Thursday, April 28, 2011

So You Think You Don't Need To Tweet

I really don't need to know that Susie is on the deck enjoying ice tea.

Twitter is nothing more than idle chatter.

I text my friends and clients/customers so I don't need Twitter.

Twitter doesn't make sense to me.

I don't know if Twitter is right for me.

Is Twitter for everyone? A good question and one that eventually gets asked by individuals and companies who are venturing into the Twitter community for the first time. As you stare at your Twitter homepage with a few followers and, literally, a handful of tweets to your credit, you find yourself wondering … Is Twitter really for me?

Twitter Don't Get No Respect

There appears to be no middle ground when it comes to Twitter; you either love or hate the blue bird. There are some who say it has to do with your personality type. Some claim the platform favors outgoing people but many introverts are quick to say they love Twitter as it allows them to connect and build relationships on their own terms. It seems that Twitter has become the Rodney Dangerfield of social media but before you dismiss it completely, consider showing the blue bird a little love.


None of my customers are using Twitter so this is just a big waste of my time.

There are many other benefits to Twitter beyond simply making sales leads. Even if your customers aren't on Twitter - yet - the platform is a powerful way to learn, connect with your peers not to mention keeping track of what the competition is up to. Imagine yourself getting in front of the curve, becoming familiar with Twitter before your customers start asking you about its benefits.

Is there a place for Twitter in every organization and company?

It depends.

Lawyers, financial managers, medical professionals, caregivers and defense contractors may have strict regulatory limitations regarding information they can discuss in public so Twitter may not be appropriate. Keep in mind that Twitter is a form of publishing. Which brings an interesting point to consider: Where do your customers get their information?

People are jumping on the social media train in record numbers and are spending inordinately enormous amounts of time there. Ask any business owner what their number one marketing and business issue is and chances are they'll tell you "social media."

Aside from all the window-dressing, at its center, Twitter is a business networking tool - something many companies and individuals don't understand. If you view Twitter as just another way to broadcast company press releases or as your social media sales tool, you're missing the point.

You wouldn't attend an industry conference or a chamber meeting or event and read press releases out loud would you? Of course you wouldn't. You attend these events to seek out people to connect with, discuss subjects that you both have a common interest in and look for ways to work together. There's a reason why a social time is offered following an event.

Welcome to Twitter.

In today's always connected world, the role of social media in the business and personal world is blurring. There are a number of strategies to help you become successful on Twitter, which we'll explore in future posts but I won't leave you without first giving some words of Twitter advice:

  • Know your voice and be true. 
  • Everything you say on social media should sound like your company or brand.
  • Good content isn't fake and it doesn't make promises it can't keep.
  • It has personality which is what makes it engaging. Individuals actively engaged and connected on the social media network will sniff you out if you are pretending.
  • When networking, the successful relationships are built on trust and friendships, so it is perfectly acceptable - and welcome - to let others know a little bit about what is going on in your life; sports, charity and family.


Tweeting what is interesting to you on a daily basis, as long as its appropriate and professional, will add to your Twitter success.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Do you RSS?

They are everywhere ... those social media icons that direct us into the social media atmosphere.

Twitter - YouTube - Facebook - LinkedIn - Blogger

By now we're familiar with social media logos. You know what it means to "follow" and "join the conversation" and you've overcome your aversion to signing up for notifications.

That is until we are asked if we want to subscribe to RSS?

Huh?? 


RSS, which stands for "Real Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary", is a simple way of bringing content from an outside source directly to you!

The following video will help you understand the mystery behind RSS in Plain English. 




Now you're back on track with another social media tool in your arsenal.


Yeah .. you RSS!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

You Know Winter's Been Here Long Enough When ...



Honestly, it was here the last time I looked.
Really! And just when exactly would that have been?
Ok! Ok! You look over that way and I'll have a look see over here.




You know, I might have been mistaken. Maybe that was last year.
So, what do you think? Another two, three days before it's open?


"You Know Winter's Been Here Long Enough When ..." Digital Images.
Copyright (c) 2011 Al Scherwinski. Text Transcribed Verbatim.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Can I Scan QR Codes Without A Smartphone?

Does it seem as if everyone in the world has a Smartphone except for you? Sure you've had your eye on that iPhone or the latest Android technology but you're not quite ready to make the leap to a sleek new app filled phone. Does that mean are left out of today's technology loop and won't be able to take advantage of accessing the links hidden in those QR Codes?


Hardly.


ScanLife has introduced technology that brings barcode scanning to all mobile phones with MMS capabilities, no application needed.


ScanLife's new "Scan & Send" feature supports application-independent scanning of QR Code, Datamatrix, EZcodes and UPC barcodes. Users can now simply snap a photo of a barcode and send it via MMS to 43588 or e-mail to scan@scanlife.com to be decoded.


Images are decoded similar to applications for iPhone or Android apps but the user is sent an MMS message with actions associated with the code, including links to product information, photos and phone numbers.


According to ScanLife CEO and president Mike Wehrs, "Scanbuy's technology now allows a brand, agency or retailer to reach at least 80% of today's camera phone users with industry standard barcodes. The user experience now ranges from taking a picture and send it (a seven keystroke solution) to a zero click, very fast recognition when using the ScanLife app on the over 190 models of phones that are supported."


The only downside is that the Scan & Send MMS feature is limited to U.S. users on Verizon, Sprint and AT&T, though the e-mail option will still work for camera phone owners on other carriers.


Bibliography: Internet: www.mashable; www.fresnobee.com