RECOMENDATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

I've been spending a fair amount of time lately on Twitter. I think it's an interesting way to communicate ideas, promote products, socialize with business associates, friends, writers... whoever you are, whatever the reasons, Twitter, along with Facebook and Myspace can reach a lot of people very quickly. Of the three, I think Twitter is the easiest and fastest way, although I do like Facebook for a lot of reasons. But to promote myself, and others, I think Twitter is on to something.

I really haven't figured out all the in's and out's of Twitter. I have installed something called Tweetdeck (recommended by a friend) and I like it better than being at my web login thingy, but Tweetdeck is limiting. When I'm not logged onto it, I miss many of my friends tweets. Now, my favorites, I will take the time to go to their profile page and see what they have been up to, but I follow like 900 people, so, can't take the time to check everyone. But overall, I like Tweetdeck.

I have also downloaded TinyTwitter to my Blackberry, but frankly, find it somewhat useless to me. Sure, it's easy to update my status, but find it difficult to truly follow my friends. Not sure what I will do with that. I have a love/hate relationship with my Blackberry. I like being able to use my email anywhere, anytime, just don't always like have my phone vibrate every time I get an email.

One of the things I use Twitter for is to promote my myself. I do have books out, so... I also use it to promote other people. And yes, some of them are my friends. However, some are people I admire and respect, and while I may have met them a time or two, I am promoting them because I believe in what they are doing. I love their books. I love their workshops. What they teach. Whatever.

I can not be a promo person for the world. Really. I can't. I'm sorry. It really isn't anything personal. I don't do this for a living. I'm a passionate person, and when I find something that resonates with me, well I tell people. Take a product called Dry Shampoo! I love it. Anyone who doesn't like washing their hair everyday should buy this product. It's the best. Really. Kid you not. Best thing since sliced bread.

When it comes to books, I pretty much only recommend those I have read. There have been a few times when I've blogged about upcoming releases that I haven't read, but I've either had the chance to discuss the book at length with the author, or know and trust the author will deliver, or it's like my favorite author (too many to mention).

Here is a good example. Anna DeStefano. She has a new book coming out in September titled DARK LEGACY. I am going to promote the hell out of this book. Have I read it? No. But I have discussed it with Anna. I had the pleasure of spending some time with her at a retreat and various conferences over the years. She has been kind enough to talk books with me. I love telling the story when I first meet Anna in Reno. I was reading her book A FAMILY FOR DANIEL. She got a kick out of seeing her book in a reader/writer's hands. I got a kick out of her because she was so dang nice to me. Felt like I was stalker her, because I was trying to find her for like 2 days because I enjoyed the book so much. Just wanted to tell her that.

Anyway, I really like the concept behind DARK LEGACY. I know and trust Anna's writing. I have read every single book she has published and she hasn't failed me. Doubt she ever will. I have listened to Anna lecture on writing, publishing, everything. She knows her stuff. She's one smart lady.

Which leads me into another reason I will retweet certain people. They have something to say that resinates with me. They are smart. Whitty. And have something to offer that I think should be repeated. I don't just retweet. I read what I'm sending out there to my followers.

Of course, there are just some people I get chatty with. It's entertaining, and well, social. You know, I think I'm more social on Twitter than I am in real life. I can walk into a room full of people and not say a single thing all night. But man, on Twitter, sometimes I just won't shut up.

I'm always a bit surprised (happily surprised) when someone (even a friend) retweets my stuff. I don't expect anyone too. I putting it out there to my followers to do with what they want. Hopefully, they will enjoy it. I'm really enjoying Twitter. If you not there, you should give it a try.