I rescheduled my Twitter For Small Business webinar for this Thursday night.

Last Thursday I had my Twitter For Small Business webinar and an 75 minutes before the webinar GotoWebinar’s entire website and system goes down.

I sent them a tweet and never heard back. I’m not very happy about that. They are just ignoring that they had a major issue.

So I moved it back to a teleclass and sent out emails updating everyone. Then five minutes before GotoWebinar comes back online. Some people missed my email and went to GotoWebinar and some to the teleclass. It was a little confusing.

We recorded it. You can relisten to it.

But Jack & I wanted to really do it properly. We worked on a bunch of visuals and wanted to show  some websites. So we rescheduled. We are having it again on Thursday at 9:30pm EST.

You can register for it and we look forward to having fun again.

I also learned that I’m not a big fan of bit.ly. I used it for the first time on Thursday. And when GotoWebinar went down the link I marketed with on bit.ly pointed to GotoWebinar and I couldn’t change where it points to on bit.ly. So I’m back to using snipurl.com which does allow you to change the destination. Yeah snipurl.com, I don’t why I left you in the first place, but I’m glad I’m back.

Product Camp Austin 2009, photo by BWhichard

I spoke at Product Camp here in Austin on Saturday.  If you follow me on Twitter (@EagleChris) you saw that I streamed video during some of it. Wifi was very busy with 400+ people tweeting and blogging so at times it didn’t work for me.

I gave a presentation of Twitter For Small Business.  The biggest question was why small businesses should even use twitter. Many feel it’s a big waste of time.

I spend about 30 minutes a day on Twitter.  I use it as a one front end to my marketing funnel.  I don’t make any money directly with Twitter and I don’t know anybody that does. It’s a front end to get people to know you. They then get on a call or webinar you are doing. Or your blog RSS or newletter.  They get to know you more and some of them with buy a product from you.  Twitter is just a create front end and I choose to invest some everyday on it because of the phenomenal growth in social media.  I also enjoy social media. To me it’s a cocktail party where I get to meet a lot of interesting people. Some will get to know me better and some of them will buy my products, but my attitude is to have fun and give out interesting information.  I summed up my social media philosophy at TwitterForSmallBusiness.com in a free report.

The presentation by Jonas Lamis on how he uses Google Adwords to test a business idea was received well. I’m been doing this technique for years and you do really learn quick whether your idea has a market very fast, like a day. Jonas make a great point that this is good for discovery but it’s enough for deep analysis. And nothing happens until you start selling something. That is the real proof.

At another session I learned why link building is still a lot of work.  Check out hubspot.com and buzzstream.com.  I just ran the website grader from hubspot.com on this website and got a great score of 97.9 out of 100. I’m very happy with that.

I’ll be back at the next Product Camp.  Check your local area if they have a product camp near you. It’s great to have a group come together and brainstorm together.

In this video I explain how you can brand yourself between your website, facebook and twitter.

The Twitter For Small Business call Thursday night was recorded.  Check out the replay and the specials we mentioned. Due to GoToWebinar being down right before our scheduled event we are having a repeat performance this coming Thursday and offer the specials beyond that.

Democracy has come to the people.

Right now there is a start of a revolution in Iran.  People are protesting the election process and Twitter is in the middle of it.

Instead of us relying on The Media telling us what is happening.  We are telling our selves what is going on.  And the Powers are scared.  Their days of simply telling The Media what is going on are slipping through their fingers.  Social Media driven by people directly is taking over.

The hag tag #IranElection is being used over and over within and outside of Iran on Twitter.

Here is a quote from The New York Times.

A couple of Twitter feeds have become virtual media offices for the supporters of the leading opposition candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi. One feed, mousavi1388 (1388 is the year in the Persian calendar), is filled with news of protests and exhortations to keep up the fight, in Persian and in English.

Global Internet Freedom Consortium and other private proxy service providers are helping people within Iran to get by the government Internet blocks.

Watch this video from CNN on how people are avoiding Iran’s web block.

Thanks go to The New York Times and CNN for their coverage of Iran.  CNN was slow but is covering this important story.

Social Networks Spread Defiance Online – NYTimes.com.

After seeing this image what you can do with your business on Twitter.

The most important thing I learned at a recent seminar was showing proof.

People are tired of talk.  They are tired of sales text with no proof.  Show the proof and you’ll convince them fast.  Don’t show them and you’re lose them faster.

Proof is what really counts.

Right now Twitter marketing programs are extremely hot.  I get a direct message on Twitter every few minutes about one.  But there is no proof it works when it’s an affiliate program and the person sending me the direct message has 100 people following them.  Let me take that back, it’s proof that it doesn’t work.  I can get an account with the first 2000 followers in a couple of days.  100 is nothing.

P.S.  I started TwitterForSmallBusiness.com to help allevate the spammers selling junk products.  They are ruining Twitter and me and my clients don’t want that to happen because Twitter has been good to us in business.

Or at same seminar I showed my Alexa ranking of this website.  It’s gotten better since them but right now it is #229,850 which is extremely good.  I’d be happy with a bigger number honestly, but I’m very happy where is it right now and would love for it to get better.  I showed proof that I know what I’m doing and I got several clients out of it who are working on getting their Alexa ranking better.  If you would like to do the same call me at 1-512-772-2798.

What proof are you showing?  What elements of your business can you proof that you know what you are talking about?

Show that.

On my DVD Twitter For Small Business where I share all the tools, resources, automation plus tips and tricks to use Twitter in your small business (or just for fun). It’s 61 minutes long and I show you on my computer how I do Twitter effectively in only a handful of minutes a day.

Buy Now.

I had the privilege to speak at Eric Louievre MemberSnap seminar this last weekend. I talked about Blog Marketing and then played a Prosperity Game with the audience.

I streamed live video the whole time at live.abundanceunlimited.com. You may have noticed it as I twittered about it. I then did a quick video with the audience included.

Saying hi from speaking engagement on 12seconds.tv

Blogging is a form of social media and has been around for a long time. Twitter is just microblogging and commenting. It’s simple and short and that is why it is popular. By showing the audience and involving them in the creation of the videos they could easily see how real easy this is to do.

Here is part of the audience.  There were over 50 people in attendance.

I then facilated playing a Prosperity Game and the feedback on that was wonderful.  I have some testimonials which I’ll share later this week.

Then at the end the audience thanks me on video.

End of my Speaking Engagement on 12seconds.tv

Later I was on the Q&A panel.

Thanks Eric for allowing me to share the stage.  I had a blast.

If you would like to have me speak at your function let me know.  Or if you know any opportunities also give me a shout out.  I love inspiring people to get started in business.

I created a new DVD called Twitter For Small Business.

In it I explain:

• How to stay social on twitter and still make money
• My 90/10 rule
• Best time to tweet
• Best words to use in a tweet
• How to find people in your niche
• Automation tools to auto follow people
• Applications to save you time

You can get your copy at Twitter For Small Business

I will also have a handful of copies at the seminar I’m speaking at this weekend.

I will be a speaker at a must do workshop here in Austin.  There will be several big time Internet Marketers all offering content and great, usable info. This content packed, highly valuable event is not a selling bonanza, it is for people who really want to learn and grow their online business.

The owner of a Chinese restaurant in Manchester has credited a recent upsurge in bookings to her use of social messaging website Twitter.  This is just another way to make it easier for your customer to get your products and services.

via Chinese restaurant Twitters way to success – BigHospitality.

I wrote on Monday about whether Twitter is good for business.  A couple of hours later the violent death of my Uncle really hit me.  Hit me hard.  I couldn’t think straight.  I was in sometype of time warp because what felt like five minutes was over an hour.  So I decided to take a break which came out to be the rest of the day.  I twittered about having difficulty with the death of my Uncle and then tried to go to the gym.  I couldn’t drive so I took a nap instead.  I listened to old scifi radio shows on my iPod, I did anything to get my mind off of my Uncle.

A few hours later I checked twitter and my life changed.  I had so many of my twitter follower sending me well wished that I just felt so much better.  People I only know on twitter where giving me emotional support.  It honestly helped me.

So adding on to my list of eight reasons I like Twitter, I’m adding another one.

Thank you to everyone on twitter.  You’re the best.

My mastermind met for the first time in person over the weekend.  Wendi from Wendi.com the famous online hypnotist was in Austin for a workshop.  Wendi invited the mastermind group to her mastermind session after the workshop and the topic of twitter came up.

Twitter is a community of friends and strangers from around the world sending updates about moments in their lives.  Friends near or far can use Twitter to remain somewhat close while far away.  Curious people can make friends.  Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Developers can use the API to make Twitter tools of their own. Possibilities are endless!

She has done many test promoting only on twitter and separate tests to her email newsletter list and website.  And her results?  Twitter generated no sales.  I’ve talked to many other business owners and the results are the same.  I don’t know of anyone that makes money using twitter, except for people that sell coaching and other products on social media.  They are doing extremely well.

So is twitter good for business if except for a small group of people that are making money?  Absolutely it is worth it.  It is a fantastic way to connect with people.  I know many people that are using twitter to build a relationship with someone and then later turn that online relationship to an offline relationship and do products together.

Here are just some of the benefits of using twitter with your business:

1. Support – are you having a technical or other issue, let people know on twitter.  It’s better than a rumor going around and if you are the first to address it you can retain control.  Be honest and people will forgive you.
2. Marketing – think of twitter as just another front in.  When you release a blog post or a product or service you can announce it on twitter.  The people that visit your link may opt-in to your newsletter first before buying your product but it’s a good way to promote something.  Just don’t just promote on twitter.  Many people really hate that.  Keep your mix of helpful articles, fun and promotion.
3. Knowledge network – if you follow other people on twitter in your field of expertise you have a huge resource.  A virtual knowledge network to ask questions and help others.  Some people you help may become your customers in the future.  And you’ll learn which makes you even better at what you do.
4. Idea generating – you can ask your followers for ideas for a blog post or even your next product.  Your audience knows what it wants you can simply ask them and deliver it to them.
5. Recruit – need someone to help you with something ask your followers on twitter and you’ll get recommendations.  And the recommendations come very very fast.  I’ve seen this happen many times and answers come in, in seconds.
6. Brand – twitter is just another way to expand your brand.  If you don’t do it someone else will.  I’ve seen many Bob Proctor copy cats on twitter in the last week or two.  I hope the real Bob was one of the first.
7. Networking – business is done by networking.  Much of my business is because someone referred me.  Many businesses are like this whether you are selling a book, class or anything else.  Networking is key and twitter allows you to do virtual networking easily.
8. Feedback – I’ve had a few people give me good honest feedback.  Wendi twittered that she doesn’t follow people that thank every single person who are following you.  I was doing this so I changed that as I was having many many people follow me everyday.  BTW, thanking people to follow you is okay if you are not getting many followers everyday and then you can not do it once you start really growing.

So I know twitter is good for business but I’m realistic about how.  If you need help adding twitter to your website and automating a twitter when you blog give us a call at 1-210-775-2489.

I’m on twitter as EagleChris.  See you online.

Recently a very good friend of mine had a falling out with a business partner.  I don’t know the details but I was supportive.  Then a couple of weeks later the business partner removed me from twitter.com (I use Twitter Quitter to track these things).

I ask why she unfollowed and blocked me on twitter so I can never follow her again?  She mentioned it may be an overreaction but then retracted when she thought I supported my friend more than her.  I don’t know the details to offer an opinion.

What makes no sense is why I was unfollowed and blocked on twitter and facebook for something that I have nothing to do with.  It looks immature.  I was completely not involved and wasn’t getting involved.  I in fact didn’t care.  But, then this person’s husband email me and my friend accounting details about the argument.  Again I have no idea what this has to do with me.  I responded asking how this involves me.  Why anyone would email private accounting details to someone that isn’t involved in this I have no idea.  My only guess is they want to prove their point to someone else.  Why I would care I have no idea.

So what is the lesson out of all this?

• When people are upset don’t “talk” via email.  Upset people read emails and think they mean something entirely different from what the person wrote.  I personally switch from email to phone after two tense emails, I think it should be one if it is especially bad.
• Talking things through works much better.
• Threatening that you’ll unleash an attack never seen before is immature.  Telling someone that they are barred from talking to you is immature.  Let’s be adults and talk things thru.
• Blocking people that have nothing to do with a conflict just makes you look like the one at fault and is rude.
• Sending personal accounting details to someone not involved is an evasion of privacy and simply rude. (To my friend, I didn’t read it and was shocked when I got it)
• Don’t get involved in other people’s conflicts if you know any of them unless asked.  People will think you are biased.  Suggest a mediator instead which I did, no response yet.
• Pick your fights.  If you believe they will get extremely upset and start spreading rumors and it isn’t worth pursing the matter then just drop it and move on.

I believe all conflict can be eliminated if people will communication and all conflict is a lack of communication.

On a side note that may or may not have anything to do with this particular case:

• Not transferring money because you owe the another person money is a form of money laundering.  I’ve seen people do this on a much much bigger scale and go to jail.  Just pay what is owed and let the dollars fall where they be.  Tax collectors don’t like it either.
• Use affiliate links when doing business with partners at all times, no matter what.  Claiming people are your sales and you didn’t use an affiliate link is bad business.
• Refusing to send an accounting report for weeks doesn’t help.

Blocking people on twitter is almost worthless as you can to to their twitter feed on twitter.com/ and then their username.  People can still put you in replies on twitter.  It does remove people from being able to direct message you when you block them.

So I have one person that is blocking me on twitter now and removed me as a friend on Facebook.  I can live with it since I can’t do anything about it and I couldn’t have done anything to prevent it from happening.  I hope it make the person feel better.  And I hope this anonymous post helps you and my friend move on with life and that the attacks will end.  You both deserve happiness.

P.S.  Does anyone know of a web application that let’s you know who is blocking you?  Twitter Quitter only tells you when people quit following you on twitter.

Some friends and people I like have had their good name bad mouthed on line recently and I wanted to write about how you can find it out and how to respond.

I use Google Alerts and Tweet Later to monitor my name, company name and brands.  And Qwitter to track people who quit following me on Twitter.

A vast majority of the the time these tools find good uses of your name, etc.  Which you can blog about.  Rarely they find content isn’t so nice.  You can respond in comments if it is a blog or by twitter with a @reply.  Of course sometimes it’s best to ignore but these tools will help you monitor your good name and give you the option of resonding.

Any other tools that help with this let us know in the comments.