Twitter, Twitter Everywhere!

bird designed by Gopal Raju 

Hey there, Parker here. I like Twitter. I like staying informed on what's happening on the subjects and industries I follow. @SteveCase appeals to me because of his philanthropic efforts and research. @WebMarketing123 provides valuable insights I can use in my day-to-day work activities. I can count on @omar_k_mills (he screens followers, but is definitely worth it) to always put a smile on my face so I look forward to anything he tweets.


But then there are a few users that have gone into Twitter frenzy and are over-saturating my timeline with too many updates.


Companies showcasing their expertise may actually lose followers simply because they are posting white papers, articles and insights every 13 minutes. I've followed, then un-followed many of them because they typically send 20 new tweets within a 15 minute window. (True story, I just timed it).


Don't get me wrong, a lot of the links point to useful information and I would take time to read it all if I could. But too much information dilutes the message you want to get across. Rather than thought-leadership, the perception is regurgitation.


Since Parker (me in the 3rd person) is a solutions-oriented person and this blog is about my observations, rants and raves in online marketing, here are my suggestions for a better Twitter experience:


Following: if you're serious about properly using the Twitter platform try to pad a little time in-between tweets. Maybe once an hour? Or, how about limiting it to only 4 or 5 meaningful updates during business hours?


Followers: If you do not wish to stop following, I suggest you take advantage of the 'Lists' feature in Twitter. You can organize the users you follow into various lists then instantly access the 140 tweets they've sent that day at your leisure. (Be aware you will be limited to just 20 lists).


That's my rant for today, folks.


Best,
Parker

Parker's Thoughts: Social Media and Your Personal Brand Risks

Hi there, it's Parker here.  This has been on my mind lately so I have to say something.  Often you hear stories of a person who accidentally leaves the speaker phone unmuted and speaks his true feelings about the boss aloud for the entire group to hear.  Or someone who gossips about another in the restroom, not knowing said person is in the next stall.  Embarrassing right?  Well people, that's called risk.


You open your mouth, you take a risk that your words will come back to haunt you.


Does that mean you should stop talking, sew your mouth shut or rip out a vocal cord?  Well, maybe (don't get offensive, some of you should consider those options).  But why do that when your instant message, tweet, facebook status update or 4-square check-in could be just as incriminating?


Social media allows you to broadcast your every thought, your every whim, to a world-wide audience in real-time.  Your forum comments and blog posts get collected in search engines and displayed in search results.  If you're a celebrity, your tweets are often screen-captured and that image is saved for later reference.  Take it from me, 7 years later and my rant about Beyonce still comes up!


Just like you can't unspeak those disparaging remarks about your boss, you can't always un-tweet the 140 character text about your night filled with binge-drinking and debauchery that lead to you calling your boss requesting time off to care for your ailing family-member (the hangover).  Either way, your boss finds out the truth.


If your personal marketing strategy involves a venture into online social media, understand that every keystroke and finger tap is contributing to your personal brand.  For better or for worse.  


Here are some options:

• Lose the brand equity you've spent years cultivating and start all over with a new online identity. (no!)
  
• Split your energy in half, worrisomely manage two completely separate personal and professional online identities, and never the twain shall meet. (pffft!)
  
• Treat risk management and social media as a high priority and develop a zero tolerance policy. (yes!)

The choice is simple.


Best, 
Parker