The essence of social media can be found in a compelling new kind of internet "conversation". Unofficially, the world headquarters of this conversation (at this time) is located at "Twitter" - www.twitter.com.
Please allow me to explain.
Between emerging new technologies, the economic downturn, the Presidential election, and a general evolution of change happening all around us, there is a dynamic movement taking place you may not even know about (and has been for several years to be fair) that involves (in my opinion) some of the freshest and brightest business and marketing thinkers of the times. All these synergies are driving more and more people to explore a vehicle called "social media marketing", and/or "new media", but commonly known as "social networking".
When I dig into something that intrigues me, my approach is to figure it out, top to bottom. Study the history, the players and the trends, the upside and downside. It took me a little while to figure out that Twitter is essentially (I believe) the "heart" of social media movement. Maybe Facebook and MySpace have the social cool networking niche going, but Twitter is where the action is happening. The reason for this, is because most of the major social media players (pioneers, news agencies, some celebrities, marketers, professionals, and everyday people) are here and are communicating regularly, and daily.
I've been on Twitter for a couple months now. At first, it was a novelty. New, fresh, different, unique. Finding my way around took a while, but now I am a daily contributor, and like many others on Twitter, I am using this opportunity to learn how the social media/2.0 movement can be compatible with business relationships, and short and long term client growth and communication. Not just for current times, but the future.
While there are many social media sites to choose from, and I encourage you to check them all out (Friendfeed, Pownce, Plurk, etc), in 2008, in this moment, Twitter is the most engaging social media platform for the everyday person to take advantage of. Here before you (and Twitter is on the cutting-edge), is a "potentially" futuristic portal to step in and engage in a innovative discussion which connects people to what I now like to call, a "New Frontier".
What exactly is this new frontier? Well, I am still trying to figure it out, and as I do, will be blogging, microblogging and talking it up to clients, and probably anyone who will listen. Preliminarily, the new frontier is a place where businesses, consumers, organizations and anyone in general can communicate on a genuine, transparent and instantaneous level platform.
In recent times, several mainstream companies and individuals from all walks of life are jumping on the Twitter bandwagon to establish their presence and build their company brand name or individual name recognition.
But the hidden opportunity with Twitter, and some other social media sites is in accessing this cutting-edge information and gaining new perspectives from "influential social media pioneers" who are "freely" passing their ideas and knowledge along. I do not believe this "gift" will last forever. If you decide to explore this forum, enjoy it now, and learn from it, especially while the economy is in a down period, and things are generally slower in life.
There is a surplus of information out there on how to take advantage of Twitter. In a nutshell, here is how to make it work for you.
1.) First. It's free, and takes a few minutes to set up. Most of social networking is free. (for now)
2.) Build a following. Add profiles to follow. If you add just 34 people, you are only seeing 34 conversations. If you add 50 to 300 profiles in the first few weeks you can get a broader picture of who's who, and what they are contributing to the conversation. You can delete a profile anytime. And, you will get followed back by some or more people.
3.) Who you follow is important. For example:
If you want to have fun, be amused and live vicariously through charismatic, adventurous personalities, follow Justine Ezarik (http://twitter.com/ijustine) or Britney Spears (http://twitter.com/therealbritney).
If you want to enhance your presentation skills and tap into a voice of an entrepreneurial spirit of the times, maybe follow Guy Kawasaki (http://twitter.com/guykawasaki).
If you want to watch firsthand how to engage a broad audience, watch Chris Brogan (http://twitter.com/chrisbrogan) in action. I've been studying Twitter closely, and Chris has got it down. He sends a tweet out to his 17,000+ followers, asking a question, plugging a blog, etc, and people immediately react and respond. He is well respected on Twitter, and clearly, he has earned this position. Chris Brogan IS the leading social media "teacher".
If you want to learn how to take advantage of Web 2.0 social media tools, check out Liz Strauss (http://twitter.com/lizstrauss).
I can go on and on, but best for you to discover this world for yourself. To the right sidebar on this page are links to some of the best bloggers out there. This is NOT a comprehensive list, and I've for sure left off some personalities who rightly belong there. But, I don't want to make it a long super list paying homage to the social media "Rock Stars". Just want it to be a touchstone for people to get a feel as to what is happening, and who is doing a good to great job in social media land.
4.) Contribute to the platform with "good" content. The way to build a following is to get yourself out there and provide insights, information, new ways of looking at things. Find your niche, and step in and figure it out. You will need to be ready to write, be assertive, intelligent, and yes, polite. Twitter is not an AOL chatroom, or yahoo group. Really, a whole different animal.
5.) Make it real, and entertaining if possible. In this social chattering world, genuine wins over being superficial. People want to interact with real people, and here is a relatively new way to do it.
Oh, one more thing. For some, building a Twitter following can become addictive. If you discover your voice, and build a solid following, you subject yourself to becoming a "minor to major" celebrity in the social media circles. Try not to let it go to your head. Raging ego's are so 2004. If you want to build a following of 5,000 or more followers, good luck. Some people are in it for the popularity numbers, but the numbers aren't everything. Sometimes, there are more important things in life than popularity, and right now, in a time of turbulent change in America and abroad, something special is happening in Twitter.
Twitter may not be for you, and that's fine. But if it is, good luck and enjoy the ride.
Scott - http://twitter.com/ScottSays
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