I've been using the micro-blogging, social networking program Twitter for several weeks now. I started off slowly, picking the two people who introduced me to the program as my first followings. Since that time I've tried to post at least once a day through the week. Now I'm following a manageable and select 28 members.

I've had a couple significant events happen as a direct result of my participation in the Twitter nation. Let me share them with you.

1. I was able to secure a few participants in a survey for my English class.
2. I responded to a request and will now be a presenter in a Webinar this January.
3. I responded positively to a meet-up request of local Twitter users and made some very interesting contacts.
4. I have further developed relationships with a few of the VAs who participate in this forum.

Friends, like any other form of marketing, these programs will only give back what you put into them. You can't simply sign-up and sit back, you must actively participate.

As a result of the meet-up, several new people are following my Twitter comments. As long as I don't abuse the 'relationship' by posting nothing but junk, I can keep my business present. I am also joining (if you call it that) an online posting of WV bloggers. Similar to an RSS feed notice, new blog posts are headlined on Twitter for those who follow that particular member. So when I update my blog, anyone who follows 304blogs are notified on Twitter.

And all of this traces back to my participating in a S.C.O.R.E. program where the presenters discussed Web 2.0. See how something which seems so minor can snowball?

I said all that to encourage everyone to investigate and embrace new technologies and ways of marketing ourselves. And for the sake of cats get out there and attend seminars or presentations in person!

Share your story of how a seemingly insignificant program or event turned into a success.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Thanks for this post Robin. It serves as a good reminder of "You Just Never Know." I am consistently amazed and what can come of doing just the smallest thing.

For example, I often post responses to questions on a networking site and one of them just happened to really help someone out that they provided me with a compliment in return that's posted on my profile. And while I may not be seeing direct effects from that right now, it all adds to helping me be known and be seen.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Absolutely! I also participate in Twitter and have gotten one client and had the opportunity to be highlighted in an article about virtual legal assistants as a direct result. I think all networking when managed in the right ways (as you said, contributing to conversations and making friends/contacts) is a positive thing and may bring us more results than we could possibly foresee.

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Laurie
Halo Blog and My Blog About Being a WAHM

Robin:
I'm so glad that you've seen success with Twitter. I think the important thing is not whether you network in person or online, but to continue networking. Sometimes it's not always possible to do a lot of networking in person. Just my two cents.

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DeAnna Troupe's VA Service
http://www.deannatroupe.com

To be honest I'm still trying to figure twitter out. I've heard a lot about it but I don't get it. And I consider myself to be pretty web savy. Can someone explain please?

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Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

Well, it's considered a micro-blog because you are only permitted 150 characters [not words] per post. You use it like you would any social event. You participate in short discussions, post information you think is worthy, offer brief insights into your business ... generally build an online relationship with people in relatively real time.

You "follow" or subscribe to other people's posts and they may or may not follow yours. Here is a snippet from some of the ones I follow [technically read from bottom up.]:

Quote:

RobinHolstein What a GREAT presentation by Steve Blackwell of Blackwell and Co. about 1 hour ago from txt 304blogs Spoiled For Choice - [url] link removed about 1 hour ago from web edoublep Want weekend. Now! about 1 hour ago from txt jkhewett Last Tweet from the computer ... back online Monday! about 1 hour ago from TwitKit jkhewett Preparing to go off line for 3 days ... not sure I can???? about 2 hours ago from TwitKit 304blogs Shorter Kent Gates: Waaaah! - [url]link removed about 2 hours ago from web RobinHolstein I love mornings! SCORE breafast at the Marriott begins 730. Topic: The Perfect Ad. Looking forward to this one! about 3 hours ago from web

I suppose it could be compared to some of the messaging programs, but it's designed to be shared with groups of people, not just one at a time.

Does that help?

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Doesn't it take hours a day to keep up any kind of presence on several sites such as Twitter, this forum, your blog and LinkedIN?? I don't really have hours to spend.

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Cheryl Richey
Carte Blanche Assistance, LLC
Virtual Assistance...Creating Time for You!

Great point, Cheryl! I agree. I've moved from one world into (maybe) this one. I've stepped out of other social networks in deference to building this business. Deciding on the best opportunities to market yourself is a tough one. As in any business, the question to answer is - what are my customers paying attention to? Radio? TV? Newspaper? Magazine? Tech/Specialty website? Linked IN? Blogs? Seminars/Webinars? Meetings?

The intial point is the best - if you don't have the time, don't do it. And don't feel bad about it, either. Find the best one(s) for you and make the best of them, in my opinion.

Thanks Robin. I like your logic of IM but for groups of people. maybe I will look into that.

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Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

Cheryl:
It doesn't have to take hours a day. I usually only spend about 15 minutes per day on each site. It doesn't even take that long to post an update on twitter. You're only allowed 140 characters per post anyway.

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DeAnna Troupe's VA Service
http://www.deannatroupe.com

Hi

One good thing that I use Twitter for too is to announce my press or to share my latest articles. Like if I write a new article, I'll post it. It does seem to draw more traffic to the site and article.

I love to follow some pros too. One that I highly recommend is Peter Shankman, the founder of Helpareporter.com. When you follow him you get his urgent media requests. Plus, he's just so fun!

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

I've been vexed about the amount of time it takes to keep current in the "virtual world." But everyone has to decide how much time they are willing to invest.

Twitter, blogs, press releases, forums ... these are all types of marketing. I don't spend a lot of time 'on' Twitter. I check it between projects or on a break. I'm building a network of people who are learning about what I do.

A significant player in a major communications company sends me Tweets every now and again. He even teased that he should have recommended my services to someone for a 'fireman's calendar.' Now, the joke was that it compared to Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition, but what was really happening was he used his understanding of my abilities in a comment that nearly all HIS followers would see. Some would, in turn, check my profile and learn more about me. My exposure to potential clients increased just because of his comments.

I use my photo on Twitter, not an icon or cartoon. When I attended the meet-up last week people KNEW who I was when I walked in, at least by sight.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Im actually new to Twitter and tweeting. Initially, I really did not get the point of it. I just did not think people would be interested in learning the happenings in another person's day. Now, I think tweeting is much more than that and I'm actually finding it fun too.

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Carlana Charles - Ciboney Virtual Solutions
Web: http://ciboneyvirtual.com Blog:http://ciboneyvirtual.com/blog

Twitter is just another way to network and build your reputation online. You don't have to spend all day there, 15 mins is more than adequate. You get an audience and if you're offering value in your posts, then you'll generate interest.

Remember, you need to spend about 25% of your time marketing to generate the business that comes next week, next month, next year. I've generated tons of business, connections and a free ticket to a tech conference all through social media. <grin>

Good luck, all!

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Cheryl Allin - VirtuAllin Administrative Services
Twitter - @VirtuAllin

A twitter question.........when you @someone do they actually have to be following you to see the comment? I really like the twitter concept but I'm just confused on how you directly make a comment to some of these people so that they do notice you and start following.

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office