Conversation, Relationship, Then Transaction
Those of us who’ve read the Cluetrain Manifesto and experience community working together have no desire to go back to a transaction-based business model ever. We see the value of working with people we know, like, and trust. And as we learn how to use the tools, we don’t lack people to connect with to get our business done.
Certain signs and characteristics seem to show in the folks who live the social media culture. Certain value and actions make people who care about having relationships and conversation before transactions easy to spot. I’ve listed 25 traits of Twitter Folks I admire.
These social media folks …
- don’t seek to be the center of any universe.
- find great conversations and get to know the people there.
- realize that every venue has it’s own culture and rules.
- do their own talking and their own listening.
- talk mostly about the accomplishments of others.
- ask intriguing questions that invite others to join the conversation.
- don’t worry when folks don’t respond to something they say.
- have time for new friends, talk to them, listen to them, read their sites and bios, ask them questions — avoid assumptions.
- have a different conversation with every individual and every business.
- take embarrassing or private conversations offline.
- are inclusive and encourage folks who exclude people to exclude themselves.
- shout out good news, help in emergencies, and celebrate with everyone.
- say please, thank you, and you’re welcome, and mean them.
- are incredibly curious about what works, what doesn’t work, seek feedback often, and look to improve what they do.
- study the industry and trends, watch how things occur, share information about those freely, but never break a trust.
- offer advice when people ask. Help whenever they can.
- aren’t “shameless.” Ask for help in ways that folks are proud to pitch in.
- are constantly connecting people and ideas in business conversations that are helpful, not hypeful.
- get paid to strategize business, build tactical plans, but won’t “monetize” relationships.
- ignore the trolls.
- keep their promises.
- can be transparent without being naked … most of us look and behave best in public with our clothes ON.
- listen to the hive mind, but think their own thoughts.
- send back channel “hellos” to friends when there’s no time to talk.
- understand that the Internet is public and has no eraser.
The relationships with people — social in social media — is what is changing things. It makes a business experience worth looking forward to and turns a transaction into a relationship. It’s different online because I can’t see you. When I meet folks who make that distance and darkness disappear, I respect and admire them.
Updated slightly for to replace those who’ve gone.
Of course, I admire @@chrisbrogan, @guykawasaki, @problogger and the others you already have read on every other list. I’d like to add some great social stars that you might not know yet. Here are 25 more great conversationalists I admire and learn from every day.
@LucretiaPruitt
@BethHarte
@MackCollier
@AmberCadabra
@ShannonPaul
@mark_hayward
@zaneology
@Tojosan
@AaronStrout
@nanpalmero
@hdbbstephen
@rainesmaker
@SheilaS
@DanielleSmithTV
@caroljsroth
@remarkablogger
@melissapierce
@BeckyMcCray
@jnswanson
@BawldGuy
@inspiremetoday
@jasonfalls
@northernchick
@ernohannink
@jonathanfields
@joannapaterson
I suspect you’ll enjoy their conversation as much as I do.
Feel free to add your own 25 to the list or make a list of your and link it back to here.
Great folks are worth celebrating.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
I don’t know why it didn’t hit me earlier, but I think Twitter was made by going into the mind of Liz Strauss and creating the essential tool set.
Liz,
You honor me a lot. Your list is a list I aspire to on and offline. Life isn’t about me. For me I want it to be about God, my family, and my fellow man. Love seeing folks succeed and have great lives.
You should be on the list for sure!
Excellent list. I know most of the fine folk on the list and agree. I like to believe that I have all of the same traits. I love all of the positive feedback and thanks and kindness I receive every day from everyone online so that’s what motivates me.. serving others.
Here are some of the special folks that I’m grateful for that don’t always get a lot of attention:
@Bydls
@TheWarmSpot
@TheLaughingImp
@purplecar
@prsarahevans
@aronado
@merlene
@pprlisa
@chrishebert
@MariAdkins
@incSlinger
@HelenMosher
@RosyBlue
@Chelpixie
Great list, Liz. A few others that easily come to mind who have been a huge impact on my world, are:
@RailLife
@DruBloomfield
@DPatrickLewis
@JMcHood
@PhoenixREGuy
@ChrisBrogan
@OzarksAgent
Hi Alex,
Too funny! Open Comment Night did happen first. Maybe they were watching …. π
Hi Todd!
Thanks. You’re sure doing what you aspire as a far as I can see. π
Liz, thanks for including me on such a praise-worthy list of people. When I joined Twitter in 2006, I thought it was only going to be helpful to keep up with people I already knew. Boy, was I wrong, in a really, really good way.
Hi Paisano,
I found a few in the bunch that were new to me too! I just followed all of them. Thank you for sharing your friends. π
Hi Becky,
Yeah, me too. We even know some really, really good ways we share together. eh?
Ok, so could someone explain to me the real, most important difference between:
“What are you doing” on Twitter and
“What are you doing” on Facebook?
I’m a little bit behind it seems π – only really “active” on Facebook since two months.
Feel free to answer in 140 characters π
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Interesting post here! And good to see people appreciating others in public. Genius of an idea, Liz!
On top of this, I feel that social media or networking aren’t always about transactions, even if you are getting to know one another first. (There’s no way to refer someone if you don’t know yet what that person can provide you.)
If I were to make a list of people to thank, that list would be longer than this page, but it would certainly boost “inner positivity” and it’s definitely the first step to happiness. I do not know if anyone feels the same way I do?
@ColonelTribune is a great follow if you want to see mainstream media using Twitter the “right way.”
By the way, I’ve copied your list and linked each person to his/her Twitter page.
Links to 25 “Twitter folks” @lizstrauss admires
Great list. Here are my top 5 people that I am really glad I follow.
1. @guykawasaki – I know, obvious, but he is so easy to get in a conversation with. The access level is great.
2. @amyderby – I don’t think anyone owns more real estate in my twitter stream than Amy.No one starts more conversations I get involved in.
3. @markbao – This teen has his stuff together. His mumbaiupdates account was awesome. Watch for this kid, he’s going to do something great in the next 5 years.
4. @davidbullock – There aren’t many PPC “experts” I would say back up what they say, David is that person. I especially like how he gets me thinking past what we both know is the best for PPC and actually realize how ahead of the pack I am, usually.
5. @lizstrauss – You and I have had some great conversations, both deep and humorous. But I guess everybody reading this already knows that huh?
Wow Liz thanks so much for including me in such great company! But as I was looking at those traits, I was thinking ‘Wow Liz has all of these!’
Happy Holidays to you and your readers!
Hi Karin!
On Facebook and LinkedIn people actually write what they’re doing. On Twitter people talk to each other instead. π
I was laughing with my husband at myself on this topic last night. I was musing about how incredibly nice all of you are but weird how you all seem to know each other and then it hit me… I started Twittering Dec.2 after reading an article by @mark_hayward and following his recommendations. The only time I’ve ever wandered out of the “little follow pool” was the day I dove off the sign up board and it scared the peewadden out of me! Thank you for the new people list above. I would like to add @CCSeed to this list because he has answered LOADS of my newbie questions and never acted like he wanted to unfollow me- not even once and that shows gr8 patience =).
Thank you all for being wonderful! ~Laura S.
Wonderful article! I’m going to have to look all these people up now!
Here are some that I love to follow:
@ptmoney
@remodelthislife
@sensetosave
@MoneyNing
@jnickles
@ThatOneCaveman
@mrsmicah
@hank_MiB
@bripblap
@ncheapskate
@RCThinkWealth
@MMarquit
@mytwodollars
@FeedTheBull
@NCN
@FourPillars
@paidtwice
@mindicherry
@Wazzy
@FrugalDad
@freefrombroke (me!)
Thanks!
π
Like in the comment box here?
Karin H (still thinking about it – might as well give it a try, love ‘talking’)
Nice post, Liz. I had tried to tackle the same sort of thing in my own blog the other day.
http://dougpete.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/a-guy-walks-into-a-bar/
I’m thinking that your post needs to be required reading when we introduce new folks to social media. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Liz,
Yet another great post reminding folks that Twitter is what ClueTrain calls “a conversation.”
I’ve gotten to know @amyderby a bit more lately and can’t wait to meet her in person this May.
John
Hi Laura!
Welcome!
Glad you’re feeling like you belong — no matter what size circle you choose.
CCSeed is definitely one who belongs on that list. I admire him too. π
Hi John!
More conversation, more relationships, I like the way that sounds. π
Hey Liz,
Thanks so much for including me on this list, what an incredible honor to be grouped with such great people. And, of course, let’s not forget to add the fabulous @lizstrauss, too!
Here are a few more interesting people to play with on twitter:
@rockyourday
@GrantGriffiths
@skydiver
@tamar
@technosailor
@jeffpulver
@chriswebb
@danschawbel
@jalaine
@drewmaniac
@karenswim
@deafmom
@menwithpens
Enjoy the convo! π
Thanks Liz! I am honored to be listed among so many great people…some who I am grateful to be able to call my friends. What’s amazing to me, truly amazing!, is when you get to know folks on Twitter and then you meet them in person…it’s like you’ve known them for years and you can dive into more important conversations. (Imagine that power between companies and customers/clients. It’s great!)
I hate to list folks because there are SO many great people I’ve met on Twitter, but here goes a brief list of people who I think exemplify your list:
@ConnieReece
@RobBlatt
@KellyeCrane
@DebinDenver
@SonnyGill
@AndreNatta
@FrankMartin
@StorySpinner
@Vedo
@QuePR
@Morate
@Figliuolo
@YatPundit
@vargasl
@dmullen
@kenburbary
@livepath
@ltrosien
@GloriaBell
@ConversationAge
@PressReleasePR
@Eric_Urbane
Okay, not so brief. π Sorry if I missed anyone… π
Liz,
You sure nailed the best of Twitter, and I’m so honored to be on the list of folks you think do it well. I try hard, and that community to me is as valuable as any I’ve ever been part of. Now, I’ll share the spotlight and mention a few people that I think ought to be more noticed than they are:
@acclimedia
@ikepiggot
@dmullen
@justinmwhitaker
@LisaHoffmann
@livepath
@HeatherRast
@GrantGriffiths
@kenburbary
@justincresswell
@swoodruff
@PamelaMartin
@frankmartin
@PressReleasePR
@misskatiemo
@thebrandbuilder
@ckEpiphany
@TimJackson
@JasonFalls
@justinlevy
@themarketingguy
@crosberg
@LenKendall
@craigsutton
Truly, I could park a monster list on here. I have amazing conversations and connections with people every day on Twitter, and it’s a place that feels more like a big, comfy coffee shop than a cocktail party. Thanks for including me on your list, and for exemplifying the spirit of community.
Great post Liz. Found some twitter users I wasn’t aware of that caught my interest in that list. Also wanted to bring to your attention that, @BeckMcCray doesn’t seem to be working. Not sure if it’s a typ on the twitter name or what, but thought you should know.
Also thanks to Paisano who left a comment with some additional twitter profiles of interest.
I always like posts like this because you find and can connect with people you otherwise may never be aware of. I love the opportunity to get involved in a good conversation and posts like this always broaden that opportunity.
Liz
Great list. Here is the list I posted on Ad Age last week. Some duplication but a few that are not on yours.
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/739158/36894718
– Tom
Liz,
What a great description of the 25 things that make a person worth knowing, whether in Twitter, facebook or in person.
In the few short weeks I’ve been twittering, it becomes clearer that the qualities that make for good relationships anywhere, are the same ones that make it fun and interesting to follow someone on twitter. Now I’m off to check out the folks on your “great conversationalists” list. Thanks.
Dana
I love your list of 25 traits. I was releaved to read a couple of them and know that it wasn’t just me! LOL. I’ve seen many great Twitter names here to follow! I too, have a few I think are fantastic people, and some that need to pay more attention to the number one item on your list! Ah…such is Twitter.
I almost hate to comment because I’m No. 26! Before this it was 25 traits, 25 people and 25 comments. Sigh.
So many other familiar names and names that are new to me are also here. A few others that you might not know:
@shawnsmith – Shawn is an enthusiastic advocate for social media within the journalism space and he also blogs at http://www.newmediabytes.com/
@paisano is on my list, too. π
@shonali She worked on integrating social media into the ASPCA communication strategy and she’s the president elect of the IABC/Washington (Love her on Twitter!)
I know I’m going to feel bad for not adding more!
Thank you so much, Liz for including me on this list. Like so many others in your orbit, I have a lot of admiration for your work and for your great big heart!
Liz — that’s quite a list, my friend. Thanks for including me, and thanks for introducing me to some new friends. I know you don’t like crowns… but you’re still the queen of connection-making in my book! π
Randy — that’s pretty cool. Also very cool that yall are my nearly-neighbors! And yeah… I talk a lot. π
John — you’re at the top of my list, my friend. π
Liz,
posts like this is how you earn your respected reputation! Definitely required reading for anyone on Twitter. I’ll continue to follow your wise guidelines myself.
I’ll be spending some time checking out your list and the others in the comments (thanks @Paisano! Right backatcha!)
Thanks!
-Christine Cavalier (@purplecar)
Liz,
Great list of traits that anyone using Twitter should seriously consider thinking about. At the very least, I hope that those that follow me I can give something back and add value to their social media experience.
Thanks!
David Finch (@davidfinch)
Hey Liz, wonderful list! I trust your judgment and am going to follow those that I’m not already! Certainly do agree with your number one, Lucretia/@geekmommy is number one in my book too! π (will retweet as well)
Would have been nice if you had linked up everyone to their twitter accounts for easy following. π
~Laura
Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the list. Great idea for a post. It’s one that I am sure Twitter users will get a lot of use out of. I will be sure to check out these tweeters to see what they have to say.
Liz, it’s a treat to stop by today and be introduced to so many new great people. I’m heading out to expand my follower list now. Thanks for being you, as I’ve kept you at the top of my list since I started tweeting. To add to the celebration of rock solid tweeters, I’d add:
@GlendaWHyatt
@Starbucker
@SharonMcP
@ChrisCree
Hi Liz,
Thanks for the wonderful post and the pretty handy list of people who are worthy of being followed.
A few of the people whom I follow and would like to suggest to others as well:
@JasonFalls
@MariSmith
@DrMani
@chrisgarrett
@successfool
@Ed_Dale
Best Wishes,
Shinil.
@shinils on Twitter – http://twitter.com/shinils
Wow.
The list of traits was *dead on* what I look for too. You exemplify it yourself, Miss Liz! π
But to find my name on that second list made my day!! Look at all those amazing people! I agree that they are all those things and they are some amazing folks themselves.
I would’ve responded sooner – but I was busy tracking down the 5 people on your list I wasn’t already following! π
Thank you Liz – for making every day on Twitter more special – and for letting me be a part of your world!
((((hug))))
I’ll get to a list shortly, right now – my messed up body is trying to lose conscioueness, so I’m typing with one eye closed! π
I knew I was doing it wrong! Adding to my list of things to get better at in 2009.
@Genuine – ahem…not doing it wrong at all. You are already on the list in my book.
Fun to read…it’s EXACTLY why I love Twitter!
The list just introduced me to some more cool people too, including you Liz π
Thanks!
@ZaraGreen
Is this the line for the kool aid?
Great list of wisdoms. Helpful, not hypeful… really good one. I’d add
“rising stars” the emerging tone:
@bud_caddell
@jeremymeyers
wisdom, finesse:
@stowboyd
reciprocity:
@pamslim
you
keeping it realness:
@armano
hunter s tompsonesque:
@gapingvoid
… and anyone else who has added to this mensa by injection.
Happy everything to you and yours.
I’m surprised nobody mentioned Scott Monty, the digital media director at Ford Motor Company. He’s @scottmonty.
Other notables that nobody mentioned to pass your muster, Liz, are:
@daveatkins
@pinkolivefamily
@krazykriz
@geechee_girl
@justinlevy
@jilliancyork
@kwbridge
@warrenss
@conversationage
@doctorious
@penelopetrunk
@diablogue_chat
@dfletcher
@adrielhampton
@dkeahey
@kriscolvin
@jessicagottlieb
@juliarosien
Well, I do not know what to say.
Well, My in-box has been getting flooded with follow notes, and I was wondering who was pointing them to me! Thank you Liz, for including me with these notable folks. It is a little funny how we all know each other, and I am looking forward to getting to know the new folks coming by.
BTW if I haven’t followed all of you yet, I need some time, my internet connection is pretty slow and quirky right now.
I’d like to add:
@PhilGerbyshak
@themarketingguy
@jenfowler
Wow, great tips on what to do to be great twitter folks. Thank You for that.
Giovanna Garcia
Great list. Thanks for posting these traits.
I’d like to second these folks and add a couple:
@PressReleasePR
@LizzHarmon
@kristofcreative
@blogsquad
@WarrenWhitlock
Best to you and your family!
Kimberly
@jkvirtualoffice
Liz, this is the best description I’ve read of why twitter is so fantastic… and how to respect the medium (and of course the people…) to keep it that way.
Thanks for including me in your list – now I’ve got a whole lot of other twitter friends to talk to! And I’m off to add those on your list, and in this comment thread, that I’ve not met yet.
PS In case I don’t make it back again before Christmas, have a wonderful day
Great list, Lis. I’m glad to say I already follow most of these fine folks.
I appreciated your note that these folks “get paid to strategize business, build tactical plans, but wonΓ’ΒΒt Γ’ΒΒmonetizeΓ’ΒΒ relationships. ”
I consult to help companies connect with mombloggers. Someonw who was trying to offer me business development advice suggested I needed to “monetize my network.”
I cringed. I don’t form relationships online or offline because I see dollar signs. I like to think that even in business, my relationships have a value far beyond that of a potential paycheck.
I’m glad you think so, too.
Ack, I know you name is Liz, not Lis. Sorry, I have a coordination issue with my brain and my hands.
Hi Liz,
WOW!! I have been without real internet all day because I was over on the big island Christmas shopping.
But every time I checked my Blackberry today I would have like four new followers in my inbox and started to think “what the heck is going on?”
Thank you for including me in such wonderful company. π I truly enjoy your conversations everyday so I feel privileged to have been included in your list.
Happy Holidays to ALL!
Mark H.
Liz, I really liked #1,5,6. It really is about putting other people first. Asking them about what they think. Communication has to be about connecting with the other person. The reason? B/C we are going into their world asking them to come into ours.
I never thought about #3 but your right that you have to know your audience. Connecting with your audience means creating an environment that they want to connect with you.
thanks again liz
Thank you for sharing your list! aka huladoula on twitter
Once again, I bow to the master! (mistress?) I’m flattered to see my name mentioned in the comments section, too. A great resource for those people new to the fold, and a wonderful list of other resources to tap for help. Thanks so much for all your insight into the realm, and helping us all start some great conversations.
I just started Twitter this week. Thanks Liz for the Primer!
Liz, I’d like to thank you for writing this post because it made me sit back and look through the list of 25 traits and highlight ones that I could do better at.
@travelrants on Twitter.
OMG, I’m not going to get any work done this week!
So many recommendations of people to follow, so little time. I just bookmarked this page, and will savor adding more people one by one.
Thank you, Liz. You truly are my role-model for social media.
Hi Liz
I am reading your blog from last one year approx but i thin this is my comment over here . I was confuse with somethings in twitter but now i have understood what i can do in it after reading this post . I am going good in digg and stumble and hope that twitter will also start working for me now .
Thanks
I love these 25 traits and people! ( Actually found a few great new ones here!).
I am also a big fan of yours, @guykawasaki and @Pistachio because no matter how busy you are, you take time for all.
Thank you Liz for such fabulous insight!
There are so many people on twitter that I love too that exemplify these traits, but here are a few that I would like to add:
@wendyperrin
@elliottng
@pdenlinger
@sarahmorgan
@prmaria
@JonathanGunson
@chrisguillebeau
@MarilynM
@PRsarahevans
@langwitches
@typeamom
@wandermom
@SandraFoyt
@murcha
@NadineTouzet
@You_Decide
@rosasay
@kristenking
@KathySierra
Wish I had room to list all that touch my heart deeply every day and add so much to our world tour…just by letting their light shine on twitter.
Wishing you and everyone a peaceful, joyful, fulfilling holiday season and new year!
Liz, I read this list and evaluated my own behavior, self reflection is sometimes painful but always worth the growth that occurs. The list above recognizes many of those I like and follow. I would add
@AmberNaslund
@kellyecrane
@ShannonPaul
@terrybean
@starbucker
and although new, a gracious and wonderful tweeter @trishlambert.
For a great list of educators to follow on Twitter take a look at http://twitter4teachers.pbwiki.com/FrontPage
Some you may want to follow:
@elemenous
@kjarrett
@teach42
@angelamaiers
@cnansen
@clifmims
@shareski
@courosa
and maybe even me @lthumann
But there are many, many more on the wiki
Wow, what a great list. I love that you put this together. I realize that very naturally I have followed the people who are just like this.
I’d add a couple more too:
@unmarketing (great sense of humor AND awesome tips.)
@adamurbanski (nice blend of personal & marketing tips)
Thanks again for putting this together!
Melanie Benson Strick
Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach
@melcoach
Your 25 traits are fantastical.
I’ll add some of my favorite twitter people to this great list:
@ron_miller
@lisajohnson
@emused
@gwenbell
@JanePorricelli
@JoeCascio
@KatjaPresnal
@BlogDiva
@QueenofSpain
and on and on…the list never stops growing because Twitter never stops.
Thanks, as always…
@AmyDerby – Back at you!
Liz,
What I love most about your list is how I can reference this when people ask, “why do you use Twitter?” These are all excellent reasons- mainly because I like to be involved with, and get to know people who honor these traits. It’s rewarding and it makes me happy.
Wow, got here by the recommendation on Chris Brogan’s post and already am loving it. That is a good list to print out, write “resolutions for 2009” above them and stick’em on the wall.
Happy christmas from Germany.
Thank you, everyone!
All of you brought so much to this post. It was worth every minute took to pull it together. I so appreciate your coming over to add your thoughts to it. π
I *love* this post, Liz!! Really well said.
My list of fave Twitter peeps includes:
@garyvee
@guykawasaki
@chrisbrogan
@coachdeb
@shermanhu
@barefoot_exec
@aaswartz
@lotusamy
@mariaandros
@peoplemapsjulie
@emilylagrange
@mikelitman
@kevinnations
@redhotcopy
…to name a few!!
Cheers!
@marismith
P.S. @shinil – thanks heaps for the props! *You* rock my friend!! π
I missed this post when it first came out, but of course, someone on Twitter was kind enough to send me the link. π
Thanks so much for including me!
Thanks for this great post, such great information for a newbie just beginning to start to figure it out. Also, thanks for the great selection of people whose profiles to look at and possibly exchange conversations and value with.
Best,
Elli
Hi Mari!
Glad to see you found this. Great people you’ve added. π
Sheila,
Conversation has been part of our routine since the first open mic night I couldn’t leave you out. π
Hi Elli,
Welcome to this blog and to the Twitterverse. I sure hope folks are helping feel and see the community that has kept us all her communicating so much and so often.
You’re not a stranger anymore.
I don’t need to make a list. You make it every year …
… it’s called SOBCon π
Chris,
That’s the coolest thing someone could say. Thank you, deeply.