By Joan Stewart At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but a new study shows that 4 percent of the posts on Twitter include recommendations or complaints about a product. The study, done by TextWise, analyzed the content of 8.9 million tweets posted by 2.6 million unique users. An analysis of 1,000 tweets it… Read More
Social Media Trends
‘Tis the Season for Social Media
By Jeanne Hurlbert New survey results from ComScore tell a dramatic story about the influence social media is wielding this holiday shopping season–and it’s a story to which smart retailers are paying attention. The survey results estimate that social media has influenced fully 28% of holiday shoppers this year–that’s more than 1 in 4. Product… Read More
20 social media tips point to four common mistakes
Shane Gibson’s list of 20 social media tips under 140 charcters is a handy reminder for social media newbies as well as veterans. Reading the list, I thought of four common mistakes people are still making, based on the questions I’m receiving from people who read my newsletter and comment here. If you think of… Read More
Twitterers, do you ‘unfollow’ people who ‘unfollow’ you?
Dan Janal of Shorewood, MN, owner of PRLeads, writes: “I subscribe to UseQwitter.com which tells me when people stop following me on Twittter. “I recently became very active on Twitter and many people started following me—more than 400 in a week. However, UseQwitter now tells me that 20 people have stopped following me. “Was this a scam… Read More
Let’s meet at Stompernet event March 5-8 in Atlanta
If you’re a member of Stompernet, the world’s largest membership site for Internet marketers, and you’re attending the Stompernet LIVE 7 event March 5-8 in Atlanta—or if you’re attending as a member’s guest—let me know. I’d love to meet you, say hi and maybe even buy you coffee. I’ve cut back drastically on travel because I hate… Read More
Twitter and text-speak are poisoning the English language
Maybe it’s just me, a grumpy former newspaper writing coach. But I fear our love affair with Twitter, text messaging and even those ubiquitous emoticons is poisoning the English language. Mari Smith’s Twitter Lingo Demysified includes a list of the most popular terms that many active Twitterers use in everyday tweets, to help them keep their posts within the 140-character limit. Even if you don’t… Read More
Hungry reporter gets a free gourmet burger, thanks to Twitter
Twenty years ago, when I worked in the newspaper business, if a local company had delivered to my newsroom a free gourmet burger that I could enjoy at lunch, I probably would have turned red from embarrassment, then eaten it, with my fellow newsroom buddies watching. Gourmet burgers, after all, didn’t fall into the “anything… Read More
Social networking tips and success stories
I’m quoted in the July issue of Cleveland Business Connects magazine, explaining why I’m in love with Twitter, the free micro-blogging tool. (“It takes far less time than many other social networking tools and can produce incredibly powerful results.”) Publicity Hound Lynne Meyer, APR, who reads my ezine, The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week, asked if… Read More
New social networking site for New Age, spiritual communities
New Age Directories—sort of a MySpace or Facebook of the New Age, spiritual and alternative communities— has just gone live. “Create your own online world and promote yourself, your ideas, your dreams; share your thoughts, expertise and advice; share your healing, love and gratitude; find, seek, look, listen, ask; make friends, business contacts, even romance – anything… Read More
How long before criminals start monitoring Twitter?
Maybe it’s just me. But I fear that one day soon, criminals will discover that Twitter is one of the best places to find empty houses vulnerable to a break-in, or Twitterers who make it easy for them to commit far more serious crimes. I expect to see lots of details in tweets about what… Read More