Co-Founder @Dom Sagolla Tells tells the Twitter Story
A history of Twitter – and thoughts on what really matters – from Dom Sagolla – author of 140 Characters – A Style Guide for the Short Form.
As appropriate for the occasion, all information has been recorded via Twitter (on May 21, 2013) at the #NCMG meeting in Silicon Valley.
>> What impressed me the most was how much Dom seems to care about connecting people and helping them find what can make a positive difference to their lives. He said that maybe it is just one thing that you read that has a huge impact and changes your path. I subscribe to that.
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3 Principles: Simplicity, Constraint, Craftsmanship led to creation of #Twitter says @Dom at #NCMG pic.twitter.com/GKtMLSASlq
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#Twitter won #Hackathon at #SXSW – was their break. #NCMG @Dom: opened the eye to real-time Internet 4 many
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The name of the game is authenticity, human emotion, passion; @Dom. #NCMGTue, May 21 2013 16:41:56
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Hudson landing put Twitter in the map by providing by-stander picture that went around the world #NCMG @Dom pic.twitter.com/0wwHGh3bXz -
“Create meaning in the Internet desert!” #NCMG. @Dom is refreshingly idealistic. pic.twitter.com/5ShFrxjn71 -
Listen!! Shrink! Dream Big! #NCMG Thank you so much, @Dom. Wonderful presentation on so many levels. pic.twitter.com/0QWcGrvRSZ -
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Tue, May 21 2013 18:05:45Here the link to get your own copy of 140 Characters – A Style Guide for the Short Form. Can’t wait to read it!
Hi,
I have tried using twitter but never got use to it.
If there are any interesting tags or people to follow from SAP please let me know to make things exciting at twitter
Regards,
Hussain S
Hussain:
if Twitter is right for you depends on your goals. Whether you use it for a hobby or work, it has to be clear who you are trying to reach with your message and what you will communicate.
It's time consuming to build a following and engage. Some people just push out information all the time; I don't think that's the point, personally.
What is your Twitter handle?
Follow people in your target audience and people who provide information that you are interested in. I browse Twitter in the morning to read "the news" on social media & the world. It's fun to connect with friends & business partners.
Some good SAP handles (and often also used as hashtags) are:
@SAPTechED
@SAPPHIRENOW (for next event)
@SAP
SAP BAYAREA @SAPBayArea
@SAPMentors
Hope this helps. There are other blogs I posted on SCN with tips on Twitter.
Best, and keep me posted,
Natascha
Hi
Thanks for the reply.
As its an open forum , I think, I would want to engage professionally at twitter.
Thanks for the handles I will start following them; my handle is hussi9.
Thanks,
Hussian
@Hussie9:
I followed you and checked out your Twitter account. Here some free consulting:
- You can add a URL to your profile, either to your blog or LinkedIn profile
- You can use hashtags in the profile, e.g. #SAP
- What is MNC? Maybe those who you target will know? 🙂
- You can have a second picture behind your profile picture
- You can have a background for your whole Twitter page
- I would not Tweet links without any comments as that looks like spam (I would not click it)
- You use @ in your Tweets a lot without actually referring to a user's handle. Maybe use the #hashtag instead. Example: #CanalBasin, #Coventry.
- I'd add more verbiage around the pictures so it's more enticing to check them out
- You follow a lot more people than follow you, try to keep it at least even.
- Try to engage with others by retweeting them and commenting on their Tweets
- Try to send a Tweet once a day
- When I read your profile, I expect you to Tweet about SAP and technical stuff. Think about your brand: what will you Tweet about? Who is your target audience? When you follow people, they will look at your profile as your business card to decide if they will follow you back. They need to know what to expect.
Unsolicited advice is my strength!
Best,
Natascha
The same thing happened with me. I tried twitter for a few weeks, but it made no sense to me so I gave up. Many months later I found a bunch of people who seemed to be using it very effectively and getting a lot from it. That encouraged me to try again, starting by following some of those people. That was the key for me - finding people who used Twitter effectively and joining in. It does take a while to get into it, though.
For me, Twitter is about engagement and about community. Once you start engaging with people over common interests, you start wanting to use it rather than it being a chore. That's when you know you "get" it!
It isn't for everyone, I do agree with that. I'd encourage you to give it another go, though, before giving up on it entirely. I'm very glad I did. There are a good number of SAP-related people on Twitter who use it very well. Many people here on SCN list twitter handles on their SCN profile. Find just a few and follow them and build from there.
Steve.
Steve:
I did not get Twitter for at least a year, glad I stuck with it :-).
@Oliver Kohl was my first Twitter mentor; he patiently explained the platform to me.
I have so much fun with Twitter these days, interacting with people I would otherwise probably never get to talk to. And it's always nice to see you there, Steve.
Best,
Natascha
Hi,
neither me a fan of twitter, may be I am smart or dull not to use it 😉 whichever way.
I think it would fade in time, if it doesnt bring something innovative.
I feel a time would come where all would want a 'one stop' social-site where fb, twitter, myspace everything would be at one place, like our UWL concept 🙂 Well have given an idea to build for free 😉
Good blog to read.
Thanks,
Aditya V
Aditya:
interesting thoughts. Browsers like Google Chrome are trying to provide a one-stop experience to all social channels but it's not great yet. And many people don't like to give up all their passwords to one vendor.
I think of Dom's point yesterday that the future is in niches. So, I think the different platforms might shake out into more specialized focus areas. I already see FB as B2C and personal, LinkedIn as B2B and G+ has a lot of B2B activity going on also.
In terms of innovation, if you follow people who have things to share you are interested in, you can find tons of innovative news and thoughts.
The future will tell how it all shakes out! Maybe something none of us have considered.
Best,
Natascha
Love the picture in #13
I just ordered the book too.
Thank you for sharing Natascha - I would've loved to engage real-time but I was tired.
Tammy
Tammy:
that's good news. We can share notes once we've both read it. Maybe I can interview you for my blog on your key take aways from "140 Characters"? Could be via email or Google Hangout (good excuse to reconnect :-)).
First, I have to finish "Lean In" from Sheryl Sandberg, which I think is fantastic.
Warm regards,
Natascha
Natascha,
Maybe by the time we've both finished the book I'll learn how to do a Google hangout - I like the idea of reconnecting 🙂
Best regards,
Tammy