Social media works a lot like “Connect the Dots” by Marci Diehl, DoubleVision Creative December 2009
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Like a lot of Boomers, my client said that, while he had heard of Twitter – he was “shying away from it”.

Who’d want to hear about me going to the grocery store? He asked.

If you’re concerned that’s all that Twitter is about, let me reassure you, it’s not. It’s an on-going global conversation that can lead you in directions and to people you never imagined possible.

I took the plunge and signed on to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIN a year ago. I admitted to my client that at first I asked myself what I thought I was doing. Did I even belong? Like him, I’m interested in results. Would there be any for me?

Gathering information on Facebook vs. Twitter (they’re different animals that can peacefully and profitably co-exist) and how to use blogs and other social media channels for business -- I felt like I was in an accelerated MBA program. All it cost me was my time, which was (and is) considerable.

Actually, being a writer and so not a tech person, I felt like I was back in Sister Kostka’s freshman algebra class – clueless, lost, and frightened that everyone would notice how little I knew.

I find a lot of business people over 40 are still wondering what social media means. Or does. Or if it’s worth it.

My client is a very, very successful businessman who has created a second career as a motivational speaker. I learn a great deal from him. He can see the value of a Facebook page and a profile on Linkedin. He can write his own blog. He just doesn’t want to be that connected through “something like Twitter”.

Does he need to be? Not if he’s happy with his scope of success and quality of business and personal life. (And he is.)

Are there downsides to Twitter? Sure. Does everyone need to be on it – or other social media? Not necessarily. Like all your marketing communications, social media needs to be tailored to your business goals and strategy.

However, the benefits of using Twitter and other social media as a part of your communication can also provide results you could never imagine.

Here’s an example I use to explain to my clients about how social media directly benefits my work:

One day, I read a question on a LinkedIn group that I belong to. It was from Michael Stelzner, the white paper specialist. Michael originated the first on-line Copywriting Success Summit in October 2008. I attended the Summit and have a great respect for Mike.

His question was: Is anybody else addicted to Twitter? Twitter can be a dangerous seduction because it can be so fascinating, as the links and news and comments stream along throughout the day from every corner of the earth.

But Twitter is not a waste of your time, if you see it as part of a social media path to one-on-one personal communication with a result.

Doing an online conference led me to:
join the LinkedIn social networking discussion group from the summit conference
which led me to post a comment on a group discussion
and read Cindy King’s www.cindyking.biz very helpful comments about Twitter on the group discussion
which caused us to become aware of each other.
That led me to watch her name become more prominent across social media
and influenced my decision to join Twitter and “follow” this woman, in addition to following professionals from the summit already on Twitter.
Cindy King, a cross cultural marketing consultant located in Paris decided to follow me on Twitter (@writerdiehl)
where I asked her a question about another social media network in Europe that I’m on,
which led to her very helpful answer to me by email and
she requested that we have a phone conversation to learn more about what I do www.marcidiehl.com.

Ultimately, we had a 1.5 hour phone meeting. On Skype.

In one week, I gained a contact and valuable resource, and she learned more about me and my work. We exchanged insights and tips, and we keep up our contact via Twitter and the phone. All that’s missing is a cup of coffee and a table to sit at. I gained by learning some things I should do for my blogs and website, and how I might seek work on an international level.

Since then, I’ve connected much the same way with many other professionals in different industries. They’ve been wonderfully generous with advice and information; I also now write for a site in Europe.

Each day I learn how to successfully “connect the dots” on social media to create a whole picture. As I learn, the results are still surprising.

And exciting. And yes – ultimately profitable. In all sorts of ways.

Marci Diehl is president of DoubleVision Creative, offering consulting, writing, editing, creative direction and program development, implementation and management for marketing communications and social media. DoubleVision Creative is a NYS certified Woman Owned Business. Marci is featured in author Peter Bowerman’s 2009 release of his award-winning, best-selling "industry bible”, The Well-Fed Writer. She’s been a frequent keynote speaker and presenter. In addition, her career as a freelance magazine writer spans 29 years – writing for local, regional and national publications on golf, lifestyle, business, employment and travel. Today she continues her magazine work as head writer and associate editor for development of Gannett’s Canandaigua Magazine.

Email: writerdiehl@gmail.com
Company Profile: DoubleVision Creative
Company URL: http://www.marcidiehl.com

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