How To (Easily) Reach 'Top-Dogs' via Twitter

I use my personal Twitter account for professional purposes. A lot of my professional acquaintances became great genuine buddies along the way, but my laid-back account is actually all professional. Tweeps frequently ask me how I manage to grab the attention of top-notch people through a few simple tweets. Well pay attention, cause I'm only writing this once!

Anyone that knows me the slightest bit knows that I work on PR, social media management, and brand awareness of at least 3 start-ups at any given time. The start-ups are usually strikingly different from one another, so it's not like I could use similar tactics with each of them all the time.

There are a few self-taught approaches that I use to get through to the 'top dogs,' for the sake of exposure of the brands and for myself. I came to learn my magic method through simple trial and error. As W.L Bateman beautifully said, "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got."

Create Special Lists

I have a bunch of Twitter Lists set up. Sorry, I'm greedy, and I made them private. But anyway, each list consists of Twitter handles of people in various industries that I already started engaging with, or would like to engage. 

For example, let's say I have to increase brand awareness for a geeky social networking app called "Geeky Techies R Us." I would use a service like Commun.it to sift through top notch influencers of interest by writing out key word(s) like: tech journalist, tech blogger, early adopter, love apps, etc- and let the service weed out people, and suggest who to follow based on their level of influence.

Once I get a bunch of handles, I would place them in appropiate lists titled things like: GeekTech College Kids to Pursue, GeekTech Bloggers That May Be Interested, GeekTech YouTube Personalities, etc. Organization is done!

Make the First Move

Obviously, people that have a lot of followers have a lot of people vying for their attention at any given moment. Be different from the rest of the pack. Surely, @InfluencerIvy regularly deals with people trying to impress her; trying to flirt with her; spamming her; pitching her... it gets overwhelming!

The way to grab her attention is to just be regular! It's kind of like those scenes in the movies where the whole crowd is going berserk, but you notice that one person who is calm and quiet. Be that one person who doesn't appear to be a leecher, or preacher, or creeper.

I usually make the first move by commenting on their bio in an engaging way, and including their name to make it more personal: "Hi Ivy! I would have NEVER guessed that a hotshot like you also bakes wicked cookies! I'd like some toffee please. :-)" I would also ask totally out-of-the-ordinary questions, such as: "Ivy... would my cookies come out weird if I use mystery flour from the dollar store?" 

In both cases, Ivy would be taken aback by my tweets, cause this is not what she is used to seeing under her @mentions. I usually get responses from my first approaches within 1-2 days. If I see that I'm not getting a response... I'll keep tryin'.

Be Persistant and Unique

No response to your initial tweet(s)? Don't give up! Maybe @InfluencerIvy wrote a few articles and/or made a few appearances on TV, Podcasts, etc. Talk to her about those! But don't mention anything about the recent ones, cause that's what everyone else is talking about. Dig through her old stuff, and say things like: "I love how you were spot-on with your predictions in that interview w/ @InterviewerIan 3 years ago! How does it make you feel, Ivy?"

I once spontaneously asked @GaryVee (whom I'm not actual buddies with... yet), "Gary, should I keep my Android, or switch to iPhone?" The next day, he quickly responded, "iPhone." He followed me back a few days later. This other time, I realized it was @Om's birthday. Of course everyone all over the world was tweeting him birthday wishes, but I decided to be different, and I tweeted him a 'Poem for Om.' He was so flattered- he thanked me twice, and followed me back within a few minutes. Look at his ratio of followers to following! And this powerhouse is following me!

Don't Be Pitchy!

I would never directly ask @InfluencerIvy to check out "Geeky Techies R Us." That would make me just like all the other people that bother her. As I engage her, I will wait for her to eventually ask me what I do for a living. That would be my golden ticket to mention the client I'm representing. Even so, I won't ask her to check it out. I will be like, "I have a few alpha invites left, & I'm looking for someone in media to pass it to. Know anyone who would be interested?"

At that point, if you established a good-enough bond, she will volunteer herself. If not, she will mention other (perhaps more suitable) people who could support your cause. Win-win!

I would really like to know of methods that worked for you! 

** Please feel free to tweet me with your questions and/or comments, or reply with something really nice below. **

Tricks to Twitter Chats

I've noticed that lot of people have mixed feelings over taking part in Twitter Chats- but all I see are benefits in joining. Care for some of my own tricks to make the most of Twitter Chats?

 

Let's start with the 'problems!'

Supposedly *Meh* Aspects of Twitter Chats:

1. Flooding your (non-participating) followers feeds with your replies to questions
2. Fear that you may not have anything substantial to contribute
3. Thought that it might not be worth it, since your responses will be buried under several others after a few seconds
4. Fear that maybe people might disagree with what you say, and start tweet-wars
5. Thought that there may be no real gain out of the time you invest in it

But in all honestly, I can almost always provide an answer that will counter any objection to Twitter Chats, and make you see that you can actually gain a WHOLE LOT from 'em!

Send @Replies

Let's pretend you have 300 followers, and none of them are taking part in #SkyChat- but you are. The first question to #SkyChat (sent by @SkyChatHost) is: "Q1- What color is the sky?" You're tempted to respond by sending a tweet saying, "A1- The sky is blue! #SkyChat" By doing so, your 300 followers will probably see your tweet and wonder what the heck is going on. But that's not what you want!

To avoid spamming your followers, there are services that offer to have them temporarily mute you- but come on, isn't that kind of messed up? You're way better off by sending an @reply to @SkyChatHost while including the hashtag in your response for the other participants to see. So this is what your tweet should look like: "@SkyChatHost A1- The sky is blue! #SkyChat" 

There. You officially spared your followers of tweets they may find irrelevant, while simultaneously taking part in #SkyChat.

Can't Beat 'em? Join 'em!

If you are finding the level of engagement, info-sharing, and maybe even intelligence a bit intimidating- that is no reason for you to opt out of chats! When I join Twitter Chats, I find that I am only able to really answer half the questions, while I'm semi-clueless on how to answer the others.

But I still remain active! I send @replies to other participants who answered, telling them things like, 'I agree,' or 'I didn't think of it like that- interesting.' Heck, at least I'm still being seen in the chat! If you see a particular answer is looking good, retweet it. People like being retweeted. The participant might reply back to you, thanking you for the retweet. Then boom- you just came out like a hero, and probably gained a new smart follower.

Make Your Answers Stand Out

Your responses won't be buried under other responses if you bring life to them! Let's pretend that the second question for #SkyChat is, "Q2- What is acid rain? #SkyChat" Of course, most people would give dictionary definitions. Some would probably go on a tangent, talking about their acid rain experiences.

But you can be different. Answer something like, "@SkyChatHost A2- Well this uber-geeky infographic kind of taught me what acid rain is, haha: http://bit.ly/pfFqli #SkyChat" Then boom- you just showed some personality, pizzazz, and just watch how you get retweeted.

Slap Skeptics With A Source

Don't be afraid of people tearing you apart at your responses! Find a source- any source- to include in your response (if you feel you might be charged at.) For example, let's pretend the third question for #SkyChat is, "Q3- Which cities contain the most smog? #SkyChat" You may want to respond 'Windsor, Canada' but you know that may offend a few participants. So be slick, and blame your answer on a source! Answer something like, "@SkyChatHost A3- I hear Windsor, Canada has a lot of smog. Check out: http://bit.ly/p4i334. #SkyChat" Then boom- if anyone has a problem with your answer, instead of being weird with you, they can just say that the source must be incorrect. And you can just shrug it off and move on.

Squeeze The Juices Out Of It!

Figure out how to grab the attention of persons-of-interest while you're in the Twitter Chat. Check out the bios of the most active participants, and engage them with small-talk outside of the chat. They will slowly-but-surely become buddies with you if you are consistent enough with your engagement. You will soon find that these people would be glad to help you with your questions, causes, etc- time and time again! 

Connections are priceless. Twitter Chats are a great way to meet with many influencers, and people connected to influencers. Think about it, wouldn't it be harder to reach out to all these people in real life, and make a connection?

Join a Twitter Chat and let me know of your experiences! Here's a site that will help you find one to match your needs... but trust there are countless more that are not mentioned which you will eventually learn of, and can take part in.

** Please feel free to tweet me with your questions and/or comments, or reply with something really nice below. **

Want a CUTE way to Thank your Friends? Daps'em!

We all heard about gifts that keep on giving. What about thank you's that keep on thankin'??? Enter Dapsem!

When you tweet your friend a 'thank you,' it only has maybe one minute of spotlight before it gets buried in a buncha other tweets. When you write them a 'thank you' on their Facebook wall, that also lasts maybe a day or two... then that too gets buried 'neath a buncha other posts.

Daps'em is a free iPhone app, which allows you to 'dap' your friends, and publishes the 'dap' onto both your Facebook pages, and both your Twitter feeds simultaneously! If you would like, it could also do either or. But that's not all! Cause hey, like I mentioned earlier... those don't last long!

Your daps are also featured on the Dapsem page, where all other users could see just how awesome your friend is, and how awesome you are for thanking them! 

Here are some samples:

I hope Raffe forgives me for this one!

Ah, here is another good one. ::Cough-cough::

Anyone can also add comments underneath the daps, which make 'em all the more cuter!

By now, I'm sure you noticed the "Yays." That's equivalent to "Likes" and "+1's" But come on... 'yay' sounds hecka more fun! You can also catagorize your daps into one of the following catagories:

You can also share pics with the whole Dapsem community, as demonstrated below:

I must say, this app is just so much FUN because as you continue using it, you will find more and more creative ways and even excuses to show your gratitude to people.

Here are some alternative ways that I am also using it:

1. Reaching out to persons-of-interest
2. As a 'poke' to people I haven't spoken to in a while
3. A conversation starter for people who have yet to discover the coolness of it
4. Breaking the ice with someone
5. To kiss up to people
6. A #FollowFriday that could be given ANYDAY

I also enjoy going through the daps that other people have given. You get to learn more of other peoples personalities, and I actually made a few new buddies through Dapsem, because I liked the way they thanked people!

Got an iPhone or an iPad? You totally have to download this free app! Let me know what you think of it! 

While you're at it, you should totally thank Hamutal for creating such awesomeness!

** Please feel free to tweet me with your questions and/or comments, or reply with something really nice below. **

13 Hours of Internet a Day: NOT Too Much

My name is Farhana, and I spend an average of 13 hours a day on the Internet.

I remember when I first got my AIM and MSN screen names over a decade ago, my parents used to complain that I spend too much time online. That was about 1 1/2 hours a day.

I now spend an average of 13 hours a day on the Internet. Of those 13 hours... hmmm... perhaps 2 or 3 hours are collectively spent on my personal Twitter account. Rest of it is spent on social media accounts of my clients, and conducting research for business documents and articles. Doesn't 13 hours of Internet on a daily basis sound outrageous?!? I know I feel embarassed telling people that. Makes me sound like a sore loser.

But I still don't think I am spending 'too much time' on the Internet, or social media. Let me give you some reasons why:

1. The quality of my work never decreased. 
2. I am never missing deadlines. Never asked for extensions.
3. My interactions with real-life friends and family never lessened.
4. I still do all household chores, exercise, and tend to my hobbies just fine.
5. I reach out and help others. That includes family, friends, Twitter-friends, worthy causes, and sometimes random strangers.

I'm perfectly productive in dozens of aspects. I have yet to be told by someone that I am not putting enough passion into my crafts, or personal relations.

In all honesty, I think my intense activity on social media and the Internet is actually what is keeping me awake, alert, and active. It is also raising my awareness of countless matters.

How high is your Internet/Social Media activity, and how would you rate it?

** Please feel free to tweet me with your questions and/or comments, or reply with something really nice below. 

My Twisted Romance with Klout

His acknowledgement of my efforts to please him mean the world to me. But our relationship is no longer what it once was.

Courtship

When I was younger and much less experienced, he took me in with open arms, and told me that he adored me for being a 'Specialist' and for being influential in a variety of Social Media and Tech-related topics. He instantly won me over, because he appreciated me for who I was. He knew my strengths, and was never shy to share his knowledge of my strengths with the world.

He also showered me with lavish gifts that he called 'perks.' The stronger our love became, the more perks I got out of it. I always adored his spontaneity and variety in the presents he gave me, and I always willingly accepted.

Honeymoon Over

Within a few short months, I matured. My love began referring to me as a 'Pundit,' and he was making it far more difficult for me to please him as a result. He would penalize me if I failed to satisfy his ever-increasing appetite on a daily basis. I would often stay up far past midnight, in an effort to please him in every way that I can- only to later discover that my efforts meant very little to him. Months ago, he was easily excited over far less effort. I began to wonder, could there possibly be someone else?

Devastating Realization

Before confronting him, I decided to do a Google search on my love... to see if maybe he really was interested in someone else. Lo and behold- an endless list of his ex's (whose hearts he had previously broken) were all letting their resentment against him be known! Many people referred to his way-of-thinking as 'flawed.' Others simply referred to him as 'stupid.' It hurt me to read such hateful comments against him. Yet at the same time, I found myself agreeing.

Never-ending Cycle

I just can't imagine myself ending my relationship with him! He always leaves me coming back for more. I visit him every morning, just to see if maybe he will reward me for all I have done the night prior. That is rarely the case now, but I still find myself trying and checking- because one day... maybe one day he will realize that my love for him is ever-lasting, no matter what anyone else says or thinks of him.

Did Klout ever seduce you into submission?

** Please feel free to tweet me with your questions and/or comments, or reply with something really nice below.