The Truth About Twitter

Alternate title: I Was Wrong.
When Twitter first started to gain buzz I dismissed it as just another Internet fad, another platform for the narcissist amongst us (I was somewhat right about that).
But the truth is... to Tweet, is to connect like never before.

Twitter does feel somewhat "insider". There are nuances that I am still learning. Sometimes it feels like you're back in P.E. class and you're one of the last kids waiting to be picked for a team. Sort of like you're in a John Hughes movie but you have 160 characters or less to prove your coolness.

However the insider-ness of Twitter is why it is successful. It's the great equalizer. Twitter lets us (mere mortals, celebrities, companies and brands) have the one-to-one relationship that we have all been dreaming of since we first became a fan of anyone or anything.

The Five Reasons Why I Love Twitter (reserve the right to update at anytime)

1. I met Tony Hawk in 1987 at a Cult concert and we (read, "I") have been trying to reconnect ever since. Via Twitter, he sends me (and his 2 million followers) messages every day, it seriously feels personal.
   
2. I have NEVER been so informed on general news, business news, industry happenings, etc. By knowing things first, you can feel superior to anyone you'd like. The speed at which information is being shared is BEYOND awesome (and totally overwhelming).
   
3. Thomas L. Friedman was right; the World is (totally) Flat. Witnessing the response to Haiti, was like having a front row seat to major social change… Twitter has the ability to (quickly) move the world to take action (it is an incredible weapon for good or evil).
   
4. I LOVE that Karl Lagerfeld has 183,000+ followers but he follows no one. I am Karl Lagerfeld, listen to me, I am all knowing (imagine this being said in a deep voice with strong accent). His Tweets are like haikus for the fashionistas. "Like poetry fashion does not state anything. It merely suggests." Find him @Karl_Lagerfeld
   
5. In many ways Twitter is still in its infancy. Participation ='s influencing its evolution. That feels POWERFUL.
   

If you're interested in getting started, this tutorial is very helpful… (found it by following @Mashable) http://bit.ly/cqlFpo

It can be scary to broadcast a proclamation across the wide, wide, world of the web… to help you feel more confident check out this glorious article "Zen and the Art of Twitter" http://bit.ly/9GvOoX

Dolly Parton is on Twitter… come on people! Hope to see you there.

Late to the game but I am in it!

I have enrolled myself in social media boot camp! My new mantra? "Be Curious"! (not "bi-curious" but BE CURIOUS... when you say it out loud people sometimes mishear you. Sort of like when you tell someone you went to a "tapas bar", and they ask... you went to a "topless bar?").

I recognize that my current status as a "consultant" allows me more time to be curious but I vow that I will try to maintain the mantra no matter how busy things might get! I work in the beauty and fashion industry but my specialty is Internet Marketing within those industries. When I look back at the past 5-6 years I can recognize that there were times when I was so focused on the products we were marketing, that I became less involved in what was happening within the Internet industry. I would concede that I had a top line awareness of trends, what was "hot", etc. but not enough knowledge to really make strategic decisions on incorporating the newest new media tools within our new media strategy. Basically I was so busy trying to launch websites and maintain them that I didn't reserve any energy to remain curious except if something could specifically help me immediately! And when I say "help me", I mean make my job easier, not more complicated.

I realize now that what at first might feel "complicated" is really an initial (and common) reaction to change. I have a phobia of math. I cannot remember ever being good at math or feeling like I understood anything beyond basic algebra. Even now if something looks math related, like managing my 401K, I feel anxious and unable to comprehend the information. But if I approach the info with an attitude of curiosity, I bet that I would learn at least one new thing that might help the performance of my plan. The same goes for how some people react to using new media, social media, etc... it does seem complicated at first because it's new and different, it's easier to dismiss it than to actually learn about it.
Today I am a tweeter, a blogger, a facebooker, I am linkedin, etc. Tomorrow who knows what I might be... 

I want to share this great article I found through following Mashable's Twitter feed, it's going to help me look like an "expert" at a very important meeting I have on Tuesday! Social Media and Fashion