DISQUS

Chris, your blog continually blows my mind before I get through the first few paragraphs. :-) This time I got as far as "Remember that you’re every bit as important as the person you’re meeting. Not pompous or arrogant; just important," and came to a halt. Awesome!

(Well, temporary halt--I did finish reading, and the rest was just as cool.) ;-)

*Shudder* That would give me the willies! I was always afraid of the basement, too--I couldn't get past the thought that someone had broken in and was hiding there. :-) That actually happened to my grandma!

Really great ideas! These work for my fiction writing, too. *Bookmarking this post to read again later*

<abbr>mousewords´s last blog post..Ready Are You?</abbr>

Interesting thought! Maybe it depends on what a company wants to promote--a product/service, or a brand? BBC and CNN are in the information business, so we expect newsfeeds and follow specifically for that. But Comcast, for instance, is doing more towards developing positive brand loyalty with their person-to-person interaction. Heck, *I* follow @comcastcares, and I have Charter cable! ;-)

My favorite part of Twitter is the communication with others; so, I admit, if a new follower has no "@" messages to anyone else and just "blurts," I'd be disinclined to follow back. It would feel kinda lonely. :-)

The exception would be if it were a big brand or news source that interested me. In that case, I look at following like subscribing to a newsletter.

A side note on the conversation vs. DM thought--if the chat is a lively discussion about an issue or an idea, I'm glad it's in my stream. I've learned more information and formed more friendships just because of eavesdropping. (Tweavesdropping?)

Great post, Keith!

Great post! I'm already using its advice. :-)

"The bloggers are coming, the bloggers are coming."

Lol :-D

@Tim Walker Your metaphor about Lowe's reminds me of the classic "Miracle on 34th Street," where Macy's sends customers to other stores if they don't have what the customer wants. Macy's winds up making True Fans out of the customers.

Chris, I love the reminder that there's "plenty to go around." With my writing and art, it was my nature to be protective of content. But I'm learning that sharing my work helps spread the word; and unless I limit myself, there's definitely more where that came from!

I believe it's realistic, and can definitely see it adding value; especially since first impressions of businesses/services so often seem to include the question, "How is their online presence?"

I can tell you one thing: I'd be clicking on "follow" under Yolanda's name on Twitter. :-)

Wow! And to think I got excited when mine reached twenty! :-D

Great article! I *love* quotes, so I will definitely be checking out those tools. Thank you!

Another quote resource site is BrainyQuote.com--they have a pretty extensive collection and a nice search feature.

Great advice! It "stuck" with me. ;-) I'm definitely going to apply it!

mousewordss last blog post..The New Media Workshop

Great post! I've been told many times that I should try Second Life, but I've been a bit overwhelmed at the thought. This makes me actually think of signing up. :-) Thanks!

mousewordss last blog post..The New Media Workshop

I've basically got four networks, I think--Art, Writing, Social Media, and Personal (family, friends, neighbors). Some are online or offline more than others; some overlap; but each has its own great personality.

The one thing that stood out with me in this post is *back up the contacts list.* I need to work on that!

:-D That *is* fun!

Yes. Very. I'm learning that myself.

See why?

;-)

I got to meet author Jay Asher last week. As I shook his hand, I was thinking, "Wow...Jay Asher!"

Then I suddenly stood up a little straighter, because I realized--Y'know what?...I'm *mousewords.*

;-)

As to the question of whether you're giving too much, I think only you can answer that. You clarified your perception in the post--your customization, execution, network, and knowledge are your product, not the ideas by themselves. So if you're okay with that, then no problem!

Personally, I think that the information you share on your website builds credibility, so that those who need more will feel confident in seeking you out to provide it. Do *you* feel that you are getting a good return on that investment in your readers?

Great list, thank you! I'm taking a new look at my blogging, and I'm feeling excited--like webconomist said, these are fascinating times!

Very timely! I'm designing my business cards *and* reworking my website. :-)

Originally I wanted to go with Moo cards, so I could have my art on one side; but it's good to know that unusual sizes can get lost. Now I see that Moo has business cards--so I may go that route!

Totally forgot to add a tagline/quote to my temporary home-printed version.

An as for "easy," I'm absolutely Victorian. **Off to add phone # and location to card design**

Cool! Looks like it was fun! :-)

I noticed you have Bible verses in your other posts. May I quote one to you?

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I never "liked" that verse very much--I was too independent, wanted to fix my problems myself. Nobody likes thinking of themselves as "weak."

But when life broke me to the point that I no longer had anything but weakness inside of me, I suddenly discovered that I could not only "like" that verse--I could fall into it with relief and thankfulness, the way I would fall into God's arms.

Those same arms are with you. The Lord can fix the broken places. :-)

Great idea! Like so many others, I often send positive thoughts, prayers, and messages when Twitterers are having hard times. The #sharethelove is a good reminder to see in our Twitter streams. :-)

*Applause* Awesome post! You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for following through! :-)

Troy, may I say "thank you" again? ;-) "Thank you" to you and every person who serves our country. Since my Dad was a paratrooper in the Army, there's hardly a day I don't think about you all, say a prayer for you, and hope you stay safe and come home soon as possible.

Your quote, "I have seen the worst that humanity has to offer but I offer the best humanity has to give," says it so beautifully. Wow.

I'm inspired to sign up with eMOM, just to say those things as many times as possible!

~Christine (a different one) ;-)