So many clients, friends and colleagues ask me about Twitter and the real use for it. My answer: To learn and build relationships. But many still struggle with barriers for adopting this social networking tool. Here are some responses to your reluctance.
1. I don’t have time to manage my account
You probably used to say that about email too. Now you email all the time. In the beginning, there really is nothing to manage. You register, you fill out your profile, you find people you already know to connect with, you post an occasional tweet. You won’t need to “manage” anything until you get more followers or are following a lot of people yourself. Then you can use tools to track them like tweetdeck or splittweet.
2. I have nothing to say
I doubt that. You have opinions about industry trends, events to post, news to announce, links to share (to blog posts, press releases, interesting articles) and valuable advice. But even if you have nothing to say for now, follow people who you’re interested in. See what they are saying. Learn from them. The whole concept of Twitter is building relationships and sharing information. Follow an industry leader in your field, you’ll learn a lot.
3. I’m nobody, who would follow me?
You would be surprised. You don’t need to be Ashton Kutcher to get followers. What you do need are common interests. You can find people with common interests at twellow.com. And you can get followers who have common interest at Mr. Tweet (mrtweet.com). Try to avoid any companies that offer you followers in great numbers. This is not a contest. You don’t need hundreds of followers to benefit from Twitter. You just need to connect with and track the right people who can help you learn and connect with others in your field.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Controversy on the Channel
Most of the time, Retellers are very discerning about what they choose to write about. But what happens when there is disagreement about the validity of a story and you see multiple interpretations on the channel? Take for instance the recent coverage of the Swine Flu or the controversial MMR vaccine and its alleged link to autism.
Some months back there was an article on ZDnet titled: Did the Press Give Your Kids Measles? by Dana Blandkenhorn. The author raises some interesting questions regarding the rising number of parents refusing the standard Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, based on the since-discredited research of Andrew Wakefield linking the vaccine to autism.
The explosion of media coverage on the controversial issue of a vaccine (needed to prevent a healthcare crisis) and its link to autism, which seems to be arising at epidemic portions – shows how retellers can influence an entire nation.
In 1998, 91% of two-year-olds were immunized in England and Wales, but by 2004 that had fallen to 80%, far below the 90% rate needed to keep the disease under control. (The Econosmist: Sow the Wind, Dec 10).
But this is not just about Retellers in the media. The news has spread even faster through Retellers like Jenny McCarthy and hundreds of mothers blogging and sharing information on health websites relating to their children’s reaction to the vaccine.
Yes, some people could complain that the “press, Jenny McCarthy, and countless social networks” might give your kids the measles. But, on the flip side they could argue the “press, pediatricians and the CDC gave their kids autism.”
It’s tough one to call. Which Reteller do you believe?
Some months back there was an article on ZDnet titled: Did the Press Give Your Kids Measles? by Dana Blandkenhorn. The author raises some interesting questions regarding the rising number of parents refusing the standard Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, based on the since-discredited research of Andrew Wakefield linking the vaccine to autism.
The explosion of media coverage on the controversial issue of a vaccine (needed to prevent a healthcare crisis) and its link to autism, which seems to be arising at epidemic portions – shows how retellers can influence an entire nation.
In 1998, 91% of two-year-olds were immunized in England and Wales, but by 2004 that had fallen to 80%, far below the 90% rate needed to keep the disease under control. (The Econosmist: Sow the Wind, Dec 10).
But this is not just about Retellers in the media. The news has spread even faster through Retellers like Jenny McCarthy and hundreds of mothers blogging and sharing information on health websites relating to their children’s reaction to the vaccine.
Yes, some people could complain that the “press, Jenny McCarthy, and countless social networks” might give your kids the measles. But, on the flip side they could argue the “press, pediatricians and the CDC gave their kids autism.”
It’s tough one to call. Which Reteller do you believe?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Get Your Story Right Before Telling it: Why? Google Never Forgets
Retellers have always had the power to both help and hurt you. That’s why getting your story right is critical. After all, if you place the wrong story on the channel, Retellers can quickly move from friend to foe. And with the emergence of the internet, people won’t necessarily forget a bad story. Why? Because, Google never forgets. Type in a press release or from a year ago. Go ahead I’ll wait. It’s still there isn’t it?
And just like press releases and news article, Google can find other information as well. So if you’re using Facebook, MySpace, Blogs and more to network for business, beware of what you share, because Google will find it.
Seth Godin posted an interesting story on his blog about a friend who advertised for a housekeeper on Craigslist. Three interesting resumes came to the top. She googled each person's name. Here’s what she found:
The first search turned up a MySpace page. There was a picture of the applicant, drinking beer from a funnel. Under hobbies, the first entry was, "binge drinking."The second search turned up a personal blog (a good one, actually). The most recent entry said something like, "I am applying for some menial jobs that are below me, and I'm annoyed by it. I'll certainly quit the minute I sell a few paintings."And the third? There were only six matches, and the sixth was from the local police department, indicating that the applicant had been arrested for shoplifting two years earlier.
Godin ended the article: “Three for three. Google never forgets.” And he’s right.
I’ll take it a step further. Get your story right (everywhere) before telling it.
And just like press releases and news article, Google can find other information as well. So if you’re using Facebook, MySpace, Blogs and more to network for business, beware of what you share, because Google will find it.
Seth Godin posted an interesting story on his blog about a friend who advertised for a housekeeper on Craigslist. Three interesting resumes came to the top. She googled each person's name. Here’s what she found:
The first search turned up a MySpace page. There was a picture of the applicant, drinking beer from a funnel. Under hobbies, the first entry was, "binge drinking."The second search turned up a personal blog (a good one, actually). The most recent entry said something like, "I am applying for some menial jobs that are below me, and I'm annoyed by it. I'll certainly quit the minute I sell a few paintings."And the third? There were only six matches, and the sixth was from the local police department, indicating that the applicant had been arrested for shoplifting two years earlier.
Godin ended the article: “Three for three. Google never forgets.” And he’s right.
I’ll take it a step further. Get your story right (everywhere) before telling it.
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