Tuesday, April 28, 2009

How to get started with Twitter

Not sure where to begin?

1. Read Wikipedia's page on twitter to understand the big picture.

2. Read this excellent article on how to enter the Twitter-verse. Decide on your strategy.

3. Sign up for a free twitter account. Hint: you might want to use an anonymous email address and username to begin. You can always delete it later. But DO set up an additional account using your real name or company name, even if you're not using it at first. You'll see why later.

4. Search twitter for friends, celebs, brands, news services that you'd like to Follow. Add them to your profile.

That's enough to get started.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Social Networking Rule # 1

Rule #1: Be nice: anything you say can and will be held against you.

Posting on a social network like twitter or facebook is akin to chatting at a party or in a café. Be aware that others can hear what you're saying. That's the point of a social network. Act accordingly.

Assume others can and will repeat what they hear. To anyone. If you're participating in a discussion with people in your professional field, behave as you would at an office cocktail party. Don't say anything about someone else or a company that you wouldn't say to their face. Example of twitter disaster by an ad agency, about 2 weeks ago.

Never assume that your conversation is completely private. There are occasional security breaches/errors on any network, so this rule also applies to anything you type/add, even with full privacy settings on.

That said, if you're friendly, helpful and responsive, you have nothing to fear. Enjoy your new contacts.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

50 New Ways To Leave Your Lover

50 (NEW) WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER

A new ditty for these crazy times. Apologies to Paul Simon. (Please don't sue me.)

The problem is all inside your head, she said to me
The answer is easy if you use technology
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
There are now fifty ways to leave your lover...

She said it's really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning wont be lost or misconstrued
But I'll repeat myself, at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty new ways to leave your lover
Fifty new ways to leave your lover...

Send her a tweet, Pete
Click an email, Cael
No need to hold back, Jack
Just get yourself free

Yeah, erase his JPEG, Meg
From your facebook, Brooke
Just ping an IM, Clem
And get yourself free.

________________

Send me more verses!