Resources

Oprah Is Not The Only One With Favorite Things

I have been so inspired by Mitch Joel over at Twist Image.  He has started publishing a list of links that he finds interesting on his blog.  The point of it is that if he finds it interesting then others might too.  And it’s true!  I find so many of the items that Mitch links to quite fascinating.  So, I thought, I read a lot and I’m sure my blog audience does so as well.  Now, I’ve decided to put up my own link or two. 

This week I’m starting with this one that I found within the 10 Business Models that Rocked 2010 link on Mitch’s blog.  Ok, I know technically Mitch found it but it has become my favorite link this week.

My favorite link is called Quirky.com. 

Have you ever had an idea for a new product to solve some problem you’re having?  I know I have and then I just sit there with that idea so frustrated because I know it can work but I need help and feedback.  Well, Quirky is just the place to get help or help someone else out with their new idea and make money too.  Nifty!

I tell you, that Mitch Joel is like my Oprah.  I really listen to him.  Another thing he does on his site is a list of books that he thinks should be read.  I read a lot of books too.  In fact, Six Pixels of Separation, was a favorite of mine last year. 

The book I’m reading now is called Content Rules, by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman. 

Has anyone else read this book? 

Well, I got so stuck on the Quirky site that it is the only one I’m listing this week but check back now, you hear.

What are your recommendations for links and books that  are a must read?

Generate More Qualified Leads Using Twitter and Tenacity

Now we have come to the meat and potatoes about using Twitter to help you achieve your business communication goals.  I say that you need to have a lot of tenacity to stick to going after building relationships with people that you meet on Twitter.  It is a major mind shift.  No longer are we just networking in person trying to get an introduction to someone important to our publicity strategy.  Now we need to understand how to play well with others on the digital playground or else we may not have many friends.

Use Twitter to connect with anyone you want.

Millions of people have a Twitter profile.  It can seem like a daunting task to really get to know anyone.

How do you connect and build relationships using Twitter?

Use Twitter to earn attention by establishing that you know what you are talking about.  You could:

Be the first to let the media know something is happening in your industry.

Be the first to report any news that you see along the way. It may seem unrelated to establishing your expertise but think about it like this, the squawking bird gets the attention.  The point is to just get used to using Twitter frequently and to get people following you because you are interesting.

Start blogging!  Twitter and blogs make a perfect pair.  Make sure your blog has an RSS feed so that it can be automatically tweeted whenever you create a new post.  Blogging is another way to be seen as the expert and it gives you the forum to put that expertise on display.

Give away information.  Write e-books, conduct surveys and give away the results in the form of a white paper or a PowerPoint presentation.  To get the most traction out of giving away information you should set it up like this: 

Create the content and build a landing page for it on your site,

Tweet the link to that landing page,

On the page, ask the person to fill out a form that ask for simple information (email the most important)

Let them download the content

Use Twitter to gain intelligence about the people with whom you want to connect.

After you follow the person, then go deeper.  You could:

Check their Twitter profile for links to their other places.  Are they on LinkedIn, FaceBook or do they blog?  Use the information to find out other places where you can connect with them a little closer.  For example, are you a 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd connection with them on LinkedIn.  You’d be surprised how many times you’ll find that you are already closer to the person than you know.

Notice what the people you want to connect to tweet about and find ways to involve yourself in the conversation.  Do they have a question you can answer or do you share a real love for dogs.  What can put you on common ground so your conversation will be natural.

Do you remember all those business cards in your desk drawer?  Get them out and try to find the people you’ve met in person on Twitter.  This will extend the conversations you started having in person.

Here’s a few tips that will help you play well with others on Twitter.

It’s about the business of being human, reaching out to people and creating community.

It’s ok to form communities outside of the ones under your own control.  For example, subscribe to someone else’s blog and really participate.

Always be humble. You’re not really the owner of your brand.

Listen and acknowledge.  Participation will help your community grow.

We’re talking about Twitter but building community is not about where. When you met people on Twitter you will find that they may be more visible on other sites and you’ll want to be willing to connect with them where they actually are.

Don’t you hate being at a party or event and end up talking to someone all night who just talks about themselves or who you feel only wants relationships as long as they are making money from you?  Once your basic needs are met, then the pursuit of happiness becomes more important.  In your desire to connect with people (and make money), think more about bringing happiness. Everybody needs that.  Listen to Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.  He explains this much better and his company is one of the best examples of good use of social media and creating company cultures that work (community).  Tony was interviewed on HP’s Input | Output program.

You can’t outsource community building.  Don’t give it to interns or outside workers.  You can outsource some of the administrative work like setting up the profiles or dashboards, training, or research.  However, do use consultants to help you develop the strategy and tools you will use so you don’t waste time figuring it all out.

Should you separate your personal life from your professional life?  The lines are blurring but you need to think about whom your main audience is so can tailor your online message.  Everything about you does not have to be broadcast.

Are you using some unique ways to connect with people on Twitter?  What are you doing?  We all want to know!

How to Really Use Twitter for Business and Communication 101.1

In the last post we talked about some of the problems people have with using Twitter. A major concern that I run into a lot is the idea of how to organize tweets to create or follow conversation. By far, the first thing that needs to happen is to select the tools for organizing your tweets. Twitter has heard this concern too and recently they changed the Twitter home page by adding features to help us utilize advanced functions. It works great. But what about Facebook, Fan Pages, and LinkedIn. Is there a way to have everything thing in one convenient place you may ask. My answer to you is a resounding yes! Here’s how. Use a tool such as Hootsuite, TweetDeck, or Seesmic . I have used all three and in my humble opinion, Hootsuite is the winner. However, I would suggest that you try out all three or whatever tool you like as long as it does the same as these. Now let’s take a look at Hootsuite as a social media organizational system.

Hootsuite gives you very powerful tools that bring everything you need to stay abreast of what is happening in your social media world. When selecting a tool such as this look for speed first. You don’t want to be sitting around all day just waiting for the thing to load or refresh. Also, consider ease of use. How much information can you see right on the dashboard. Is it easy to make comments or follow conversations. Take a moment to view this short video created by Chris Voss, of the Chris Voss Show, (that’s the Chris Voss Show, he always says it twice) as he talks about his first impression of Hootsuite.

Which one you select is not as important as knowing that it is easy to use so you will, well, use it.  Here’s another short video from Melissa who blogs at Adverturoo.  She’s a new find for me but I already love what I just saw of her mommy plus marketing blog.  In this video you’ll get a basic overview of a few of the major functions of Hootsuite.

Now that we’ve comvered the basic of organizing your tweets and other social media sites, let’s pick up again next week with a talk about strategy for building followers, dialogue, and relationships that help you meet your desired goals.

What are your questions about Hootsuite?  Go ahead to the comment box and ask away!

Social Media: To Outsource Or Not?

Valerie Maltoni, of Conversation Agent, posed this great question on LinkedIn Answers about a month ago.  I thought you, my readers, might like to be in on this conversation.   Go to Valerie’s LinkedIn Answers question for the original content or the Conversation Agent blog post where she distills it all.

After you read this, then weigh in with your thoughts.  Are you or your company feeling the pressure to be present online in a more “social” way?  Will you outsource all or some of the project?  If you are in PR, what are your thoughts about offering this as a service?  Will you become the voice of a company if they ask you to?

Enough Already! Social Media Creates More Questions Than Answers

So, I’m reading the blogs that I subscribe to when I run across this very good one from Amber Naslund.  She’s the Director of Community for Radian6.  In the post titled, The Quest for Firm Answers, she says, “I’m finally going to answer some of the questions that have been burning in your mind. The ones that your boss is demanding. The ones you say you aren’t getting from books or blogs or conference sessions. Ready?”

Are you ready?  Go to her blog post by clicking on the title above to see what her answers are.  I think you’ll be surprised!