TwitterTalentedTen – February 24, 2010

Well, aside from a tragic event at SeaWorld Orlando, bipolar Austin weather and a phishing bug hacking peoples' accounts, things were pretty much 'business as usual' on the Twitter scene.

Perhaps it's the calm before the storm that is March here in the ATX. But I'll be damned if I can't find and share the tweets that deserve more love.

Here ya go, blogosphere. Your TalentedTwitterTen for today.

1. @austindirtydog - I mean, really? Can our weather BE more bi-polar? Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings :)
   
   
2. @Smmythe - Good for Shamu. Sometimes, a brother gotta stand up and fight.
   
   
3. @ValerieKusler - Hummer is shutting down. A win for the environment and all non-douchebags. http://twurl.nl/nr2sve /via @pfishy, @jtbrighton
   
   
4. @austindirtydog - Using Twitter.com after being used to Tweetdeck, etc. feels like rubbing sticks together to get fire. Wouldn't do well on Survivor.
   
   
5. @Smmythe - Well, Utah passed a bill today criminalizing misscarriage. So, um, if you have one, let that be your little secret.
   
   
6. @dgriff123 - These damn ass RACIAL McDonalds Commercials drive me fuckin NUTS!!! All black people dont look and act like that.
   
   
7. @melissaella - #LastTweetAboutTheSnowIPromise ok, i just wanted to use this tag. (NOTE: That was MY hashtag, haha!)
   
   
8. @lizwinks - Dear AT&T, you suck, you suck, you suck and I HATE you. Loathe you. Thank you Google Voice (email SMS) for existing.
   
   
9. @andreagrimes - USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA // we just beat Switzerland in men's hockey! // #olympics // USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
   
   
10. @EricKennedyATX - Just looked up the lyrics to "Kiss From A Rose." Makes so much more sense now! #badabadadadaahyaya
    

BTW, a special shout to @EMooreBlog, he's back from illness and aiming to take the stage tonight, per his tweet – "I'm planning to perform @KickButtComedy Open Mic at 8 pm tonight. I'll be trying out new short bits."

Later, gators!

AX

TwitterTalentedTen (SnowDay Edition) – February 23, 2010

Woke up this morning to a familiar sound; the sound of sleet hitting the window. However, when I opened the blinds I discovered that it was actually large clumps of snow hitting the window. Austin was about to experience a very rare 'Snow Day.' I immediate started anticipating a slew of entertaining tweets from the 'AwesomeAustinites'. But first, I had to satisfy my own need for being goofy and going bonkers for the snow.

I want to give a shout out to @megankeate who caught up with me at the SXSW Interactive Mixer last night. She took the time to compliment the blog and the TwitterTalentedTen.

Also, if anyone's still buzzin' from the USA Hockey win over Canada earlier this week and would like to get more into the sport, this weekend offers a great opportunity. (Goes great with this weather.) The Texas Stars play three games – Friday and Sunday at home, and the Saturday game will be televised on FSN from San Antonio. The Stars will be hosting a viewing party (always fun) at Contenders Sports Bar in Cedar Park. I'll be hitting up each event this weekend, so if anyone is inclined to come along, please feel free to gimme a shout.

All right, enough stalling. I now turn things over to today's TripleT. Enjoy the snow, everyone – before it turns to slush.

1. @austinssc - Non-sanctioned Austin ssc snowball fights all over the city today! Fun for a day now let us play!
   
   
2. @laniar - this is what austin is about to be like: http://post.ly/PDn9
   
   
   
3. @ValerieKusler - I took my cats out in the snow to experience it... they did not appreciate.
   
   
4. @ormaybe - can I still go running in the snow? or is that like a surefire way to fall on my ass? argh I should have gone yesterday when it was freezing
   
   
5. @andyhite - Today will forever be known as The Austin Snowpocalypse.
   
   
6. @melissaella - take that dfw. it can snow in austin too.
   
   
7. @baconator - Since it's not freezing, I still wore shorts. Wimps. :)
   
   
8. @AnthonyAusten - Who wants to test drive an Acura AWD today in the snow??? Hello anyone ??
   
   
9. @DareToBrand - Freaked out Austin "snowed" leapord... http://yfrog.com/3l68oasj
   
   
10. @sheilahippert - I think it's my chihuahua's turn to experience snow, brb! :)
    
    
11. *BONUS* @katherinestolp - You know ppl who say, "Austinites just can't drive in this weather!" I think I'm one of those drivers. Sorry! #mopacwaskindascary Be safe!
    
    
12. *BONUS* @wesley83 - Raise your hand if you're not scared to drive in the snow. {Raises Hand}
    
    
13. *BONUS* @IleenieWeenie - Austinites must live out their winter fantasies over one 12-hour period every 3 to 5 years.
    
    
14. *BONUS* @austingunter - My buddy just postponed a presentation on preventing procrastination because of the snow.... #ironic
    
    
15. *BONUS* @FiveOne2010 - Automatic DMs for following are so passé. I'm JUST sayin', people.
    
    
16. *BONUS* @chasl - Afternoon meeting canceled "because there's too much snow" ~file this under #Austinfirsts
    
    
17. *BONUS* @JennaSnacks - I have been talking to myself off and on all afternoon, but it was just pointed out to me that I've started answering myself.
    
    
18. *BONUS* @stephenesurefire - True, true... RT @KatieRose1988: The reaction to snow in Austin must be like the reaction in Seattle when it stops raining.
    
    
19. *BONUS* @erincargile - Brave souls! Swimmers were still doing laps in Barton Springs in speedos during today's snowfall!
    
    
20. *BONUS* @stevebuttry - @statesman: A case study in using Twitter on breaking news (#ATXplanecrash coverage). http://bit.ly/cVnIXC

And whaddya know, here comes another round of snow. Maybe it'll be a precursor to an evening edition of the TripleT.

Thanks everyone!

TwitterTalentedTen – February 22, 2010

Wow. Sounds like somebody's got a case of the 'Mondays.'

Maybe it's the fact that today's weather can't hold a candle to yesterday's blessing (or so I hear, I was stuck in a studio all day yesterday). Or maybe because we all feel like we're bracing ourselves for even worse weather. But while going through the 'tweets du jour' I sensed a bit of snarkiness.

It's understandable, friends. It seems when we get closer to springtime, we're working more for the weekend than usual. I know I am.

BTW, I hope to see lots of ya at the SXSW Mixer this evening. Here's an obvious 'Mondays' edition of the TripleT… enjoy.

1. @baconator - Scars tell better stories.
   
   
2. @apizzagirl - Apparently cute(ish) nerdy girls are in demand. Who knew?
   
   
3. @elizs - Dad told us this wknd that he's voting in the Republican primary to vote against Perry. Wonder how many others are possibly doing the same?
   
   
4. @laniar - dear PR industry, please stop using the word "revolutionize" on every frickin press release you send me. kthxbai :)
   
   
5. @ValerieKusler - My newest least-fave business buzzword: socialize, used like circulate. No no!
   
   
6. @marlaerwin - So, AT&T — you know SXSW is coming around again, right? #phonefail
   
   
7. @marlaerwin - Yesterday: 78 and sunny. Tomorrow's forecast: sleet and snow. Texas weather, you are one crazy bitch.
   
   
8. @andyhite - I want to verb your adjective noun.
   
   
9. @MasterPancake - LEFT BEHIND didn't tell us. RT @bog_marsh What happens to non-Christian pregnant women during the Rapture? Do they become water balloons?
   
   
10. @heartsintexas - oh, it's supposed to "snow" tomorrow? riiiight. go for it austin. show me what you've got. i have a feeling i will not be impressed.

TwitterTalentedTen – February 19, 2010 (Special Edition)

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TwitterTalentedTen – February 19, 2010

Hey everyone!

I tend to spend an insane amount of time on Twitter, and the only qualm I have is that sometimes I feel I don't have anything more to offer other than my random witticisms and thought provoking ReTweets. Meanwhile, I am constantly entertained by some of the comments that come from the people I follow on Twitter. So, in the spirit of 'Twitter Tracker' from the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, I thought it might be fun to share some of those thoughtful and creative tweets here on The Creative Callsign.

From now on, I am going to attempt on a daily basis to share ten of the most entertaining, funny, insightful and even random tweets that I come across. Please note that this is not an attempt to 'bird dog' anyone on their intellectual property. Instead, consider it a tribute to those who keep Twitter interesting.

I humbly welcome you to the first installment of The TwitterTalentedTen, or the "Triple-T".

1. @omarg - E-mail: "Please be a little more open minded and do actual research on future stories." [Well, I will sure try, but that sounds hard.]
   
   
2. @IleenieWeenie - Dear @laniar: Even tho I'm about 15 yrs older than u, can I come w/ u to bring ur daughter 2 wk day? Must learn secret 2 ur badassery. #ff
   
   
3. @andyhite - For a lot of us in the web industry, every day is casual Friday...so let's make Friday Tieday! #fridaytieday
   
   
4. @SklarBrothers - Thank God news about Gordon Lightfoot's death was just a hoax. Now he can go back to making music to which most people are indifferent.
   
   
5. @ormaybe - take shower. towel dried off. realized I had forgot to shave. got back in to shave. get out. realized I only shaved on leg. got back in. fml
   
   
6. @elizs - slowly growing to hate my "Wild Words from Wild Women" pg-a-day calendar. It's not at all empowering. Grr.
   
   
7. @sacca - Dear NBC, it's come to this: My mom's watching the Olympics live on Canadian TV and texting me the skiing play-by-play.
   
   
8. @BryanGutmann - Black History Month with a black president. Yet the only thing on TV is white dudes skiing in Vancouver. Weakest Black History Month ever.
   
   
9. @drdanfrench - After Morse, there's a really huge drop-off on our awareness of codes.
   
   
10. @AndriaStanley - I fall in love all over again with my kids... when they are napping.
    
    
11. *BONUS* -- @tronovision - It's never been a better time than now to teach your kids about the Wu-Tang Clan.
    
    
12. *BONUS* -- @alexstivers - Keep Austin Weird… not Crazy. (I'm not one to usually plug my own stuff, but I was really proud of myself for this line.)
    

Thanks for playing everybody!

Make sure to check out these great Tweeple and many others on my AwesomeAustinites and Comedy lists on Twitter!

It's an Election Year. Should I Clean Up My Tweets?

Not too long ago, a family friend requested me as a 'Friend' on Facebook. This individual also happens to be running for public office. On the account that this person is an actual friend, I accepted the request, but it does raise the question: Should I tone down the use of tweets or status updates that might be controversial, for the sake of that person running for office?

There are two factors that can make this situation into a negative ordeal: assumptions and context. For one, outsiders will look through the list of people a politician "follows" on Twitter, and they could assume those are people the politician associates with. And two, who's to say that a muckraker from an opponent's campaign spends time looking through the tweets of the people on that "Following" list, finds something to take out of context, and then makes it a political arguing point?

Now, I haven't been asked to change my behavior when it comes to tweets and status updates. But if it ever came to that, I doubt that would comply. I don't think a person running for office would even follow me if he/she thought that my material was going to be a problem for them. Besides, they should let their own campaign managers worry about that stuff.

Also, if a researcher from an opposing campaign took the time and trouble to dig through my timeline and actually find something to take out of context, then I would tip my hat to them. Because the only person who even attempted to do that was bats**t crazy.

But that's just my opinion. How do you feel?

Trying to Shake the Internet Marketing Stigma

Being critical of one's own profession isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Those who can identify the problem areas within their industry or field that most people frown upon work the hardest to improve their brand. With a little hard work and hopefully a dash of positive karma, good salespeople won't have to go through the dirty tricks to garner more conversions.

That's why 'Internet Marketing' is such a dirty word to me. So many people out there selling products online have resorted to using the internet as a shooting gallery, and we're the ducks. It's all a numbers game to them, there's no strategy or researching of their target consumers. To make matters worse, these homebound internet marketers are disciples of so-called "Internet Marketing Gurus", whose secrets are nothing more than fancy words to rename a product or telling them to sell to everyone.

As an account executive for Website Representative, I understand that it's easy to be associated with the internet marketing types. But I also make it a point to explain that we pride ourselves in following the basic rules of a high-performance brand:

- Have an innovative product.

- Be creative and original in delivering your message.

- Stay true to your original mission.

- Stay true to your customers.

So here are a few facts and personal rules that I aim to follow in order to help Website Representative become the quality brand our clients deserve.

1. I don't sell theories. I sell concepts and solutions.

2. Don't treat Social networks as giant electronic rolodexes of sales leads.

3. Business/customer relationships are a lot like regular relationships - you have to establish some dialogue and trust before committing to each other.

4. There are many reasons to hate internet marketing gurus. Don't follow them, don't turn into one.

In addition to establishing your business as a brand, it's important to present yourself as a brand of your own. Because I don't consider myself just an account man. I have much more to offer the world.

Who would you rather do business with - a product or a person?

Is the new Facebook format backfiring?

I first noticed the 2010 Facebook redesign hours before the majority of my friends discovered the change, and for the most part I really didn't have a strong opinion negatively or positively. To me, nothing much had really changed except for a streamlined panel and moving the 'Home' button to the other side of the page.

But as the day moved along, I started to hear the rumblings of a frustrated group of Facebookers tired of seeing their preferences reset, and for about a week I didn't completely understand their concerns. It wasn't until today when I realized a change in my own social website preference that I figured out a theory behind Facebook's change and why I've found myself leaning towards Twitter more and more each day.

Before this month, about 80% of my attention in social media was focused on news and updates on Facebook. The rest was devoted to Twitter and LinkedIn. Today, I can honestly say that ratio has been completely inverted. I'm borderline addicted to Twitter, and I have begun to look at the Facebook tab in my browser with more annoyance than anything else.

What could have caused this? Here are a few guesses...

1. Facebook redesign is aimed to promote revenue generating games.

Facebook says that it takes the time to take the most relevant updates and content and places it in your News Feed for your 'convenience.' However, I'm starting to see more updates about FarmVille, MafiaWars and the like. This is always a turn off for me.

2. 'Phantom' Notifications

I'm not sure if this is happening to anyone else, but recently I went through all of my "Apps" on Facebook and deleted them (except for Bejeweled. I'm addicted). But, I'm still getting a couple of chirps in my Notifications box from apps I've long resigned myself from, and apps I haven't seen before. Again, another turn off.

3. Tweetups

Perhaps it's the timing, but Thursday I attended my first ever tweetup, and it completely changed the dynamic of Twitter for me.

4. Quality of Conversation

I feel it's a good idea to insert a bit of separation between the two social websites. For me, since I've had Facebook since my college days, I kinda keep it more on the personal side and only include friends, family and former coworkers. Meanwhile Twitter, for me, is reserved more for the professional and entertainment side, trying to incite dialogue through article exchange and (poor) attempts at humor. :) But these days, I'm starting to realize that the status updates I read on Facebook are very boring. On the other hand, I anxiously wait for more tweets. Could it be that because I choose the people I follow on Twitter that I'm more entertained and informed, while at the same time the Facebook friends I've accepted over the last 4 years simply don't have anything interesting to say anymore?

So, I guess it's a combination of things. But the last few days, I've been thinking that Facebook might want to tread lightly from now on and avoid any more drastic changes. When the pursuit of revenue starts to obscure the true nature of the original brand that is Facebook, people might jump ship.