injenuity

Posted by Jennifer on June 21st, 2008 in Uncategorized , Jaiku, Microblogging, Network, Seesmic, SocialMedia, Twitter, Utterz

If you are new to microblogging or have found yourself stumped by the tools and the process, this post could be your jump start to success. You may have attended workshops or conference sessions where presenters introduced their ‘network’ and demonstrated a hearty, global greeting from dozens of individuals who seemed poised on the edge of their virtual seats, waiting for a request from the presenter. Did you go home and try it yourself, just to discover that not only was there no one listening, you couldn’t think of a thing to say? Microblogging, while it may seem to be a network activity, is a highly individualized experience. It typically involves a Web-based service where members post brief text, audio, photo, or video messages and respond to people with whom they’ve established connections. These guidelines should help you get on the right track.

1. Define Your Own Success - Don’t just jump into it because someone else told you it’s cool. Consider your objectives. Do you want to make friends, professional connections, find a new job, explore hobbies, meet a companion, or promote a product? Maybe you want to distribute your personal learning or extend your office to include worldwide colleagues. Your objectives will probably change along the way, and that is okay. Just don’t try to mirror another’s experience, because it isn’t possible and will lead to disappointment.
2. Consider and Try Several Tools - There are many microblogging tools available for free or at a low cost to members. You probably don’t want to commit long term to a large number of tools, because it will become hard to manage. However, you will do yourself a disservice if you only try one. Take into account your publishing hardware. Will you be publishing primarily from the Web? If so, look for a tool with a clean, efficient and reliable (cough) Web interface. Will you be publishing through SMS on a cellular phone? Many microblogging tools do not yet offer this service, or there is extra expense from phone service providers. Will you be using a handheld mobile Web device? Make sure you try options with compatible applications.
3. Create a Complete User Profile - No one wants to network with a ghost. Fill out your user profile completely, including a link to your blog or Web site. Consider your target reading audience as you develop your profile. Use the same user ID on multiple accounts to create a personal branding strategy. Use real photographs instead of cartoon avatars.
4. Search for Contacts - Use key words to search for contacts with similar interests. You don’t have to just search within the microblogging platform. Use web searches and scour the blogs you read to find the tools used by the people you follow. Once you find someone with similar interests, begin to look at their contacts and add them as your own. If you have a complete, relevant and friendly user profile, most will accept you. Don’t be afraid of connecting with experts in your field, personal heroes and people you admire! If they’re microblogging, they are probably seeking connections!
5. Balance Your Content - I’m the biggest Twitter irritant on the planet. People joke about me tweeting that I just walked through a door. However, I didn’t start out this way. Well, I did, but it didn’t work and I had to try a new strategy! My early posts were about making coffee and changing diapers. I quickly learned that without an existing common tie, these posts did little to stimulate discussion or build relationships. There are two ways to get a great successful start, and both work equally well. The first is to post useful resources, especially new and undiscovered information that will interest your target audience. The second method is to scan other posts for people seeking help, and offer help as often as you can. If you make enough of these types of posts, you will soon get to know people better and will be able to pepper your stream with more casual and silly observations.  Try to give more than you take, and you will be rewarded.
6. Post to the Popular People - Reply to the people with hundreds of followers as often as you can. If you can get them to reply to you, their followers will visit your profile, and if you followed my advice in number 2 above, will add you as a contact.
7. Consider Who May be Watching - Always keep in mind the public nature of microblogging.  Consider you may be followed by your boss, spouse, mom, child, student, neighbor or just some creepy stalkers.  You may find you feel constrained with the medium at first.  It takes time to become comfortable with broadcast communications.  Some microblogging tools feature the option to delete posts.  I like these tools!
8. Don’t Take Advantage of Your Network - Conversations can quickly become casual and flow as they might at a dinner party.  Don’t take advantage of this comfort zone.  It is perfectly alright to communicate with these people on a platfrom where they have voluntarily offered connections and participation.  It is not alright to then seek out their personal contact information to reach them outside their published space.  Respect privacy.  Don’t ask for favors.
9. Take Advantage of Your Network - Once you’ve found someone with whom you feel a strong connection or an interest beyond the single network, follow the breadcrumbs they’ve left to see where else they are publishing.  It’s great to be able to track down blogs, presentations, publications and other media from people with whom you share multiple interests.  If you wish to connect directly, use their preferred communication medium to offer your personal contact information.  Don’t be discouraged if they do not extend the relationship.
10. Give it Time - While you can jump start the numbers, you can’t jump start true connectivity.  This is a social activity and it will take months of socialization before you are rewarded with success.  Don’t give up too soon!

I use Twitter more than any other microblogging platform, because I like the connections I’ve made, and their SMS service works well with my phone plan. I also use Utterz, because I can quickly use my phone to post audio, video or text messages to multiple accounts, including Twitter. Some other tools you may wish to try are Seesmic, Pownce, and Jaiku.  I would love to see comments sharing other tips, tricks and tools!