It’s been about six weeks that I have been active on Twitter, and I must say, “Wow!” I mean, some really amazing things have happened to me that I really don’t think would have happened outside of the Twitterverse. Here are about seven of them that I think are worth mentioning:
1. I’ve met new people—all over the world!
The number-one thing, of course, is that I have met some really great new people and have even built stronger relationships with people I already know. I am a book editor, which means I am a part of a pretty major portion of culture. Yet before Twitter, I worked in a tiny bubble with just me and the editors, authors, salespeople, marketing people, and designers that work with my company. That’s a pretty shallow industry view, wouldn’t you say? Well, with Twitter, my worldview of publishing and my industry peers has broadened tremendously. Being connected like this has helped me to see more of how I would like my career to look. My peers blog regularly, attend writer’s conferences, engage their readers, connect with book reviewers, and are in touch with what customers, clients, and authors are saying about their interests. It is really incredible. Of course, to them, it may seem like, “Duh, what else would you be doing?”
The people I follow on Twitter challenge me in a very positive way, and I hope that I can grow to be a challenge to those around me as well. It’s like the pay-it-forward concept. We can coexist to make each other better people and better professionals, and when we’re better people and better professionals, we pass it on to someone else reaching up for that next level.
2. I’ve started to blog again.
Another great thing that has happened is that, because of Twitter, someone saw my blog post “9 Insider Tips to Getting Your Manuscript Accepted” and reposted it on Christian Book Buzz Online. (I know there’s a misspelling on the blog page. Please leave a message for the blog administrator on my behalf). And instantly, I became a first-time guest blogger! How cool is that? I’ve also found it beneficial to post my blog on Writer’s Digest’s community blog site. It has been helpful to some of the writers there. The Writer’s Digest online community is full of information that is helping me see what writers struggle with, their questions about the industry, their fears, their confidences, and so much more. My involvement in this community is already helping me be a more sensitive editor. It is also helping me better define the role I want to take with the authors I currently work with. If it wasn’t for my follow of @WritersDigest on Twitter, I probably wouldn’t have known their online community existed (again, because I lived and worked in a bubble, not any fault of Writer’s Digest).
3. I’ve been the subject of a feature story on Essence.com.
“I was walking along, minding my business, and out of the orange-colored sky… Flash! Bam! Alacazam! Wonderful you came by…” Opportunity, that is. This week I ventured out and decided to respond to an Essence Online poll asking, “Would you be the breadwinner, while your man stays home?” “Absolutely yes!” I thought initially, and I answered right away on Twitter. Then I decided to expand on it more because it seemed like all the other responses were so negative and inflexible, so I looked for the poll on Facebook. Based on my positive answer, I got a direct message on Facebook from Essence.com’s relationship editor, asking me if they could do a feature story on me about how Will’s and my life works with me working full-time and him being at home. Umm, yeah! So here is the result of a wonderful Thursday afternoon interview with Bobbi Misick. To me, this is one of those opportunities with ROI written all over it. Who knows what else this may lead to?
4. I’ve been given more opportunities at work.
About a week ago, I had my annual performance review. I love those! It went well, because I have the world’s best boss/mentor. No, really I do. Anyhow, right before my review, I had been really making a stir in my department about us getting more involved online, registering and recommending free webinars on social media, and I even sent out a State of the Twittersphere (#sott) address to them by e-mail. I am a soapbox kind of girl, and they all know that well now. Once in the closed-door meeting with my boss, she encouraged me to keep pushing all of my coworkers to get involved with Twitter. So I have become an unofficial social media advocate for all of us. This is great because it fuels me to keep up with what’s happening so that I can continue to advise or support my coworkers with what they want to accomplish in their professional lives through social media.
5. I have an increased sense of community in my career and industry.
Seeing all the editors, writers, book reviewers, and publicists buzz all around the Twitter hive is invigorating. With a great bird’s-eye view, I can see what’s happen with the big boys in New York and the faith-based publishers in Nashville and the Midwest. It is incredible! I don’t miss a beat. They are teaching me so many great things about how, even in Central Florida, I can hone my craft. There is a holy proverb that confirms how the Twitterverse can bless you: “There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.” And Twitter has brought me more counselors than I know what to do with! From blogs to helpful retweets, I am destined to become a bright light in the industry I love so much.
6. I’ve been ignited to launch out and try new things.
Twitter has influenced me to do things I wouldn’t normally do like start conversations with people I don’t know, butt in conversations that weren’t directed at me, or initiate relationships with people I admire who don’t even know I exist. I have to admit, though, I am not really all that shy, but I can be pretty introverted. Twitter has helped me see that people who I think may be on a higher level are actually simple and approachable just like me. (Well, some of them.) Not being face-to-face with these admirable people is one thing, but what I see stirring up is a new desire to carry this over into real-life situations such as networking events, writers’ conferences, and building relationships with upper management at my own workplace. I may sound lame to you, but I know for a fact there are many other professional and social wallflowers out there who are desperate to find a way onto the dance floor to get some action. Well, I think Twitter is a great place to begin to break out of your shell and learn how to effectively interact with new people.
7. I have instant access to information on things that affect me personally and professionally.
Twitter helps me see instantly what’s happening with the things that matter to me like my finances (@INGDirect, @KipTips, @mint), my career (@CAREEREALISM), my culture (@essenceonline @tavissmiley @carols_daughter), the book industry and new technologies (@PublishersWkly @MediaBistro @WritersDigest @DigiBookWorld @SocialNetDaily @nytimesbooks), and pertinent news (@cnn). I am able to take advantage of opportunities and special deals, share relevant information, and meet the requests of colleagues and clients lightning fast, compared to only a few months ago.
I have made this very personal, but you can tweek my experiences and make them applicable to you. If you take advantage of what's happening in social media, you will see the experiences in your life go up a few notches. Just dive in and join the conversation. Trust me; the water's fine!