cartoon by @gapingvoid
OK, so reading this blog, you've heard me say time and again that success on the social web is all about starting the conversation. To engage. To dialog. Blah, blah, blah...
And yet many of my readers, and some of my clients, still don't get it.
I was talking to a gentleman the other day about using twitter to initiate conversations - which could lead to new relationships - where they might end up as new prospects - or at least refer others to him - and I swear I heard crickets chirping on the other end of the phone.
So, I thought I would prepare a cheat sheet of no-brainer ideas to help you identify "tweets" that can be YOUR conversation-starting triggers.
Simple. Enjoy.
1. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Just had coffee with Julie Smith. What a smart and vibrant lady!"
YOU: Isn't she great? She's a wonderful person to have in your network. Do you read her blog?"
2. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Heading to Birmingham AL for business. Any good ideas for a dinner spot?"
YOU: "You are a fool NOT to check out Dreamland BBQ. I trust you like BBQ?"
3. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Heading out to buy a new video camera. Any ideas?"
YOU: "Lots of good products on the market, but I can't live without my Flip Cam! What do you need a camera for exactly?"
4. ORIGINAL TWEET: "What is the best collaborative tool to use to work with someone in a different time zone? #smallbizchat"
YOU: "I've had a lot of success with Google Wave. It has been great for our team. How many people working on the project? #smallbizchat"
5. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Having a lousy day. Struggling with [insert business problem here]. Can't wait til 5 o'clock!
YOU: "Sorry to hear that. I've had a lot of success with [insert potential solution here]. Have you tried that before?"
6. ORIGINAL TWEET: "RT @zen_habits: on mnmlist: empower people to create http://bit.ly/9jOetk."
YOU: "Hey, I loved that post. Really spoke to me. Have you been reading Leo for a while?"
7. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Just sat down, and looking forward to hearing Chris Brogan speak!"
YOU: "Oh, I saw him at New Media Atlanta. You'll learn a lot. Did you read Trust Agents?"
8. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Holy smokes, you cannot believe the line to get into this #SXSW panel..."
YOU: "Oh, let me know how that goes. What has been your favorite panel so far?"
9. ORIGINAL TWEET: "http://twitpic.com/10j5js - On a cold and rainy day, the crappiest job in marketing."
YOU: "I hear that. But I dunno, doesn't seeing those people make you notice the biz they're promoting?"
10. ORIGINAL TWEET: "I'm at FuegoMundo (5590 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs) http://4sq.com."
YOU: "Oh man, I love that place. Have you had their sangria?"
11. ORIGINAL TWEET: "You are a fool to not follow @StephanieALloyd + @Keppie_Careers if you want the best job search and job hunting advice! #followfriday"
YOU: "Wow, thanks. Got a friend looking for a job and I will put him in touch with these two! How did you get to know them?"
12. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Listening to my Metallica Pandora channel!"
YOU: "I dig those guys too. They free my mind after a long day. What's your favorite album?"
13. ORIGINAL TWEET: "My Gosh, why do the Red Sox always give me such heartburn?"
YOU: "No kidding. These guys have haunted me for years. How long have you been a fan?"
14. ORIGINAL TWEET: "Just sitting down to watch Celebrity Apprentice!"
YOU: Oh come on, how can you stand to listen to that blowhard Trump for more than five minutes?"
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
1. You can do this with people you don't know.
2. In fact, this is how you get to know people.
2.5. At least, I've read that somewhere...
3. How are you going to get to know people if you don't ask them questions?
4. I mean seriously, do you go to face-to-face networking meetings - stand on a chair - and just broadcast details of your latest products?
5. And when these good folks respond to your questions? Answer them back. This is called a "conversation!"
6. It really works!
7. I promise!
8. It is actually easy. You just gotta decide to do it.
What do you think? Any other ideas?