Five Things I'll Miss About Twitter

With Elon Musk and Twitter in the news every day since Musk took over Twitter, those of us who used Twitter for good are saddened as to the direction of this social media platform.

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed."

I met people on Twitter from all over the world, sometimes just from a single Tweet. I even met a CEO based on a single Tweet.

So what happens now? Many tweeps (people on Twitter) have left the platform. Some have migrated to Mastodon, and some have taken a hiatus.

Unfortunately, we are starting to see a dramatic increase in hate speech resulting from Musk's termination of staff to monitor content and a lack of content monitoring leading to the spread of misinformation regarding the covid pandemic - not to mention the return of specific individuals who will misuse the platform.

As a result, here are some things I will miss now that Twitter has changed:

[1] Will there, or can there, ever be another famous Oreo Tweet, like in 2013? If live events are not discussed in real time on Twitter, and brands no longer participate, this type of fun content may never happen again.

[2] During the Super Bowl, fellow marketing pros discuss the ads in real time. This was always a fun exchange using a myriad of hashtags including #BrandBowl, #SuperBowlAds, #Advertising, #KelloggBowl, #SuperBowlExp, #BigGameColorCommentary, and more. This type of convo will have to move to another platform, but will it be as stimulating?

[3] I have always enjoyed leading TweetChats and participating in TweetChats. These are different than webinars and Zoom meetings, and I've met people from all around the world during these unique get-togethers to discuss interesting marketing and leadership topics.

[4] When breaking news happens, the first place I turned was to Twitter. Whether it was a police chase, a fire, an earthquake, or election results, Twitter was the place for an update.

[5] People always showed their creativity in their bios. Carefully crafted in only 140 characters, bios often told people's stories. Whether a title was "Chief Happiness Officer," or "Brand Architect," or "Jungle Cruise Skipper," the uniqueness of a person's bio was an invitation to Tweet hello or follow and connect.

What about you? What will you miss about Twitter? Have you migrated elsewhere?

If you're on Mastodon, let's connect. Here's my link:
https://techhub.social/@DebbieLaskeyMBA


Image Credit: Twitter.

Storytelling, Connections, and Social Media

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed." As a member of the Twitterverse for 13 years, I always enjoy meeting new people and learning from them. I recently connected with Gail Robertson from Ontario, Canada, and invited her to appear here on my Blog in a Q&A format. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Gail Robertson brings an unfamiliar and fresh outlook to the more traditional manufacturing industry. She has always been curious, which led her into journalism. She began her professional career as a journalist at the Toronto Star and has worked at The Hamilton Spectator, The St. Catharines Standard, and The Windsor Star. She now uses storytelling, developed as a journalist, in the manufacturing world as a social media strategist and keynote speaker, helping others to #ShowUP, tell their story, and exercise their curious brain. Her transferable skills have assisted her as she transitioned from being a journalist, to bed-and-breakfast owner, to fundraiser, to marketing manager at an insurance tech company and now, as “Chief Curiosity Officer” at GailNow.

QUESTION: What first attracted you to marketing, communications, PR, and storytelling?

GAIL ROBERTSON: Growing up, I loved to hear stories and was especially enamored by their development, one sentence at a time. To me, marketing, communications, and PR are related as they help a company or brand tell their story.

I also love to connect with people, and after years as a journalist and now Chief Curiosty Officer, I  realize how many stories are not being told!

Meeting people and helping tell and share their stories is exciting and powerful as I believe we can change the world, one story at a time. I know far too many women who also are reluctant to own their power and step into the spotlight.

TWEET THIS: Meeting people and helping tell their stories is exciting...we can change the world, one story at a time. ~@GailNow #brandstorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: On your website, it says, "Gail's true joy and passion for networking and connecting with others is what makes her a top motivational speaker." What tips do you have for people who may share your passion for connection but lack your confidence in public speaking?

GAIL ROBERTSON: My tip for them would be to embrace their own story and speak from that. As American author and professor of literature, Joseph Campbell, once said, “You are the hero of your own story.”

We also need to look at our own individual comfort zones and not compare ourselves to others. For public speaking, it is also about taking baby steps and realizing we have a duty to “show up,” not just for ourselves but for others. We have a duty to share stories!   

Some of the best speakers aren’t extroverts, but they had to start with the right mindset and decide to challenge themselves. Even the best speakers struggle with Imposter Syndrome and fear of failure, so it’s best to embrace failure and make it your friend!

Very few people find public speaking easy - even the ones who make it LOOK easy. It takes an incredible amount of time, hard work, and practice. The best tip is to just start. Speak up in a meeting or at your local church or school. Speak up online too. Join a video challenge! Get comfortable being uncomfortable, as cliche as that sounds. By just deciding to start, you are so much further ahead than others sitting on the couch. As a keynote speaker, I still get nervous; I worry and I stress about my content, which is normal. But the more I share stories and get feedback, the more supported I feel to Sign Up, Suit Up, and Show up!

QUESTION: What's your favorite social media platform, and why?

GAIL ROBERTSON: Twitter: it’s fast-paced, has a greater diversity of content, and is an excellent way to meet, get to know, and engage with people. It is also a place you need to curate content and embrace the scroll button. I have met phenomenal people through Twitter, including Nathalie Gregg who leads the #LeadLoudly Twitter Chat.

Along with great connections, there are some other top notch Twitter Chats like #USAMfgHour and #TwitterSmarter. You can find a chat for just about any topic. There is also audio. With Twitter Spaces, you can jump in, listen, and meet incredible people.

While Twitter still is a “favorite,” each social media platform has its own special place in my heart! I like a few others for different reasons and have also connected with cool people. For sure, LinkedIn is phenomenal, and I have even started enjoying the fun part of TikTok.  Social media is what you make it, and with some engagement and sharing of content and ideas, each platform can deliver results.

TWEET THIS: Twitter is an excellent way to meet, get to know, and engage with people. ~@GailNow #connections #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: You wrote an excellent article on your Blog entitled, "When You're Ready for Your Close-Up, Mr. DeMille." (On a side note, I'm a film buff, so I really enjoyed the post.) Can you provide an overview that explains the tie-in between the film and marketing?

(Read the post here: https://gailnow.com/2021/when-youre-ready-for-your-close-up-mr-demille/)

GAIL ROBERTSON: In the film, Norma Desmond realizes she has to adjust to the times in order to continue making an impact. Similarly, in today’s world, we need to adjust to the times (for example, video is required to make an impact).

Video is extremely powerful when it comes to getting your message across. According to Oberlo.ca, 87% of marketing professionals use video as one of their tools, and whether they pop up on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, or any other social media platform that allows more than just posting a pic, it’s a key way to sell your product or service through your most valuable asset – you.

So when we look at film, it is all about building relationships via the big screen. Today, we can use video and tell stories; showing a part of your personality AND building relationships by allowing people to get to know you. Films are still powerful, and now we can add to that power with social media, through video and sharing behind-the-scenes clips, by sharing insights about stars in a film. AND, social media posts with film and video content get 48% more views than those without them, according to HubSpot.

So, bottom line, video footage featuring your employees, customers, and/or volunteers is a great way to make them feel part of the action. And there is also great ROI: A single film/video can be repurposed for different lengths, platforms, and audiences. That ONE video can return a great deal back to you!

My thanks to Gail for sharing her digital marketing insights and for appearing here on my Blog.

Image Credit: Reuben Juarez via Wordswag.

Do You Speak Twitter? Check Out These #TwitterTips

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed." As a member of the Twitterverse for 13 years, I always enjoy meeting new people and learning from them. I've been connected with Madalyn Sklar for awhile and am honored for her to appear here on my Blog in a Q&A format. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Madalyn Sklar, based in Houston, Texas, is known for being a Twitter expert and tattoo-wearing social media evangelist. She is one of the early pioneers in the digital marketing space dating back to the mid-1990s. With her vast experience, she focuses primarily on Twitter, so by following her account, you'll know how Twitter marketing is done. In addition to speaking at events and providing online training, Madalyn hosts the popular #TwitterSmarter chat every Thursday at 1pm EST and podcast.

QUESTION: You've been an amazing Twitter expert for many years. In what ways have you seen Twitter evolve, specifically over the last couple of years?

MADALYN SKLAR: It definitely seems like a lot of people have rediscovered Twitter in recent years. And it’s perfect timing, because Twitter has been implementing some new and exciting features that make the platform more enticing. We have Twitter Spaces for live, audio conversations where we can educate, learn, and make new connections. Brands looking to monetize their efforts can use Ticketed Spaces to make money on Twitter, as well as the Tip Jar. Features like this give people a reason to come back to Twitter and use the platform seriously.

QUESTION: You host a weekly TweetChat and now also conversations on TwitterSpaces. How can these types of IRL conversations help individuals and brands with their messaging?

MADALYN SKLAR: One of the great things about Twitter chats and Twitter Spaces is that you can use them as tools to get to know your audience on a deeper level. Have conversations to find out what they’re interested in and what their pain points are. Then, you can find ways to address those things with your messaging and offers. The better you understand your audience, the stronger your content will be.

TWEET THIS: The better you understand your audience, the stronger your content will be. ~@madalynsklar #TwitterTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: From the perspective of a newbie on Twitter, what three pieces of advice would you offer? And from the perspective of someone who's grown a large following and engages daily on the platform, what advice would you offer?

MADALYN SKLAR: For newbies on Twitter, here are my three pieces of advice:

1) Post consistently. An active account is going to be more likely to gain followers and receive engagement.

2) Diversify your content. Don’t just post text tweets to your feed. Share videos, use Twitter Spaces, etc. Find the content formats that resonate with both you and your audience by experimenting with different ideas. You’ll likely reach tons of new people in the process.

3) Be persistent. You aren’t going to see growth overnight, so you have to stay committed.

As a bonus tip, make sure you’re engaging with other users. Social media is meant to be social and it’s important to have genuine conversations as a way to generate awareness for your brand and build relationships.

For non-newbies on Twitter:

1) Make sure you are taking advantage of all the amazing, little-known Twitter features like the tip jar, media studio, topics, moments, and advanced search.

2) Post a Twitter poll regularly. It's a great way to get instant feedback from your large audience.

3) When you have a large following, it can be challenging to reply to every tweet, but it's very important to connect with as many as you can. People do not like talking into the void.

QUESTION: Should brands offer a newsletter from their Twitter accounts?

MADALYN SKLAR: Absolutely! We need to remember that we don’t own the followings we build on social media. If these platforms were to disappear one day, we’d lose everything we’ve built. That’s why, it’s important to convert followers to email subscribers, as we actually own our email lists. Plus, newsletters are a fantastic way to stay in touch with people and continue nurturing relationships. Even better? There are no algorithms to compete with this way! Instead, you get to focus on delivering quality content to those who truly love you and what you do.

QUESTION: What do you think about the new Twitter Blue for $2.99 a month?

MADALYN SKLAR: I love Twitter Blue! If you're a power user, like me, you will find the features to be invaluable. I especially love that I can create folders for all my bookmark tweets. This keeps things organized and has been a big time saver for me. And while we do not have an edit button (yet!), with Twitter Blue, you can set a timer to undo your tweets which is great if you catch a typo or forgot to tag someone. Another great perk is early access to features being tested before they're available to everyone.

QUESTION: Lastly, Elon Musk has been in the news as he's attempted to gain control of Twitter. This brings to mind how a single individual can become the embodiment of a brand, for example, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Bill Gates of Microsoft, and Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic. How could this help or harm Twitter in the long run?

MADALYN SKLAR: The more this drags on, the less positive I feel about a good outcome. When Musk first offered to buy Twitter, I felt this could be a great benefit to Twitter's long-term success. However, in light of his delaying the transaction and now changing his mind, I'm concerned it will become a legal mess that no one will benefit from.

My thanks to Madalyn for sharing her digital marketing insights and Twitter insights and for appearing here on my Blog.

Visit Madalyn's key sites online:
Website: https://madalynsklar.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madalynsklar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madalynsklar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madalynsklar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/madalynsklar

Image Credit: Tyler Callahan via Unsplash.

How Do YOU Connect on Twitter?

 

Today is World Wide Web Day, a global celebration dedicated to web browsing and other online activities. Post a selfie, express your opinion with a Tweet, or share a photo of beautiful flowers. But whatever you do, make a connection and be social.

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed." As a member of the Twitterverse for almost 13 years, I always enjoy meeting new people and learning from them. I recently connected with Jennifer Montgomery and invited her to appear here on my Blog in a Q&A format. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Jennifer Montgomery is the Managing Partner and Director of Learning & Development at Blue Door Group in Nova Scotia, Canada. An award-winning educator, strategist, and development expert, she is a champion for life-long learning and proficient in guiding strategy and policy development across sectors. Her unique combination of business development, entrepreneurial, and teaching experiences help her clients implement meaningful and lasting growth strategies that impact all levels of business - transforming businesses into dynamic and innovative learning organizations. In addition, creating meaningful connections is at the core of Jennifer’s personal brand which she has leveraged to create and co-found the "40 Cups of Coffee" community; a network of professionals that has now spanned North America through online engagements.

QUESTION: Since we met through a TweetChat, and your Twitter profile includes "Follow to learn: how to network with purpose," what's your favorite thing about Twitter?
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY: Twitter is the most community-oriented social platform in my experience. The engagement there is a lot higher which means you get to build more meaningful relationships than on other platforms. The Twitter community I have experienced has been educational, supportive, and inspirational while also being a fun way to get to know others from around the world.

QUESTION: How did you come up with your Twitter handle: @40CupsofCoffeee?
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY: 40 Cups started as a joke when my business partner @StephClarkBDG and I had our first coffee meeting. I went home, wrote it on a sticky note and then put it on my vision board. I knew it spoke to the experience I wanted to share with others about how Networking With Purpose (having those 40 Cups of Coffee) can inspire your growth through connecting with others. Think: 6 Steps to Kevin Bacon only career focused - if you want to land a new job or score a particular contract, who do you need to have coffee with to get introduced to the people who will help make that happen for you? Each “coffee” is a actually just a metaphor for connection; a part of your 40 Cups of Coffee Journey. After 40 Cups, aka 40 connections, you literally can trace your growth through the power of each of those connections, if you are willing to be open to learning from them.

Now, 40 Cups of Coffee has become our second business journey together and we are working on bringing the teaching and resources of 40 Cups together to help more professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders achieve their goals through building meaningful relationships through effective networking.

QUESTION: Who are your some of your favorite people to follow on Twitter?
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY: I don’t like to categorize my favorite people to follow because there are so many. What I can say is that the 5 best characteristics of my favorite accounts to follow are those that are community-focused, positive, supportive, educational, and of course, love to share coffee GIFs, jokes, and quotes. You can find these people by searching for these hashtags: #launchandfounders, #ginnsquad, #leadloudly, #tweet100, and #Ship30.

QUESTION: I'm from California and have been on Twitter since 2009. You're from Canada and have been on Twitter since 2020. There is no question that Twitter makes the world smaller and brings people together. With this in mind, what are some of your favorite uses of Twitter?
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY: Building and contributing to communities with the goal of learning from one another has been my favorite part of twitter. I’m an extrovert and love to meet new people and learn about their superpowers! Twitter has been a great tool to expand my network globally and has helped 40 Cups of Coffee grow to include community members from around the world and not just where I live.   

QUESTION: Lastly, thinking about the famous OREO Tweet during the Super Bowl back in 2013, what is your favorite Tweet?
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY: It's hard to think of one Tweet that's a favorite, but I think Tweets from Wendy's are pretty funny. I love Tweets that provoke conversations as well.

TWEET THIS: I love Tweets that provoke conversations. ~@40CupsofCoffeee

My thanks to Jennifer for sharing her social media insights and for appearing here on my Blog.

Image Credit: Joshua Coleman via Unsplash featuring quote by @ValaAfshar on Twitter.

Check out Jennifer's links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferamontgomery/
and
https://bluedoorgroup.ca/
and
https://40cupsofcoffee.com/

Lead, Inspire, and Continue to Evolve

 

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed." As a member of the Twitterverse for almost 13 years, I always enjoy meeting new people and learning from them. I recently connected with Nathalie Gregg on Twitter and participated in one of her inspiring TweetChats. She interviewed me about leadership and the employee experience - what an honor! To return the favor, I have invited Nathalie to appear here on my blog in a Q&A. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Based in South Carolina, Nathalie Gregg is a Change Agent, Enterprise Leadership Strategist, Adjunct Professor, and Speaker. She empowers women to become their own economic engines. Online, she is a digital superstar and is the founder of the #LeadLoudly movement and Twitter Chat, where she inspires women to be bold, confident, and fearless to drive real results.

QUESTION: What attracts you to the discipline of leadership?
NATHALIE GREGG: I am attracted to the discipline of leadership because it begins with the drive to lead yourself before you lead others. It is about envisioning what could be and continuing to ask what if.

TWEET THIS: Leadership begins with the drive to lead yourself before you lead others. ~@NathalieGregg #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What advice would you give to new leaders?
NATHALIE GREGG: Here are three:
(1) You must have a vision. You must know were you are going.
(2) You must have courage. You must be committed to do the hard things well.
(3) You must have a community. You must bring a team! You can’t do it alone!

QUESTION: You host a weekly TweetChat on Twitter using the hashtag #LeadLoudly. What are a few take-aways you hope participants have at the end of each week's chat?
NATHALIE GREGG: The #LeadLoudly Twitter Chat is a mini masterclass to accelerate growth and community. My community has the opportunity to learn and leverage cutting-edge information and resources to growth their businesses as well as their brands. Our international guests serve as mentors, sponsors, and allies to build robust collaborations and strategic partnerships.

QUESTION: You are a passionate advocate for women leaders. Who are some women leaders (from history or business) that provide inspiration to you?
NATHALIE GREGG: I am always inspired by women who decide to #LeadLoudly! They have decided to be bold, confident, and fearless. They are visionaries and innovators who drive change - realizing that no is NOT an option. The only option is to move forward.

That said, my inspiration comes from Margaret Thatcher, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Handler (Barbie creator), and Frances Hesselbein (former Girl Scouts CEO).

QUESTION: One of my favorite leadership quotes is from author and consultant Mark Herbert (@NewParadigmer on Twitter): "Leadership doesn't require you to be the smartest person in the room. It requires you to block and tackle for others." What does this quote mean to you?
NATHALIE GREGG: An inspirational leader must have knowledge of personal mastery while possessing these four critical skills: visioning, influencing, implementing, and executing. Leadership is a continual process of inspiration and transformation from the inside out!

TWEET THIS: Leadership is a continual process of inspiration and transformation from the inside out! ~@NathalieGregg #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

My thanks to Nathalie for sharing her leadership insights and for appearing here on my Blog.

Image Credit: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash.

If you missed the #LeadLoudly chat hosted by @NathalieGregg featuring Debbie Laskey on January 27, 2022, here's the link for all the Tweets:
https://wakelet.com/wake/cnlKF4y3TFK-hLrnKGQgS

Social Media Is All About Connection, Trust and Strategy

To quote Matthew Kobach (@mkobach), "Twitter is a key that unlocks thousands of doors, some of which you never even knew existed." As a member of the Twitterverse for almost 13 years, I always enjoy meeting new people and learning from them. I recently connected with Deb Coman and invited her to appear here on my Blog in a Q&A format. Highlights of our conversation follow a brief introduction.

Deb Coman is a content conversion strategist who empowers service-based business owners to create trust-building content that generates sales, referrals, and collaborations. Deb hosts a weekly Twitter Chat called #SocialTrust Mondays at 3pm Eastern time on Twitter and was featured by BuzzSumo in its Top 100 Content Marketers to Follow Right Now. Deb’s Content Conversion Lab and private services help clients simplify their marketing with actionable steps that build trust and create alignment, consistency, and connection. Visit her website at http://www.DebComan.com, at www.LinkedIn.com/DebComan, and on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram @DebComanWriting.

QUESTION: You begin your Twitter profile as follows, “Meaningful connection thru trust-building content strategy." Can you please explain?
DEB COMAN: Content is an outstanding way to connect with people. When we understand how it builds trust, we create content that brings value and meaning that establishes and nurtures relationships. It’s only through these relationships that we create opportunities for sales, referrals, and collaborations. Engaging with and creating meaningful conversations is step one in the process.

QUESTION: You talk about the “4C Method” for creating email content. Can you please elaborate?
DEB COMAN: My 4C Method for creating content has four trust-building steps:

(1) Clarity: Start with CLARITY about your message: who it’s for, what they need, and how you provide the solution.
(2) Connection: Create content with an intention of CONNECTION, not a sale. Be of service. Add value. Build trust.
(3) Consistency: CONSISTENCY builds trust and relationships. Be consistent with your content in frequency as to how often you post, blog, and send emails. Be consistent and aligned in your message.
(4) Conversion: Move conversations from social media feeds, blog comments, and email campaigns to a one-on-one conversation to explore what’s possible for CONVERSION in the way of collaborations, referrals, and sales.

QUESTION: What is your favorite social media platform for your personal branding, and why?
DEB COMAN: I love Twitter where you can find me at @DebComanWriting because it’s the easiest platform to create connection and build trust with content. I’ve been hired, referred, featured as an expert, and made long-term meaningful (and profitable!) business connections that started with a single tweet or reply. (Connect with me there to see how it’s done).

I host a weekly Twitter Chat called #SocialTrust Mondays at 3pm Eastern time featuring guest experts and topics to help service-based small business owners and brands stand out and build trust online. This Twitter Chat is designed to be an easy way (even for Twitter newbies) to participate and gain visibility and connections. It’s followed by an audio conversation on Twitter Spaces.

QUESTION: If a business brand were going to dedicate all of its attention and resources toward ONLY one social media platform, which would you recommend, and why?
DEB COMAN: With over 211 million active daily users, your ideal audience is likely on Twitter. If you have a presence there or are able to quickly get up to speed with the basics, you can create opportunities for your business on Twitter.

If you’re not comfortable learning how to use Twitter, it’s important to find the platform where your ideal audience not only hangs out but engages and where you are not only comfortable, but have a strategy.

Success on social media requires these 3 things:

(1) Your ideal audience is present and active.
(2) You’re comfortable creating high value content that suits the platform.
(3) You have a content strategy like the 4C Method that leads to conversion.

TWEET THIS: Find the platform where your ideal audience not only hangs out but engages. ~@DebComanWriting #SMTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What three tips would you give to a business brand to conduct an effective and successful email marketing campaign?
DEB COMAN: For an email marketing campaign (and any other content) to be profitable, you need to:

(1) Define a specific intention or outcome for the content.
(2) Choose a topic that demonstrates you have the solution to a problem they’re ready to solve.
(3) Establish your credibility and trust by sharing stories, results, and client outcomes.

With all your content, strive to be yourself, share as much of your personal story as you’re comfortable with, and seek to connect and engage with your audience as you build trust and deepen relationships.

TWEET THIS: With all your content, strive to be yourself. ~@DebComanWriting #SMTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

My thanks to Deb for sharing her social media insights and for appearing here on my Blog.

Image Credit: Daniel Olah via Unsplash.