Playing with Twitter

Ok, by now you all have a twitter account and are sitting on twitter.com thinking…..what next?

Your next step is to find your target tweeters.  I can speak for Etsy sellers and say that Etsy sellers are the best Etsy Buyers.  So start looking for Etsy shops on twitter.

 For other online sellers, ask yourself, who is your competition?  What companies do you strive to be like?  That is where you want to start.  

This may seem a little cloak and dagger, but, you want to see who is following your competition, and, you want to follow those people!!  This will increase the chance that they will notice you too.  It is kind of like a Purse salesman setting up shop outside a Coach Retail store.  People shopping at Coach, will walk by and notice him too.  

I am currently not publicly endorsing any auto follow twitter tools, but if you google search “Twitter followers free”  there are a lot of programs out there to help you start following people that are either in your industry or interested in it.  Choose your search words carefully as most of these are free trials, and will end after you get X# of followers.  

Example:  Etsy Shops – Follow tweeters with keyword ETSY. 

Also, follow back anyone that follows you.  If you don’t, they may not follow for long!!  There are certain protocols to any social situation, social media is no exception.  Remember, you are the new chicks on the block.  Tweet Carefully.  There are rules of conduct.  Until you feel strong in your presence on twitter, make sure to mind your manners!

Addicted to Treasurys!!

 

TWITTER - Where do I start?

I am sorry about the delay in posting, but this last week has been SUPER busy.  3 birthdays in my family, including mine =D 

I didn’t want to start talking about twitter until I made sure I had time to get everything in.  I know people look at Twitter as a big monster.   It’s easy to say, “I don’t need that, I am doing fine without it.”  Or, “It’s too much work.”   But please trust me on this; you need Twitter if you are going to build your business in this new Global Market.  I am going to try and break this isn’t steps, so that you aren’t thrown into anything.  Once you have a few tools and learn a couple concepts, it really isn’t so bad, and it’s fun. 

Twitter is the marketing “Market Place” of today and the future.   If it isn’t happening on twitter, it isn’t happening.  Even major news stations like CNN and CBS are looking to twitter to find out what is going on faster and in real time.  People all over the world are using twitter to communicate and it's time to join the conversation. 

First things first.  

1.       GET A TWITTER ACCOUNT.  www.twitter.com.  

When choosing a twitter name, remember, this is for your business.  It is best to use your business name.   Fill in your Profile and other information.  Be sure to Link your business site on your profile page.  It will make it easier to find you.  When starting out, I would use your Etsy Shop Avatar as your Picture.  It will help people recognize your shop when they click on links. 

Ok – A little info about how twitter works.  When you tweet, only your followers see your message.  But, add “#” in front of a word, (lets use etsy) then anyone watching the  “#etsy”  topic will see your tweet.

EXAMPLE   TWEET: Come see my newest collection.  www.classickeepsakes.etsy.com #etsy 

The “#” is your best friend.  I make jewelry, so I add #jewelry and #fashion to my tweets.  Depending on what you sell, your #topics might be different.   #etsy and #handmade are good topics to start with for Etsy shops.   If you aren’t with etsy  - #yourtypeofproduct works great.

Now try out some tweets and play around a little with twitter.  Let me know how you are doing or if you have any questions.  I have TONS more tips on Twitter – Stay tuned!! 

 

Marilyn Monroe - Why Sparkle?

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved Marilyn Monroe.  I don’t know if it was her smile, her blond hair, or the sparkle in her eye.  I just know that to me, she was perfect.  She didn’t wear a lot of big jewelry, but she sparkled.  I wanted to be just like her.

Of course, I grew up the normal kid.  I didn’t stand out.  I blended.  When Madonna hit the music scene, I saw that same sparkle.  I know this dates me …..  But if you don’t have a badge, I am 29.  I bleached my hair; I bought as much jewelry as I could wear and then some.  I decided sparkle was in the way you carried yourself, the way you saw yourself.   The best way to sparkle is to be yourself, and in my head….I was Marilyn Monroe, Madonna was a nice excuse to dye my hair and wear a lot of makeup.  Truth is, the hair and makeup didn’t matter, and all that mattered was what was right for me.  I left the beige world, and decided to make my own way.  I know that most people have moments like this in their lives, this was mine.

Anyone can sparkle.  I blended, because I chose to.  Then one day, I decided to Sparkle.    As long as I feel like I sparkle, I do, whether anyone else sees it or not.  I know I quote Marilyn Monroe a lot on Twitter.  She had a lot to say, it was all pretty cool if you ask me.  My Favorite however is this….. “Imperfection is beauty, beauty is madness. It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous then absolutely boring.”  A wonderful Artist on Etsy made this amazing painting for me. Artistico   I have it hanging in my studio right in front of my designing table.

 What an amazing way to live your life.  I think we all need to do a little more Sparkling. Or – another amazing quote…..

"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."
- Marilyn Monroe