Biz Tips Blog: Online Marketing, Visibility and Business Blogging Tips

Social Media for Those Who Don't Want to Waste Time on Social Media

Social Media for Those Who Don't Want to Waste Time on Social Media - guest post by Warren Whitlock, co-author of Twitter Revolution.

When I started using the technologies that later became known as social media, before writing Twitter Revolution,  I would have never thought there would come a time when I would get asked every day:

"How do you find the time to use social media?"

As a serial entrepreneur investing and using online connections to build my businesses, I just assumed that I'd only pursue technologies that were good for business. Playing games is not my style.

Blogging, social networking sites, online media and the tools like Twitter are not only a must have for any blog or business that wants to be found online… they will save you time when used right.

Getting Into the Conversations of Customers

At first glance, the conversations fragments you see online look like a waste of time. People talking about TV shows, sports, the weather and what they ate for breakfast. According to the studies we've seen on Twitter, 4 out of 5 people never get past setting up an account and wondering what to do next.

Twitter Lists: How To Video by Amy Porterfield

Following up on my post about creating twitter lists, I want to share a good, clear video on how to set up lists by my colleague Amy Porterfield.

If you blog for your business, you should check out my post on a business blogger list I'm putting together and find out how you can get on the list.

I think by this time just about everyone on twitter has lists enabled and there are numerous conversations about the best way to use lists. Like everything else in social media, there are no rules so figure out what works best for you.

One list I'm going to create that will take care my Friday Follow challenge (I don't play because I know I'm going to leave someone important out and then feel bad). I'm going to create a #FF list and add all the great peeps I recommend you to follow. Since I can add people whenever I want and then share a link to the list every Friday, seems to be a good solution. We'll see.

I'm enjoying the filtering nature of lists and the amazing array of filters people use. I randomly click on lists that intrigue me to see who is on them and always find interesting new people to connect with. I'm also finding that the number of followers I have is growing much faster. 

As my colleague Naomi Trower suggests, a great way to start conversations is to tweet your thanks to people who have added you to their lists.

Twitter Lists Provide More Opportunity for Online Visibility

Imagine your tweets showing up on websites and blogs all over the web. The potential for reaching new readers, fans and followers is mind-boggling. I read an article on WebProNews about how to use the Twitter List widget to do just this. The article, By Tweeting You Could Appear All Over the Web, describes why and how to do this. Rather than me rewriting the info, click through and read the post!

As author Chris Crum states, this is a good reason to make sure you're tweeting good stuff. And I would add: make sure you have a great avatar that reflects who you are as a professional.

Below is a widget I created from a list I put together of some of the savvy business women I know and partner with in various ways. The great thing about lists is that they're always evolving. As I run across or remember people, I can easily add them to any of the lists I have set up.

Twitter lists are all the rage in the twitterverse right now with pros and cons about setting up lists and appearing on lists being bandied about. If you're not sure about lists or you have no idea what I'm talking about because they haven't been enabled on your account yet, here's a comprehensive post on Twitip explaining the ins and outs of lists. My account was finally enabled last Friday and the whole thing is a beta project so don't fret if you don't have lists yet. It's a big time suck once you have access!

Related Post:

Twitter Tip: Finding People to Follow

Online Visibility Tip: Ping.fm Helps You Automate

Online Visibility Tip: In order to be findable by your ideal clients, you need to be visible all over the Web. Use Ping.fm to automate status and blog updates on multiple platforms like twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Posterous and your blogs. Watch the video to find out why you need to segment your updates (can't see the video, click here)...

What I see everyday is professionals missing major opportunities because they are not leveraging their content and not making the time to spread their message ALL OVER the Web.

Got on a tip for boosting online visibility? Post your tip in the comments and I'll pick a random winner and send a copy of Hugh MacLoed's new book Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys to Creativity.

And, check out my Online Visibility Secrets course which launches soon!

Related Online Visibility Tips:
Usernamecheck.com Protects You

Posterous Can Help You Extend Your Online Visibility

Twitter Tip: Finding People to Follow

For the last few weeks I've be keeping a list of twitter tools that are helpful for finding people to follow. And today I've seen several references to finding people on twitter from Mari Smith and Rich Brooks.

Often when starting on twitter, it can seem confusing to try and figure who you should be or would like to be following. Why do you want to follow people? It's the best way to meet cool, smart, influential people AND sometimes they follow you back! :-)

My first suggestion is to follow influential people in your industry, your clients and customers, vendors, competitors, colleagues and friends. You can use the search feature on your twitter profile (upper right, click on Find People).

Then there are the tools that help you hone in on more people to add to your list...