New Friends You Should Meet

Again, these are just personal thoughts and not Intel positions. I'm not sure what "friends" of a corporation would mean exactly anyway and don't really want to explore that topic right now....

These are some of my more recent finds on twitter whom I find particularly noteworthy. I recommend you take a quick look at each of their streams to see if what they tweet about interests you. You will find not only do they have their own interesting content, but they are excellent at retweeting interesting content from others, so with each one you follow, you get a lot more than just one set of ideas.

Social Media

@eric_andersen is an architect at IBM in Cambridge, MA who keeps abreast of social media. He also keeps good track of what's interesting in Boston, for those of us who miss "the Hub".

@RyderMedia is a social media strategist in LA, who often uses the hashtag #sm to indicate tweets that are relevant to social media.

@SteveAkinsSEO is a social media guru from Chicago who shows that Search Engine Optimization is not always a bad thing, especially when one generously retweets things that share useful information.

Life Style

@LDGourmet is a foodie. If you don't get hungry following her stream, then you probably aren't. ;-)

@moondustwriter is a poet who co-founded One Stop Poetry.

Online Security

@ChadChoron is a great source of malware news.

@yo9fah_ro is a great source of malware news who lives in Romania.

Keeping Twitter Social

As always just my own thoughts and not related to Intel, and definitely not "official" in any way shape or form.

Old news is sometime new news. Today I read the following tweet about #FollowFriday (or #FF for short).

Do a proper #followfriday instead of spamming everyone http://j.mp/bsjO1o via @AskAaronLee @zaibatsu #FF #Tipsless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyTerri Nakamura
terrinakamura

Since #FF is one of my favorite things on Twitter, almost as important to me as Retweeting, I read with intense interest. If you want to take the time to read it now, feel free, I'll still be here when you are done.

In some ways, the article made me proud, over my short stay on twitter I had definitely taken the time to do the "introductory" style tweets rather than the blanket #FF list of people without explanation kinds. Moreover, I had written a couple of blog posts (e.g. this list of my twitter mentors) where I gave more extended explanations.

However, it also made me embarassed. Recently, I have been somewhat lazy in my approach to #FollowFriday and often just let myself by with just the RT or Thx to the #FF lists I've been on. That's too close to the "Thank you for the wonderful 'crock pot' letter." one sends when one gets a gift one doesn't know what to do with. My friends deserve better than that.

As I result, I realized that I felt mostly confused. Twitter is a social network. Engagement is a big part of that. It's also a tough thing for an introvert like me and certainly not a natural thing. I am totally jealous of those who can pass around the waves and hugs and touch base with people in way that is both sincere and casual at the same time.

And, while some might look at that traffic filled with a quick pleasantry but mostly names as spammy, it clearly is part of the touch that reminds people we are thinking of them. Therein lies the conundrum. Several of the #FF lists I get on a relatively regular basis are simply my friends staying in touch. It is a nice gesture. It feels good to get those lists. It helps me feel part of a community. Of course, it also sometimes reminds me that there are people I haven't chased down in my stream as much as I would like.

So, I know that RTing of Thx for those lists is probably cluttering some peoples streams on Fridays (and into Saturday and Sunday sometimes). Moreover, it isn't a substitute for real engagement. I also know that those lists are certainly not getting anyone any new followers.

However, all that is ok. It is still a way to stay in touch with my friends. When I can, I do find ways to engage them at that next level. Still, hopefully, in the meantime these #FF lists serve to remind us, if ever so fleetingly, of people that have been important in our stream, and to occasionally prompt us to do more than just remember them.

Why Retweets Matter -- A Word to the Wise

These are purely personal opinions and do not reflect Intel recommendations or policies or anything.

If you've followed me at all, you will notice that most of my tweets are retweets (RTs). It is something I believe in and practice. Even when I carry on a [non personal] conversation, I generally start by retweeting the other person first, then send them a public message ".@name", retweeting their replies.

Now, for some of you, this may be too much. In which case, I apologize and recommend you simply not follow me. I won't be offended. I'm here on twitter to share. That means carrying on most of my dialogs in public. And, equally importantly, recognizing those who spark them.

That is a key point. To me a retweet is the appropriate way of acknowledging one's sources and benefactors. And, I do think of those who provide me with material to quote as my benefactors. They have given me something of value. Acknowledging them with a retweet is the one way to recognize that value.

That brings me to the next point. As an active retweeter, I have a lot of sources to chose from. At home I have 8 columns visible in tweetdeck on a machine just dedicated to watching twitter. That gives me lots to look at when I'm looking for something to RT. So, if you want me to retweet you, you need to grab my attention.

Good content is an obvious must. However, I assume when you send out a tweet it is because you have something to say. Therefore, in your opinion, your content is good or why did you bother to tweet it in the first place.

However, the next part is more key for me. Do you retweet or otherwise engage? If I retweet you, is it likely that it will prompt a further dialog? While it isn't an absolute requirement for me to retweet you, it does up your odds if I have a memory that a previous retweet caused a pleasant interaction. This is particularly true if you are tweeting something like a quote or a story that is covered in several places. And, not only do I remember those who have interacted with me, I also notice those who are in a habit of retweeting others. So, when you see me repetitively retweeting people like @chadchoron, @SteveAkinsSEO, @2morrowknight, @terrinakamura, or @shebajo--notice that they have also frequently retweeted others.

So, if you are confident that what you tweet is truly newsworthy, go ahead and depend on your content getting you retweeted. However, if you want someone like me to pick up your content when I'm looking for something, it can help if you've been noticed for being generous with your retweets. In fact, I'll give you a clue, if given the choice between two tweets on the same topic, I will usually pick the one that has been retweeted over the one which is "original". That allows me to give credit to a fellow retweeter.

Conversely, if you never retweet anyone, it won't keep me from retweeting you, but I also won't be drawn to read your tweet when your avatar comes up either. Like anyone, I'm drawn to the icons of those who I like, i.e. those who I know retweet. It is easier to love someone who is loving and on twitter love is spelled RT.