The Gifts That Social Media Has Brought Me

When I began my social media journey years ago on Myspace, I had no intention of ever using it to find business. As a matter of fact, my Myspace profile NEVER had my actual name on it and no actual picture of me on it for a long time. I used the medium to meet people, to chat and to blog my poetry. I missed the signs at that time that pointed to the useful and highly effective nature of social media.

More recently, I started exploring blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and other sites to see what they had to offer in a business capacity.

I made the decision last year to spend the bulk of my marketing time and budget on social media and internet based venues. I started with blogging on Active Rain, a site dedicated to real estate professionals. Many of the professionals on this site were generous with their knowledge and encouraged others to join them in exploring newer trends like Twitter. After spending a short time assessing the function of Twitter, I started to make connections with other people in my area who are on Twitter, which is my opinion Twitter’s highest and best use.

Along the way I found and made online friends with amazing people who would inquire about my kids, whether my cold was any better or notice that I had been away from Twitter for a few days. We warn each other of weather or traffic, share restaurant recommendations and check in on each other’s families.

Some of us started to use the name #twitterqueens for our group on Twitter and a movement was created.  Soon my great friends @heyamaretto and @mayareguru and I would create a network and then a social media company *without meeting each other face to face*.  We did meet eventually, but not before we started our engines!

One day I put out one of my more lofty tweets, a complaint about my dry winter feet. @ChristinePilch came to the rescue with an amazing home remedy (you will have to ask her!) and then we followed that with some interesting conversations about a local publication’s take on what professional women want to read (AND what they do NOT want to read).  We have since gotten together over lunch to continue those chats face to face. The picture below is me, @lisawray (my BFF), @ChristinePilch and @GinaBarry at lunch not long ago.

These experiences were replicated over again as I met other people from around Western Massachusetts (#westernma) like @mmpartee, @jessicawaters, @TiNGENiOUS and @redheadeddivaK.

Along my journey I hit many learning curves and would often sent out a tweet asking for advice or input.  So many people along the way were willing to share their expertise, but two people went out of their way to reach out and help me for no other reason than they are incredibly giving.  Bobby Carroll, @rewebcoach and Mike Mueller, @mikemueller are forever on my gratitude list for their selfless and generous spirits.

I was intrigued when @mmpartee (Morriss Partee) announced that he and two others (@writerjax and @tishgrier) would be holding the first ever PodCamp in Western Massachusetts. I announced on twitter that I planned to attend and my TwitterQueens co-founder, @HeyAmaretto (Diane Guercio) stated that she would like to attend, as well.

I arrived at the PodCamp with no idea of what the event would entail and some nerves at meeting so many people face to face for the first time. When I walked in the door I was greeted by Morriss and Jason Turcotte who both recognized me from my avatar (phew!). Next on the meet and greet was Diane, who I hadn’t yet met in person.
During one of the sessions a couple asked some questions and mentioned that they worked at Westfield State College. I commented that I would love to talk with them sometime in the future as WSC is my alma mater. They told me later, after I mentioned being a real estate agent, that they had a house to sell.

The discussion didn’t resume that day, but rather months later when that couple from the college, @redheadeddivak and @TiNGENiOUS, contacted me to ask if I would like to meet over coffee. That meeting, besides being a wonderful time to catch up, was when they asked me to interview as their REALTOR. Not too many weeks later, I had their house sold!  Not only that, but they are now good friends of mine and @readheadeddivaK was the VIP at our TwitterQueens Social Media Bootcamp in NYC in June.

@JasonTurcotte got a new dog @GuinnessTheDog and I followed his twitpics and news of the puppy. The only part of the dog experience I was missing was the ability to pet the pooch. Months later, Jason would donate his time and expertise at the first TwitterQueens Social Media Bootcamp in New York City. His company, TDD donated the design of the “Website Makeover” and Jason was a presenter at the event.

But this story isn’t just business and it isn’t about ROI (return on investment). It is about the gifts that twitter has brought me. Gifts that I would never have through any other medium. Gifts that have changed my life for the better and gifts that I am ever so grateful for.

After the Podcamp that I mentioned there was a #westernma tweetup. There I saw many friends like @Keithlaflam, @tishgrier, @valnelson, @jasonturcotte and @mmpartee. I closed the evening chatting with @mmpartee (Morriss) and then headed home where I found a DM from him…and then we stayed up most of the night chatting. The rest, as they say is history and a romance was born.  Morriss has also donated his time and expertise (his social media company for credit unions) and was a key presenter at the TwitterQueens Social Media Bootcamp in New York City.   I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend when I started using social media, I also didn’t think I needed more friends and I wasn’t sure if I would get any business.

Since then these are my findings:

Social media has brought me:
1- Friends all over the country and friends near me
2- My partner, my love, Morriss.
3- My business partners and best girlfriends, Diane and Maya
4- Business (five tracked leads over six months that were strictly from blogging and twitter)
5- A support network like no other, when I am down…these people pick me up. When I am celebrating, they cheer alongside.
6- Travel and new experiences
7- Education…I ask a lot of questions and valuable answers are given.
8- Opportunities for personal and business growth
9- A fresh awareness of the power of connectivity and the law of attraction
10- FUN!

Through social media I have made friends all over the world. For example: upon announcing that I was making a trip to the San Fransciso Bay area (about as far from Western Massachusetts as you can get and still be in the same country!) a twitter friend @nik_nik offered to coordinate a tweetup where I met her and @doverbey, @jaoverbey and @renicolay (see us in picture below). When I scheduled another trip a few months later to her area she booked a #twitterqueens tweetup and we had a wonderful time!

One day I left my laptop open and one of my cats sat on it and started sending a stream of nonsensical tweets. Several people expressed concern via twitter and one extra good friend @TheRealClint, called me on the phone to make sure I was all right.
Not long ago I had a VERY trying week and tweeted something that caused Jeff Turner, @respres to reach out to me and offer his friendship and support. These are people who don’t know me very well, but they are involved in my life and are willing to share their friendship, support and concern.

Another TwitterQueen, @Julianne Krutka, is a REALTOR in my town, but we had never met in person.  Through social media venues (where we kept bumping into each other) we discovered we have many shared family and friends.  We are in a cooperative sale now and it is wonderful to be able to book apppointments via Twitter.

I have attended many Podcamps, REBarCamps and conferences and met so many fantastic people, including loads of TwitterQueens.  I can’t name you all, but I have loved meeting each person.  Meeting people in person makes an already special online relationship even more valuable.

So, for those social media naysayers, for the people who think Web 2.0 is a fad, for all those that laugh behind (or not so behind) my back for my involvement in social media circles: this is my testimony. My story in this field is just beginning and I already have an army of friends beside me. You may not want to use social media yourself, and that is just fine, but don’t scoff at those of us that do. There is power here. The power of friendship. The power of attraction. The power of connectivity.

List of Lists

Hashtag in the Wild

Lists of good follows for twitter have been floating around lately. There have been many discussions about the validity of these lists, whether a list of followers does anyone any good, and even the motivations behind creating a list. And it is funny how twitter has evolved to be so different from Facebook; I looked to see if there were any lists of suggested followers, and could find none. I understand the difference in protocol, but I wonder if FB lite ever gets going if this will change.

One thing is true: when you are new on twitter, it takes a toll on you to wait to build up a list of friends. It’s like going to a cocktail party where everyone knows everyone already. The conversations, laughter and champagne are flying all of over the place, and you can’t even get the waiter’s attention. Not only that, but so many people have crashed this party that people are a little suspicious of newcomers. You aren’t really sure of the rules of the party- and they don’t seem to be posted anywhere; you can see bouncers all over the place and they are quick and blunt in pointing out if you screw up. I mean, for a long time my list of followers was @realtyman, one other person, and someone whose avatar was o_O.

A list seems like a lifeline.

I had been planning to make a list of TwitterQueens just because it would be that much easier on #FollowFriday. Most of the most engaging and interesting people that I know are there, and a lot of these people are newish themselves, and can remember what it’s like to be the new one at the party.

Here are a few lists that I think are interesting. There will be overlap, and that’s to be expected. But first, if you are new: consider why you are on twitter. Is it for fun? Are you here to improve your business? If the former, that makes it easy.If the latter is your reason, then be wise. This is work. You would not make up a business plan and engineer it around your hobbies. You need to build a list of followers around your target consumer.

• Roost has a monthly list of 50 interesting RE people who are, well- interesting. Good mix, good people; list is put together by @doverbey, who is a great follow. There have been 3 lists so far for a total of 150 people.
• Twitterholic publishes a top 100 list. These are mostly celebs and newsfeeds, and I follow maybe 3 or 4. @Mashable I really like- lots of good info, but this list is made of users with a large number of followers. You aren’t likely to get any engagement here.
• Into WordPress? Here is a WordPress-centric list; it is from last year which is eons ago in twitter-years, but still has some good picks. Add your name to it.
• @donttrythis – Adam Savage from MythBusters, just because if he jumped off a bridge, yes, I would probably try it
• Out of work, or looking? Check out Resume Bear’s 50 People on Twitter Job Seekers Should Follow. Also see The Ultimate List of Employers Recruiting on Twitter by @twitjobsearch, and 150+ Experts on Twitter ALL Job Seekers MUST Follow on Career Rocketeer.
• MommyBloggers by @bendtheweb.
• Need a laugh? Funny People by @skinbro

And my absolute favorite list. One of the first lists that I had ever heard of, by one of the best follows on twitter: @alex.

Are You Ready to Ride the Wave?

The chatter this week is all about Google’s newest invite only beta release: Wave.

Everyone wants an invite…share and share alike Social Media Friends!

http://mashable.com/2009/10/01/google-wave-invites-site/#

Tracking Mentions On Twitter

After you have been on Twitter for awhile you will want to start exploring options for keeping track of who mentions you there.

There are many choices, the most basic is the search option on Twitter’s homepage.

If you are using a twitter application like TweetDeck on your computer or iPhone then you can keep a column open for your mentions:

Then there are the days when you are running all over the place and you can’t keep an eye on Twitter the way you would if you were seated at your computer.  You want to know if someone mentions you so that you can answer their inquiries or see what is being said about you, but what is the easiest way?

Tweetbeep will send you hourly updates of any mentions of you or your company.

Tweetscan will schedule twitter searches to be sent to your email.  This is useful for tracking broader searches (ie: hashtags you follow, etc) but may not be the best for mentions as there is a big delay.

Twext.me will send your updates via SMS to you the instant that someone mentions you on twitter.

If you are going to use twitter as a business tool (and you should!) then it is vital that you keep track of the times that people mention you, your company or your product.  Using these tools can help to automate this otherwise laborious task.

Check these options out and let us know how they work for you!

Five more iPhone Apps…

Buzz at Inman Connect centered on what would be the next Big Thing. Where is real estate moving? What brokerage models can we expect to see?
When you consider that not too long ago we were printing and handing out The Book of MLS listings, and how having that information online has created, on its own, incredible changes in the industry, I find myself interested in the tools that connect people in different ways. And that is all technology is- a tool. It will not make a bad salesperson or agent better, but it can create different ways for people who are good at their jobs to maximize their potential.
I wanted to talk about a couple of things I picked up. Some are iPhone or smartphone mobile apps; some are desktop applications.
For my iPhone: we tried Bump. Bump is a really neat idea. I have a stack of cards that I received at the conference- and these are all from people who I am really interested in. I am trying to find the time to upload all of this information into my social media network. The idea behind Bump is simple: you key in your information, find someone else with an iPhone who has the app and has done the same thing, and touch hands. Elegant in its simplicity, but I wish it was available beyond the iPhone platform.

I have also found that I am drifting away from my always used iPhone twitter interface Tweetie to Tweetdeck. It seems to upload photos better. I can also save groups of friends within it.

The iPhone, in my opinion, is great at running apps, and only a so-so phone and camera. I have been trying to find ways to tweak its camera performance. One app that I found is CameraZoom- this is fantastic for changing the size of the pic while taking it, and framing the results right in the phone.

Another is FlashCamera by Sudobility. My old phone- a sad little thing that you had to text letters by pushing the 10 numbers many times- had a flash. There are several apps that you can use to create the effect of a fill flash and save your life in a pinch. This is one. I can see if you were taking drive-by BPO pics and were running late that this could work.

And this one: I could have used this countless times in my traveling life. Called Call A Taxi from Networking 2.0, it finds your location, and gives you a list of taxi companies and their phone numbers, arranged by location. Very useful, and comparing the list against what I knew was available, seemed accurate from my location.

The last app that I saw used frequently in San Francisco was foursquare. This is a cross-platform app, and you set it up through your computer, and it is billed as a game. What you do is log in when you are out at a point of interest in the city. The app counts the number of time a player visits the point of interest; the person with the highest number of visits over time becomes Mayor of that place. What I liked is that you can choose to post your updates on twitter, and I could keep track of my friends’ whereabouts just by watching the stream.

But back to Bump. Use it, and you get a little charge from touching hands with the person with whom you want to exchange information. What more can you ask for?

The Top Mobile Applications for Your Smart Phone!

In this day and age, we are all on the run and more of us are equipped with a smartphone like the Blackberry or iPhone to keep us connected on the go. As you get more familiar with your smartphone you will find that there is a world of mobile applications that can make life simpler, entertain you, keep you informed, help run your business and keep you connected.

This is a review of the mobile applications that I and many people I have interviewed find to be the best of the best. During the course of my travels to BarCamps and TwitterQueens New York Social Media Bootcamp (TQNYC) and on twitter, I have conducted an informal survey of the best applications.

Now I am a Blackberry user and self professed “crackberry” as those of us addicted to the use of our super duper device are known. Many of my good friends have the competing geek gadget: the iPhone. Both devices offer a lot of wonderful applications for business and personal life.

By far the application I use the most is for Twitter. I have tried several different applications including: TwitterBerry , Ubertwitter and TinyTwitter. TwitterBerry is common, but I really don’t like it at all. While I like Ubertwitter quite a lot (and it is often listed as a top recommendation), I typically use TinyTwitter.

I like TinyTwitter over the others because of the search option which allows me to more easily find people, follow hashtag discussions or other threads while on the run.

For the iPhone users the top Twitter application was hands down Tweetie. I have Tweetie on my iTouch and like the application, also.

My next most used application is Facebook mobile. This was named as a favorite by many people who offered their opinion in my unofficial polling.

In addition to these traditional social media applications, I enjoy brightkite, which is described at their website as: a location-based social network. In real time you can see where your friends are and what they’re up to. Depending on your privacy settings you can also meet others nearby.

My favorite “fun” application is Pandora, which is available on both the BlackBerry and iPhone. With my unlimited data plan I can use this much like my own satellite radio when connected to my car’s audio jack.

I find Superpages on my BlackBerry to be a great help with my address book. If I look up a person or business I can hit the menu button and add their full contact information to my address book with one click…presto easy!

In no particular order here are the results from my polling:

Top Ten Mobile Applications:

#1- UberTwitter
#2- Facebook
#3- Pandora
#4- Brightkite
#5- Qik
#6- Yelp
#7- Dub
#8- Superpages
#9- Mapquest
#10- Tweetie

Leave your favorite mobile applications in your comments and let’s start downloading!

TQNYC! TwitterQueens Take New York!

Our Inaugural Social Media Bootcamp was a huge success!

Social Media Engagement

“Yes, it was built entirely out of 140-character messages, but the sum total of those tweets added up to something truly substantive, like a suspension bridge made of pebbles.”- Steven Johnson in Time.com

This, of course, refers to twitter. Social media is changing the way businesses interact with present and prospective clients. Frank Eliason from Comcast introduced a customer care presence on twitter that has brought attention to the company- even if the twitter presence did not enhance customer service, the free PR generated was priceless. And consumers do feel that their problems can be solved more quickly.

Twitter, Facebook, social media microcultures- these are all low-cost ways to enlarge your presence with both consumers and with other businesses. And there are two aspects to it.

One is the technical- exactly how do you go about setting up this presence? Where can you make the most impact in this changing online environment? And the answers, of course, vary from business to business.

Even more important- do your employees, who have been tasked with the mission of representing you, know how to go about that? Social media is a “pull” type of contact, as opposed to traditional media which pushes your message out to many in the hopes that something sticks. Are your employees cognizant of the unwritten rules of engagement?

What Blogging and Video Can Do For You!

The Machine is Us/ing Us (Final Version)

Text is no longer linear. Digital text is multidimensional and is a conduit for intellectual interchange.

From:

http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/

Mike Wesch

Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology

Kansas State University

City: Manhattan, Kansas