uh-h-h…I’m Tweeting

In my February 7th post, I expressed doubts about the value, the usefulness, the economy of Twitter. I’ve never been one to jump onboard something new for the sake of being part of the first rush for new technology. You see, I may have been born in California, but, really, I’ve the heart of a true “Show Me” Missourian.

Hearing from colleagues that my doubts were truly unfounded, I discovered I’d been “shown”, gulped hard and opened an account last October. I’ve Tweeted and find the service surprisingly useful…and fun! (Oh my Gosh! What a concept: business can be fun! LOL)

True story: Twitter is totally about business exposure. A business owner called me in November, just a couple of weeks after I’d opened my Twitter account. I’d not yet posted a single tweet. She asked for and booked an initial consultation with me. Curious, I asked how she’d discovered my business. She replied, “Your Twitter “@…” name on Twitter.” Strange but true, without having Tweeted a single post, I’ve now a fabulous client simply from opening the account.

Like “Google Juice”,  “TweetJuice” increases the internet presence of a business. The power of Re-tweets increases brand exposure and works most effectively to increase consumer awareness.

Be aware, and please remain so, that the public’s perception of your brand is on the line when  using Twitter. It’s wise to take care to keep “business” tweets and “private” tweets separate.

So, let it be known: I’m convinced!!! I’m a Twitter Convert!!! To my Tweetees, I say “Twank you!” I’ll twork two tweducate the tworld twabout PR via the service. And by the tway, if you twish, you can twfollow me: @prcyndieulrich!

Twill next time – Cheers! Cyndie

To Twit’ or Not to Twit’?

That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler to feign connection in superficial terms or engage in real discussion with my real community?

As I write this, I’m feeling like the kid in the old fairy tale “The Emperor and His Clothes”. You know, the kid who stands in the crowd of onlookers of the emperor’s parade; the kid who dares to buck the villagers’ common consensus that the Emperor is adorned in a magnificent suit of clothing when, in fact, the Emperor is parading down the lane in his Royal Nakedity. Yah, that kid! The kid who comments on what’s before him exactly as he sees it.

So, here I am, one, and maybe the only, voice in the crowd resisting  the communications tsunami called Twitter.

Scott Love, business and game theory expert and keynote speaker, describes Twitter for sales professionals or executive recruiters in this way: Time Wasted In Trying To Escape Rejection.”  I think the acronym is spot on! Why?

The attempt to connect with a target audience in 140-character communiques is fruitless. What can be said that’s meaningful to customers? What is usually stated in tweets are moment-by-moment, self-focused, activity-based statements that result in very possibly boring readers.  Really, who cares that I’m checking in for my flight to Tucson, am working on chapter three of my doctoral thesis or am finishing a proposal for my newest client? Self-aggrandizement and maintaining a thriving business brand don’t mix.    

Twitter creates a communications conduit where many of the users update their list with the insignificant and self-focused. Tweets occur frequently. I find them as irritating and unproductive as a rash of mosquito bites.    

And for businesses, that kind of messaging is not only a time waster, but is potentially damaging to the brand.

Resisting the rush to Twitter while awaiting your kind responses, I am,

Till next time,

Cyndie