A video I came across recently, with their interpretation on what Twitter’s really for!

Definitely some truth in that!

Richard Heathcote

Voice Over Artist

Recently I watched the BBC series “The Virtual Revolution”. Being a bit of a techie geek on the quiet, it’s stuff that very much interests me, all things internet, social media and beyond.

I have to say, it was an absolutely fantastic series that explored the origins of the internet and how it’s changed our lives whether we want it to or not, and the revolution of how it’s affected business globally too. For many of us who are small businesses, (and big businesses for that matter), the uses within the internet today for marketing ourselves is just inspiring; something we could never have imagined 20, 15, 10 or even 5 years ago. The revolution in social media networking for personal and business, blogging, video and audio multimedia on our websites and social networks, viral videos through YouTube – there really is no limit to what we can achieve. If you set your mind to it, and target it in the right way, your message can reach hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands or even potentially millions, for very little effort or money.

This, to me, is just staggering, and gives me so many ideas of what I can do to further market myself online, as currently, I don’t pay for any advertising whatsoever. I just don’t think it works at all well in my industry; all of my clients come through the web and word of mouth recommendation – and I know this is the case for many people I’ve been speaking to of recent.

So, to get your brain thinking about the virtual revolution, I suggest you check out their page on the BBC site, and look out for a repeat!

And, if you hadn’t guessed what my opinion is – the revolution is definitely GOOD!

Richard Heathcote, Voice Over Artist

Well folks, the time has arrived, 2010 is now upon us. I for one will welcome this new year in gladly, as for me I think it’s going to be a year that will absolutely rock, work-wise. Things over the past year have been picking up very well, word has spread, and the marketing efforts both online and off are really beginning to pay off.

It’s just the most satisfying feeling when you can see the results happen in front of your eyes. Long hours have been spent travelling the country to various networking meetings, and online, using social media like Twitter, Facebook and the like; but you know what – it’s all been absolutely worth it. Even at the times when you don’t think it will, you’ll get that random enquiry in either over the phone or through Email. Of recent, I’ve even had some come in through Direct Messages on Twitter, from people wanting quotes for upcoming work. This kind of phenomenon 10 years ago was just unheard of.

We’ve moved into a much more interactive world, where questions and replies can happen virtually instantly. I had an enquiry two days ago on Twitter, and within a minute they had in their inbox all the information they required, with a rate card of my prices ready for their upcoming projects. I absolutely love this phenomenon, it just speeds the whole process up no end, and makes things move in an extraordinary fashion.

Online marketing has been the big thing for me in 2009, and I think it will only grow in 2010. It also makes me think, when it comes to return on investment in your time – where are you reaping the most rewards when it comes to your marketing efforts? Are you overlooking the power of what can happen in the online world? Are you giving it at least a try, to get your feet wet and see what it could lead to? I for one was sceptical in the early days, but am a complete convert for how powerful these tools are. They certainly shouldn’t be underestimated by any stretch.

Ultimately, you have to concentrate your efforts on what you feel is right, and what brings you the most reward. My top tip for the near year is to experiment with everything that is out there, as you never know how surprised you might be when finding where your next pay cheque is coming from. Always be open to new avenues of income, especially in the online world. You never know where it might lead…..

But most importantly, have a positive view on the upcoming year ahead, and do all you can to achieve your dreams whatever they may be. Bring on 2010, we’re ready for you….

Twitter Image

It’s no surprise to many that I’m a big fan of Twitter. However I’ve only been using it for a relatively short space of time. I signed up with an account at the end of the Summer last year, but only properly started using it about 8 months ago. Generally, I find it to be a fantastic tool for sending little messages, random little thoughts I have through the day. and promoting things that I do or have going on.

In the early days I used to follow all and sundry, thinking that it’s just ‘the done thing’. But that’s not always the case. Recently (as in for the last 4-6 months) I’ve been a little more choosy in who I follow, without necessarily having the ‘Well I’ll follow you because you followed me’ routine. Quite often I’ll get people following me that I have no interest in at all, so what would be the point in following them? It’s only yourself you’re fooling! I’ve even recently had a bit of a Twitter cull for odd people I followed from day one!

I’ve seen some trends through Twitter, some odd, some eccentric, some downright bizarre, but how everybody works it for them should be their own choosing without feeling unnecessary pressure to keep to current regulations & statutes! There are some pet hates of mine that are guaranteed to make me not follow you!

1. No Bio: If you have no biography information on your profile, how do I know who you are? What do you like? What do you do? Why should I follow you?

2. Professional Linker: If I see that all your recent posts are just hyperlinks to random sites, without actually engaging in conversation or writing things that are noteworthy of reading or commenting on, then it drastically reduces the likelihood of me following back!

3. Silent Hunter: If you’ve followed lots of people (probably in one go), and have written no tweets/updates at all, I question your motives. Why should I follow you if I have no idea on the kinds of subjects you regularly tweet about?

4. Faceless Tweeter: If you don’t have a photo of you up there and stick to the default Twitter images, it makes me think that you can’t really be bothered. It doesn’t take that long to sort out your profile. I’m not talking about needing a professional headshot – I don’t even care if it’s a picture that was taken on your trip to Tenerife 5 years ago! The point is to show that you’re a human and not a faceless robot/Twitter spammer.

5. Protected Updates: If you follow me, you have immediate access to all the things I’ve been tweeting about. When I check my follow list and you have protected updates enabled, read above. Why should I follow you back? I have no idea who you are.

6. Promo-Overload: If all or most of your tweets are shameless self promotion, that’s another reason for me to think twice! Don’t get me wrong, Twitter and ALL of social media is about getting word out about you; but don’t do it all the time. You should treat it as a constantly running conversation, not an endless one-way broadcast.

I hope I haven’t sounded too much like a miserable sod! It’s just things that are constant little bugbears of mine that happen literally on a daily basis. I thoroughly enjoy using Twitter, and I do look at the majority of things that crop up in my Tweetdeck listings. I also do a lot of Hashtag searching for things that interest me too, so if you use that function in your tweets, all the better.

So, Tweet away, be happy, and have a Twantastic day!