The Great Social Networking Experiment (yet again)
My questions, confusion, and laments about Twitter have captured the attention of one freelancing chum – Amy Derby. Amy was kind enough to ignore my whining and answer my myriad of questions regarding proper Twitter usage. Thank you, Amy, for your patience and your help to my readers and to me.
How are you using Twitter? Busines or personal or both?
In the beginning I used it mostly just to talk with my writer friends, to keep up with current clients who were already on Twitter and to search for prospective clients. Since August, I’ve hired three people I met on Twitter — a blogger, a web writer, and a virtual assistant who helps me with research. I’ve also used it to meet local people who are involved in social media; I’ve met (in person) a LOT of people and four people from my small-ish suburb, which is pretty cool. Some are folks I collaborate with on projects, refer work back and forth, etc — others are just friends. I’ve also gotten several of my clients onto Twitter to expand their own networks, which has been great. There’s a growing legal community on Twitter, so it’s been very helpful for me to be able to put out a question and get an instant response from so many folks I wouldn’t have otherwise been connected with. I also Twitter for fun. (What can I say? I’m an iPhone addict.)
You mentioned you’ve found work this way. How did that come about?
There aren’t a lot of people who do what I do. So when a lawyer searches someplace like Twellow.com or one of the legal directories I’m listed in for a law blogger or consultant, I come up. I currently get an average of three emails a week from lawyers who say “I found you on Twitter. Can you tell me how me more about what you do?” These are folks who hadn’t seen my blog or otherwise heard about me from anyone else. I also get a lot of recommendations through others I have worked with or talked with — some are on Twitter — and from people who I don’t really know but who have seen my Tweets. I get a lot of Direct Messages on Twitter like “So and so told me you might be able to help me…” All of that is very cool, but also sometimes a little overwhelming. I honestly wasn’t prepared for so much new business when I started my @lawfirmblogger account on Twitter.
How does a shmuck like me use Twitter? Can you drop notes to people or is it more of “tweet here” and “tease there” appeal?
I don’t think there’s any right or wrong way to do it. One thing I quickly learned is that it’s a little like blogging, in the sense that there are the Great Self-Proclaimed Gurus who think their way is the only way and that everyone else sucks. I think there are as many effective ways to use Twitter as there are to blog, or to do anything else. It all depends what you’re using it for and what you want to get out of it.
How about posting links? How much is too much if it’s to promote yourself? What rule do you follow?
I don’t promote myself much. I promote others a lot, and in turn they promote me. I don’t ask anyone to promote me, and one of my biggest pet peeves is folks who are like “Please retweet my post!” I generally unfollow those folks. If I post something on my blog that might be interesting, I’ll do a Tweet about it. But that’s maybe on tweet out of a hundred. I tend to think people who use Twitter as self-promotion are missing the boat. Constant self-promotion feels like spam on Twitter, just like it does anyplace else.
Is there a Twitter etiquette that’s followed?
There probably is, but I’m not sure. And I’m betting if you asked a hundred folks, everyone would answer differently. My own personal Twitter etiquette is to respond to the people who talk to me — like, if someone does an @reply and asks me a question, I answer. Some people don’t do that. I would feel rude ignoring people. But everyone’s different about replies, just the way they are with responding to blog comments, etc. I also think there are a lot of silly theories on who to follow back, etc. On my @amyderby account I follow back pretty much everyone who follows me, unless they’re a spammer. On my @lawfirmblogger account I mostly only follow back people who are somehow connected to the legal community, or who tweet about stuff I want to read about while I’m in my business hat. I’ve been called rude for that, but oh well. You can’t please everyone.
What do I, a beginning Tweeple, need to know about this stuff so as not to destroy my career while attempting to enhance it?
I’m not sure there is anything all that major to know. Other than maybe that it’s just like blogging: what you see can be read by anyone, anywhere, even ten years from now. That’s something I didn’t really keep in mind at the beginning, and there are things I’ve said that I’ve wished later I could take back. Nothing career-shattering. But I tend to be sarcastic and there have been times that my sense of humor isn’t always appreciated. So maybe, Think Before You Tweet? ๐
How about the rest of you Tweeple? What answers would you give to the same questions?
*hangs head*
Oops! I’ve asked folks to RT. :- I don’t do that every time, but I have tweeted my recent blog post or something and asked folks to RT.
I thought Twitter was ridiculous in the beginning. My thinking has completely changed. I’m loving my tweeple! I’ve “met” some amazing people on my Twitter journey. I love how we’re all from different backgrounds and different places and yet we can form warm communities.
Like Amy, I enjoy keeping up with my writing and blogging friends. I haven’t met any in person, though – lucky Amy! ๐
Oh, and I’m not a rare legal blogger who rocks so I haven’t had all that big rush of new business.
I do love how editors and writers can connect, and clients.
Twitter is amazing – what else can we say?!
*smiles*
Michele
P.S. I’m so glad you’re tweeting, Lori! You’ve been a blessing in my writing life, always cheering me on from the beginning. I’ve always appreciated your support and kind words. It means a lot to me. ๐
Think before you Tweet – good advice!
Lori, you were whining? I must have missed it. ๐
Likewise, Michele. You’re an amazing bright spot in the blogosphere and your insight is, well, infectious. I’m very glad to know you!
Amy, I’m AlWAYS whining. ๐
Carrie, bet you never thought those words would hold any meaning beyond the bird world, eh?
Amy’s good people.:)
Michele, I don’t think you’re one of “those” people. Hehe.
Thank you Kimberly. I’m glad. I try not to be icky. ๐
Carrie, I just noticed your shirt. I have that one. ๐
Thank you, Lori! *blushes*
Amy, I’ll sleep better knowing I’m not one of “those” people. Whew! That was a close one. ๐
Thanks y’all – you’re the bestest!
*smiles*
Michele