In less than one week, Conversation Agent will be 3 years old. This has been a very interesting ride - and quite a commitment. On the onset, I promised I'd post every day but Saturday. 945 posts later, I know I kept that promise and some.
That some is the 105 posts at Fast Company expert blog, including what was probably one of the first posts about Dell changing its business model thanks to social media, the 26 post at MarketingProfs Daily Fix, the 33 post at The Blog Herald, the 12 posts at Marketing 2.0, and the contributions at Social Media Today, articles and interviews. But who's counting, right? In case you are, that's 1,121 posts for an average word count of 700 (to stay on the low side, you know I write longer) - 784,700 words.
Many made sense better with your comments. This post is not about me, it's about you. A while back I ran a whole series of posts on connections - how to make them, and stories of ideas and people that connected with me.
Because so many have been quite incredulous as to the value of spending time on Twitter, instead of writing a tutorial on how to do that effectively - Twitter is a tool of the moment - I thought it would be more interesting to help tell the story through yours.
Did you make connections on Twitter? Did the connection lead to a friendship, project, career opportunity, meaningful and purposeful new something? Share your story with me and I will package it in a commemorative eBook you'll be able to share with others.
#twittertales - how it's going to work
You write a short post - 500-850 words describing how a connection you made on Twitter, first, lead you to an opportunity and opened new horizons. As a way of guiding your post structure - and to provide a useful guide for those who will be benefiting from the eBook - you may think about how you'd want to read:
- what was interesting and memorable about the connection? For example, was it immediate, did it take time?
- how have you decided to offer the other an opportunity?
- how can other people make connections easier? How can they overcome skepticism or fear?
- what is the ongoing outcome of that connection? Yes, tell me what's happening now or as you're planning it. That's where we can help.
Stay practical and passionate in your story. Use examples and frame a context so that others may learn to listen for similar kinds of opportunities. Concrete and vivid works very well.
You may post your story here in the comments if you don't have a blog, or post at your blog tagging it #twittertales. Leave the link here in the comments and on Twitter (given the recent reliability issues, I would do both).
When you leave the comment or post, include a brief bio for yourself and that of the person you connected with at the bottom. Include a blog URL or Twitter handle. If you comment here, the blog URL will be in the link, so just the Twitter handle.
There will be a cap of 20 stories for the eBook, so share yours early to have a chance to participate. It's my blog anniversary and this is your gift to me. Who wants to go first with their story?
[image by Luca Sartoni]
This is either the most sharing blog anniversary gift around, or an awesome way for backlinks... JK!
Congrats on the three-year anniversary, Valeria. It's hard enough to stay blogging for one year, never mind three with consistently strong content. But then it's all about the author, and she's pretty strong too :)
Congrats again - now I have to go away and think about a post (do existing ones count?) :)
Posted by: Danny Brown | August 28, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Mint, the Derby, and a new friend
Friday, the last day of the traditional work week, was a day that connected two unlikely dots along a plane of new friendship. With my Tweetdeck open to All Friends, Tallahassee, Facebook: Friends Status, and Replies, I sat enjoying my favorite frappuccino. Wrapping up a day of client visits and new business development planning, I was pleasantly interrupted by a complete stranger.
Some argue that the use of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter threaten the depths of our human relationships and separate society’s connection with the real world. Others argue that what began as a social interactive platform is slowly becoming a superficial sea of subversive status updates and covert spamming. I would offer the possibility that while those arguments have valid points, genuine connection is happening between both worlds. Passion is the key to any authentic connection.
Embarrassingly, I recently have found the delicious and refreshing taste of the Mojito. Traditionally made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime, carbonated water, and mint, Mojitos are the perfect blend of fresh and exciting. My first Mojito was at 101Mint last week while waiting to see Watchmen at IMAX. I was hooked. After hitting three stores trying to find fresh mint, I had to settle for the Mojito mixer. Needless to say, my first attempt to create the sublime concoction in my kitchen was a disaster ending in a shelf bought mixer and a less than top shelf brand of rum.
Here is series of Twitter status updates from Friday between myself (TallyDigitalBiz) and RickOpp whom I have never met in real life, but follow on Twitter:
* @RickOpp 2:33 PM May 1st from web: about to go on a mint run — essential for juleps for Derby Day and mojitos for post-golf @ poolside Sunday.
* @TallyDigitalBiz (2:54 PM May 1st from web in reply to RickOpp):let me know where you find the mint “goods” i went to three stores and struck out, had to settle for just the mixer:
* @RickOpp 3:33 PM May 1st (from TwitterBerry in reply to @TallyDigitalBiz): Tharpe Publix was out & produce guy said other Pubs may b out 2. Got last 2 pkgs @ Tharpe WinnDixie. Try calling others.
* @TallyDigitalBiz (3:39 PM May 1st from TweetDeck): Enjoying free WiFi and a black and white at Starbucks on North Monroe
* @RickOpp 3:46 PM MAY 1st via Direct Message Raise ur hand & wave right now.
At 3:46 PM on Friday May 1st while sitting in Starbucks on North Monroe, I hear a friendly voice ask; Are you Michael Winn? I reply, yes. Reaching out to shake hands, I am handed a small package of fresh mint. Stunned, I have just experienced the incredible power of connection between Twitter and real world friendships. RickOpp, who I personally know now as Rick Oppenheim, have a Twitter story that will be told over and over.
In less than 73 minutes, two complete strangers found a common interest. By the simple spirit of generosity and hospitality, two people now have a keystone to building something beyond Twitter updates, mint, and a 50 to 1 shot winning the Derby.
Submitted by @TallyDigitalBiz
Posted by: Michael Winn | August 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations on the momentous occasion! Wow.
You probably know this, but 784k words is about, uh, 16.5 books. Incredible. I'm just trying to write one and it's killing me.
If you'd like to add 50,000 words to your total (shouldn't be difficult), you know where to find me.
But seriously. This is great! Way to go!
Posted by: Chris Guillebeau | August 28, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Valeria, congrats on your "small" anniversary! :)
The idea is brilliant and I had the same one for a while, but it was forgotten and put aside for later. I admire your passion and creativity!
Ebook will be sure a kick!
Have a great weekend :)
Posted by: Sasha Kovaliov | August 28, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Dear Valeria,
Your blog is the first that I subscribed to via email and the thoughts and conversations you inspire are amazing. The genuine love of ideas and generous flow of insights you openly share is an example for us all. Know that you are appreciated by this creative mind who embraces your passion for the art of communication.
Steve Rubel and David Armano are two more social media talents that continue to grow and make things real for me. The three of you are my heros in this space.
Thank you for being such an incredible leader. Looking forward to seeing your eBook come to life!
Posted by: Peter Rodgers | August 28, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Valeria,
Haven't used Twitter long enough to have a story.
Nevertheless, I wanted to chime-in and offer my congratulations on your 3-year milestone.
Your words have helped and inspired me.
Thank you!
Posted by: Bruce Christensen | August 28, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Valeria,
I don't have an opportunity tale to tell about Twitter just yet, but wanted to offer congrats on your 3 year anniversary. Your articles are most enlightening, and wow, what a production schedule. How impressive. Just reading the number of 900+ makes my typing fingers flinch ;) So thanks for keeping it up and looking forward to more great posts from you.
Posted by: Deni Kasrel | August 28, 2009 at 07:42 PM
@Danny - if you've read this blog for any length of time, you'll know that the only link baiting tactics are those of spammers coming in expecting I won't know their comment is not what it seems ;) Do you have a post that outlines a Twitter connection along the guidelines outlined? Then, by all means!
@Michael - I'm stunned. This reads like an article. I like the brevity. I may circle back with you for brief bios. Thank you.
@Chris - LOL! I didn't even think of that. Writing a book is a slightly different kind of exercise. Or maybe it just feels that way. How about using a recorded to get your thoughts out and then one of those transcription services to have them on file?
@Sasha - it's funny, isn't it? I tend to have lots of ideas, especially when I'm running, then I forget about them more often than not.
@Peter - thank you for letting me know why you like my work. That is one of the most powerful forms of feedback. The other one is when individuals take the time to disagree with my thinking ;)
@Bruce - it was a bit easier in the early days. With volume and mass it takes more time to sort through who is there and what their interests are. You are very kind, thank you.
@Deni - you do something long enough and consistently enough and lo! you find out you have accumulated an incredible resource- one day at a time. Loved the image of the "typing fingers flinch".
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | August 29, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Haha, and exactly the reason I left the smiley face, Valeria :o)
You could have a look at this post:
http://dannybrown.me/2009/03/09/personal-superheroes/
I think it's a perfect example of how Twitter humanizes the online connections we make every day.
Cheers, and have a great weekend!
Danny.
Posted by: Danny Brown | August 29, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I have a number of stories I could share (and hopefully will via a blog post soon), Valeria, but one that immediately jumps out is summarized in this post from my colleague and friend, Scott Hepburn: http://mediaemerging.com/2009/04/21/how-twitter-helped-reward-a-selfless-act/
I met Scott and Sonny well before the Tweet-a-thon, but it helped me get to know them better, helped Scott (indirectly) get a job and allowed me to meet them both in person at BlogPotomac in June! Great story of how people can connect--and help one another--via Twitter.
@arikhanson
Posted by: Arik Hanson | August 30, 2009 at 04:50 PM
What a wonderful idea! I'm happy to share my story with you and your readers.
http://www.janetbarclay.com/2009/08/31/my-connection-story/
Posted by: Janet Barclay | August 31, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Thank you for the kind mention, Arik. It was an honor just to be the recipient of such a selfless act of support. I am thrilled that I was able to contribute a verse to a social media success story.
Valeria, congrats on the big anniversary. You've been on my "people to learn more from" list for ages, and I hope we can connect in real life sometime. Cheers!
Posted by: Scott Hepburn | August 31, 2009 at 09:51 AM
@Danny - thank you! For leaving the smiley and for contributing the story.
@Arik and Scott - good to make the connection off Twitter. See? It's working in so many ways!
@Janet - loved the call to action at the end. Thank you.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | September 01, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Thanks for your email! I tried to reply, but it came back undeliverable. No worries; all I said was:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me directly! I love it when there's something going on that suggests something for me to blog about, especially if it fits right in with the topics I normally deal with. I'm now following you on Twitter.
Posted by: Janet Barclay | September 01, 2009 at 06:52 AM
Mine is a short and not very dramatic tale ~ but it demonstrates the power of our online twitter connections.
I was working on the project covered in my August post ~ Essence of Italian Design ~ however unable to get through to my contact at Marina in Italy, Donatella Consonni. In fact last year I had tried to order something & finally just gave up!
On September 23 it became absolutely necessary for me to find someone in the company who could give me the same wonderful customer service Donatella Consonni had given us in the 80's and 90's, sadly I don't speak Italian and I felt this was key to establish a NEW relationship and obtain the customer service I expected from an old fashioned European company.
I sent a D to Stefano Maggi on twitter. Within five minutes I got a response, here is my Skype info, call me in twenty. I responded~ traveling, skype not an option, let me e you with info~ ~ via email I explained my obvious dilemma in four lines, I needed someone to call and pave the way for me to obtain prompt and efficient service for the order I needed to place (they are the only company in the world where I can obtain the parts) Stefano responded to my request ~ I'll call them tomorrow during business hours. And by the time I got to my computer the next morning, the situation was resolved. in less then 24 hours, Stefano had called Marina, spoken to Donatella Consonni, found she was only working part time & only mornings. The mystery was solved ~ the connection made and we could proceed efficiently with our project, thanks to Stefano ~ @stefanomaggi going out of his way to help. And our only connection is twitter @CASUDI
Posted by: CASUDI | October 05, 2009 at 05:39 PM