What if I didn’t use Twitter?

I joined Twitter like most of you, cause it was cool and I have the attention span of a hummingbird on speed (picture that for a second). So in April 2008 I jumped in. Nothing happened really. For 9 months I dropped in once-in-a-while, read what people were having for lunch and passed it off.

Then January 1st, 2009 I made a deal with myself; live on Twitter for 30 days and see what would happen. Since I didn’t want to be another one of those marketing experts that dismissed something just because I didn’t use it, I was going to give it my all.

Mannequin Networking – Why Twitter Automation Is Bad

The best way I can explain Twitter to new folks is to say it’s like going to a networking event, but it runs 24/7 and you don’t have to leave home. It’s a great way to get to know new colleagues, clients and friends. Recently I’ve been having a lot of “debates” with other Twitter folk about automation. There are a bunch of different automation options using 3rd party sites, this post will focus on one strategy: sending absent tweets (tweeting something when you’re not actually around.) I’ve heard many reasons why people say you should do this:

1. It allows you to reach people in other time zones

Saran Wrap Series – My Transparency on Twitter

Welcome to a new mini-blog series that revolve around transparency in your market/sales called “Saran Wrap Series”. Understand that Saran Wrap has nothing to do with this post, or me, I just saw it in the kitchen while writing and realized it’s transparent and it sounded catchy (see what I did there, I was transparent about the blog series title. I’m cool like dat)

************************************************

The 7 Deadly Twitter Sins

Sitting here at the airport in Vegas, getting ready for the flight of shame home (not to mention it being a connecting red-eye.. oye!)  I got to thinking about this topic of sins considering I committed all seven real life ones over the past 6 days here (ok, so maybe not “Wrath” but I almost went to the machine gun range, just to be 7-for-7).

PLEASE NOTE: I am refraining from naming each sin with a “TW” like “Tweed” or the “Twust” because legally you should be able to pour motor oil over someones Cheerios if they do that.

Sorry, You’ve Been Phished. What?

I can haz ur passwerd?

Heeeere phishy phishy phishy! (to quote the great Ernie from Sesame Street)

Don’t Stick It In Their Mouth – How to ReTweet

ReTweeting (or a RT as you see on Twitter) is repeating what someone else tweeted on Twitter. It’s a great way to spread the word about someone and shows you liked what they tweeted.

But what about if you want to add your own few characters to the original tweet?

I’m about to show you why comments before the RT is the only way to go, but before you do, don’t get your Snuggie in a bunch. Spare me about how Twitter has “NO RULES” or “Who the hell are you to say what I should do??”. I’m Scott, nice to meet you. I’m not saying you have to do it this way, it’s just my opinion, and since this is my blog there is a rule, and that is: I rule here.

Trolls, Meatheads and My Mom

Back in my uber-geek days, I used to hang out in IRC chat rooms. These were places were fellow geeks could hang out in different topic based rooms, swap stories, MP3’s (when it used to be badass) and generally connect with others.

Everytime, bar none, he would appear. The troll:

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion. (wikipedia)

Five People You Should Follow On Twitter #FollowFive

Instead of using #FollowFriday to recommend people, I’m starting my #FollowFive.

How to Raise Money on Twitter – Tweetathon 101

I love Twitter. Not just because it makes up for my lack of popularity in high school, but for all the incredible people I’ve met since joining it. It has restored my faith in humanity. No other event has proven this more to me than the day I decided to hold a Tweetathon.

Back in March I decided to lend a hand to the cause of child hunger in the United States on behalf of Strength.org, which was the charity of choice for the 12for12k Challenge, which is: