blogging — A Familiar Path

Why use twitter?

March 4, 2011 by Melissa Filed Under: blogging

Yesterday I asked how many of you use Twitter and I gave you four helpful tips if you are just getting started. Today I want to talk about why you might even consider using Twitter.

I know your dilemma: you’re already on Facebook and it’s zapping all your time. How can you add one more thing to your life without going crazy? And, if you add Twitter, do you drop Facebook?

I think they are both necessary and for different reasons. I could talk about the reasons your blog or business needs a Facebook Fan Page, but today my focus is Twitter. I’m going to give you four reasons why you need to be using twitter right now.

1. You have questions. Twitter has answers.

I sent out a tweet about podcasting and Alyssa responded. This was how I finally added the final piece of the puzzle for podcasting on my church’s website. Twitter is full of interesting and smart people. You can find out just about anything you want to know just by asking your friends on twitter. It’s a helpful place.

2. Twitter can help you get the word out about your business, services or products.

On my local news channel recently, they had a story about two business owners in Little Rock, AR who had promoted their business basically using only twitter and had seen amazing growth. I know this is also true for people in the handmade business. You can find your people and share what works, promote each other and build a following of people who love what you do.

3. Twitter can help grow your blog readers.

Many people now use twitter as a blog reader. People tweet their posts and followers click over and read. But even better, your post is good enough to get retweeted and your friends followers see it, friends of your friends followers read it and basically your post has been around the world. That’s the power of twitter.

4. Twitter makes connections.

I can’t tell you how many people I heard at Blissdom say to someone else, “I know you on Twitter!” People who normally don’t follow your blog may follow you on Twitter. You get to know that little twit pic profile picture and a general idea of who they are through their tweets.

So, now you’re on Twitter and you know why you need Twitter. Now what do you do? Next up, what you should be tweeting.

New to Twitter? Follow me, say hi and I’ll follow you back. I had several new people follow me on Twitter and say hi after yesterday’s post. Hey ya’ll! Thanks for following.

6 Comments

Do you tweet?

March 3, 2011 by Melissa Filed Under: blogging

Some of you may be groaning, “Are you serious? Another social media platform I have to learn?” But really, it can be fun. And, if you’re thinking about diving into twitter, I’ve got a few tips for you.

1. Use your name. Or your blog name, if you are just now setting up a twitter account. Mine is afamiliarpath. People will get to know you by your twitter handle and it needs to be something that they can identify either with you or your blog, or maybe even your business. Really, sab5ut78 just doesn’t say that much about you. And it’s very forgettable.

2. Get tweetdeck. Either the free app for your iphone or install it on your computer. Being able to see all three columns: all friends, mentions, and direct messages, as well as being able to follow certain hashtag topics or even your facebook stream makes twitter so much easier and more fun.

(Yes, @eclecticwhatnot is often the only one who talks back to me on twitter.)

3. Upload a picture of yourself. I don’t like to follow anyone without a picture and/or a blog link in their profile. I like to know who I’m talking to. Also, fill in some info in your profile about who you are. Mine says, “South Arkansas child and family photographer, blogger, Coke drinker, Carmex addict, homeschool mom of 4.” But I might change it tomorrow. If I want to.

4. Design your own twitter background. Ok, I may have gone a step too far there, but it’s something I enjoy doing. In fact, I probably need to update mine. I think it might look weird in Internet Explorer. Google how to design your own background and you’ll find some helpful sights out there that can guide you through it. If you’re into that kind of thing. If not, don’t sweat it. Your twitter landing page isn’t seen that often. People can easily follow you from tweet deck without ever even going to your landing page.

5. Follow me. And say hello. That way I can follow you back.

Still not convinced? Come back tomorrow and I’ll tell you why you should be on twitter.

Post inspired by a conversation I had with Suzanne. She’s going to be all over twitter soon.

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Blissdom 11

January 30, 2011 by Melissa Filed Under: blogging, friends

There’s so much packed into just a few short days that it feels impossible to even write about it. At a small panel I attended on the last day we were asked to tell our name, blog and what one thing we took away from Blissdom. I sat panicked, my heart beating furiously because I had no idea what I was going to say when it was my turn and I tend to freak out when I have to speak out loud in a crowd. I grasped frantically for the answer, was it something in the awesome opening keynote by Brene Brown? What about the amazing ending keynote by Scott Stratten? Had any one thing from the sessions stuck with me?

What came to mind was this:

and I tried to put that into words.

So, when it came my turn I said, “What I took away was that the community of people and friendships we develop online turn out to be just as important and real as the friendships we have in our offline, everyday lives.” (Though probably not as neatly. I’m sure I stuttered and shook as I spit it out.)

Blissdom 2010 was different from Blissdom 2011. This year I went knowing there were people I wanted to see again and spend time with. People whose blogs I read and feel like I already know, like Edie, Emily, Nester, Melissa, Patty and Gussy. And it was such a joy to hug their necks and chat a short while. It’s never enough time.

Patty from Serendipity

I also met some new people. People whose blogs I haven’t read, but now I want to. People like Jessica, Shannan, Nish, Ashleigh and Abby. These people I sat with, ate with, listened to and now call new friends.

And then, because Ruthanne is crafty, I was able to meet and hang out with some of her friends, the crafty girls who blog. People like Jessica, Mique, Jeanette, Lindsey and April. Crafty girls have the best blog cards. They come with handmade goodies.