3 Things That Would Improve Twitter Suggestions

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Annelie Näs

Today Twitter added a new interesting feature which is common on other networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, where you are suggested who to follow. According to the twitter blog the suggestions are based on several factors, including the people you follow and the people they are following.

I find this feature very interesting, especially for twitter users who are still new and who have not yet got a hang of it. It has sometimes been difficult to find interesting people to follow that you do not know from before. At least from my experience I usually follow the writers of the blogs I read and the people that I meet in real life. I rarely sit on twitter and try to find people to follow. But maybe that is just me?

Twitter also added the feature “if you like this person, you might like these as well”. Interesting, but I wonder what will happen if it starts suggesting organisations and people that you don’t want to be associated with.

Anyway, in the right menu you can see the users suggested, and you can also press “view all” and see come to a new page where you see a longer list of suggested people. In the right menu you get to see their name and a picture and have the option to follow them in directly from the right menu. Most of the time these features are in beta when they are first published, so they might have more coming on this one. But here are three things which I would like to see in the feature which would make me use it even more.

1. Tweeter rollover – displaying; location, latest tweet, bio, followers, website etc.

In the “normal” feed you can get more information about the tweeter by rolling you mouse over his/hers screen name, this I feel is very useful when you want more info about the person you are following. This is even more important I feel when it comes to people that you are not following and that you might want to learn more about to follow. If I’m going to follow someone by pressing follow in the right menu, I want this info there as well.

2. The reason – why should I follow this person?

Twitter says that the suggestions are based on several factors, I want to know which one. Am I recommended this person because we live in the same city? Or because my friend follow her? Or is it because she tweets about the same subjects as I do? I think this information would make me more interested in following this person.

3. Variables – give me an option to choose what people to are shown – perhaps depending on language.

I rarely, or almost never follow people because they are from the same city as me or live close to me. So I would like the option to turn of that factor. On the other hand I love to listen to people who tweet about social media, marketing and business development, so then I would be nice to have the option to be suggested people two tweet a lot about this keywords.

So far the best thing with this feature, if it works, is that if you “click “hide,” and we’ll try not to suggest that user again.” However, could this could be bad if you click it unintentionally and cannot find the person again.

Updated: 7 (5) beginner mistakes to avoid in social media & blogging

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Annelie Näs

Everyone makes mistakes, and those who have made them, tend to have a desire of not wanting others to do the same. Personally I’m some where in between when it comes to blogging and social media. I’m still learning but I’m experienced enough to teach others. So I thought I would start by sharing a few things about what NOT to do. Some are mistakes I’ve made myself and others are mistakes which I see other making.

Creating accounts that you don’t use

When it comes to personal accounts most people are very forgiving when they find account that people don’t use. It usually says more about the network than the person. The problems start how ever, when you leave accounts that you have been using without a word. For example an old twitter account, people might not realise that you have stopped tweeting and is wondering why you don’t answer. Which puts you in a bad light, this goes for emails and everything else. Be careful with “looking active” where you are not. I have also seen this done by companies which I find even worse.

Not having any contact information

This one I’ve stumbled upon a lot since I’ve tried to get to know the people behind the blog etc. But many ‘forget’ or choose to not put up a contact form or an email address. I wonder just how many opportunities are lost that way.

Automated messages

Automated messages is one of the things which I really oppose. First of all you “represent” things that you cannot control. Second, people think that you are around and you might not answer. Third, people might start questioning your motives if you just send out a feed. If you want to be around in social media, make sure that you are around and not some robot version of who you are.

Not follow up on replies

This goes for both social networks and blog comments and any other communication online. If people are trying to communicate with them do not leave them hanging. Even if you don’t reply until a few hours later, make sure that you do reply because people will remember. I have unfollowed people that I’ve tried contact who have not answered many times. With some it is understandable because they have too many followers, but for the people like me, I find it as rude as not responding to a hello when you meet IRL.

Promoting yourself to much

This is one of the lessons I read about most. And which I’ve been good at following because you can read it in any book about social media and personal branding. People wont listen to you if you only talk about yourself. There is not much more to that point. Try to promote other peoples stuff and to talk with people and not only write and share your own content.

After talking with a few people on Twitter about this posting I figured I would add two lessions to this post.

1. Be careful with information related to employers or clients

This suggeston came from Gert Lambers on Twitter, and I could not agree more. It is important to seperate your own opinions from your employeers. Either you can state it in a sentence “my opinions on twitter does not reflect my employer”, but also make sure you think twice when you post something which has any relevance to your work.

@GertLambers  “Being careful with info related to employers or clients would be wise, 1 should make sure to be compliant with employers rules”

2. Listen more than you speak

The second tip came from Adrian Chira, who says it all, we have 2 ears and 1 month and should use them accordinly. Listen more than you speak. And I would says that listning twice as much as you speak is not an exaggeration at all.

@adrianchira I would add that we have 1 mouth and 2 ears and we should use them accordingly so first try to listen more than you speak

3 ways of using Yammer as meeting support

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Annelie Näs

For those of you who have not tried it, Yammer is an internal microblogg. This means that only people with the same email can see each other microposts. Just like twitter you can also send DM and Reply messages to the people in the network, so they are very similar in that way, which is very helpful when you are introducing other people to the network.
Either way, so far I’ve only used this tool at a smaller company which I worked for and in smaller groups, but it is very interesting, and I’ve found one time when it is particularly useful, if it is frequently used. That one is meeting support.

When you are in a meeting, Yammer can be a great, “silent”-way to communicate with the rest of the office, both to ask questions and to see what is going on. 

Three ways of using yammer in meetings:

  1.  When you need to ask a question, “yam it” – then you can ask the question without interrupting the meeting by making a phone call.
  2. Let people contact the meeting – Let people contact the meeting without interrupting by sending a message.
  3. Now what is going on outside the meeting – If you are in longer meetings for project groups check office status on yammer in the breaks.  

The communication balance – what is too little and what is too much?

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Annelie Näs

Sometimes there is a thin line between communicating two little and two much. Below, I will share to common situations online where this is particularly evident; with opt-in/confirmations and with newsletter lists.

 Opt-ins and confirmations

Nowadays we are used to getting some kind of confirmation when we sign up for a service, a newsletter or what it might be. An opt-in och something else.  we don’t get this confirmation, regardless of what it is for, many of us begins to question if we did it all right. Did I really order that service or not?

On the other hand, if there are to many steps, email we might refer to them as this time, we get annoyed. We feel “spammed.” For example, if you opt-ed in for a service and then receives a thank you email with no more useful information than that. This might be received a spam instead of the second confirmation that it was intended as. For some services it might be necessary to have a double opt-in, or some other type of double confirmation.

The suggestion here, seems to be, what ever confirmation/opt-in that brings some kind of value for the receiver is granted. Could be more security or a easier adaptation to the service.

Newsletter lists

From experience I rarely sign up for newsletters before I now what I will receive. For example a company who says “product info, new etc” but not gives any indication on how many times they send them, I would never accept. Mostly, because many companies seem to have problems with the “unsubscribe” button. The same goes for companies who offer a whole list of newsletters that they have for different subjects.

However, a few weeks ago, I tired one of those lists and signed up for a few newsletters that I found interesting. BIG MISTAKE! It turned out that each of the newsletters is delivered once or more per day, which was never said in the list. Which means that I now barley even check the box that they comes to, because I want to start reading but it is too overwhelming.

Conclusions

Ask your subscribers what they think works and don’t work with your communication. This way they will feel more included, and you limit the changes for you to be viewed as a spammer or that they feel like you fooled them. Be honest and share! But not to much ;)

How To: Create an event which has it all > in one day > #SMMUK10

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Annelie Näs

I cannot describe in words how thankful I’m for the opportunity to attend #SMMUK10 in London and most of all taking the opportunity. I flew here from Sweden last night and is going back again tonight.

One day:

15 presentations & 22 presenters/discussions all on social media marketing = #SMMUK10

Now, I have to admit that these many opinions and lecture might be seen as information overload and to many opinions, but it hasn’t been! Instead the even organizers have managed to wrap it all up.

We have heard/seen

  • examples
  • ideas
  • case studies
  • strategies
  • what to do/what not to do
  • crash courses

And best of all, since many of the presenters have listened to each other all day they actually have mentioned each other when they have brought up similar subjects, which have given the listeners a great perspective!

iPhone blog – #smmuk10 changing perspective – people are the channels

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Annelie Näs

I’m going to give you à few summaries of the event later. But until then i’m going to develop à few ideas and concepts which have either been new for me or have been presented from, for me, knew angel.

Enough said, to the point.

the @mediaczar aka Matt Morrisson spoke about People as channels.

Which made me ser à few things differently. Upon til now I’ve seen twitter as à channel. À communication channel, information channel, marketing channel, you name it.

But what happens if I move that to seeing the people on the networks as à channel. If in speaking with People irl i dont need à channel, so why do i need it online? I don’t need à channel for interactive communication online, i need à tool!

Broadcasting need channels but interaction need tools. If i stop seeing twitter as à tool like à cellphone, Will i get closer to the People im talking with?

Or has infact My thoughts been this and My actions different?

What do you think? What are your take on this?

Social media marketing uk 2010 – #SMMUK10 – the first four presenters

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Annelie Näs

We have been listening to five presenters so far and right now we have two more on stage. Here is a short summary of what we have heard so far!

It is impressive how many ideas and thoughts about social media which can be presented in one day and how many people who are working with it. This event is for me a proof that social & digital media is no longer something you can do, it is an industry that you can work in.

First of all key points from all the speakers so far:

Brian Solis – @briansolis – #nicheworks #contextual-networks #interest-graph
Richard Sedley – @richardsedley  - #social-objects #social-proof #reciprocity #storytelling
Mat Morrison – @mediaczar –  “Viral? No. Just “Amplified”. #everyone is contextual
Matt Rhodes & Naomi Paget – viral success & ongoing engagement

A few interesting Tweets from the morning

MatrixLtd: Social media isn’t just a channel, it’s a source of information…(@mediaczar) #smmuk10

iSOFT_Shaun: RT @seanEclark: Start collecting social data now – invaluable!@mediaczar #SMMUK10

annelienaes: RT @Synthesio: Authority does not equal influence, but the # of connections you have can make you influential #smmuk10 US ex from@mediaczar

TXLotusLive: ONLINE COMMUNITY: build own niche around your biz. Keep community vibrant. Communicate story widely - @briansolis #smmuk10

jododds: RT @grahamjones: We have to leave behind concept of marketng as broadcasting says @briansolis at #smmuk10 [inbound marketing rules!]




The gowalla vs foursquare battle in Sweden

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Annelie Näs

We have heard about the networking games for a while, most of us have tried them as well. Now the big challenge in Sweden begin, without anyone knowing the stats of either.

foursqaure (first add i’ve seen)

Gowalla (first swedish trip by a GO)

Let the battle begin!

I’m attending SMMUK10, are you?

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Annelie Näs

Finally, it’s happening, I’m attending a Social Media Marketing event with internationally recognized speakers. I’ve been following their blogs for years and followed the conferences on YouTube. But now, there is finally an event in Europe were two of the writers, of the largest blogs in the world about social media, will speak. I will attended #SMMUK10 and listen to Chris Brogan and Brian Solis among others.

The event takes place in London on the 17th of June, (I hope to see you there) and over the day we will see 13 presenters speak (talk about heavy schedule!) about all social media marketing. Here are some of the speech topics:

  • What Social Media Marketing Mean for You?
  • The New Era of Relationships: Introducing Niche works
  • How to Make Your Marketing Messages Travel
  • There’s No Such Thing as Viral Marketing: Only Great Content
  • Twitter Marketing for Brands in Action
  • The Psychology of Persuasion: Next Generation Marketing

I’ve created a Twitter-list which follows 11 out of the 13 presenters, so you can get listen to them before the event.

On the website, you can get a sneak peak about what is happening on the event. One of the main topics will be the viral power of the web. But I listen to the taster of Philip Sheldrake who is speaking about the opposite. There is no such thing as viral marketing, only great content!

I hope to see you there!

Ps. This is a link to a great story from Richard Sedley who is speaking about the art of persuation at the event! I recommend it :D

Connecting via Twitter

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Annelie Näs

I don’t know if you have seen it yet, or if everyone get to experience it, or perhaps if it depends on how frequent you use it. But I have seen a change in the openness of people via Twitter, people are becoming more accessible and more open on Twitter. This could of course be because I have changed my behavior on twitter, or, in other words: I have gained more guts.

So what am I talking about?

Lately, on Twitter, I have made real connections which I have learned a lot from. I have set up two thesis interviews, connected with a famous speaker before his speech at my office and got my English improved. And that is only some of the things I managed to do via twitter.

Here are my Twitter connecting stories:

Twitter connecting story 1: Setting up interviews

I’m, as you might know, writing a thesis on marketing via location based services. A subject which I knew very little about, before I started to write. Therefore I have connected with many experienced professionals in the area to get a clearer picture and learn what you cannot read your way to. The only problem was that I did not know how to connect with this people, so I tried twitter, and two out of three responded and has now contributed to my work.

Twitter connecting story 2: Connecting with speakers

When I found out that Kevin Lampe was going to give a speech in my office, I was beyond exited. He was going to speak about the health reform in the US, which I knew a bit about, yet I wanted to be prepared so I could get the most out of the experience of listening to him. So I wrote to him on twitter and asked if there was anything I could read in preparation, he answered no, but that I should come armed with questions. Which I did and I got many of them answered. Later I of course thanked Lampe via Twitter and he told me to keep in touch. Because of Twitter I was no more an anonymous person in the audience.

Twitter connecting story 3: Improving my English

As you may know I’m an English and Business student. Many might say that I’m fluent in English and depending on what you are comparing to I am, but sometimes my knowledge combined with a dictionary is not enough. When this happens I go to Twitter and more often than not someone like @paulidin or @nobatteries or someone else, help be improve my English by answering my questions and explaining them.

Asking questions have in general given me some good Twitter connections. I think that to many people use Twitter as only a way to “receive” and forward the news. But it is really a social network where you can initiate and start relationship which can help you a lot.

I hope that these stories have inspired you to take you Tweeting to new level and I hope you share your Twitter connecting story below.

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