Friday, February 25, 2011

THE DISTRACTION OF TWITTER [By Six Pixels of Separation]

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 06:04 PM PST
It's going to come to a head at some point soon. We're all going to realize that Twitter is the ultimate distraction.

The problem with saying that Twitter is a distraction comes at a cost. People don't want to think (or admit) that they are wasting their time - mostly because even defining what a "waste of time" is can be subjective (and who is to say that a distraction in one's life is also a waste of time?). I try not to kid myself. I realize that watching most prime time television is a waste of time and there are many other activities that us human beings engage in that don't really add much value to our own lives and the lives of people around us. Twitter could well be the next great distraction, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, so long as you can admit it to yourself and appreciate that we all need moments of distraction. The challenge comes in identifying when these little distractions wind up taking up too much time in our lives.
Twitter as a distraction engine.
Brands that turn to Twitter usually do so to ensure that:
  1. If someone is talking about their brands, they can be (somewhat) responsive.
  2. They can broadcast/engage with those who are interested in their brands.
Ultimately, Twitter is just a short, fast and easy way to share a message. As much as it has become a distraction for the majority of people, it is also a great place to poke your nose around to find out what is being talked about, what's in the news or to find something interesting to read, watch or listen to. All of those activities are - fundamentally - activities that are distracting you from doing the work you were meant to do.


Why is Twitter such a distraction?
  • The short messages (tweets) happen in bursts. This is both addictive to watch and so "snackable" that it's hard to resist.
  • It's easy to bang out a tweet in a couple of seconds... and it feels good to let people know what you're thinking/what you're up to.
  • It happens in real-time, so whenever you're engaged with Twitter, you are "in the moment."
  • People say, do and share interesting things.
  • It's the ultimate in reality programming. What's more interesting: to watch the story of people we don't know (or those that are made up) verses the story of people we do know or are interested in?
  • It's highly mobile. Tweeting or following Twitter is something that's easy and mindless to do when you're standing with one arm wrapped around the pole in a subway or have a handful of minutes while in-between meetings.
  • It's an easy way to follow and connect with new and interesting people.
A distraction is still a distraction.
Some will take this Blog post as an indictment on Twitter. That is not the case. I use, like and connect with Twitter on a more-than-daily basis, but I'm cautious of it. I can see/feel how easy it is to sucked into the vortex of interesting quips, tweets, retweets, responding to messages, links and provocations. While I love that type of back-and-forth banter, the work I do for our clients at Twist Image takes precedence. So too does my writing (this Blog, my newspaper and magazine columns, my future books), speaking and Podcasting. While I can appreciate the value of Twitter, it falls well below the value I get from creating more substantive ideas in other forums (my own art). Twitter and the tweets that go along with them are fleeting moments that disappear almost as quickly as they are published.

I'm ok with Twitter as an engine of distraction, but I often wonder if the more serious power users see it in the same vein?

Authored By:  Six Pixels of Separation
Published on Sweet Spot Marketing (Canada) Blog by Nancy Beth Guptill 

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Nancy Beth has sent you a link to a blog:

I thought you might be interested in this Social Media Research Study
for Atlantic Canada. Please encourage your business colleagues located
in Atlantic Canada, and responsible for Social Media Marketing, to
participate in this survey. Thank You

Blog: Social Media Research for Atlantic Canada
Post: Social Media Research Study - Atlantic Canada
Link:
http://ping.fm/K5Emj

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Wealthy Women In Business Program (Western PEI)

Sweet Spot Marketing is pleased to bring you this Money Breakthrough program facilitated by Heather Wilson of Heather Wilson International. This is a life changing program that is open to all women in PEI, although it is intended for Women Entrepreneurs located in the Western Region.


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Wealthy-Women-In-Business-Program--Western-PEI-.html?soid=1101911428809&aid=YhhMrf8qzKk


Heather Wilson, International Speaker



Are you a Woman in Business in Western PEI?
Do you make all the money you want to?
 

Together with Heather Wilson of Heather Wilson International, we are pleased to announce this BRAND NEW intensive  Wealthy Women in Business ~ Money without Mayhem coaching program starting March 9th in Summerside.  

This 6 week intensive will help you break through to more income in your Business, effortlessly clean up unconscious 'Money Junk' and finally free yourself from Debt, under earning and other Financial Self-sabotage. This is specifically for women in business in the Western end of the Island.  It is taught live by Heather Wilson on  Wednesdays from 10am until noon (no class March Break).

Your investment for this life and business changing program is only $297 if you hurry and register today.   The cost goes up February 25th.




You'll receive:

1)  6-Interactive, educational and inspiring in person group coaching sessions

2)  Exciting, step by step exercises that Heather will personally coach you to complete that makes  creating your money breakthrough simple, joyful and freeing

3)  Downloadable and printed handouts & templates that make tracking your Money Breakthrough progress easy and effortless

4)  Practical action step assignments after each session, designed to help you attract - and keep! - more money

5)  Millionaire mindset coaching questions & statements to help you powerfully stay on track

Everyone has money issues, drama, fears, stories, beliefs and habits they either "inherited" from family or unconsciously adopted due to earlier experiences. What's key is to realize that you're not stuck with these forever! 


Let's get you UNSTUCK and making and keeping more money - FAST!

 
Register today at:
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Posted By:  Nancy Beth Guptill of Sweet Spot Marketing

Friday, February 4, 2011