Never “Tweet” Alone
March 11, 2009 by Ryan
Social Media Club, Salt Lake City: @intheblack, @jordanbrown,
@jyl_momif & @tmcconnon all checking if they are already
following each other. (Photo by @carysnowden)
You want to know how to use Twitter?
Read Never Eat Alone.
The book predates Twitter and probably most of social networking and is primarily based on old-school, business-card-passing networking, but it covers some of the most effective and overlooked strategies for new-school social networking.
I’m not going to draw all the parallels between the book and Twitter: partly because it would be very long, partly because my copy is currently lent out, and partly because you really should read the book! Instead, I’m going to use a few chapter headings as a framework for this discussion.
Chapter 1: Becoming a Member of the Club
I feel like I’ve moved to New York City or Silicon Valley, where the people I want to meet are right in my neighborhood. Now I live in a community where I mingle with likeminded individuals, all willing to share and help each other. I feel a buzz and an energy from my contacts on Twitter. How can you not get pumped when @garyvee tells you to “go out there and crush it!?”
Take advantage of that new connectedness! Follow lots of people! Build a community!
Chapter 5: The Genius of Audacity
Twitter changes the access I have to major technology innovators, thought leaders, celebrities, writers & directors, atheletes, etc. But even though the big names are now a mere reply away, there is still hesitation to contact them.
Be bold! Be audacious! If there is someone out there you want to talk to, do it! You never know what kind of relationship you could start! I’ve seen business deals, joint ventures,mentoring and companies come out of Twitter connections. As The Big Aristotle said:
To all twitterers , if u c me n public come say hi, we r not the same we r from twitteronia, we connect
Chapter 11: Never Eat Alone
There are times when I am literally sitting up at night, way too late, wife is asleep, and I’m tweeting! One of the changing moments with Twitter for me was my first TweetUp. I was able to put faces to the Twitter IDs and tiny avatars. I was able to shake hands and laugh with people I knew through 140 character messages.
TweetUps bring life to Twitter. They bond you to new friends. They reintroduce the human aspect of social networking. Find one near you and go! Organize one yourself! Do it for a cause! Do it for fun!
Chapter 8: Take Names
If I meet someone or follow someone that poses a particular opportunity for me, it’s important that I track my interactions with that individual. One way is to add those details in DM Notes to yourself.
Chapter 2: Don’t Keep Score
Suddenly, these names aren’t just names anymore, they’re people. They’re friends and I help my friends. I have tried to make my mantra to help anyone and everyone I can. I want to connect people. I want to be a catalyst for success. And I try to do it without expectation.
Call it the “Golden Rule.” Call it karma. Be generous and helpful. You don’t lose anything by doing it!
Chapter 27: Build It and They Will Come
Today Jessica Smith from JessicaKnows.com(@jessicaknows) was interviewed on BlogTalkRadio. She was the guest expert brought on demystify social media for a couple of uninitiated & “terrified” hosts. Jessica definitely understands the potential of Twitter and that it doesn’t come free:
“I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is the expectation of instant gratification…Social media is called social media because it requires a social investment.”
What other traditional networking tips apply to Twitter?
Following the Big Aristotle
November 25, 2008 by Ryan
The Diesel…
The Big Aristotle…
The Big Daddy…
The Big Shaqtus…
The Big Baryshnikov…
Shaquille O’Neal!
I remember when he first came into the league he made a huge impact, most memorably because he would always break the back boards. I remember even more fondly when he came to the Lakers and we went on a tear and won three straight championships! Of course there was the Kobe feuds, which I think the media way over-hyped and unfortunately led to the breakup of one of the best dynasties in recent memory. He went to Miami and delivered on his promise to bring a championship. Then he came to Phoenix, stepping into a system that many doubted he could fit in, but got slim and fit and sure enough ran right along Steve Nash. This year he is one of Hollingers top surprises of the season.
He impacted the league in a big way and he’s just stepped into a new league where he could have a huge impact…Twitter. Twitter? I would imagine many of you have never heard of it. Maybe you’ve heard me go off about it but didn’t really get it. My quick explanation is it’s somewhere in between instant messaging, texting & blogging. I could/should/will write a whole post about Twitter and how cool it is, but this post is about @the_real_shaq! Unlike some of the accounts on Twitter (Britney Spears aka @therealbritney & Barack Obama aka @barackobama) who have staffs doing posts, @the_real_shaq IS the real Shaq! Here’s some fun things I’ve seen since I’ve been following his updates:
- Shaq called one of his early followers who doubted it was really him and then invited him to a game! Here’s a story Mashable did about it.
- Shaq asking where he should go to Subway or Schlotsskys. He chose Subway, so I went too! Could be a huge marketing campaign to have what Shaq orders up at Subway. I guess he’d have to eat there everyday which I don’t know if I could do.
- Shaq and @PhoenixSunsGirl took pics at their “Twitter Tutorial”. She introduced him to Twitter. Still trying to get them to get Steve Nash on.
- Watching my friend Nate (@mollermarketing) campaigning to get Shaq to follow him…only to have him do it! He even gave him a few shout outs which will be huge for Nate!
I think Shaq coming to Twitter could have huge implications in bringing it into the mainstream. Check it out!
Don’t forget to follow me! @ryansmiller
