What I learned at Tweet Camp

I would hardly call myself a social media expert. My friends and colleagues all know I recently just joined the movement. Most people would not call them themselves an expert on something they just learned (surprisingly enough, "experts" in social media mostly just started in early 2009). But I have come to realize quickly that Social Media; You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Bright Kite, Four Square, Google Wave, Microsoft Office Space just to name a few hot spots is coming at us fast and hard you need to start playing if you want to be part of the movement. As Playboy.com's Scott Smith says it best, "It is like being at a cocktail party and sitting in the corner." It is not a useful strategy to meet anyone until you circulate the room and starting saying something.

My focus recently is Twitter as of um... October 10th at 3:00 CST and I have found out I am not alone in just joining this movement. I also found that there is a whole community out there that wants to help get you tweeting. On Saturday I attended Tweet Camp led by the Association of Women Journalists. This un-conference was an opportunity to come and listen, talk and share ideas, questions and confusion. It was most helpful and the journalists (both men and women) and guest speakers, I was happy to hear, had mostly just started tweeting this year. There was hope for my business yet.

What I learned was first, don't be afraid -- get on twitter.com and create yourself an account. It is simple and easy and just a few questions and a handle and you are almost there. Second, start searching for who you want to follow. For me it is hotels, media companies, Chicago hot spots, etc... you get the picture. Third, SAY SOMETHING -- and not just anything but something interesting. No one wants to hear what you are having for a snack (unless you are eating it with a dirty martini at Trump's Sixteen), but they may want to hear about the book you are reading, what you are working on for business or what restaurant you thought was fabulous. Then, just wait for the conversations to flow and POW you are tweeting. If you are interested in learning the basic lingo like retweeting, broadcasting, etc... just put it out there or do some research. Or check out the Tweet Camp when the Association of Women Journalists brings it around again (tweetcampchicago@gmail.com). You can bet I will be there with plenty more to learn and no worries guys there were plenty of you there too. Then come look me up @wsachicago and lets start tweeting!