Before your next "tweet" Twitter users!!! Beware: this first post is very long...

[Braggin' Rights]

These are all simply suggestions/opinions expressed in this post! Ok? :)I believe, & have read articles (numerous) about networking/promoting on Twitter. I do so myself. But I think alot of artisans are in jeopardy of establishing a bad name for their shop(s), & selves. I'd hate to see that happen!

Twitter is a wonderful tool for marketing your website, sales, etc.- don't get me wrong! But Twitter is about networking. Networking means connecting with people, getting to know them, sharing things of interest, and subtly dropping in your advertising- not 50 or so times/day, I'm thinking about 2-4.

Followers do not like to be shouted at: "Hey I got this for sale", and, "who wants to buy my...", "Visit my shop now!", or any other suggestion of : me,me,me.
People like when you share things that interest you. Did someone that you follow send you a link that was really interesting? Retweet it! Comment! This makes you, the person that posted it, & perhaps those who enjoy the article also; just a touch more connected.
I am only posting this because I do care about the success of others, & I hate to see a store with a good name go downhill fast needlessly, just because they unknowingly used a "new to them" media source incorrectly.

I used to pop in, broadcast what I had to offer, pop out, come back in awhile- do it again, and so on... I did that. However, after doing research, through links sent to me by those whom I follow, I learned (& put myself in other's shoes- which is really easy if you are following someone who is "broadcasting"), that what I was doing was ineffective, annoying, & nobody wants to follow someone w/strictly their agendas to talk about.

I changed the way that I interact with people on Twitter, gained some new followers, have received a tremendous amount of useful information, & (although I realize that Google Analytics is not up and running on our site here at MIM yet), checked my analytics o my site- & found that my change of tone, my simply "checking in" randomly throughout the day, & lack of “broadcasting“ & selfish behavior- had created in 23.8% of the "click-throughs" to my site were directly from Twitter! That's alot of people coming through, consdering I only mention my site link, or a “direct” to a particular item via link; only 2, at the most 4 times per/day. The rest is just letting them get to feel comfortable about you as a person- which allows them to know if you are the type of person in which they would like to do business with. Most people do not like the "direct salesman" approach- they find it "spammy".

I really recommend downloading Tweet Deck, it’ll save you time! You can minimize it & keep on going about your biz. It updates you on the top right of your monitor, and fades out as things are happening while you're busy. It also separates your direct messages, replies, and timeline- & you can "favorite" posts to read later. It's helped me w/time management immensely! To download: http://tweetdeck.com

A few links of interest regarding this matter:
http://livefromnj.com/2009/03/02/twitter-etiquette-five-dos-and-donts/
http://natewhitehill.com/top-5-ways-not-to-use-twitter/
http://blog.homegain.com/blogging-and-social-networking/how-not-to-...
http://www.meryl.net/2009/01/7-traits-of-bad-twitter-follows/

Here is a thought:
Which do you think would be more effective: standing outside your door yelling out, "come look at this, I have this, it's all about me...", or simply connecting with people in the community- True Networking! It's about the connection.I'm sorry this post is so long. I truly also hope that nobody takes offense- that it not my intentions. I just want us all to keep the good name that we’ve worked so hard for!
~Tracy

[Made for Me by Oaklie]

What a great article Tracy.. and yes.. I find just popping in and out periodically works better.. for me I am usually promoting Great Finds, the Gift Shop or the Featured Artists here on Ning. I have Site Meter here and I am averaging 75-100 hits per day here :) Great Finds is going up too! I find it much more rewarding to help promote others.. very often it leads back to your own site or blog or shop in the interim and that is good too!

[PassionForBeads]

Tracy, that is very good information to know especially for those who are new to twitter, like me. I totally agreed with your suggestions. After I read your posting, I reailze that I made that mistake too (all about me marketing). From my other online shop stats, I realized that even though people came to visit my shop and views increase, the stats showed a very high bounce rate. That is not what I wanted to see. Marketing subtly is another lesson I need to learn. (Any suggestions on how to do it?) Well, I think it is not just on Twitter, but on the other social networking sites too! Good job, Tracy!

[Braggin' Rights]

Thanks Anne & PassionForBeads,
When I wrote this post, I kinda expected some negativity out of it, that was not the purpose of it though- pretty much a way for people to gain the knowledge before it becomes a problem! I'm certainly not an expert, I don't claim to be. I just wanted to share what I've learned from experience. I went into Twitter as a "screaming billboard" myself ...LOL You know what I mean. Sometimes people don't realize the negative impact of their actions before it's too late, I don't want to see that happen to anyone- if I help at least one person from this post, then in some way, I've succeeded... Even if someone gets angry about it, (I really hope not).

And- PassionForBeads, you're absolutely right, RE: all social networks. Twitter is just a faster way down, & you're actions/words are not just amongst your peers any longer. Twitter, if used incorrectly; can & has hurt alot of people in biz (of all types). There are several mentions on the web of large companies making huge mistakes: all in less than 140 characters... Think before you hit enter!
I just love having you guys as part of my "family"! ~Tracy :-)

[Laura Forcier (4ca)]

Thanks, Tracy, for this info....... I am new to twitter and haven't done much on it. I will take this info and follow it. I do want to learn to promote my shop in different places. Everybody says, Twitter is the place to be. I want this to be fun for me and not "work". I love making things and just want to support my habit. I guess someday I will be able to say............."I did it and I made it myself"................Thanks again...........Laura

[Made for Me by Oaklie]

Another tool... when Networking and blogging.. set up your page as a "Teaser"! The key is to draw peoplyour shop! You should just post a pics to "Tempt" potentioal buyers to your shop.. post about sales, exciting news, etc.

[Braggin' Rights]

Thanks Anne- Great idea!
~Tracy :-)

[PassionForBeads]

May I ask what is "Teaser"?

[Florence Wang]

Wow, thank you so much for posting this. It's so helpful to know the etiquette on these sites and what works. We're such a community it's great to see what everyone's doing and learning and remembering that we're all people.

[Made for Me by Oaklie]

[Braggin' Rights]

Oh Anne- that is just toooo cute!

Made for Me by Oaklie said:

[Roxy]

Great advice!! Thank you for taking the time to write it. I have had to take a step back for a little while and chill. Too much on my plate right now. I am still "out there", just not quite as much, trying to get more organized and do some more time management. Sorry to go on about this.
Thank you bunches!

[Braggin' Rights]

I soooo completly understand! If you get your time management straightened around, maybe you could get me on track!
:-)
Nice to see you here!
Tracy