Twitter Isn’t For Everybody

This week I reached a milestone when I picked up my 800^th follower on Twitter.  Now for me, that’s a big deal because my initial goal was to have 100 when I first signed on several months ago.  One hundred friends seemed like a manageable number.  Although I never expected all of them to be on Twitter at the same time, I felt confident I could follow the different conversations and offer valuable feedback as necessary. 

But here I am now with all of these followers and I have to admit, some of them have fallen by the wayside.  That, to me, is the danger of twitter networking.  What good is it to have lots of connections if you aren’t creating some type of win-win situation for each other?

As a woman in business, I definitely see the value of a site like twitter.  Case in point:  Forty-eight hours ago, I promoted a Valentine’s Special for my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age.  As of this writing, I’ve sold 36 copies.  My goal is 100.

Why have I been able to make these sales?  I believe it’s because I provide a balance in my business and social networking.  I’m not constantly on the site trying to sell anything.  As a matter of fact, the Valentine’s Promotion is the first thing I’ve actually attempted to sell because I spend the majority of my time on the site promoting my blogs.  I also make it a point to promote others through “re-tweeting” and am always looking for guests for my radio shows.

Here are some of my reasons why I believe twitter networking can do more harm than good:

1)  Too Over Zealous:  I have seen some Twitterers who have literally thousands of connections.  I wonder why.  What is the point?  How can one effectively communicate with that many followers—unless all they’re doing is promoting their business and trying to sell their products or services.  It’s a turn off for me—especially when you don’t give me the respect or courtesy of responding to a simple question or request I may put out—like, “Do you mind stopping by my blog and leaving a comment?”

You can be assertive in getting your message out there to the masses but if you never acknowledge your followers on a level they can identify with, then you’re really defeating your purpose for being on Twitter.  

2)  Connecting with the WRONG people: When I first joined Twitter, I was told I should follow everyone who follows me.  That was considered common courtesy.  I tried that for awhile but soon discovered that everyone who was following me wasn’t necessarily interested in me—but rather in what they could sell me.  That was a turn-off! 

Before you decide to follow a follower, take a few minutes and check out their profile and the website attached.  See what they’re all about and then determine if that’s the kind of person you really want to be connected with.  While I am a firm believer that you can learn something from everybody, I also believe not everyone is necessarily meant to be connected.  I’ve even gone as far as to ask some followers why they chose to do so.

3)  Alienate some connections:  Having too many followers may cause you to alienate some connections.  At any given time, there are dozens upon dozens of conversations going on and some conversations get overlooked. 

I’ve also noticed there are some people who only respond to certain other people so no matter what you put out there, you just won’t get a response them.  Are those people you really want to be associated with?   

5) Inactivity:  Every now and then it’ a good idea to check and see what your followers are up to.  When was the last time they were on Twitter?  If their last post was two weeks ago or longer, maybe you may want to drop them or at least send a message to see if everything is OK with them.  Their response (or lack thereof) will help you determine whether you should have one less connection.

5)  Twitter isn’t for everybody:  Unless you’re willing to make an earnest effort to be engaging with your followers, offer more than your product or service, and be able to keep up with the fast pace, then maybe you should try another social networking site. 

Once you’ve clearly determined why you want to be on Twitter and who you’re trying to reach, then actively seek those people out.  There are some people there who are strictly about business and that’s OK if that’s where you’re coming from.  But, on the other hand, don’t expect those same people to ask you about your day or share their dinner menu with you.

Website Marketing Ideas

If you’re a woman with an online business, you undoubtedly know the challenges you face in getting the word out about your product or services.  One of the best resources I have found is Social Networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.  Some people do tend to overdo it when it comes to their business promotions, however, if you draw them to your website, that’s the first step in turning a prospective client into a keeper. 

Here are some tips on marketing your website

1.     Broadcast your website like a phone number .

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   • Include your web address on all printed material (brochures, stationery, business cards, and press materials).
   • Include your web address in your email signature file.
   • Include your web address in your Yellow Pages listing and in other advertisements.

2.      Entice customers and prospects to visit your website again and again.

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   • Update your site regularly.
   • Add new features to your website regularly.
   • Revise your site’s Meta tags; to make it easier for search engines to find. (Your website developer can embed codes that the search engines use when indexing your web page.)
   • Offer Internet specials, such as discounts for orders placed online.
   • Host a discussion group on your website with customer comments and questions.
   • Add small photos on opening pages that expand to full-size pictures only when clicked. (This saves loading time.)
   • Tailor your choice of web features to your target market – just like you would with any other form of communication.

o        Regularly view your competitors’ websites. Learn from what they do right and from their mistakes.

3.     Use your site for sales and customer service.

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   • Use shopping cart software that allows customers to shop and order online. The software also provides instant feedback of total costs, including tax amounts, to your online customers.
   • Have a secure website for Internet sales.
   • Provide a street map to your business location on the Web. (Customers can print it out.) If you have multiple locations, find a way to let customers know which location is most convenient for them.
   • Provide forms on your web page that can be completed and submitted online for customers’ convenience. (If inquiries are allowed in the forms, respond to them promptly. Most web users expect a response within 24 hours.)
   • Create a link to your email on every page in your website. That way, if something on the page sparks a customer’s response, you’ve made it easy for them to “talk” to you.
   • Make sure your customers can find you by searching with keywords. Check how easy it is to locate your site using various search engines.
   • Check your website using various versions of browsers and types of computers to be sure it loads quickly and correctly. Get business associates and friends to access your site and tell you how it looks.
   • Provide a variety of ways for online customers to contact you: by email, phone (800 number), fax and mail.
   • Offer an online newsletter. This could be an electronic version of a printed newsletter you already publish, something entirely different, or a combination of the two.
   • Feature some interesting history or suggestions about your area of business.
   • Offer to include photos sent by your customers showing them using your business.
   • Create a sense of family among your web page readers.

Sell Your Experience

Which sounds better? 

“I’m a 51-year-old media consultant” or “I’m a media consultant with more than 25 years of experience in the business.”

What does being a 51-year-old media consultant mean?  I could be a novice in the field who knows less than a 30-something professional.  Banking on your age alone in the business world may be more of a deterrent these days than you think.  Don’t get me wrong, age does have its advantages but in the business world, it’s more about what you know. 

Therefore, as an older professional business woman you’ve got to SELL YOUR EXPERIENCE!

• You Know People: You have worked long enough and SMART enough to have developed business contacts of tremendous value.  No 25-year-old executive will ever match the number and depth of contacts a veteran business woman brings to the table.
• You Bring Wisdom and Sage Leadership: After more than 25 years in the workforce, you’ve taken your knocks, you’ve learned the hard lessons, and you’ve demonstrated your ability to lead, achieve and succeed.
• You Represent Credibility: You give your company instant credibility, simply by your level of maturity.  The fact that you have learned how to wheel and deal over the years with some of the best men and women makes you a force to be reckoned with. 
• You have real-life experience:  Today, employers want workers who can hit the ground running and older workers have more real-world experience with less drama.  Also, customers want to deal with business owners who know how to treat them as a person and not as a “sale.”
• Your Network is Bigger:  All those years of Chamber of Commerce Meetings, along with other business, church and social networking clubs haven’t been for nothing.  These are invaluable contacts that not only help you generate sales but also help you expand your networking base even wider.

Abigail Van Buren, the Dear Abby columnist, was once quoted as saying: If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us we’d be millionaires.”  So what kind of deposit are you prepared to make?

Strong Woman vs. Woman of Strength

Too Much Social Networking Isn’t Good For You

At last count, I was a member of MySpace, Ryze, FaceBook, Ning, Fabulously40, Inside919, Tagged, Gathers, Black Writers with Purpose, LinkedIn, Eons, Vibrant Nation, Women Etc., and Boomer Diva Nation (Founder/Moderator). Oh, and let’s not forget about the time consuming site known as Twitter.

I want to be connected. I want people to know who I am and what I do and I want to know them. I’ve read plenty of articles that say you have to develop “relationships” BEFORE you jump into the “buy my product” business. While I agree with that, I also believe there comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to say, “The buck stops here!”

Social networking definitely has its advantages. I became a best selling author on Amazon.com because of some wonderful women on the Ryze Network. My media consulting business has also done very well. But somewhere in the course of being connected online, I have lost part of myself. I would rather be on the computer spending idle time than be out in my own community making new contacts and even visiting old friends.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here’s what I suggest:

Practice Time Management: Allocate certain times of the day that you will spend on the computer for social networking and stick to it. It may be hard at first but once you develop a routine, you will find it’ll get easier.

Learn to Walk Away: One of my favorite songs by Kenny Rogers is “The Gambler.” He says, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em—know when to fold ‘em—know when to walk away…”

Out of all of the networks I mentioned above, I’m really only active on three. Sure I contribute from time to time of all of the networks but there is no consistency on the majority of them. I’m sure you know people who only pop onto the site when they want to promote their business or product. That’s a non-no. If your friends on MySpace haven’t seen you in months and then all of a sudden you show up to promote your book, how do you think they will respond?

Do some Research on Social Media: Not every site is necessarily for everybody. Do your homework and find out which sites will serve your best interest. If you’re a baby boomer, why would you want to be connected to women who are all twenty-something? If you’re strictly about business, find like-minded sites, instead of wasting valuable time doing social networking.

Cultivate Real Relationships: I have never understood why some people insist on boasting about having thousands of friends in their “inner circle.” Use part of your networking time to get to know people. Twitter is a one of those places where people will chat about almost anything. Follow their conversation and chime in from time to time. Show others you are more than just your business.

Too much social networking can have you spinning your wheels and failing to meet your overall objectives. But, of course, you must know what that objective is.

Here is Where Baby Boomer Women Rock, Roll & Rule!

Welcome to Boomer Diva Nation! Come on in and browse around. Check out the interesting articles and be sure to let us know you were here by leaving a comment.

Here is where you’ll find some of the most interesting, talented and diverse baby boomer women on the planet. We’re Divas and proud of it! So what is a DIVA? She’s a baby boomer woman who’s Divinely, Inspired, Vivacious and Anointed.

The Divas are all very talented women who come from very diverse backgrounds around the globe. We come from all walks of life and different races and are eager to share our knowledge and resources. We’ve had a few bumps in the road and some detours but we continue to persevere.

Boomer Diva Nation—a nonprofit organization—provides a variety of resources to assist fellow baby boomer women in their endeavors. It’s also a place where women can network. Please come join us!

Charter Members

Linda Alexander, Pam Archer, Angela Betts, Natalie Cole, Cynthia Frazier, Linda Hall, Donna Maria Harris, Kathy Holmes, Gayle Hurd, Karlyn, Betty Lynch, Heidi Richards; Beverly Mahone; Ginger Marks, Carine Nadel, Kathie M. Thomas Kathy Walsh, Debra Shivelely Welch, Gloria Mount, Ora Stearns-Smith and Vicki M. Taylor.

Survey Says Baby Boomers aren’t Internet Savvy Yet

Baby Boomers aren’t as active on the internet as one might be led to believe.  According to a survey conducted by ThirdAge, Inc., more than half of boomers have never visited a social networking site.  Surprising?  Yes, it is to me since the vast majority of women I come in contact with on a daily basis are boomers.

But according to Third Age, Inc., 53 percent of boomers said they had never visited social networking sites; 47 percent cited concerns over privacy and having personal information on the Web; 39 percent said they’re too busy; and 32 percent see no benefit in spending time social networking.

“Boomers are using more traditional Web communication tools, such as e-mail, to keep in touch with their existing group of friends in order to share photos and, more importantly, life experience,” according to Third Age Chief Executive Officer Sharon Whiteley.  “That said, boomers in general are interested in connecting and interacting with others in their community around shared interests and common issues. They relate to people sharing a similar life phase, and they trust those who have walked in their shoes.”

The survey also found boomers are “not yet” interested in: blogs, podcasts, music downloads and group gaming.

Boomers alone account for 78 million people and control more than 83 percent of consumer spending, according to the companies that produced the survey. Forty percent of the United States’ population is over 45, with 50 percent market growth projected over the next 15 years. Boomer spending will increase $800 billion to over $4.6 trillion by 2015.