Comments on: Who To Follow on Twitter a Philly POV

By: Michael Benidt

Michael Benidt — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:37:10 +0000

Cathy, thanks for the clarification – and the poetic wax about serendipity.

We love the inspirational speaker, Cheryl Richardson, for what she calls “moments of grace.” Whether it’s happenstance, serendipity, “moments of grace” or the hand of the big guy, she teaches us to key a sharp eye out for those moments. What’s cool about the social web is that it multiplies the chances for such moments of grace. What’s not cool about the social internet is that so many folks are just using it as a podium for their sales message. That second group is currently driving out some of my desire to connect to the first.

When it comes to the social web, I wish there were fewer folks “pitching me” and more commenting that they like one of the same books I listed on my Facebook profile.

By: CathyWebSavvyPR

CathyWebSavvyPR — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:32:47 +0000

Christine and Irene, thanks for the comments. Glad to have interacted with you both (via twitter, over the phone -Irene- and in person -Christine-).

Michael, while I agree in principal with your comment, that following people you know already, and those in your industry would be waste, if that is all who you connect with on twitter.

However, I have found that we all bring something to the table. I have received great insights from my peers in PR & Social Media, links to good articles, shared info on programs that work/don’t work, found business partners and more.

But, they are not by any means the only people I connect with, and I do agree that I see too much of that on Twitter. It’s okay in my book to start with a few people you know, so they can help you learn about twitter, and see who they interact with on twitter. But I too encourage folks to step out of the known, as one of the strengths of Twitter is the serendipity of connections that you find. Connecting with someone can (and has for me) lead to information and connections that were unexpected and just what I needed at the time. I have connected with amazing people all over the world, and right in my own neighborhood, whom I would never have “met” if it were not for these 140 character strings of text we send out from our keyboards.

Sorry to wax poetic, but the serendipity factor of Twitter intrigues me, and is worth exploring.

By: Michael Benidt

Michael Benidt — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:51 +0000

Great article. Makes me want to write a companion piece that I might call “Who Not to Follow on Twitter.” We watch all the time as people from an industry follow all their other buddies in that industry. For instance, speakers follow other speakers. Guess what, they already know those folks – and that’s not their target audience. I’d say, don’t follow the people you already know. Twitter wants you to surrender your GMail or Outlook contacts, but tell them to go jump.

Follow people you don’ t already know – from areas that might be new to you. Follow folks you might learn from, be challenged by or who are from that “other” political party (heaven forbid!). Use Twitter to stretch yourself a bit.

By: Irene Koehler

Irene Koehler — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:20:18 +0000

Hi Cathy,

You’ve compiled a great list of helpful people and resources. I’ve shared your post with folks new to Twitter and will continue to do so.

Twitter is a fabulous tool when used to connect with people, as opposed to self-promote or broadcast endlessly. I never would have had the opportunity to meet you without it. That alone is worth the price of admission!

Cheers,

Irene

http://twitter.com/irenekoehler

By: PurpleCar

PurpleCar — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:57:23 +0000

Hey Cathy!

Nice list! It is important to reach out to newbies on Twitter, especially since the latest stats say that 60% of new users quit Twitter. We’re guessing there is just too much spam.

I have a post (with TV spots) up on my blog that will help people get started on Twitter, located at http://www.purplecar.net/2009/03/11/how-to-start-using-twitter/.

Hope that helps!

-Christine Cavalier (PurpleCar)

By: @CathyWebSavvyPR

@CathyWebSavvyPR — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:51:55 +0000

P.S. I added a plugin that will create a hyperlink to a URL with either http://www.ULR.com or http://URL .com or a Twitter username with just the @username symbol – no need to type full twitter URL

By: @CathyWebSavvyPR

@CathyWebSavvyPR — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:49:06 +0000

Peeps, If I left you out of my list, I am sorry – limited space & constraints of TV story. but there were so many mom blogger peeps I left out and the mom angle of the story has gotten some comments so – these are also Moms on Twitter I respect and have worked with – @CarissaRogers @Jyl_MomIF @TypeAMom @ResourcefulMom All good moms doing interesting things.

By: Jen Bolger

Jen Bolger — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:18:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing some Twitter help and suggestions! We are just launching MomsLikeMe.com in Philadelphia. Join the Momversation!

By: classymommy

classymommy — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:09:23 +0000

Great job putting together this list for interesting “tweeple” to follow. I’m so excited to follow all these new resources. Thanks! Colleen

By: CathyWebSavvyPR

CathyWebSavvyPR — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:01:02 +0000

Tip to help people find you when commenting on a blog post.
1) put your website link, or twitter URL, into the space provided
Name: Email: Website: that way if we are interested in finding more about you, we can click on the link.
The Website needs to be http://www.yourURL.com or http://your URL.com – depending on your link. or for twitter http://twitter.com/yourusername

To add your Twitter ID link in the body of a blog comment, you need to do it like this to make it clickable: http://twitter.com/cathywebsavvypr

Just be aware, that general blog comment etiquette usually frowns on links to your own websites, except in the sign-in part of comment (see if others do it on a specific blog and follow their lead). But I think posting a twitter link here fosters communication – so go for it!