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Attending live events can be an important way for you to excel in your field. But did you know that you can actually make quite a bit of money by doing so? I went to a number of seminars and conferences before learning how to turn them into profitable events.

Once I learned exactly what to do, I began to make money and find prospects before the event ever began. Now that Twitter and Facebook are used daily by hundreds of thousands of people, you can use someone else’s event to promote what you do online even more easily.

You will want to start creating a buzz about the seminar or conference you will be attending about one week before it is scheduled to begin. I like to tweet about it, using the hash tag that the event coordinator has assigned to it. A hash tag is simply some letters and numbers that are assigned to your event so that people can follow the conversation and get to know each other before they arrive.

You will want to arrive the afternoon before the seminar starts. This will give you a chance to relax and change clothes before you go down to the restaurant or lounge to look for other attendees. If you already know what they look like, because you have heard them speak before or seen them online, go up to them and introduce yourself.

The following morning I like to register as early as possible. This gives me the opportunity to walk around and meet the other attendees as they are registering. I then choose a seat near the back of the room. I have learned that this is advantageous if I want to be perceived as a professional who is there to both learn and to network with others.

You will also want to have separate business cards made for each event. Once I started doing this I connected with more prospects and prospective clients than ever before. It is amazing to me how much money I was leaving on the table before I learned all of this and put it into action.

I now attend about six to ten seminars or conferences each year, and make more money from the people I connect with than I could possibly make by simply marketing on the internet. I encourage you to make a direct effort to learn how to set up your own strategy for profiting from live events you attend.

So what’s all the talk about Twitter?

This site has been featured in a lots of places and is now pretty high profile but a lot of people still don’t know what “microblogging” is . Well I can tell you it’s great for start up business and freelance consultants.

So why is it worth giving this some thought?

Well, here are three reasons:

• It’s a useful way to share your messages and you interests
• It’s a good way to communicate with potential customers and partners
• It’s also a really useful place to go to research your market

It works by people posting ‘microblogs’ (up to 140 characters only) called ‘tweets”. But to maximize the usefulness of Twitter for your business, you should to understand how to find people to “follow” you and how to get “followed”.

Here are three ways to connect with people:

1. Go to Twitter Search, and enter the words related to your product or business into the search area. Twitter Search will show you the “tweets” that include all those words, as well as the people who use them. Then click to their profiles, and check if they are people you’d like to “follow”!

2. Check through the “Follows” and “Following” lists of the profiles of anyone you follow to see if you spot anyone you want to follow!

3. Check the conversations in your Twitter stream You can see who people are talking to from the “@NameHere” in each tweet. If you see people having an interesting exchange, follow them, or get yourself involved in the conversation by using the @ function yourself! If you see an interesting tweet, you can reply automatically by clicking the little arrow within the tweet box.

Once you have followed some people, you can make your Twitter experience more enjoyable - and to connect more effectively with other users!

1. Don’t request that people to follow you: People who do this others don’t usually succeed at getting ANYONE to follow them. Try to be interesting and informative and be responsive to others… people will follow you if they value how you use Twitter

2. Sharing information - Do not make pitches for your products and services: As with any social media platform, as in business, you want to build credibility and good relationships - instead of always asking people to buy from you

3. If you see someone post a link you like, “re-tweet” it: - just copy their message paste it into a new tweet, and add ‘ RT’ at the beginning. This is a good way to show someone you value what they have to say … by sharing it with your community.

4. Watch how other people use Twitter: A useful way to figure out your place in a community is to follow those people you admire.

That should be enough to get you started! Make sure to follow me.

Twitter as a social marketing network and a place to find and follow friends, network yourself & even your business is a truly remarkable community.  The concept is truly awesome and is sometimes also called micro blogging.  Micro blogging (or minimalistic blogging) essentially limits the size of each contributor’s posts - which minimizes or condenses what people say into what’s most important.

Twitter limits each tweet (or post) to 140 characters including spaces, punctuation & links.  The concept has caught on and is now blazing across the internet.  Now people with short attention spans (and/or limited time) can check out the latest tweets without having to read/scan through an entire 500 to 1,000 word article to get to the real meat of what someone is saying.

Twitter forces its users to condense their comments to 140 characters or less … no one can get wordy, get on their soapbox, go off on a tangent AND, most importantly, no one has the time & characters to be truly boring.

If you are new to Twitter, it can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming.  So, here are some true Twitter-like tips for new users just getting started — each one 140 characters or less:

1. Tweet about things that interest you. People with the same interests will follow you to see what else you have to say.

2. Follow interesting people. When you find them, see who they follow & follow them as well.

3. Say “Thanks” when someone (or several someones) RT one of your posts. People see the “thanks” and go find the post that started it.

4. Don’t use Twitter to constantly sell your stuff. You are not a pimp. It’s the quickest way to lose people’s interest and their attention.

5. People do NOT want to know about your bathroom habits. There really is such a thing as T.M.I. (Too Much Information)

6. You never know who is twittering. Don’t tweet something you wouldn’t want your Mom, your boss, your spouse or your worst enemy to read.

7. If you get in a long 2-way discussion with one twerson - take it to DM. There’s nothing as boring as seeing one side of a conversation.

8. Need an answer? Ask the question! Tweeple love giving their opinions.

9. Be a real person - add your photo. It’s better than an icon, avatar or your sister’s cat. People want to see YOU.

10. Not sure what to tweet? Ask yourself “what’s interesting now” instead of “what am I doing now?”

11. If someone follows you, follow them back. They may have some really interesting tweets. Use an auto-follow software if needed.

12. When someone else says something inspiring, interesting or fun; Retweet it to your tweeple. Don’t forget to give credit to the originator.

13.  Think Golden Rule-If you can’t say something nice, you may want to rethink your tweet. Lots of people may judge you by that single comment.

14. Shorten your links using a URL shortener. Some Twitter application, such at TweetDeck or HootSuite, even have them included for convenience.

15. If you decide that you really like Twitter, check out different Twitter applications & tools. It’ll make your tweeting time more efficient.

16. Be willing to offer something of value, give of yourself, learn from others and then retweet it. It’s really NOT all about you.

17. Tell a clean joke. Show beautiful photos. Inspire someone. Share funny stories. Condense your life into 140 characters at a time.

18. Most of all, have fun! The networking & business building (if that’s your real goal) will come naturally if you tweet right & give it time.

And there you have it!  With these basic tips in mind, you are ready to start your Twitter adventure - in 140 characters or less!

Twitter is technically speaking, a multi-platform blogging service. It was designed as a way to post short messages of 140 characters or less, to update your friends and network with your current “status”, i.e. “What am I doing right now?” or share insightful information, i.e. “Look at this great article.” Over the past year it has gained significant traction as a business tool with everybody from entrepreneurs, small business, and to larger companies like Dell and Comcast.

But has Twitter reached its peak in popularity and is the darling of social media waning? Naysayers have been predicting the demise of Twitter as early as 2007 but it is still around and generates a passionate following. But is Twitter’s business model sustainable?

“The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long….and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy.” Blade Runner

Let’s look at a real life example of a twitter account that you could subscribe to: The National Geographic Society. Here is a sampling of their ‘twitters’ over a six hour period.

@NatGeoSociety
1. Pluto Has “Upside Down” Atmosphere - about 6 hours ago from twitterfeed
2. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Rare Artifacts Return to Afghanistan - about 6 hours ago from twitterfeed
3. #Whale giveaway 5! How many calories per day does the average blue whale need for survival? Be the first to answer and win a prize about 8 hours ago from HootSuite
4. Our final giveaway is happening at 3P et. Be the first to answer and win Nat Geo prizes about 10 hours ago from HootSuite
5. Near Costa Rica, scientists study a stronghold of the blue #whale. Read the Nat Geo Magazine article - about 12 hours ago from HootSuite

The assumption is that because I have signed up for their Twitter account, I am interested in these topics. The “Pluto Has ‘Upside Down’ Atmosphere” article sounds interesting but is that enough to sustain my interest in their twitter feed. This is a lot of information that I need to digest and there is an assumption that I have the time and interest. In summary, there is no compelling reason for most people to use it, and many existing services — ranging from Instant Messenger to social networks — have overlapping functionality and value.

It is also rare that a communication medium maintains such popularity when it is controlled by a private entity. Opensource mediums that are successful have open standards and work in a distributed fashion with examples: newgroups, email, webpages, etc. Twitter’s growth as the defacto social communication medium is limited. However, its private ownership makes it very attractive to suitors; Facebook had expressed interest in purchasing them and the latest suitor is Google. They are less interested in the technology but desire to absorb Twitter’s bloated subscriber network.

Twitter’s business model will change for the sole reason that eventually the audience will move. It is the same reason we have abandoned malls for online shopping sites. Before that happens, Twitter will be acquired by another company. Any time you have a convergence of newness, mass popularity and little understanding you are liable to get an overrated, and very simple, technology. Twitter is not the first, and it will not be the last.

FYI: You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/webmarketers

Unless you have been trekking across the Sahara (without a mobile phone) for the last few months, you will almost certainly have come across the phenomenon that is Twitter. Every day the newspapers are full of stories about this latest social networking craze. Is it just that, or is there something genuinely important and groundbreaking about Twitter - and can there be a business opportunity?

Twitter seems to have really taken off in the UK when Stephen Fry talked about his interest in it on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross back in January. Many use it for following celebrities, but it has many applications.

I have been experimenting with Twitter myself over the last couple of weeks, and thought you might find it useful if I let you know a little about my experiences, particularly from a business perspective.

What is Twitter?Twitter allows users to have a profile and post status updates of up to 140 characters at a time. Anyone else can choose to follow them and see these tweets on their Twitter homepage (or in third party software) - along with those of everyone else that they follow. You can reply to anyone’s tweets (visible to anyone else) or send a direct message to anyone that is following you (visible only to them). You can also ‘retweet’ someone else’s tweet (similar to forwarding an email) to your followers. This tends to be how news spreads very quickly on Twitter.

That’s Twitter in a nutshell, One of its strengths is its simplicity. It’s not until you get into it that you realise the potential.

My experiences

I had kept hearing about Twitter and had been encouraged to sign up by Emily Coltman who I have worked with on our Pivot Table Videos. At first I couldn’t grasp the potential and didn’t sign up, but eventually did so at the end of January after hearing Stephen Fry talk about it (in the interview mentioned above).

Registering is very simple and there are no detailed profiles to complete, so you can be up and running in about 10 minutes. I still did very little with it for a couple of weeks but had picked up about 25 followers anyway. When I started looking at it properly this rapidly increased to over 150 within a week.

I have significantly increased its usefulness with two free pieces of software. Firstly, I have started using Twitterfeed to automatically tweet new blog posts once I post them.

Secondly, I am using Tweetdeck instead of the Twitter website to manage the incoming and outgoing tweets.

Tweetdeck allows you to view incoming tweets by groupings and to post tweets with shortened URLs, picture links, etc. all from one screen.

One of the most powerful uses I have found of Tweetdeck though, is the search facility. This allows you to set up an ongoing search of all tweets (whether or not you are currently following the tweeter) thereby allowing you to see comments from all over the world on your chosen subject.

I, for example, have a column looking at the term ‘pivot table’ or ‘pivot tables’ which shows me every tweet that uses these terms. Where I see someone struggling with pivot tables, if I have time available, I reply - offering to answer their questions. I also tweet a link to my free pivot table videos if I think it appropriate. I can also choose to follow these people to see how they get on. Very often they start following me if I have been helpful.

Conclusion

This facility alone allows anyone to determine what the world is saying about any particular subject at any one time. Think of the possibilities for market research, politics (many even claim that Twitter won the US election for Barrack Obama), or even simply communicating with people with similar interests.

In a matter of weeks, I have found that Twitter has allowed me to reach a far wider audience with this blog and ezine. It has generated online training sales, and looks like generating real world consultancy and training opportunities. It has also been a lot of fun.

I would recommend anyone register and take a look. You could start by following me at http://www.twitter.com/glenfeechan.

Maybe you don’t know how social media can be used to build your Consulting business. Maybe you feel its just a big waste of time, with no real way you could consistently get clients, build brand or name recognition from using something like twitter.

Lets take a little time here, and let me show you how to build a successful Consulting business using online social media services. Begin with looking at how you already or might be able to use these services. If you spend time speaking to business professionals, or talking to people about business than were on the right path.

Because the social media world is a perfect pool of prospects and professionals.

“The Society for New Communications Research, conducted research which looked at 17,000 Internet users in 29 countries” and found that social media can have a dramatic impact on their brand’s reputation.

“34% post opinions about products and brands on their blog and 36% think more positively about companies that have blogs.”

What impact could that have on your business?

There is no faster way to create credibility and brand recognition than through social media. A valid reason alone for using sites such as Twitter and Face-book. Once you have begun to collect followers who seem interested in you and your business you will be in position to offer real value to those seeking more info on you and what you have to offer.

That usually comes in the nature of questions in a post. These questions get speared throughout an entire network, and how you answer these questions will reflect your professionalism and personal touch.

Through these occasions of interaction you will be building a “case history” of sorts. You can create a FAQ, list, you can conduct a Survey, invite others for Interviews, and even do some advertising by posting titles and links to helpful articles that you write.

As you can see this is the probably the fastest and most efficient way to interact with prospects. You will very quickly be able to connect to hundreds of thousands of real live people who can contribute to your business. By sending you valuable content and leads.

If you’re ready to go to the next step, and become a High Priced Expert than go to Adapt on a Dime.com http://www.adaptonadime.com Get your FREE audio download called “Get 50 Clients Worth Tens Of Thousands In 2 Minutes Each”.

If you have a web site of any kind, you need and want web traffic. If you have a web site that sells something, then you have to have traffic like your body needs air to breathe, or your site is sure to die an agonising death.

The trick to getting traffic to your site is to use some sort of SEO (search engine optimization). This will work wonders in getting your site ranked with Google. That is what you want, but there is another way that is sure to bring you targeted traffic, and it has nothing to do with Google or SEO.

It is social networking!

Social networking is one of the biggest things to hit the net in years. There is FaceBook, Twitter and many more services that allow you to network on a social level.

I am going to focus here on Twitter, because it is something that is becoming more and more popular every day, and is growing at an exponential rate.

Twitter allows you to hook up with your friends and complete strangers alike. You can see what is going on in their lives, and let them know what is happening in yours.

Another really great thing is that it makes marketing really easy because you know that if you have a very big follower base, that they are all pretty much interested in the same things as you are, and if you are into internet marketing, then you can be pretty sure that most of your followers are also into internet marketing.

There are some great tools that you can use to get you new followers or send pre-typed messages at scheduled times or many other things.

Messages are sent on Twitter in what they call “tweets”. They are messages that are limited to 140 characters.

Here is a list of some useful twitter tools that I use:

Twitter Karma:

Allows you to Check up on your follower base, and do bulk follow/unfollows

Twello:

This is an advanced search site that allows to you search within the interest categories of the Twitter users.

Tweet Burner:

Because of the 140 character limit on tweets, this tool allows you to shorten URL’s so that you can type content and not have your tweet taken up by long URLs like this one… http://www.bigprofitinc.com/ProductReviewsnbspnbsp/MaverickMoneyMakers/tabid/94/Default.aspx

Future Tweets:

Use this if you want to schedule tweets to be sent while you are away.

Well, that’s it. Have fun on Twitter, and tweet me sometime.

Look - you have to be conscientious and proactive when dealing with a new Social networking outlet.  I should know; I work on the Internet.  We try, and sometimes are quite successful, at new software, gadgets and media.  With that said, I have only been using Twitter for about one month and it wasn’t until a nice Canadian @orenoque asked me to look at some of the tools he uses.  So I am thinking this is a hot tool if you can dice and trim all of the fat.

Let me explain.

Everyday I get anywhere from three to six new links that I find interesting.  Most are focused on how to use your Twitter to maximum capacity. I can see how one might imagine strapping goggles and a flight hat on before sitting down to use this turbo tool.  I am not going to bore you and give you another list of all these tools.  Suffice it to say, you can Google Twitter tools and see hundreds of pages on the subject.

For example, some Twitter tools deal with how to mass DM (direct message) your followers.  One is about managing the whole experience named Tweetdeck. While I am still trying to figure out what the whole experience is, I tighten my goggles, tuck my hair in and move forward.  Yes, Twitter is hot, but I have to be honest: sometimes it’s boring, yet watching your followers grow is a feat and enjoyment in itself.

Maybe saying “boring” is a bit unfair, but I really do get bored when the people I am following are merely spewing links that really are of no interest to me.  The ones that really bug me are the ones that constantly promote their own agenda.  I am not saying don’t do it, but give us all a break (and you know who you are, @’s).

Granted, I am a newbie, but I have seen my followers grow to over 300 in less than a month.  I truly believe it is due to paying attention to what works and how to maximize your Twitter-ability.

Then I happened on this tool, Tweet Effect. Well, let me tell you, if you took marketing 101 in college, you would have loved this gadget.  Can you imagine how many papers you could have aced if you only had a tool that could quantify and qualify your results?  The only problem is they do not save or generate reports on their results. Therefore, your best bet is to copy your numbers.

Another great tool that I recently find is Qwitter. It’s a great marketing tool, because it lets you know someone quit following you, and on what post.  Between Tweet Effect and Qwitter, you have a strong chance of finding out what interests your target audience and what doesn’t.

Maybe I am putting too much emphasis on the quality of my followers and I should be happy I have any followers at all. The way I see it is even if you have hundred of followers, remember we want to hear about a variety of things - not just how wonderful you are and what a great tool you have created.  Give me ideas of how to harness my creativity, give me snippets about people in your life, and yes, a “good morning, how are you” is always welcome.

In conclusion, I would love to hear what your favorite Twitter tool is and how it has helped you grow your business.  If you can muddle through all the tools out there and find just a few to can harness the power of Twitter, then strap your goggles on and get ready to become a Twitter expert.

Twitter has truly revolutionized the way we communicate with each other. The micro blogging platform has been around for a while but until recently it was dismissed as a distraction and “useless” tool. Those who jumped on Twitter in its early days set themselves apart from the rest of us. But you don’t have to be an early-adopter to get the best out of Twitter. Whether you are an individual or a business, micro-blogging has something for everyone.

Twitter is a community of friend and followers. You have folks who follow you to find out about your thoughts and content. Then you’ve got a group that you can call your Tweet friends. These folks follow you and you follow them back, and you both get value out of the relationship. In order to get more traffic on this platform, you’ve got to build trust and gain not only followers but friends as well.

Here is how you can build up your presence on Twitter:

1. Network: it may sound easy to just talk about what you eat on this platform. But it’s more than that. Social networking sites are designed for you to network with others and build relationships, and you can do just that by tweeting with others. Make sure you get involved. Learn about the events that are going on in the community (e.g. follow friday). And don’t hesitate to reach out and follow others.

2. Build your profile: if you want others to follow you, you’ve got to set up a proper profile with all your contact information. Don’t forget to talk about what you can offer to the community in your bio. Use an appropriate background and include your websites and possibly a picture of yourself there.

3. Provide Value: one way to get people to follow you is by giving them valuable information. Make sure you keep your focus and don’t jump all over the place.

4. Follow others: don’t avoid following others. If you see someone who’s providing you with valuable information, follow them. The more people you know, the more you get out of tweeting.

5. Behave: Twitter is not a chat room, and everything you say stays on the web. Don’t say things you would not say in a professional setting.

6. Partner up: you’d be surprised how many businesses have found partners on Twitter. Get listed on twibs.com and reach out to other businesses.

There are plenty of other things you can do to drive traffic to your website from the social media. But you’ve got to be involved to get any value.