Margie Clayman

Let’s Talk About Following and Unfollowing on Twitter

If you hang out on Twitter for a bit, you are inevitably faced with a decision. “How many of these people following me should I follow back?” If you do research on the topic, you’ll find that there are plenty of blog posts on the subject. You’re also likely to find that many of these blog posts implore you to do everything that particular way. Many of these posts sort of deride other ways of approaching the great following/unfollowing question.

In the end, it’s kind of silly to get so worked up about these things, and besides, in the end it really comes down to how you want your Twitter world to turn. So let’s talk about some pros and cons of some of the advice you’ll encounter out there.

Let’s Talk About How To Get the Most Out of Twitter Chats

by Margie Clayman

A lot has been written about the basic techniques of how to approach a Twitter chat, how to follow a Twitter chat, and things like that. In fact, this post from the BlogWorld folks lists 26 posts about Twitter chats that should give you a pretty good summary of that kind of information. But today, I want to talk with you a little bit about something that doesn’t get talked about as much, and that is how to get the most that you can out of participating in a Twitter chat.

Twitter chats are interesting because they take the whole world of Twitter and minimize it into a much smaller group and a specific topic. That said, your approach to Twitter as a whole can be formulated and refined as you make your way through Twitter chats. The following are some mannerisms I’ve developed over the last year. That’s not to say they are the right ways to do it, but I have found chats have become increasingly rewarding as I have followed these basic ideas, so hopefully it will work the same way for you.

The Problem with Social Media Best-of Lists

by Margie Clayman

Lately, there has been an outpouring of “best of in Social Media” lists. Maybe it’s that time of year? I don’t know. As each list comes out, I scan the names, hoping to learn about new and fabulous people. But more than that, I look for the fabulous people I see working hard every day. I look to see if other people are noticing how hard they are working. Sadly, many times they are not on these lists.

It’s tough to say that these lists are wrong. I’ve seen Jay Baer on several lists lately and you’d be hard pressed to find me a person I admire more. Danny Brown has been on several lists lately and I think he’s a fabulous guy who works hard and tries to get it right while also being a truth-teller. There’s absolutely no question that the stuff Michael Stelzner is doing is amazing.

But…I’m still left with a feeling that more people are out there who could really benefit from lists like these. People who maybe don’t have as many followers or as many subscribers but who are just as wonderful, and for whom a spotlight would mean so darned much.

I raised this issue over on Google Plus last night and Drew McClellan said, “OK, fair enough. Who would you add to these lists?” I’m so glad you asked, Drew.

There are probably hundreds of people I could list, but I’ll give you my top eleven (because I can’t count) for right now at this minute. Get to know these people. Take a day to get to know each of them. Then get to know the people they know and see how your community expands and deepens.

I encourage you to make your own list – ten people (or 11, or 20, or 50) who never make “those” lists but who really should. Influence, I strongly believe, is something we decide for ourselves. While there are people who have the scope to influence many, that doesn’t mean they have what really counts.

1. Mark Schaefer: Mark has become sort of my Jimney Cricket over the last year. His blog raises issues that are both within and outside of the world of social media. His business acumen combines with a down-to-earth, easy-to-talk-to, genuine human being.

Mark’s Blog Mark on Twitter

2. Gini Dietrich: A lot of people have heard of Gini, but does she get the credit she deserves? It seems like Gini’s name only appears on lists when there is trouble to dish out, and it makes me mad, because not only is she brilliant and brave, she is also genuine, kind, and funny as all get-out.

Gini’s Blog Gini on Twitter Gini on G+

3. Fred McClimans: Fred is one of the most brilliant people I have met in my life. His brain turns my brain into pretzel 9 times out of ten. Despite that brilliance, Fred is also entirely approachable, extremely kind, very funny, and is out there sharing his wisdom in seemingly every chat there is.

Fred’s Blog Fred on Twitter

4. Cate Colgan: It drives me nuts that Cate doesn’t get more credit for all that she does online and offline. Cate has a well of support for those around her that doesn’t seem to have a bottom. She is always full of ideas, always warm, always understanding, and can always create a smile from seemingly nowhere.

Cate on Twitter:

5. Tristan Bishop: Tristan is one of the few people in the online world who can throw out motivational wisdom and have it not be anywhere near annoying because you know he lives it and truly believes it. The more you get to know Tristan, the more you realize how very multi-faceted he is. Another brilliant fellow who doesn’t let his brain get in the way, Tristan seems to be everywhere online and he is always making people feel better about themselves.

Tristan’s Blog Tristan on G+ Tristan on Twitter

6. Sherree Worrell: If Mark has become my Jimney Cricket, Sherree has become his partner in crime. When I need advice or a sounding board, Sherree has become one of my first choices to turn to. She is warm, sharp as a tack, and she shows pictures of REALLY cute kitties if you ask her nicely 🙂

Sherree’s Blog Sherree on G+ Sherree on Twitter

7. Jure Klepic: I only got to know Jure recently, but what an impact he has had on my online life. I would love to see lists that pay tribute to people who just jump in and bring a bright ray of light with them. Jure certainly fits into that category. A kinder, more outgoing person you’d be hard-pressed to find.

Jure on Twitter Jure on G+

8. Molly Cantrell-Kraig: How does Molly not make these social media lists? She is one of the most inspirational women you can find and uses social media the way it is supposed to be used. I am very happy that I know so many people who know and adore Molly so that I have had a chance to get to know her better. Now I’m doing that favor for you.

Molly on Twitter Molly on G+

9. Sam Fiorella: Whenever something cool is going down, Sam is sure to be there. That’s not accidental. Whether it’s UnGeeked, a great chat, or 12most, I’ve run into Sam everywhere. He’s a smart guy, he has a wicked sense of humor that often puts my own to shame, and he does social media the right way – in that he gives a lot and asks for little. He deserves far more credit than he gets.

Sam’s Blog Sam on Twitter Sam on G+

9. Peg Fitzpatrick: Peg is another woman who seems to know everyone and who seems to be involved in everything. I remember when she first came onto the Twitter scene – she immediately struck me as someone who “gets” how be a star online. She is just full of energy, seldom has a bad word to say about anyone or anything, and can be friends with anyone she meets. Now it’s your turn.

Peggy’s Blog Peggy on Twitter Peggy on G+

10. Stanford Smith: Does anyone notice everything that Stan is doing for people? He can teach you how to blog, slap you upside the head for being lazy, and charm you by pointing out everything you’re doing right all in one post. Stan works harder than most people I know and is someone I always strive to keep up with.

Stan’s Blog Stan on Twitter Stan on G+

What do you think abou the lists that have been floating around? I’d love to talk with you about it!

Image by Stephanie Berghaeuser. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/kirsche222

The End of a Soapy Era

by Margie Clayman

I would be remiss if I did not take time to note here that yesterday marked the end of the ABC Soap Operas One Life to Live and All My Children. If you’ve never been into soap operas, it’s sort of difficult to explain the levels of bummerism that this is creating in a lot of people. The best way I can explain it is that it’s like following a sports team, the same sports team, for years and years years. You watch all of the drama, you watch players come and go, you watch players come back as coaches or owners. Except, of course, in soap operas you also have everyone marrying each other, having kids, getting shot, and all that kind of stuff. Not so much of that in say, baseball.

When you talk about social networking, people who have been into soap operas know what that means on a deep level. Fans of a show were part of families like the Chandlers from All My Children. We all knew that Erica would very likely find some other guy to catch her eye, often on her wedding day. We would heave big sighs at 1:15 on a Thursday knowing that so and so was going to get through surgery and be fine. Even before Al Gore invented the internet, everyone who watched the soaps, along with the people on the soaps, were all tied together.

Soap Operas are unlike any other medium out there. My mom has been watching stories involving the same characters for 40 years, since All My Children began. I remember watching AMC when I was home sick from school. During summer vacation, my mom and I would eat lunch and yell at AMC. My freshman year in college, I made sure not to schedule any 1 PM classes so I could watch and not feel so homesick. It was like that for a lot of people. It was a way of checking in, not just with the characters but all of the people who watched the show with you. Even if you didn’t talk about it every day, the storylines on these shows were part of the fabric that made up your life.

It’s true that the soaps are going to try to become online serials. I’m not sure if that will work or not. I feel like it’ll be a rough struggle. And anyway, it won’t be the same.

I’ll miss you, ABC Soaps. I will feel really sad when shows like South Park and the Simpsons at long last come to an end, but those characters never aged, and for the most part never matured or changed. Certainly none of the characters experienced multiple personality disorders or baby swaps. There’s just nothing quite like you, and I don’t think there will ever be again.

Thanks for the memories.

Image Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Ambrozjo

Let’s Talk About How To Make the Most of Retweets

by Margie Clayman

Ah, retweeting content on Twitter. Such a good idea. I mean, retweeting seems like it carries so much more weight than that little thumbs up on Facebook or that little +1 on Google Plus, doesn’t it? It has so much potential!

Sadly, a lot of people retweet in just the same way that they “like” or “+1.” It’s all a matter of clicking a button. However, in the world of Twitter, you are missing out on a world of opportunity if you just hit “retweet.” If you add a brief comment before or after your retweet, you are showing the person you’re retweeting that you really know and appreciate what they said (or maybe you really didn’t appreciate it, but at least they know you’re not responding without much care). You’re also passing along another person’s content to your followers in such a way that they are getting that content plus your take on it. That’s pretty darned efficient for 120 characters, I think!

So how can we make the most out of that little RT? Here are some ideas that I use.

Do I Have to Eat the Grits to Get the Tasty Stuff?

by Margie Clayman

I love this post by my friend Judy Helfand! So glad she wrote it for me 🙂 Judy Helfand is co-owner of Webconsuls, LLC, functioning as a Project Manager. She has worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies in both the banking and insurance industry and has successfully owned and operated two small businesses – a country inn in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Webconsuls, LLC. Judy’s personal blog is Judy’s Op-Ed and she also writes and manages Webconsuls’ Blog. Feel free to follow her Twitter @judyhelfand.

Do you have a favorite recipe for grits?

That’s right. I want to know how you prepare grits. The reason I ask is while reading The Help, I came across this passage:

“In the kitchen, I fix some grits without no seasoning, and put them baby marshmallows on top. I toast the whole thing to make it a little crunchy. Then I garnish it with a cut-up strawberry. That’s all a grit is, a vehicle. For whatever it is you rather be eating.”

I was so taken by these few sentences that I stopped reading for a minute, dog-eared the page, and then thought about how most of what we do in the social media world is to use vehicles that might propel us into those prestigious social media communities and from there who knows.

Think about this for a minute. Do you like GRITS or is it the salt, butter, and/or brown sugar that is sitting on top of the GRITS? The same with oatmeal or cream of wheat. Do you like french toast or is it the maple syrup, melted butter, preserves that are dripping down each slice of toast? Would you eat the french toast if you were out of butter, cinnamon, maple syrup or preserves? My guess is you wouldn’t bother. You wouldn’t waste your energy, you would just eat a couple of slices of bread to ease your immediate hunger. (Although my father liked to put salt and pepper on his french toast, but maybe that was a holdover from the depression.)

Remember when you would add excessive cream to your coffee and your friends might have quipped: “Gee, why not have some coffee with your cream?” The truth is you probably really didn’t like coffee, but if you added enough cream to it so you could tolerate the coffee and join in the old-fashioned coffee break – you were magically part of the community.

But back to today’s virtual social communities, what vehicle(s) do you have to use in order to get to be where you want to be? Are you using these vehicles: blogs,Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, disqus, livefrye, chats? That’s just seven, there are hundreds. I don’t have to name them all. And yes, I know I didn’t mention Google+ or Triberr. Maybe the more important question is where do you want to be? Or need to be?

Margie Clayman

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