Chris

I’ll admit it. My main Twitter feed can be hard to keep up with, but in a good way. It’s full of interesting people sharing great content and having good conversations, but even so, standing out amongst all that noise is difficult. Chris Hall seems to be a constant presence though, discussing all things social media, constantly sharing good links and making an effort to connect  to people.

Chris, owner of the social media agency Cow Bell, has kindly agreed to answer a few quick questions. If you’re interested in social media, marketing, communications or just being sociable, read on:

How on earth do you manage to find and share so much content?

It’s a matter of experience and knowing where to look. I have over 20 years background across PR and on & offline marketing. A lot of what I share is based around the contacts and knowledge I’ve built up across that time. It’s important for new people to the social media sphere to look at the content others are sending out and ensure they’re use similar information resources. I still add new information providers every week. RSS and email deliver it all to me.

You always seem to be talking with people online. Does this leave less time to do the day job?

To be fair this has been a matter of trial and error. Many of us have realised that we’ve spent far too much time talking across the social networks. I’ve managed to find a happy balance between ensuring that the paid for work is delivered and keep in touch across the streams.

Along with many I check in early to Twitter & Facebook. I then handle any emails I need to deal with. Complete one or two tasks from my ‘to do list’ and dip back into a little social networking. This pattern is consistent across the day. I guess instead of walking to the water cooler or chatting with colleagues I’m on Twitter etc.

Remember much of my business is based around working with clients across the networks so it’s actually part of my paid for day too. New clients also come from relationships I form within Twitter especially. This is why my tweets revolve around getting people to think about what they want from social media and how they use it.

Your company aims to help clients “develop an environment where you are at the very centre of where your current & prospective customers live – on & offline”. For what type of businesses is this extremely difficult?

It’s fair to say that it’s extremely dificult and at the same time perfect for the same type of businesses, that’s generally business to business organisations with a real niche market. It’s difficult because the size of the audience can be tiny, but given time and the ability to listen, find, engage and know that audience then conversion and relationships are formed.

It’s really about how much time a company is prepared to put into it. It’s easy to find relationships for Coca Cola, as most people know it and drink it; much harder for John Brown Hand Dryers (an example, not real) in Bristol.

What advantages do small businesses hold over large businesses in the online communications arena?

The speed they can move at!

Decisions about what , where, how, why etc are much quicker for the SME’s, as are approval of change or reaction to the need for a new direction. I compare it to boats. The speed boat can choose a new destination and turn quickly, the oil tanker will be much slower.

Do you think a lack of understanding about online etiquette and best practice can cause newcomers to social media to find it difficult to make connections?

It’s the responsibility of those already there to make newcomers welcome. Newcomers are often intimidated & ‘attacked’ by some of the established faces. We’ve all made mistakes, and we’ll continue to do so. It’s an important point, but there are no social media gods or a ruling body. How can there be when its a medium that’s so new & in its early stages. We’re all early adopters at the moment.

The actual usage of twitter is minimal across the country. Facebook has high numbers but as a business tool it’s in its infancy.

Which companies have you seen online that have been successful with a 100% “push marketing” strategy?

Most businesses are now online but the successful ones, who get direct results, include Burger King with its Facebook campaign; King of Shaves has used the online environment brilliantly and with it had an excellent uptake on product.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to use social media as a tool for personal branding?

Everyone using social media is their own personal brand. You are I are examples. We’re being ourselves with our status updates, Linked In comments and tweets but we’re portraying an image of ourselves to our friends and business associates both new & old.

Our digital footprints are being updated by the hour even if we’re not in social networks Google knows more about you than most imagine so my advice is my yourself and as you are in real life which includes happy, sad, fun, serious, knowledgeable, inquisitive but also careful, sensible and be wary of anything that may cause a problem.

Online technologies and popular platforms seem to be developing at a rapid rate, to suit the preferences of the user. Is there still a danger though that it is going to be hard to keep up with these developments, and the ways they can be best used for business?

Yes, that’s very possible. The truth though is the same thing has been happening for a hundred years. When the television was invented it began with one channel, growing to 3 for a long period of time but now we have access to over 300 channels and we consume information at a vast rate. We wouldn’t of imagined we’d be able to keep up with TV the way we do but it’s quickly part of our daily lives.

Social media is the same. Generation Y will take social media into business with ease and also take it to places we can’t even imagine. It’s up to us to keep up.

Do you think being able to communicate effectively online will be a key skill in the future, taught in educational establishments?

Absolutely -  in almost all cases.

Which UK “social media events” should readers of this blog consider attending if they want to build real connections and gain a deeper understanding of developments in the industry?

1. media140. A social media community helping organisations understand the potential of social technologies. It’s an organisation that is always looking to pioneer to make change for industry, audiences, brands and the bottom line. It does this through events, workshops, training, seminars and strategy guidance

2. Likeminds . For face to face contact with some of the UK’s leading social media professionals and commentators then this is the place. No egos just a collection of like-minded people who will share, collaborate and engage with each other. Highly recommended.

Which one piece of advice would you give to users of social media who wish to gain benefits from their time spent online?

Listen first, find your audience (personal or business), engage in conversation and never forget the reason you came in [set some goals]. Measurement of all this is crucial too.

Thanks very much Chris.

If you have a view on what Chris has said, or if you want to answer some of the questions yourself, please leave a comment below.

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Aren presenting

Something different this time and a first for my blog: a guest interview.

Over the past year, I’ve worked with Aren Grimshaw on a number of projects. These include Twestival, Social Media Cafes and the Social Media for your Business events, aimed at local SMEs. Aren consults businesses on the use of social media, is a public speaker and also organises events. It’s safe to say that he is a busy chap and has many fingers in many pies!

I consider Aren to be one of the most knowledgeable people I have come across when it comes to understanding social media and how businesses can implement it smoothly, so a big thank you to him for taking the time out to answer these 10 short questions:

Do you actually like the term social media?

The term itself poses no problem to me, it’s all the hype and furore that is built up around it, that often bothers me. I think what is happening in the wider social context, heavily affected by what we term ‘social media’, is far more interesting and has a deeper impact on businesses.

Many hold the view that there is a seismic shift in the way organisations are having to re-think their communications. Do you share this view about the size of the shift?

Absolutely, we are seeing an ever more cynical and wiser consumer, open-access to huge databases of information over the web and the ability to add our own voice to the mass – how can that be seen as anything more than a seismic shift? Companies who continue to push outdated models of ‘broadcast, broadcast, broadcast’ onto consumers need to face up to the fact that many consumers just aren’t paying attention to their messages anymore.

What would you consider to be the biggest misconception amongst SME owners who are thinking about using social media?

That it’s all about Facebook, Twitter… well in fact any technical platform. They are just tools that can be used to help build relationships with consumers. In the same way a sales person can pick up a telephone and make a sale, or upset a customer, these tools are no different. We all need to take time to learn what works and keep adjusting our approach to match what achieves results. Unfortunately, a lot of the advice out there is focused too heavily on teaching people how to use the tools leaving the wider context and communications aspect out of it.

Will geo-tagging really be useful for businesses that operate in a rural environment?

Who knows, it’s still too early to tell. Is it fun? Yes. Is there a model for businesses to get something out of it too? Yes. Will consumers adopt geo-tagging in a big way? It remains to be seen. As long as the applications and devices are simple to use, and most importantly the consumer receives some reward (mentally or financially) for their participation I expect so.

Other than those you have worked with, what companies have recently impressed you with their social media activity?

Have you come across Fetish on Facebook? They have really impressed me with the content they share each day. When you find a Page that updates you with content that you just have to share with your friends, you’re on to a winner. (In my opinion anyway).

With so much content being created and shared online, what key things can companies do to try and stand out?

Don’t try standing out, that’s what everyone else is trying to do. Try giving your customer what they need instead; a better service with the information they want, when they want it. Don’t tell them how good you are – prove it in everything you do.

If you could give one piece of advice to a Twitter newbie, what would it be?

Don’t try too hard. Listen first. Make friends. Be good to others. (That’s four I know!)

Facebook now has 500 million users. What is the biggest factor to their success?

It’s always difficult to tell what makes one site so successful over another. Very often I think it’s to do with so many factors, such as timing, trends in the market, the technology available etc.

However, if I had to say, I think it’s the range of uses and the value it brings to all ages and walks of life that underpins its success. A grandparent seeking to keep in touch with their grandson on the other side of the world, a small business communicating with their customers, or a teenager sharing pictures with their friends – each draws a different value from the same site, amazing really.

What are the best examples you have seen over the past year of online collaboration delivering real results?

I’m biased, but it has to be Twestival. It’s such a great example of people collaborating worldwide to deliver real results. Better style, the results can be felt around the world, and often by the people who need it the most.

Generation Y are supposed to IT-literate and at ease with changes to modern technology. Is there really a lack of understanding amongst Generation Y when it comes to online privacy?

Tragically, I concur with Eric Schmidt on this one, we face a generation of people who may need to change their names to hide their past. It is so easy to post a status update or image; however, we might think far more carefully if we were told exactly who would see them during the course of our life. My personal philosophy – don’t share anything on social networks that you wouldn’t be happy to shout out in the middle of a busy street.

Thanks Aren for taking the time to do this.

If you have any views on what Aren has said, or if you want to answer some of the questions yourself, please leave a comment below.

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A month ago I blogged about how companies and individuals across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset are confused about where to find social media support. As part of this blog I produced a survey seeking social media service providers across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. The results are in and I am glad to share them with you.

If you’re based in this part of the South West and are reading this post, I hope you find the following list useful:
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Name of company
Aaron+Gould
Location
Exeter
Geographical areas covered
Exeter, Devon
Services provided
Social Media Strategy, Integration, Management and Measurement
Size and types of companies applicable for service
We mainly work with Agencies who use our services for the client accounts
Cost of service
Our services are small and incremental, meaning they are cost effect. Start at £500
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
1] I run Like Minds, which is a small but very respected conference that has international acclaim, and is mainly marketed through Social Media. 2] I have spear headed a lot of the Exeter growth in Social Media and am recognised as a thought leader. Like Minds itself has been the catalyst for a lot of growth in the local economy through Social Media. 3] My Social Media frameworks and models are used around the world by agencies, and I am respected as a pioneer by people like Chris Brogan, John Bell and Olivier Blanchard.
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media: 1] The Church of England has been able to use Social Media to enable people-to-people collaboration in its dioceses through the work that we did. 2] The ‘Max Control’ campaign that we managed doubled its signups in 10 weeks through Social Media. 3] Nokia have been able to increase their Social Media effectiveness through our executive training.
How should a business get in touch with you?
Call 01392 425070, tweet @scottgould, or visit http://aarongouldagency.com

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Name of company
Bluegrass Computer Services
Location
Exeter
Geographical areas covered
Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset
Services provided
Full practical detailed training on Social Media in a business
Size and types of companies applicable for service
1 to very large
Cost of service
£190/person (includes detailed course manual, refreshments and access to a laptop during the workshop)
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
Generated new support contracts, significantly increased our brand awareness, gained social media speaking engagements
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media Following training local travel company has fully implemented a SM strategy and increased revenue, marketing and PR company now able to enhance the services to their clients, specialist call centre now generating leads using social media knowledge
How should a business get in touch with you?
Phone: 01392 207194 – Ask for David Thomas, email: david@bluegrasscs.com

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Name of company
Business Link for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon and Somerset
Location
Offices in Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton and Camborne
Geographical areas covered
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon and Somerset
Services provided
2 hour seminars for businesses that want to know information about social media or have just become involved.
Size and types of companies applicable for service
All
Cost of service
Free
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
The seminars have improved social media understanding for many members of staff, we are providing media related stories on our media twitter account and by monitoring social media activity, we have built research and engaged with companies.
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media
Due to data protection, confidentiality and the nature of the service we deliver, we can’t disclose details of our interactions with companies but the feedback we have received from the seminars has been very good.
How should a business get in touch with you?
Phone: 0845 600 9966 Email: enquiries@blpeninsula.co.uk Web: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest

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Name of company
Cadover Creative
Location
Barn 2, Dunstone Farm, Shaugh Prior, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5EH
Geographical areas covered
UK-wide (focussing on Devon, Cornwall & Somerset)
Services provided
Social media campaigns, adding social media features to clients’ websites
Size and types of companies applicable for service
Small and medium businesses and organisations
Cost of service
Free consultations and quotations available on request
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
None submitted
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media: None submitted
How should a business get in touch with you?
Phone: 01752 729706 Website: http://www.cadovercreative.co.uk

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Name of company
Design inspiration
Location
Plymouth
Geographical areas covered
Devon, Cornwall, London
Services provided
1. We advise on using Twitter for Business. 2. We integrate social media into websites that we design. 3. We help clients develop integrate social media with their online community-building practices. 4. I speak at business gatherings on using social media for business. 5. We run Using Twitter for Business training courses.
Size and types of companies applicable for service
Every size, especially micro, small and medium sized businesses.
Cost of service
Charges are typically project-based, so vary according to what is needed.
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
1. We have made a number of connections that have led to new websites. 2. We continue to use social media to build my personal brand (@inspirationguy) and develop brand awareness for our clients. 3. We use Twitter to promote the people, tourism and businesses of Plymouth (via @inplymouth & @plymouthblog). There are plenty more examples – buy me a coffee and I’ll tell you them all.
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media:
1. We advise one of the UK’s leading event industry brands on the use of social media (@planetplanitbiz) and have helped them develop a significant online profile 2. We provide social media advice to the leading online community for life coaches and mentors (@coachingconnect) and have helped them establish a highly-regarded position on Twitter. 3. We helped a leading London-based Arts festival to take advantage of Twitter to reach new audiences.
How should a business get in touch with you?
Email: design@inspiration.co.uk or ring: 01752 784197 or via twitter: @inspirationguy

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Name of company
Optix Solutions Ltd
Location
Exeter
Geographical areas covered
UK
Services provided
All aspects of Social Media strategy from formulation, policy writing, implementation and measurement
Size and types of companies applicable for service
SMEs
Cost of service
Depends on size of project – From £350 per month upwards
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
Our own company has an integrated SM policy which sees the staff working well together in blogs/twitter/facebook and many other channels. Our director @banksy6 on Twitter is well respected in SM circles and has implemented his own blog at http://www.iambanksy.co.uk - we are in the process of setting up numerous SM strategies for clients around the UK
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media
Currently in implementation phases for The Best Of Exeter, we’ve been heavily involved in our work with Devon Air Ambulance and their social media strategy. We introduced Devon Wildlife to SM and are working with Gearhouse Broadcast in Watford to setup and maintain their strategy. Our own strategy is very important to us and has lead to large quantities of work over the last 18 months
How should a business get in touch with you?
Phone: 01392 667766, Email: info@optixsolutions.co.uk, Twitter: @optixsolutions

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Name of company
Rokk Internet
Location
Exeter, Devon
Geographical areas covered
UK & International
Services provided
Social Media services include strategy creation, engagement etiquette, training & consultancy and campaign management
Size and types of companies applicable for service
We are able to help companies of any size
Cost of service
Cost is dependent on the scope and length of the project as some elements would be one-off and others ongoing. Ongoing would be in the region of £400 per month. Please contact us for a more accurate cost estimate based on your individual situation and requirements.
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
We have been able to use our twitter profile @RokkInternet to engage with many people who are now clients, partners and great network contacts to call upon in the future, but we continue to use social media as just one avenue for maintaining the relationship with clients, partners and contacts alike.
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media
We have created social media strategies recently for a nationwide property management firm and also the Welsh Assembly surrounding an event in 2010. We consult with several clients with regards to their Social Media campaigns to ensure that campaigns are managed smoothly and that brand reputation is protected and engagement with the clients audiences are effective, useful and inspire further communication from the audiences.
How should a business get in touch with you?
Please call Claire Marshall on 01392 69 00 49 or info@rokkinternet.com or contact us via twitter: @RokkInternet
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Name of company
Social Traders
Location
St Austell
Geographical areas covered
Cornwall / Devon
Services provided
Social media consultancy and training
Size and types of companies applicable for service
SME
Cost of service
Negotiable
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
1 on 1 advice sessions; group training sessions using social media workbook; 500+ twitter following
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media
Get in touch with me to discuss
How should a business get in touch with you?
bob.northey@socialtraders.org.uk

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Name of company
Tonick Media
Location
Cornwall, UK
Geographical areas covered
Main focus: South West. However, capabilities at an international level.
Services provided
Consultancy, Training, Implementation, Content Production and Strategy.
Size and types of companies applicable for service
Private, Public, Voluntary, Social and Charitable Sectors. Primary focus: Business to Business. However, regularly work with business to consumer companies. Would usually work with companies with a turnover in excess of £100kpa; however, can work with start-ups and smaller organisations in a mentoring or training capacity.
Cost of service
All work quoted upfront with fixed price and hourly rates available.
3 examples of how your company has successfully used social media
1. We use Social Media in a variety of ways to broaden the reach and engagement of our printed and online title, Business Cornwall. 2. I am currently part of a cross Atlantic collaborative book with a senior recruiter at a US based software company (original introduction through LinkedIn). 3. Have taken our brand from unknown 1 year ago to market leader in our industry across the South West.
3 examples of how companies you have supported have successfully used social media
Many of the companies and organisations I work with are still in the process of implementing their Social Media strategies. For confidentiality reasons I am unable to disclose much of what our clients are doing. However, I can point to some examples of our clients using Social Media: Talent Cornwall is a start-up based in Cornwall – they have recently launched their website with fully integrated blog and Social Media profile links. Cornish Mutual have used Social Media to broaden the reach and engagement of their ‘Dig Down SW’ campaign. Enterprise Cafe have implemented a number of actions listed within their Social Media strategy which is evident from their main website – http://enterprisecafe.tv
How should a business get in touch with you?
Email: aren@tonickmedia.com or Search ‘Aren Grimshaw’ or ‘Tonick Media’.

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If you would like to be added to the list then please complete the survey and get in touch with me too.

If you would like others to see this list and you agree with the idea behind it, please forward it on across different communication channels.

Thanks.

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A few days have passed since Plymouth Twestival 2010 and I am starting to regain some much needed energy. After some time for reflection, I would really like to share with you my thoughts and feelings about Thursday evening. Before I do so it would be appropriate to see the official video for the event, produced by Machine Media.

Twestival March 2010 from Sharney Adams on Vimeo.

Firstly, a massive thank you goes out to everyone who was involved. This includes guests, bands, sponsors, volunteers and even people who couldn’t make it (but still donated by buying an apology ticket or helped to spread our message) – it was a massive team effort and everyone played their part. As a group we made it happen.

There were two things that I really wanted to happen on the night: I wanted to raise lots of money for Concern and I wanted everyone to have a good time.

We certainly achieved the first. At the time of writing we have raised £5,647 and there still may be some late donations to come in! When the target figure of £4,000 was put out to the volunteer group there was a mixture of positivity and nervousness. I am so glad we reached and broke it.

I am pretty sure that most people had a good time. The bands were great, with  Francis and the Drakes and Kitty and the Lost Boys putting in some top performances. It was a shame the lead singer from The Delahays became ill during the evening but a massive thank you for commiting your time and helping so much with the preperation. Graham Barton ensured that the auction was very entertaining and he really drove up bids, the entertainment provided by Dominos Plymouth and What A Giggle was superb and very different, and there were also plenty of people mixing and really enjoying each others company. To be honest, I think there are some improvements to be made in terms of scheduling for next time. It would be dangerous to sit here and think that there is no room for improvement – there clearly is – and lessons will be learnt to ensure that the next Plymouth Twestival is not just fantastic, it is fantastically fantastic.

In terms of donations, Plymouth finished as the 3rd highest city in the UK and the 10th highest in the world. This is out of hundreds of cities that took part. This is another reason to feel proud; little old Plymouth made itself pretty big on the map.

The slogan for Twestival is ‘Social Media for Social Good’ and we have definitely used social media to make a difference. The money we raised will provide more than 100 children living in extreme poverty to access out of school learning for a year. At the recent Likeminds conference in Exeter, Jon Akwue delivered a keynote speech on how social media can change peoples lives – he was right and we have helped prove that. Without social media, our impact would not have been so large. Volunteers were found using social media, as were sponsors, the bands, and many of the guests. Social media really allowed us to spread our message and genuinly use ‘Social Media for Social Good’.

As one of the organisers, I feel very proud of what we’ve achieved.

If you were part of Plymouth Twestival 2010, you should feel very proud too. In fact, feel proud if you were involved with any of the Twestivals.

Feel free to share your Twestival experiences by commenting below.

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There seems to be an awful lot of companies that offer social media services but to the average person or business it must be confusing about where to go. Well, I know it is confusing as many individuals and businesses have already told me so. The questions I am constantly hearing include: Who works in what area? What level of support can be provided? How much does the support cost?

I am going to try and pull together the key details of those who provide social media services in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It is going to be the first attempt (that I know of) to provide some clarity.

There is much debate about the different stages that companies may go through when implimenting social media, and the findings of this post could be built into another model at a later stage, but first I just want to find out who is actually providing what.

Please click on the link at the bottom of this post if you would to take the survey and inlcude your service as part of the final list.

For credibility purposes, please also ask the three clients who have received your support to email robertpickstone@hotmail.com with details of their experience in no more than 200 words. You will see this question in the survey.

If you are reading this and agree with the attempt to provide some clarity, please forward this on across your different social networks.

I will then publish a list of those who provide social media support across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as a blog post on Monday, 5^th April.

Thanks.

Please click here to take the survey

(Please note: This is a personal attempt to find clarity by me, not my employer or companies I work with, but I hope the results can be used and shared by anyone who find them valuable)

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Last year I attended the inaugural Likeminds conference. I was hugely impressed with much of what I saw. There were some great speakers, great discussions and great content on show.

This year the Likeminds 2010 conference had all of the above. What took it that step further though was the people-to-people experience that guests (not customers) were part of.

Debate is bound to follow about the quality of the presentations and discussions. There will be different views on the value of what was on show and the messages that were being pushed. Saying that, the audience were invited to offer their opinions during panel discussions and not all panel members agreed with each other anyway. Like any conference, it is up to the individual to absorb everything and then make their own mind up. What Likeminds 2010 did was provide world class thought-leaders and practitioners (Chris Brogan, Olivier Blanchard, John Bell, Jonathan Akwue and Joanne Jacobs) that will hopefully inspire many others to take part in healthy, social media/online communications debates.

What I believe can’t really be debated is whether or not Likeminds 2010 delivered on what I believed to be the underlying theme of the whole experience: connecting people. They delivered big time. I don’t think I have ever attended a conference or event where talking to people has been made so easy. It might sound silly to say but it is true.

There were two stand out factors that made it easy for me to connect. Firstly, the name badges with the Twitter avatars on allowed me to spot people I have spoken to online but have never met in person. Secondly, booking lunches with speakers/panellists/guests who shared similar interests allowed me to speak to others with whom I knew I shared common ground. Along with the great hashtag feed and the willingness of most guests to mingle, an environment was created for people to connect to other people.

As Scott has said on many occasions, being part of a community is not enough. Good connections need to be made so that actions can actually follow.

I made many new connections at Likeminds 2010 and I am positive these will lead to many actions. Sure, I will enjoy debating the details of the event with many others over the coming weeks (putting on the ‘social media geek hat’ can be quite fun), but the overwhelming emotion I have right now is that Likeminds connected me to many great people and many positive outcomes are on the cards.

For this I would like to thank everyone who took part.

Do you agree? Did you find it easy to connect?

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After stumbling upon an article a few days ago that suggested most celebrities do not speak to their followers and should actually be put into Twitter lists of their own so we can all check on what they are saying about themselves when we have the time, I thought I would provide some examples of celebrities I follow who DO use Twitter to have two way conversations with their followers and actually use the Twitter branch of Social Media to speak to their fans.

• Stephen Fry is one of the most famous celebrities using Twitter and to be honest he tweets about all sorts – it can be witty, it can be personal, it can be random – he does engage with followers. He has been talking about clay pigeon shooting, Omegle and lunch today.
• Duncan Bannatyne has used Twitter to show the more personal side to the multi-millionaire “Dragon” that sometimes scares contestants on the BBC show Dragon’s Den. I have learnt that he is enthusiastic about charity and recognising achievement. Duncan also engages with followers.
• Dannii Minogue has used Twitter really well to respond to many of her fans, as well as fans of ITV’s The X Factor. In the past, pop-music fans may have drawn a picture and popped it in the post to their idols – now they can take a twitpic and within minutes there is a chance they will receive some feedback!
• Mark Bright loves talking about football (soccer to Yanks) and sport. Many Twitter users also love talking about football and sport. Mark gives fans a chance to talk to an ex-professional player as the action is happening out there on the pitch.

I think that these celebrities have used Twitter to help brake down barriers and speak directly to fans and the general public. That is why I will continue to follow them and big up others who do the same! They must get bucket loads of messages and so can’t physically respond to all of them – but at least they make an effort.

What celebrities do you follow that try to engage with their followers?

Do you think more celebrities will use Twitter in 2010 to help brake down barriers with the wider public?

Update:  More celebrities recommended for two-way engagement

Jed Langdon recommends:

- Jason Manford – http://twitter.com/Jason_Manford
- Peter Serafinowicz – http://twitter.com/serafinowicz
- Matt Horne – http://twitter.com/mfhorne
- Alyssa_Milano – http://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano

Feel free to make your own recommendations.

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Ok, don’t physically stalk them. That would be slightly unethical. What is not unethical though is searching online for information about a new client which they have chosen to make public. Some think this is a form of online stalking – it is not – it is using your initiative.

The information you find can help you spot a common interest, both personally and professionally. Using this information correctly, your conversation can be enhanced, opportunities can be spotted and deals can be clinched. Background information can also help you to build a foundation to a good working relationship.

What tools are available though and what can we find out? You may want to think about the following:

• LinkedIn – We can find out what their professional background is, what qualifications they own, who recommends them, what their skills set is and who their business contacts are.
• Twitter – We can find out what they are saying “real-time”, what issues they are currently interested in and who they are sharing their conversations with.
• Facebook – We can find out a combination of the information available from LinkedIn and Twitter. Also, interests and hobbies tend to be more prominent on Facebook.
• Blogs – We can find out what area they have a real passion for, what they are willing to spend extra hours writing and talking about, and what message they want to spread.
• Search Engine Results – We can find out comments that may have been made on forums and blogs, as well as when they have appeared in press releases and on company websites.

Like I said, this is just a general breakdown. Do you share public information in a different way? Would you use these tools to research a client before meeting with them?

I would be interested to hear your views and experiences.

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Are you one of these people who spends lots of time on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? Do you find it hard to go more than a few hours without checking who has been in touch? Do you often get told that you spend too much time online? Being a social media addict is actually ok as long as you are feed your addiction intelligently.

Some people chose to communicate by spending hours on the phone each evening. Some people are unable to drag themselves away from their emails. Some people send thousand of texts each month. Some people talk so much they give themselves, and everyone around them, headaches. They are all communicating in the way they choose. Social media is just another form of communication that you have chosen.

As long as you don’t allow it to detract from the value of other forms of communication then it shouldn’t be a problem. If you find yourself taking three days to reply to an email from a work colleague or a text from your Mum then it may be time to take a step back and think about what you are doing. If relationships are being weakened rather than strengthened then then same applies. More often than not though a balanced approach works best and being able to communicate effectively in lots of different ways is surely a good thing.

The real addiction that most of us have is wanting to talk to people. That’s not a bad thing. It’s better than being hooked on watching Star Trek re-runs alone most evenings.

What do you think? Are you an intelligent addict?

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