In another installment of ‘getting to know Jess’ and after many great Twitter conversations created around @rachelreuben‘s conference Tweeting, I’m attaching links to a few choice publications that I authored in my previous position. I think they are still relevant in the conversation of ‘is social media worth it’, especially for low income families.
How College Access Marketing Campaigns Can Utilize Social Networking Web Sites
Creating a Strategy for Community Engagement
It seems that I get asked ‘Jess, why do you use Twitter?’ on a daily basis lately. It made me think about why – is it just for fun? Informational? Here are my top five reasons why in no particular order.
1. Its Fun: Yes, its obvious. If you’re spending most of your day checking in with people (most of whom you dont know IRL) you’re going to have a bit of fun. Between Elfing Yourself and Cowbelling, its going to get a little less than boring. True.
2. Its Educational: Even as a relative Twitter newbie, I cant tell you how many times I’ve learned things via Twitter that normally I’d not have bumped into on my own. Today’s example was Bettie Page’s death. I had no idea – I dont watch or read the news much – and probably wouldnt have heard. And when I did, it would have been much, much later. Now I learn things more quickly. (PS and look like I’m informed!)
3. Its Helped My Working Life Tremendously: With the growing list of people I follow, I’m able to interact with some of the greatest minds in my field. People who, normally, I’d not be able to reach quickly, and if at all, never mind a response. Access to like-minded professionals in the industry has been one of the greatest take aways from my Twittering. Have a question at work or need to know of a great example of something? Ask your Twitter Friends and get instant feedback. Pay attention to people and you find gads of information on topics you care about. Again – look like you do a lot more work paying attention to the Internet than you do by passing along information you share with your Twitter folks.
4. Networking, networking, networking: Sure you meet people at conferences and work but do you regularly interact with them? Do you read their blogs via RSS or email with them? Twitter has cut all of that out for me. I can now access people instantly, and more than likely, receive their blogs this way as well. I’ve abandoned several feeds in my Google Reader because of this. Also, by interacting with these people, you’re building your personal net worth. By providing them with helpful information, not just shouts, you are creating a rise in your own personal brand.
5. Shameless Self Promotion: Of course, Twitter is an easy way to boast and show off. Provide your blog via a feed. I’ve seen my traffic quadrupled in a couple of weeks by doing this alone. I get asked questions. I engage in philosophical discussions. All of this helps you build on your networking and who knows, maybe even end up with a job out of the situation. Regardless, everyone promotes something on Twitter, the key is, to do so in a helpful way. No body likes an all caps guy, basically, the equivalent of a ‘feeder only’ or ‘your commercial here’ kind of existence on Twitter.
So come on in!
OK. I’ll admit it. I was excited about the premiere of Fox’s new reality series ‘Secret Millionaire’. For those of you who have a million and one better things to do, I’ll fill you in: a few Millionaires willingly give up their status to go undercover to live in poverty. They meet other people and at the end reveal that they really aren’t who they say they are, and they give a deserving person $100,000 of their own money.
I’m a sucker for reveal shows, and as I sit here watching this, I realize, ‘arent we all capable of doing something similar’?
What do you have, a skill, a talent, a connection, or some other item in your life that you might take for granted? Something that’s a part of who you are, be it a group of friends, good business connections, or a higher than usual knowledge of social media?
What if we all noticed a little more those around us who we could benefit with things that are commonplace in our lives? How much would it mean to someone else to provide them something that we have and can stand to share?
In this economy and holiday season, take a closer look around and consider reaching out and giving back something. You’d be amazed how much it is appreciated, and what it could blossom into.
