Flying Solo on Twitter

JodieR · #1 (**Link to this post**) 09-03-09

I finally got to the articles page and see there on the left hand side that there is a twitter button!

So I have now added "Flying Solo Feed" to my followed contacts.

In doing this I thought it would be nice to recommend Flying Solo to Mr Tweet (who then lists you in amongst 200 - random (I think) - recommended tweeters to people out there looking to make new contacts.)

Anyhooo... if other tweeters perhaps listed flying solo as a recommendation it would lift the site further in the rankings bringing in more businesses?

All you have to do is post a message with:

#MrTweet I recommend @flyingsolofeed because they have great information for small businesses. <<< entering in your own recommendation after because...

After doing the recommendation I got a reply back from Mr Tweet which read:

MrTweet_Alert @AlluringFashion - @flyingsolofeed is now recognized in your network thanks to you. Get recommended yourself: http://cli.gs/8n8rLg

Maybe those forum members out there that are actively using twitter and have made good connections here, could recommend each other?

sam_leader · #2 (**Link to this post**) 09-03-09

Hi Jodie,

Thanks heaps for the push, what a great idea.

FlyingSoloFeed is just that, a daily tweet with the article teaser.

Personally speaking, I've dipped my toe back in to Twitter just recently - sam_leader - but feel a bit out of my depth with # this and RT that... I'll get the hang of it I'm sure!

On behalf of the FS gang, thanks again for helping Flying Solo get out into Twitterverse.

Sam

JodieR · #3 (**Link to this post**) 09-03-09

LOL. I'm just starting to get the hang of it after researching a lot of stuff over the past few days - some very interesting stuff out there for sure!

KarenC · #4 (**Link to this post**) 09-03-09

OK - I'm going to be brave - (and probably show my age very much) - by saying that I love tech stuff but I really don't understand twitter. Is there anyone who can explain properly, in very simple layman terms, how twitter works and why is it supposed to be good? And how do you use it? What is the benefit?

I am like many who can't access the web via mobile phones in outer metro and country areas, but rely on the internet landlines instead. Does that make a difference? If your family and friends etc can't/don't use it because of inaccessibility and lack of understanding, then is there any use for it? Does it detract from us working on our business at hand?

I have difficulty enough helping my elderly relatives get used to the internet and email - I can't hope to explain twitter to them yet.

My apologies to all the twitter tech savvies ...
Thanks so much, Karen

JodieR · #5 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

In a nutshell (a very small nutshell). I find it useful for networking and connecting with NEW people. Depending on who you follow, but I've selected people that tend to tweet helpful tips, funny comments or questions about things that interest me.

twitter is just status messages. When I first joined it (last week LOL) I had no idea, and wondered what is it about. surely there must be MORE to it. But there isn't. It seems like a very simple and unrewarding thing to do. But once you get into it, it's not so bad. It's finding others that you find interesting, or their info interesting that is the difficult part. BUT... all you have to do is a bit of googling to find many many many articles on the benefits of using twitter and building networks.

I've already had one person refer a contact to me (I posted that I was looking for new consultants), and we'd only made a quick but fun connection (if that makes sense).

Some - Other businesses don't mind helping others.

it's not all about advertising. that's the quickest way to turn people off you. But if you throw in hints and tips or recommendations related to your business in a softer way, you are more likely to get people to click through to your website, blog or whatever you're offering.

It's too hard to explain what the benefits are, I'm still learning that myself. But as I said before, there are massive amounts of articles out there with twitter hints and tips, url trackers, how to's, why fors, best ways to use for business etc. you just need to spend a little time and you'll get the gist quite quickly. Enough to get started. Then of course it's up to you how much time you want to spend on it.

it's quick, it's simple and if you allocated a few short sessions a day it could easily help build your network.

As for getting family and friends etc. to join - well that all depends on what you want to share I guess?

It's 140 characters of sharing your thoughts - that's it. It's really not that complex, which is why I believe it's so confusing to people to start out with, you expect something more. it's only something more when you research and figure out the ways to best benefit and network and you get creative with your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, tips, promotions etc etc etc.

Well.. that's my quick newbie overview of it all. As I said, I've only just joined it myself, and my first impression was... hmmmm.. boring... but the more I looked, the more I learnt, the more i made new contacts, the more I network with others and they with me, the more helpful info I see on others tweets, the more useful I see this being.

Hope some of that makes sense LOL! I'm not sure I know what I'm talking about LOL.

KarenC · #6 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

Thanks Jodie - when you say, It's 140 characters of sharing your thoughts - that's it', where do you read it? Is it only on your mobile or is it a login web page or different logins all over the place (which would take up a lot of time)? Sorry, but I've never actually seen anyone use twitter - no-one I know uses it - so I really don't know nothing about it. I think I spend enough time checking out FS occasionally - so would twitter take up too much time?

JodieR · #7 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

You can send message via the website or via your phone. I don't do the phone thing, I think that's overkill - unless of course you're doing something very very exciting or you don't have net.

This is my twitter profile page:

http://twitter.com/AlluringFashion

Here's a snap shot of the tweets on my profile and a description as to what they are doing - what they mean:

# @vipvirtualsols yes it is, and I'm proud that I haven't killed him... yet!
sent 18 minutes ago from web in reply to vipvirtualsols
this message is in response to a twitter from a new found friend on twitter the other day. when tweets start with @personsname it means they are REPLIES.
This person's bio: Aussie Virtual Assistant who loves connecting with people that constantly challenge themselves and the world!

# RT @AlluringFashion recommends using tweet burner > http://twurl.nl/h6ugyz < track, shorten & helps you analyze how ur URL's are doing.
This message is a ReTweet - meaning I'm quoting someones tweet, in this case my own because I post it every so often to help others. From what I understand, and again I'm still learning - by putting RT at the beginning it registers with a system and if people RT your posts often you get recommended as a good person to follow - providing good or likable info.

# thinks that if you're seeing 2 many of her tweets on ur pg, you need to get off ur hairy bum & find some new g8t ppl 2 follow! plenty there!

# For Aussies - I am desperate for new consultants! I'm getting loads of requests for parties & need more peeps-new URL http://twurl.nl/dfo8sgabout 10 hours ago from web

These are standard tweets that I have posted... status message - all the people that are following me can see it, or anyone who is checking me out trying to figure out whether to follow me or not.

JodieR · #8 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

example of the RT recs:

# retweetradar Trends: tweet, car journey and followers are the top retweeted terms on http://www.retweetradar.com/ right now.

# retweetradar Trends: @tferriss, @webaddict and @canadawellness are the top retweeted people on http://www.retweetradar.com/

peppie · #9 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

Uhh!!! I thought I was reasonably "UP" on new technology. Is there an interpreter for >50 year olds??

I don't think this is the kind of networking that is going to help me and with the sort of potential clients I connect with. But I am willing to be convinced of the benefits, especially for the technologically (comparatively that is) illiterate. A goodly number of my present clients have just about grasped the concept of email.

So, lets get down to the very basics. How does this sort of networking work and what sort of business is going to benefit? Different social sites seem to work best for different demographics, where do Twitter and the rest fit in?

JodieR · #10 (**Link to this post**) 10-03-09

I've seen tweeter that are into museum, art, old style this that and everything. You may very well find people in a similar field or people that like what you do that refer you to others. Reaching out to the broader community.

I figure, at the end of the day, it can't hurt to try. But if you do want to benefit from it... like anything - it needs a bit of research to work it to your best advantage.

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Flying Solo on Twitter