In this Issue Hello, Message from Marian:  Introducing my new eZine!   Teleseminars & Events: Discover Twitter for Business + more Featured Article: 7 Must-Ask Questions About Twitter for Business Marian Recommends:  Are you using any of these? About Marian   Please add "Marian{@}SparkActionNow{dot}com" to your whitelist or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!

April 2, 2009  Volume 1, Issue 1 You're receiving this special message because you signed up for one of my programs or updates to the blog.    To change your subscription, see the link at the end of the email. Regular e-Zine launching shortly! Sign Me Up for this eZine!

Time for another tweetup!  If you're on Twitter and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you're invited to join us at our next local business Tweetup.  What's a tweetup? It's when Twitter friends meet face to face.  I initiated these tweetups as a means for local entrepreneurs who work virtually to exchange best practices, brainstorm and mastermind to expand their business online.  Join our intimate group for our third monthly gathering from 12noon to 1:30pm.  I'd love to introduce you.

RSVP here if you're in the area  (invite on bottom right side)

This month I'm conducting a series of teleseminars and interviews to help you harness the relationship-building power of Twitter for your business.  You'll learn specific strategies and tactics to help you achieve your business objectives. Twitter is much more than just posting status updates and following people.  It's about building relationships that matter!
 
On another note, I'm putting together the final pieces of my ebook on "75 Ways to Use Twitter for Business: Practical Steps for Independent Professionals, Solo-preneurs and Small Business Owners." (yippee!) Don't hold me to the exact title as of yet....So far it's 30 pages including screen shots, sample tweets you can emulate and more! I'm going to be looking for partners to re-sell and testimonials from people I trust to give me honest, constructive feedback.

If you have a Twitter account and want honest, concrete ways on how to connect, engage and interact with followers, then get on the priority notification list.  You'll be the first to know about the details of the Teleseminar series (as early as next week) and how you can get your hands on this hot no-fluff ebook!  

Get on Priority Notification list now  

When my Twitter friend Melissa Galt (@ProsperbyDesign) invited me to join her, I jumped at the chance.  I met Melissa in March at Alex Mandossian's Teleseminar Secrets and since then we've developed a fantastic relationship through the power of Twitter! I met Adam a few weeks ago on Twitter and I'm so excited to finally meet him in person.  So on April 22nd, I'm flying to Anaheim to get some coaching and make new connection.  Make sure you have a Twitter account by then.  I'll be tweeting from the event and you can ask me questions. I'm also excited about reconnecting with Mari Smith, Bob Jenkins and Carrie Wilkerson. Check it out-- see if you can make it, I'd love to see you in person:

Discover Info Profit Success 

Lastly, I'm excited about a speaking engagement in June that I can't wait to share...except that I'm not at liberty to say just yet.  I can't even mention the corporate sponsors. But stay tuned. It's hot! (and I owe it to connections on Twitter) ;)
 

 

 

 

If you currently tweet for business, then you might feel like you could be using Twitter better.  Ask yourself these 7 questions to determine whether you are making mindful connections that may prove fruitful down the road.  Or whether you are making mindless connections that simply take you away from your business priorities.

If all you're doing is clicking "follow" and then moving on to the next person, you're not "connecting".  You're silently following or "lurking".  There's nothing wrong with that.  Just know that it's tough for people to get to know you if you're sitting on the sidelines. Mindful connections are about reaching out to the person and saying what you both have in common. Here's a sample tweet to send the personal who followed you back:

"@username So xcited 2 connect! We share X in common." (51+ characters) 

2 - Do you introduce your followers to one another?

Your followers are building their businesses too!  So if you know that Jack should meet Jill because they share Y in common.  Guess what?  Introduce Jack and Jill!  They'll remember you for having made the introduction. And you followers will see you loosely as a connector.  You'll never know who Jack and Jill might introduce you to.

Here's a sample tweet:  "@Jack Have u met @Jill? U share X 2gether!"  (42+ characters)

#followfriday is a conversation that takes place on Fridays where people recommend other people.  Now, it's your turn to recommend Person A for Reason Y.  Granted some people will tweet "Follow @XYZ,@ABC,@DEF, they're great." But how valuable is that? - -i.e. do you know anything specific about this person? What makes them great? Does their idea of great mesh with yours?   

Here's a sample tweet: "Tweeps focused on connecting @ personal level @abc @def #followfriday" (70+ characters)

Although Twitter can be used to provide status updates, if that's all you're doing, you're missing out on highly robust tool for communicating and developing relationships.  Stop 'talking' to yourself.  Start conversing with others.  Reply when someone uses your name in a tweet.  Respond when someone says attention-worthy. But when you do, explain how you found the tweet valuable.  It's a great way to start building a relationship.

Or are you hoarding all the fascinating articles and resources for yourself? If you stumble upon a great article, tool or continuing education event that you think will be useful to your business followers, send a tweet. Just make sure you provide context for your tweet.

Retweeting is like forwarding.  And when you retweet, it signals you're listening. Doing so means you're listening and found the information valuable. But before you start retweet, consider if the content would be relevant to your followers.  Then add your opinion (a word or three).  You might need to abbreviate the tweet first. [Think about the worthless email you've received from friends or colleagues.  They just forwarded "stuff" with out an explanation!  Don't be like that!]

It's so easy to focus on how many people you follow and how many people are following you back. And if you're in a popularity contest, then may be that's   appropriate. People do business with people they know, like and trust.  Let your followers experience YOU.  So you'll become top of mind the next time they need a service you can provide. You want people to introduce you. You want them to recommend you. And you want them to retweet your tweets. Is that happening?

These relationship building tactics have resulted in a continuing education opportunity (worth $1997)--the face-to-face connections will be priceless---and a corporate-sponsored speaking engagement leading to follow-on business.  It's your turn! Answer these questions.  And use one of these tips right now.

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Marian's Spark Action Now blog.

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Marian "Sparks" Hodges MBA is an independent success strategist, acton mentor, consultant.  She sparks strategic action that moves busy solo-preneurs, independent professionals and small business owners from where they are to where they desire to be with their business.

Marian is passionate about helping service professionals build an information empire from their expertise and talents, so they can experience the livelihood, lifestyle and legacy they desire now. She's particularly adept at helping clients cut to the chase, connect the dots and chart a course that plays to their strengths.

Marian has a Master's in Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management.  In her client work she leverages her knowledge and experience as a former Fortune 50 hi-tech executive in business strategy and operations, customer experience and product marketing.  

An American born and raised in the Philippines and Japan, Marian acquired a unique perspective for sparking change and making an impact.  Her favorite activity is to exchange ideas and collaborate on how to make an impact, build a legacy, while enjoying as many laughs as possible along the way! Because business is supposed to be fun! 

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