Using Twitter to connect with key influencers.
How many key industry influencers in your niche are subscribers to your newsletter or regularly read your blog entries?
Not many?
That’s probably the wrong question. The right question is, “Who knows?”
I don’t know who reads my blogs. Maybe some influential people in online marketing do read them. But unless they leave a comment, I don’t know.
The same goes for my e-newsletters. I suppose I could read through thousands upon thousands of email addresses and try to identify some big names. But then what? Do I just email them a private message, out of the blue?
Blogs and e-newsletters are still working within the old-world publishing paradigm. I am the owner and writer and publisher...and those who subscribe are “my” readers. Both platforms allow for limited interaction. But it really is very limited.
Now let’s look at how Twitter works, with a timely example.
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a new book that was soon to be published. It’s called World Wide Rave: Creating Triggers that Get Millions of People to Spread Your Ideas and Share Your Stories
, by David Meerman Scott. It’s on the topic of how one can use social media to spread one’s message. It’s a marketing book, but looking at a whole new way of marketing. I highly recommend you get a copy.
Anyway, I went to Amazon, pre-ordered it, and the book finally arrived yesterday. After reading a few pages I wrote a short Tweet about the book.
As you can see, that was tweeted just 16 hours ago.
Now let’s look at what appeared on my Twitter page just six hours later.
It wasn’t my intention to solicit a response from the author. I wrote the Tweet simply because I felt that the people following my Tweets might be interested.
That’s how things happen on Twitter. Unlike with blogging, writing articles on my websites or publishing my e-newsletters, Twitter does an amazing job at matching and connecting people with similar interests. And it’s fast, fast, fast.
Is there value in my having connected with David Meerman Scott?
I don’t know. It’s not my intention to somehow rush to take advantage of this passing introduction. But yes, I can see there might be something there. We are both authors and speakers with an interest in online marketing.
As if we were at that party with the bowl of popcorn being passed around, he and I have shared a few words, exchanged a virtual business card (our Twitter pages) and moved on.
Would I have made that connection without Twitter? I very much doubt it.
Here is another example, shared by fellow writer @KathleenRoberts:
Whether you are hoping to connect with prospective clients, or make connections with key influencers in your area of interest, Twitter not only helps you find these people but also helps facilitate introductions at lightning speed.
This means that while Twitter may be fast-moving and very much about what’s happening “now”, it can also create connections that will have great value to you in the long term.
Back when I started out as a specialist in online copywriting the most efficient way for me to meet other movers and shakers was to speak at as many conferences as possible. Mingling with the other speakers created relationships that helped shape my professional future.
But flying from city to city a few times each month was a massively inefficient way to achieve that result.
I didn’t have to fly anywhere to make contact with David Meerman Scott. I just wrote a 14-word Tweet.
Not many?
That’s probably the wrong question. The right question is, “Who knows?”
I don’t know who reads my blogs. Maybe some influential people in online marketing do read them. But unless they leave a comment, I don’t know.
The same goes for my e-newsletters. I suppose I could read through thousands upon thousands of email addresses and try to identify some big names. But then what? Do I just email them a private message, out of the blue?
Blogs and e-newsletters are still working within the old-world publishing paradigm. I am the owner and writer and publisher...and those who subscribe are “my” readers. Both platforms allow for limited interaction. But it really is very limited.
Now let’s look at how Twitter works, with a timely example.
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a new book that was soon to be published. It’s called World Wide Rave: Creating Triggers that Get Millions of People to Spread Your Ideas and Share Your Stories
, by David Meerman Scott. It’s on the topic of how one can use social media to spread one’s message. It’s a marketing book, but looking at a whole new way of marketing. I highly recommend you get a copy.Anyway, I went to Amazon, pre-ordered it, and the book finally arrived yesterday. After reading a few pages I wrote a short Tweet about the book.
As you can see, that was tweeted just 16 hours ago.
Now let’s look at what appeared on my Twitter page just six hours later.
It wasn’t my intention to solicit a response from the author. I wrote the Tweet simply because I felt that the people following my Tweets might be interested.
That’s how things happen on Twitter. Unlike with blogging, writing articles on my websites or publishing my e-newsletters, Twitter does an amazing job at matching and connecting people with similar interests. And it’s fast, fast, fast.
Is there value in my having connected with David Meerman Scott?
I don’t know. It’s not my intention to somehow rush to take advantage of this passing introduction. But yes, I can see there might be something there. We are both authors and speakers with an interest in online marketing.
As if we were at that party with the bowl of popcorn being passed around, he and I have shared a few words, exchanged a virtual business card (our Twitter pages) and moved on.
Would I have made that connection without Twitter? I very much doubt it.
Here is another example, shared by fellow writer @KathleenRoberts:
“I originally joined Twitter for the opportunity to learn from others. However, I am please to say I have also made a few nice business connections.
Because I am able to choose who I follow on Twitter, I seem to be able to connect with a higher caliber of clients. Craigslist often has questionable writing gigs. Twitter has connected me with serious business people. Joining was definitely a wise move for my business.”
Whether you are hoping to connect with prospective clients, or make connections with key influencers in your area of interest, Twitter not only helps you find these people but also helps facilitate introductions at lightning speed.
This means that while Twitter may be fast-moving and very much about what’s happening “now”, it can also create connections that will have great value to you in the long term.
Back when I started out as a specialist in online copywriting the most efficient way for me to meet other movers and shakers was to speak at as many conferences as possible. Mingling with the other speakers created relationships that helped shape my professional future.
But flying from city to city a few times each month was a massively inefficient way to achieve that result.
I didn’t have to fly anywhere to make contact with David Meerman Scott. I just wrote a 14-word Tweet.
Nick,
I just recently started using Twitter with my goal to establish personal relationships that turn into professional relationships that ultimately turn into paying clients.
I'm not sure how it will work, but your comments make complete sense, and there was very little of your time spent writing your tweet.
I'm trying to find a balance of personality and business in my tweets.
I guess time will tell.
Thanks for the great insight.
Merrill
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