fresh picked whimsy: Social Networking 101...Twitter

A month or so ago, on my Facebook status, I said "Do you twitter?" I cracked up when my friend Jill jokingly responded..."only when I eat beans!". Hysterical. Seems like you can't turn on the tv, get on the internet or open the paper without someone talking about Twitter. It's a hot topic right now. Why? What is it? What's the point?

I have to admit, when i first starting hearing about it...just a few months ago...i had those same questions. I was already hooked on Facebook and I really didn't need anything else to suck my time up. I signed up for an account, but I just lurked on it for a while and didn't participate. I started noticing that more and more bloggers that I admire were beginning to use Twitter and i spent a little more time investigating it. Honestly, until i became active on Twitter, it didn't make much sense... Now, I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So, what is it? Twitter is a fantastic marketing and community building tool. Some people call it micro-blogging. It's a tool that is similar to instant messaging and email, but is different because of the unique access to people in your industry or interest and your ability to communicate with them in real-time. Twitter asks the question, "what are you doing?" and your answer (called a "tweet") is limited to 140 characters. This keeps communication on Twitter concise and to the point. Unlike facebook, you don't upload pictures, take quizzes, pass out easter eggs and drinks, or join groups. You simply update your own status and respond to the status of others when you feel compelled to do so. When you find someone whose tweets are of interest to you, you simply press a button and "follow" them. The hope is, they will follow you back. However, regardless of whether or not they reciprocate, you can still follow their tweets. For example, there are many celebrities on Twitter. Out of sheer curiosity, i follow a few of them (Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Ann Curry...). Many of them have hundreds of thousands of followers. They do not follow more than a handful back. But, that's ok, i still get a kick out of reading Ellen's funny tweets right before she goes on stage every morning.

So, what's the point? I still don't "get it". If you are not trying to sell something or market something or learn something, i guess I wouldn't really get the point, either. But, allow me to explain to you how it has enhanced my business as an artist and illustrator. My two biggest business objectives right now are:

to promote and sell my book "Getting to the Heart of Complimenting"
to learn more about and find interest in licensing my original artwork

The first thing I did was look for other children's book illustrators and publishers who were on Twitter and artists, whom I know are successful in licensing their artwork, who are on Twitter, also. I immediately "followed" them...gobbling up the tidbits of information that they were sharing through their tweets; following any informative links they provided or gems of advice they offered. I learned so much about my industry through these short, information packed tweets. I learned which industry magazines I should be reading, what websites were good resources and whose blogs I should be making a daily read. For example, I follow the blog of artist, Holli Conger. She wrote on her blog that she would be exhibiting at Surtex, which is the granddaddy of all art licensing trade shows in the US. She also wrote that she would be Twittering throughout the whole process of preparing for Surtex and at Surtex, as well. What a unique and awesome thing to be privvy to. I personally don't know anyone going to Surtex. It's a dream of mine to exhibit there one day. I get to be a fly on the wall through Holli's tweets. Way cool! The other bonus on Twitter is that you can see who these people follow on Twitter...and I'm taking notes! The most phenomenal thing to me, is that this bonanza of information is FREE for the taking. Got a question for your industry or interest? Tweet about it and you'll be surpised how quickly someone will tweet back the answer. You can also send someone a direct message.

Here's an example of Twitter at work for me. A few weeks back, you might remember, i blogged about tucking notes in my kid's lunchboxes, provided some ideas and offered free downloadable lunchbox notes. After I published that post on my blog, I went to Twitter and my tweet looked something like this:

"Free fun kids lunchbox love notes on my blog http://tinyurl.com/aaf8hx go get 'em!"

Well, on my feedjit to your left, i could see lots of readers were coming from twitter directly. Then, i got the sweetest comment on my blog from a woman in England, named Sue Atkins, who followed the link from my Twitter, and then asked if she could share my lunchbox notes idea and free downloads by creating a link on her blog to mine. "Sure! Of course, that would be great!" I said. Then I followed her link to her blog to find out that she is this amazing, parenting expert in the UK who holds parenting workshops, runs a fabulous parenting website and is a published author of numerous books including the latest Dummies book called "Raising Happy Children for Dummies". She saw my book on my blog and asked how she could get one shipped to her overseas. I quickly offered to send her one as a thank you and she just as quickly offered to send me hers, too! It arrived days later...the royal air mail stamp impressed my kids. The book impressed me. The traffic on my blog soared and I have a new friend in England. Isn't that cool? That's Twitter and social networking at work.

I often tweet links to my latest blog post, my facebook fan page for whimsy studios, or to interesting articles or blogs that i think people would want to read about. I have my Twitter account set up so that I can text my tweets directly from my cell phone. Twitter provides a regular stream of new readers to my blog, which then helps them find my Etsy store and my book. I've also found new amazing blogs, businesses and people via twitter. THAT is social networking, my friends.

Do you Twitter? Follow me, and I will follow you! Keep the questions coming...

p.s. I know these last 2 posts have been quite long-winded. That's not the norm for me, but i do hope this Social Networking information is helpful. Hang in there...we'll return to our regularly scheduled whimsical blog soon! :-)

Comments

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Wow, Lori, I did not find this Twitter article long,I found it VERY fasinating and informative. You gave great information that I have wanted to know. I may just start tweeting!

One thing I don't understand is how do you "look people up on twitter"? Maybe after I spend some time there (time?) I will figure it out.

Really, thanks for your most helpful posts. I love them. Now, I can't wait for Facebook!

Posted by: Julie Cole | March 27, 2009 at 04:29 PM

I just linked your article to my extended family's blog. Hope they enjoy it as much as I did!

Maybe I can get them to Twitter with me!

Posted by: Julie Cole | March 27, 2009 at 04:31 PM