10 Posting Openings That "Connect You!"

If you want your online social networking postings to initiate interaction you really have to write your postings with that intent in mind. You don't get many characters to work with on most social networks, so you have to give a bit of thought to maximize your results!

One simple tip that helps is to write so that you "engage” your readers. You want them to read, relate and respond to you. If this seems difficult, try pretending they are sitting at your desk and just start "talking" to them. Put what you say in writing! Really helps to get the ball rolling! Just make sure no one is watching you from a far! :-)

Also you want to talk “with” not “at” or “to” your readers. Here are some "openings" that will help make it easy for you ...

1. Do you know …
   Do you think …
   Do you have …
   x
2. Have you ever thought ...
   Have you ever said ...
   Have you ever been ...
   x
3. As you go ...
   As you think about ...
   As you read ...
   As you play ...
   x
4. What do you think ...
   What do you do ...
   What do you say ...
   x
5. What would be ..
   What would happen ...
   What would you say, think, do, be .. etc.
   x
6. Did you ever think ...
   Did you ever have ...
   Die you ever not ...
   x
7. Help me, I need ...
   Help me, can't achieve ...
   Help me, looking for ..
   x
8. Just sitting here thinking ..
   Just sitting here doing my ..
   Just sitting here creating ..
   Just had a client ...
   x
9. Am walking ...
   Am calculating ...
   Am doing ...
   x
10. Wondering if ..
    Wondering what ..
    Wondering who ...
    

Try them out and let me know if they help you! You might want to use them to present your information as a story ... something that happened that day with a client. Have fun with it ... and just be real! It works better.

As always, you are invited to share your experiences here on the blog ... good and bad!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

How I Like To Use Twitter!

I like to use Twitter as a tool to create interaction. It's original design was for that very reason ... the question at the top used to be, "What are you doing?" People would trade their daily "goings on!"

When Twitter first began it was fun to see what people were doing. You discovered that you had some "out of the office" common interests with people you knew and/or were trying to get to know. "Live" tweeting sometimes brought you to the front row of a playoff game, the inauguration,and the way I found out about Twitter... knowing a fellow tweeter was in the process of being arrested in a foreign country and needed help! You still see "live tweeting" such as these examples but not as much....they get buried in all the one-way postings it seems.

So, I like to keep the original intent alive and well. I have transformed most of my tweets to focus on business conversation in order to meet new prospects and help old contacts know more about what I do ... but always with an "engaging" 140 characters! Every once in a while I add some "salt and pepper" with a personal tweet .... just for fun.

I also look for other tweets that want to engage readers in conversation. These tweeters ask for thoughts, opinions and thoughts! It is such a great way to meet new people and everyone loves to receive a comment from their posting.

The bonds that the exchange of comments on Twitter create is actually "why" I use it as a tool for conversation. The internet provides very private 1-to-1 interactions. People are focused on their screen (whatever the device), the Twitter posting is short so it resonates quickly and easily, and a bond is psychologically created between reader and sender! It's almost like magic!

Have you tried to create conversation? Let me know if you feel the difference as well. I've always said that the value of Twitter cannot be explained ... it has to be experienced!

Tomorrow I will give you some ideas on how to write an engaging tweet! In the meantime ...

Keep your busines growing ...
margie

What Does Twitter Do?

"What does Twitter do?" That's a question that a client asked me a couple of months ago. She said she couldn't figure out what it was supposed to do for her.

My answer was "Twitter is not supposed to "do" anything for you. It's all about what you do for yourself on Twitter!" Does that make sense to you reading this right now? Hope so.

Twitter is simply a "live feed" that allows real time postings of up to 140 characters in length to be viewed by as many people that request to follow individual users. That's it!

One of my former sales managers used to say, "you have to stay in front of people if you want them to buy from you!" Twitter lets you do this and more! Twitter's platform offers multiple opportunities for you to "do" something for yourself! Here are a few:

• Strengthen relationships by being able to have quick interactive communications with people throughout the day.
  x
• Reach out and connect with new people .. creating bonds via quick interactive communications on what you find you have in common and then more!
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• Brand yourself by putting consistent messages in front of your viewers .. showing your style, message type, etc.
  S
• Advertise by placing your information out there. Not using the interaction capability "plus" of Twitter .. but playing a numbers game by simply being in front of lots of people. DO NOT SPAM HOWEVER .. if you "must" use Twitter this way, do it tastefully.
  s
• Display your blog postings via live feeds that can be setup to appear automatically on Twitter feeds.
  x
• Link your readers from a posting to an image, webpage, and/or video!
  

These are just a few things 'you" can do. Which of the above ways are you using Twitter? What has worked for you? What other ways might you be using Twitter?

Keep your business growing ...
margie

What's a microblog?

The term "microblog" has been heard by most of us within the last couple of years.The question is, "what is it?"

A microblog is simply a small blog ... uses the same platform with smaller limits. I'm pretty sure you are already microblogging somewhere on the internet and may not even know it!

A basic definition of a microblog is a platform in which short text messages are supported. Usually the message may contain no more than 140 - 200 characters (including spaces). The platform allows you to be interactive and most microblogs only support text with links to images, videos, other pages, etc. Does this sound like Twitter? You are right .. Twitter is probably the most famous microblog out there right now!

Microblogging is becoming very popular for two primary reasons:

1. Immediacy
   Posts are short and can be delivered to a variety of devices, including cell phones.
   x
   Live feed distributions are supported for immediate delivery of what's happening on the blog.
   x
   Instant connectivity is provided, which can easily invite instant conversation.
   s
   
2. Portability
   Postings go to all sorts of devices including cell phones - you can take your communications with you!
   x
   Communications via live feeds be easily monitored no matter where you may be!
   

Short postings are also proving to be valuable because of the quality of "connection" that occurs. I'm going to talk more about creating effective short postings tomorrow. Stay tuned for that!

In the mean time .. what are your experiences with microblogging? Have you tried Twitter? Has it been fun or are you at a loss with it? Do you think microblogging has a place in the future of online communications? Please share with us!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

4 Pointers For Twitter Business Success

Hello everyone,

By now you have to realize that Twitter is here to stay. And, I am sure most of you have an account on Twitter ... the question is how often do you use it and simply "how" do you use it? Have you had success?

I got on Twitter when it was still pretty much a whisper and have watched it grow and change, sometimes for the good and sometimes for what I thought was bad.

My first success in meeting new people and acquiring new busines came early on.. and then the spammers and advertisers arrived on the scene. Instead of opportunity for interactive connections, to me, Twitter became an information center. I got bored ... has anyone else felt this way on Twitter in the last year or so??

Well things have changed and I am once again totally excited about Twitter. Guess, like all things, it is growing up and finally evolving through "ugly" adolescence into something I feel is great! I have taken a new control of Twitter and started to use "it" instead of it using me! Walking my own talk you might say.

Here are 4 simple steps I implemented to reacquaint myself with the joys of Twitter: (1) I tailor my list of who I follow to "only" those I want to follow. (check out the new list feature - really helpful here ) (2) I make a daily goal to reach out to three new people a day (already in my feed) and leave comments to set the stage for more future interactivity and a true connection. (3) I think about my postings ... what I say and how I present what I say in the 140 character limitation. I try my best to be conversational and speak in terms of the benefits of my business. .. making it fun by relating my activity to fly fishing ( see my recent posting on this under social networking) (4) I am consistent.

There is still nothing like creating a new "real" connection on the internet. Hopefully these 4 pointers will put you in the right direction for the same success.

If you think you would like more guidance and instruction in making Twitter work for you, I have put together a fantastic 1-on-1 hand-holding training that we implement at "your" pace! I guarantee that at the end of it you will own your use of Twitter! It is being offered at a fantastic "roll-out" fee this month only.
Check it out here: http://www.todaysway.net/rollout/1on1twittertraining.htm

Otherwise, make sure you follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/margiehanson. I can't wait to tweet with you!

As always, please leave your comments and thoughts. What success have you had on Twitter? Have you experienced the numbness with it that I went through? What do you love about Twitter?

Keep your business garden growing,
margie

Six Steps For Going Fishing On Social Networks

Hello all ...

Is social networking a bit confusing for you?
Are you wondering how you make it work?
Are you just not "getting it?"

Well, here's an approach that I hope will be fun, helpful and believe it or not, productive for you! It's my six steps for "Going Fishing" on social networks.

Put a "GONE FISHING" sign on your door and let's catch and cook some fish!!!!

1. First we must decide what kind of fish we want to catch?
   When social networking:
   Who are the people that buy what you offer?
   f
2. Identify the waters the fish you want swim in ... fresh, ocean, stream, lake, etc?
   When social networking:
   Which social networks do the people who buy from you use the most?
   Strictly Business - LinkedIn
   Fun & Business - Facebook - Twitter - Plaxo
   Maybe they are found on blogs?
   Maybe on YouTube? Maybe MySpace?
   xd
3. What kind of hooks/flies will the fish you want bite?
   When social networking:
   What are your buyers looking for?
   What do they crave?
   What are your hooks?
   What connects you to a buyer?
   Break your services/products down into individual "luring bites."
   Create a hook per bite.
   Create lots of these "bites" .. the more you have, the more prospects you will connect with!
   x
4. What casting methods will place your hooks where the fish you want will bite?
   When social networking:
   Pay attention to how your "hooks" are presented!
   Communicate "with" your readers as if they are right in front of you!
   Have a conversation. Engage - Relate - Be With - Share
   Speak with .. not at!
   x
5. Reel your fish in!
   When social networking:
   Sometimes your prospect comes in with one try!
   Sometimes you need to "play" with the line a bit.
   Whatever you do, don't let it get off the hook!
   x
6. Catch and Cook!
   When social networking:
   Yes .. . now your prospect can be cooked into a sale. Sometimes it's a one-step cooking procedure. Sometimes you need to cook in stages...
   You might "hook" your prospect in Twitter but have to bring them over to Facebook for them to really get to know you. Facebook can sometimes create a more bonding community of fans and friends depending on how one has built out their fan and/or friend base.
   
   
   So grab your gear.. keep it simple and have some fun!
   Put a "Gone Fishing" sign on your desk for at least 30 minutes a day.
   Let me know what you catch! Keep me updated by posting comments here!
   
   Keep your business growing ..
   margie
   
   
   

Making Sense Out Of Using Twitter

Hello ...

Just found a fantastic new Twitter tool that beats out all the other exisitng tools that I know about and helps you make total sense out of using Twitter.

Tweepsearch searches via profile information throughout all of Twitter. How cool is that? They advertise it as a way to search via profession. It does that and more. You can also search for name, interests, location and more! I am so excited especially about location. Anyone with a local business should jump on this! Immediately you can reach out to a local market and introduce yourself and build a relationship. Check it out .. let me know what "you" think!

I also like this tool because it allows us to go back to the original strength of Twitter... allowing people to have "interactive" communications and build relationships. Twitter has become so popular that it has turned into a "follower" machine with nobody knowing nobody! You might want to go this mass marketing way ... I can't tell you not to. I personally believe in quality over quantity and now with tweepsearch, targeted communications can take place.

Would really like "your" input... quality or ... gather as many followers as you can? Which is your choice and why? Tweepsearch will assist either case. Please share... the blog is open!!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Finding Ideas For Article Writing On Twitter!

Hello all,

Having started using Twitter when it was still pretty much in beta I find it fascinating to learn how it's uses have expanded amongst the professionals.

My weekly mailing this week mentioned how journalists will search Twitter for ideas for articles. Never thought of strategizing my tweets for such an opportunity, but it definitely is something to think about. Is anyone already doing that?

The use of hash marks would probably be the best way to begin. You could also carefuly choose your followers. Actually, where you can have multiple accounts on Twitter you might just want to set up multiple accounts for different types of conversations. Combine that with the use of hash tags and you probably would have some visible success! Something to think about for sure.

Let me know your ideas ... I welcome your creative thinking!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie!

Twitter Hash Tags

Hi ..

Once again I welcome my weekly mailing readers to my blog! So what do you all think about hash tags? Have you been confused? Are you an old salt and been using them for years on other social networks and in other applications? Are you new and having learned a little about them, excited about the new possibilities??

Just a quick review for those arriving at the blog without seeing my mailing, a hash tag is identified with the "#" symbol. It is used along with letters, numbers, both as an acronym to categorize tweets into different topics/subjects. They are used when many people are tweeting about the same topic, or from the same event. And yes, they are also used on other social sites.

My personal feeling is although they appear to be a nuisance within the daily list of tweets... they are a blessing if you are truly marketing on Twitter. When you do a search for hash tags you will find out what people are talking about, interest in etc. First a entire new list of potential followers is in front of you and second knowing what people are saying gives you the platform on which you can introduce whatever it is that you sell. Maybe it is just a platform to build the relationship on and maybe it is a more direct path to a business sale! It obviously depends on what the hast tag means!!

Two great resources are: www.Hashtags.org. and http://tagal.us/

Let's discuss it! Put your questions, ideas and opinions in the comments section. I welcome your input.

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Building Relationships Via Social Networking

Hello all,

Many of you know that I am a true believer in the value of building relationships on line. I was a pioneer in how email can strengthen your relationsohips when it is used correctly. Social networking just magnifies all my previous messages concerning the effective use of email.

How is this so? Well you basically have the same circumstances. You are sending short distinct messages, basically one-to-one, in a medium that is extremely intimate and hypnotic. When you make your message clear, eliminate any need for the reader to think, figure out, wonder... and are polite ... you have a winning online communication.

Winning communications are welcomed and bring on positive interaction. Positive interaction creates trust, loyalty and relationships that lead to new, repeat and referral business!

My favorite social network right now is Twitter. Here you can only deliver short distinct messages and the relationship building opportunities are endless! You can imagine my disappointment in seeing how the marketing hounds are coming in and jamming Twitter with chatter that talks "at" us, not "with" us. Promos that just appear and do not relate nor connect.

If this wasn't disturbing .. the contests to see who can gather the most followers is the end all. Didn't we learn a long time ago that it is not the number of contacts but the quality? Alas it is social network spamming at its finest. Just like our inboxes got ruined, so may our social network groups unless you pay attention. Don't be afraid to block those who abuse. You won't miss out on anything, trust me!

It is good that we live in a free society where these resources are out there for all of us to use as best for our individual purposes and THAT is a major message from me. Don't think that because one person or several people have had success using a social network, or any other online marketing resource, a certain way that it will work for "you" the same way. Each method is dependent upon the people at both ends of the communications going on. If nothing else .. take that to heart as you create your online networking groups and develop your personal relationships.

I welcome your thoughts, comments, experiences!!!

Keep your garden growing ..
margie

I Love Twitter .. BUT Am I Missing Somthing?

Good Morning All!

It is January 5, 2009 ... the first official work day of the new year! Hope you are off and running with wonder in your eyes and excitement in your hearts!

My thoughts this morning lie around what I believe is the "HOT" resource for all to be using in 2009 ... and that resource is Twitter. If you are not on it yet, get on it. My weekly mailing will address more about this with details on how to start if you are not already using Twitter. If you are not on my weekly mailing list go to the side of my blog to the subscribe links.

This blog posting is about the way people use Twitter. I am discovering as my connections increase that some of the internet gurus are "constantly" sending out tweets. I will receive up to 10 or more in a row from the same people. Often they are replies to specific people, but their tweets are beginning to annoy me!

Now I am well aware that I can block this sort of activity, but some of the senders have some value that I am not ready to totally eliminate. How does one deal with this? I am open to input...

What are your thoughts ... experience? Is blocking the only way to go here?? Am I wrong in my reaction? Should I value this aspect of Twitter as well? Am I missing something about Twitter and how to get the conversations going?

I am anxious to hear from you!

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie

Twitter Gains Momentum ... You Think?

Gosh ... I missed the month of December! Shows you what a holiday month can do to one's routine. New Year's resolution is to be more disciplined!

Some things did not stand still, however, and that is Twitter! Have you ever seen anything like it? Everyday more and more people are signing up and sending out tweets! If you use the search sites of www.twellow.com & http://search.twitter.com you can find all sorts of people to follow and have an opportunity to get to know. Make sure you are registered on both sites ( I believe it is automatic on search.twitter) so that you can also be found and followed!

Besides people, more and more businesses ( the large ones and the small ones) are using Twitter. You may be scratching your head and asking "how can this be?" Being a doubter myself I can only say that one "must" use Twitter to know how it works. You cannot put the experience into any type of words that will be 100% understood. A full appreciation for Twitter comes from the experience. That said, don't think the "experience" come with one shot. It is acquired over time.

If you are not yet on Twitter or if you are still questioning it as a new user... make your New Year's resolution to go slowly with it ... find some people to follow and just watch. Don't feel compelled to send out any tweets at first. Once you get a feel for how "you" want to use it, send a tweet out a day and then presto... you'll get the hang of it and the rest is up to you!!!

Whatever you do ... don't NOT give it a try. You'll be missing out on the next huge communications tool of 2009.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Never Say Never!

Well ... how many of you have said "never" ... only to find yourself going back on your word within a short timeframe?

Ah yes, it happens to us all. My latest episode, with this experience, has been with Twitter! Now, how many of you use Twitter? How many of you started out as I did questioning "why" one would even consider such a "twit" of a resource???

Needless to say, Twitter is "now" one of my most favorite online resources! It just works in all capacities. I post both personal and business posts. In the beginning I had to discipline myself to keep at it ... as in the very beginning I was simply tweeting (twitter communications are refered to as tweets) myself! But as in all things online, it grew and is developing a nice life of its own.

NOW ... I check in several times a day and have made new acquaintances and met new business contacts! Just fascinating how it works for building relationships, but it works! Mostly I like to use it as a fun diversion to whatever I am working on during the day. I will take a break to check out who is doing what on Twitter! Almost like taking a walk to the water cooler. It is fun, enlightening and profitable.

Guess if you look back at many of the "norms" in our lives today, there was a time when we all went "huh?" Get over it! It's time to be more open minded about all new things.

Keep your business garden growing ...
margie
"Now" A Loyal Fan of Twitter!

Twitter ... It Is Useful!

Good Morning All,

I am "almost" ready to confess my new love of Twitter! I was one of the many who upon first learning about Twitter said "what a waste of time!" Who wants to know what everyone is doing?

However, since trying it out, it is rather fun to look into the "daily moments" of people we only know either via online communications or occasional business interactions. However, going beyond that .... the business uses can be tremendous!

Keeping my eyes open to "business uses" ... retailers have a dream come true for announcing new offers, etc. Restaurants can announce the special of the week or day! Any business can send out a tip or two. News can be sent out ( takes less time than a newsletter!). The reasons to use Twitter go on and on ... if you think outside the box.

You are also protected from annoying people you "tweet" as they have to ask to follow you. If they are unhappy with the results they can simply remove themselves. No harm done!

If you would like to follow me on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/margiehanson

Keep your business growing ...
margie