Twitter ...

I am often asked "what, who, where is Twitter?" "What is it?" "I don't understand it?" "Why do you do it?" Or more commonly I get snickers or snide comments such as, "I tried it and I think it's a waste of time." To each their own, I know Twitter is NOT everyone's cup of tea, but for me ... I personally take great pleasure on my windows of time I spend on Twitter.

As with our Facebook fan page, I source local events and going-ons in Roseville and Rocklin, but I also interact with others. I follow some purely on relationship (usually because I find them funny, sweet or amazing), but others I follow because they enrich my mind whether in real estate, marketing or design. All on the edge material and what's happening RIGHT now.

BUT if interacting is not your forté ... may I suggest making an account just to follow others for the latest news, or your favorite companies. It's an amazing tool and many companies are using it as their sounding board of latest items and updates.

You can even make a RSS feed with your favorite follow!

There is NO right way to use the tool, but there are plenty of wrong ways. Spam and getting followers in masses is generally looked down up by the general "regular" twitter community. If you are just spouting off about your great product and listing off your newest listed home and NEVER interact with others ... you WILL NOT get ANYTHING out of Twitter. Who wants to engage on a one-way street? C'mon put your thinking cap on here, it doesn't take a genius to realize that fact. There has to be balance with the information you put forth, take the time to engage with another or perhaps even push their information forward [called a ReTweet (RT)] I usually keep my personal business to about 20% or less of my tweets, BUT when I do tweet business ... it's usually received well.

If you do take up the twitter to engage and chat with others and listen ... it's amazing what will not only happen to your experience, but your mind will develop and you can meet new people. Who knows where the world can take you. It's the freshest way to meet others and also perhaps network. Take a look at some of the big companies, like Southwest and Starbucks who have used this opportunity to work directly with their consumers. They are a "touchable big brand."

Please of course use safety and be smart about your public matters. Stating your location real time should be used with caution and establishing patterns.

Here are some of the faces I follow on Twitter.

Get your twitter mosaic here.

If ever you want a leg-up on this Twitter world, or you have questions on how it works and how to incorporate twitter into your personal or business platform, write me any time. You will need a logo or avatar or small photo of yourself. Decide how to present yourself ... I encourage a real photo at first ... second get a bio up ... large or small. Third, use the search tool to find locals and/or find people within your trade or profession or interest. "Sacramento Moms" or "Real Estate Roseville" ... start there and start talking using the @ symbol directly in front of their name.

Many of the folks I follow are amazing, local business people. I feel so lucky to know so many exciting, creative and motivated minds. Plus many I have met in real life and now I call friends ...

Sure you might not enjoy the experience, but I see so many asking questions about it, I will be happy to help in any way I can ... plus you can ask me about other forms of social media and tools we help ourselves with our business.

Enjoy your experience wherever you are!
Happy living!