The funniest Twitter video EVER!!!

My last post was an introductory look at Twitter, and what makes it so popular.

Today in the twitterverse I came across this hilarious tongue-in-cheek video and simply had to share it with you all here, especially for those tweeps who really GET Twitter and what it's about!

Can you spot yourself in this video? he he ;)

Alex

Twitter - going far beyond 140 chars

I spend a lot of time online as it's the nature of my business. On a daily basis I try to keep up-to-date with what's happening globally, connect with people who expand my mind and learn about new developments and tools.

Last year I discovered social media, and in particular Twitter. Never could I have foreseen it would greatly assist in my metamorphosis from business owner newbie to VA extraordinaire! ;) Perhaps I'm giving it too much credit, but there is no denying how much I have benefited from such a seemingly simple yet ingenious application.

For those of you who haven't heard of it, or want to know more, please see the video below. Also if you google "Twitter" you will find pages of websites, blogs, videos, press coverage, forums, networks, and third party applications all dedicated to this one free micro-blogging tool that has approximately 10 million users to date.



So just what is it that makes Twitter so popular, compelling and even addictive?

On July 15th 2006 it was launched as a fairly straightforward idea – quickly and easily connect and share with others details of your everyday life in real time ie as they happen. Sounds easy enough, but when I first started I didn't know what to continually "tweet" in 140 characters or less that would be of any interest to others, let alone make them want to "follow" me.

Admittedly, it took awhile to find my inner tweetgroove, but now I'm finally starting to develop a solid community I enjoy interacting with. I guess recently making it into Australia's Top 100 Influential Twitterers means I'm on the right track, and that only happened when I let go of the idea that Twitter was strictly for networking.

Unfortunately, I have recently noticed the focus for many users has been about getting the most "followers" or even the highest "statistics". Initially I too was on a quest to be popular, until I realised Twitter offers much more and is not to be underestimated. It's a 24 hour pulsating worldwide online resource where you can tap into up-to-the-minute advice, support, tutoring, work, form personal and professional relationships or even just have a laugh. Considering all that it can offer, it's global appeal is not so surprising.

That said, what I find strange is many still feel the need to constantly compare, examine, justify or crucify it rather than just accept it for what it is ie an online application that has benefits, but obviously isn't for everyone.

What I mean to say is, rather than rely on hearsay or the media etc why not just give it a try and see if it works for you?


Alex

@vipvirtualsols

Minding Your Manners Online

I don’t really know what, how or when this has happened, but it appears somewhere along the (on)line, we have forgotten that we are actually interacting with real humans on the other side of the monitor.

What has prompted me to write this? Well, recently I had an experience which made me think about online behaviours and attitude in general.

Someone made an inquiry about using my services, and during numerous phonecalls, IM and email I gave as much information as possible about myself, my skills, experience and suggestions on how I could possibly assist them. We then agreed to have a skype meeting and whilst discussing the proposed tasklist, it became apparent they required more time to really look into their support needs. Many of the points being covered hadn't even been raised previously and I simply didn't have the required experience. In short, I advised what I'd be able and happy to help with, and we left it on what I thought was a fairly positive note saying we would regularly keep in touch.

Imagine my surprise when soonafter I was deleted from this person’s contact list with no further communication from them ie an email, chat, phonecall, skypetalk – NADA. Whatever happened to professional courtesy?

I come from the good old days where it is just decent manners and good business practice to get back to someone - whether they can assist you or not. I had only been upfront and helpful to this person, so I was genuinely annoyed I was snubbed without even a "thanks, but no thanks" cursory email in return.

It was probably a blessing, as to me it was an indication of how this person does business, and it certainly is not the type of business I want to be doing!

The point I’m trying to make is the old “do unto others, as you would have them do unto you” or I also refer to it as “good karma”. It just goes back to using some common sense, sensitivity and professionalism where necessary, otherwise you could be missing out on worthwhile personal and business opportunities on and offline. Can we all really afford that nowadays?

Have you had any bad experiences with manners professionally, and if so, how did you deal with it?

Alex