitors (as well as the location you are serving).

3. Content about your industry - If content is being shared about your industry it is important that you voice your opinion about certain matters.

Example : #AgChat is a great example of farmers and agriculture professionals using Twitter to voice their concerns over certain ag matters.

Remember when you are searching on Twitter that it is important to search in a conversational tone… as well as using keywords. Twitter is a conversation based platform and individuals maybe using different words when speaking about your services.

If you run across any of the three forms of content listed above… it is important that you start looking at Twitter as a communication tool for your company.

Remember to check out Twitter Marketing for Dummies if you are needing help with Twitter!

Checklist of 25 Reasons Not to Hire a Social Media Consultant

I have been discovering many people starting to enter the world of social media marketing. It can be anything from an advertising firm to a small business coach. It is probably pretty confusing for business owners trying to learn about the amazing new tools available on the web. I wanted to help you out with your first steps in choosing a social media educator or consultant.

1. They need to use the tools they are teaching.

It is extremely important that the teacher is using the tools. Before you decide to use a social media consultant… investigate! Make sure they are using tools like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN, and Plaxo. If they do not use the tools on a regular basis, they are just riding a wave.

2. They communicate with their audience.

The last person you want to hire for your social media strategy is someone who throws our content and doesn’t allow for two way communication. The best way to test this? Go to their Twitter account and make sure they are actually sending “RT” and replies to people. Multi-directional communication is key to a social strategy.

3. Do they call themselves a Social Media Expert? Ask about experience.

The person that calls themselves a “social media expert” is someone who usually makes $500 a month setting up Twitter accounts. There are only a few people in the world of social media who can be considered an expert. A few are as follows > David Armano, Jay Baer, Jason Falls, and Chris Brogan. They have business experience of over a decade. They know what to do in business, marketing, and media… not only social.

4. What is their definition of social media?

If they give you a list of tools. Fail them.

5. They will “grow your following” and “run your Twitter account”T

It is not impossible to ghost a Twitter account but you need to have an opinion in what content is used. Do not sign over your Twitter account to a random consultant. Also, growing a following works sometimes but MOST OF THE TIME you want quality over quantity.

6. Their blog is less than six months old with no comments. (thanks Beth)

7. Ask them about the future of social search. Do they know what it is?

8. Have they taught a class before on social media? Even a webinar?

It is important that your consultant or educator has experience in teaching or presenting on social media. The last thing you want to do is spend money for something that is going to be a DRAG. You want to know that you are not wasting your money.

9. Are they a Just-add-water expert?

10. They actually have a personality and GET people.

It is important that your social media consultant have a personality. What do I mean by personality? They are not stuck in an office all day pecking away at Twitter and have no sense of humor. ALSO, they are not overly bubbly and excited about everything under the sun. Sanity is key.

11. They blog at least once a week or more

It is important that the investigation goes deeper into the blogging world. Your social media consultant should be learning on a daily basis and expounding upon what they are learning by blogging. This does not have to be catered specifically to a BLOG (WordPress or blogger). You can always check Twitter on how they are communicating and learning.

12. They are linking and being linked.

Complete a Google link search and make sure your social media consultant actually has people and blogs linking back to their site. It is extremely important

13. Ask their opinion on viral marketing.

It is extremely important that your social media consultant and educator understand the concepts behind word-or-mouth marketing and viral marketing. Social media marketing is a relationship driven model. The evangelists and lovers of your product or service need to have the means to shout to the world… WE LOVE YOU!

14. Check out their website.

The first step to any Internet or social media strategy is the website. Do they have a communication driven website or is it a web 1.0 brochure driven site? Are they interacting with people? Are they talking about social media? Are they talking to YOU and not about their services.

15. What do other people think about them?

Mentors are one of the greatest asset to any small business owner. Who would they choose? Maybe they think social media is a waste of time. You need to take that into account. Maybe they were burned in the past? It is extremely important to get another perspective when entering into a relationship with any type of consultant or marketing professional.

16. They advise you to start a Facebook page as the first step.

It isn’t about starting in one spot. If you are new to the world of social media it may be smart to start USING Facebook other than trying to manage all 5 but the last thing you need to do is just start a Facebook fan page. SM strategy should be surrounding an integrated marketing approach. Period.

17. The instant success test.

It takes time and knowledge to be successful at using social media as a small business strategy. If they promise instant results.. You should probably find another consultant. We usually promise success in up to 6 months depending on strategy and implementation.

18. What do they think about traditional marketing and advertising?

Ask them. If they come back to you and say that the traditional approach to marketing is dead. They are just riding the wave of no return. They will never understand the concepts of combining traditional and new media into an overall strategy. You will slowly drown them.

19. Ask them about Radian6 and CoTweet.

Radian6 and CoTweet are some of the better brand monitoring tools out there. Radian6 is a robust system that measures brand awareness and interaction and CoTweet is an awesome corporate Twitter tool.

If they have no idea about Radian6 or Cotweet. FAIL.

20. How long have they been using Twitter?

I have come across plenty of consultant who have been using Twitter for a matter of months. It is important for the consultant to know more than YOU… the client. Check up on their usage of the different tools on the web.

21. They believe in actually listening to your problems instead of convincing you about the world of social media.

There are plenty of ways to use social media to gain a successful advantage over competition or increase sales. If they have a one shot approach to using social media without listening to your pain and need… Fail them.

22. If they are still using an @aol.com, @aim.com, @comcast.net, or @att.net email. Fail them.

23. Listen for new approaches to strategy.

Everyone is offering to be a “social” consultant. Do they talk and think differently than anyone else you have listened to? If they do… You have a gem on your hands. Creative thinkers are the best social media consultants.

24. Are they a used car salesman? Do they seem genuine?

For the sake of argument I am going to list this. Do not work with someone you do not trust. Period.

25.Do they have any success stories?

Ask them about their history in using social media. The space is extremely new but there are people who are succeeding in using the tool. If they do not have case studies. Ask. If they cannot present you with a valuable case study… find someone else.

There are plenty more but this is just the beginning. Add to the list if you would like!