What Did She Say

People who don’t get Twitter scoff at Twitter.

People who get Twitter LOOOOOVE Twitter.

I’m in the latter category. I want to hug it and pet it  and call it George.

I am a Twitter-lover.

Why? Isn’t it just like Facebook statuses, only shorter, and over and over again?

I used to think so. In fact, I joined Twitter a few months before I really “got” it. I tried it. Tweeted about some mundane things. Had a few followers and followed a few people. I didn’t really jump into conversations I saw floating around. I got stuck in the “Twitter Dip”.

I pretty much swore off Twitter.

I really have no idea why I gave it another go, but I did. And am I ever glad I did.

What’s my Twitter ROI (return on investment)?

Countless amazing people I interact with on a (pretty much) daily basis. (I guess I could count them…..)

People who don’t really get Twitter may wonder how online friends can really be called friends. There are some deep connections made on Twitter. Friendships are formed. Many of these amazing people I have met in 3D as well. I regularly attend “tweet ups” (Twitter meet ups) which made these connections even stronger. *Side note – I’m not a fan of the “TW”ed words.*

Blissdom Canada was a huge orgasm of awesomeness. So many brilliant, funny, caring, FABULOUS women (and a couple of guys) in one spot. (Can’t wait for Blissdom Canada ’11 in October!!) There’s a pic of me and some FAB women at the 2010 conference on the landing page of the Blissdom Canada website. (By the way, I consider at least four women in that photo to be friends.) *Photo credit: The fantastic CL Buchanan

Now, getting back to the “fake” friends I have…

I know if I truly needed help, if I reached out and said I just need someone to come over and help me out, I would have people on their way almost immediately (after I told them where I lived.) You tell me. Is that a “fake” friend?

How do you put an ROI on friends and connections and amazing experiences?

When I look at my ROI on my marketing education, the time I spent getting that piece of paper, I’m looking at some of the best friends I have in my life. My ROI was finding the woman who stood beside me as I got married.

Would you ask me to break down all my friendships, countless hours of fun, the knowledge any one of them would be here at the drop of a hat if I really needed them to be?

That’s what I get from Twitter, too.

Sure, I’ve gotten free stuff – won tickets to events, been asked to help promote events in exchange for tickets, my Tassimo, a flight to San Fransisco on Virgin America and I could go on.

All that is really cool, but that’s not why I’m on Twitter.

I’m on it for the people.

There are some really freakin’ amazing people on Twitter – and so many people have come forward with offers of help as I start my business. A huge shout out to Chris (@Chris_Eh_Young). A brilliant mind and an even more amazing heart. He built my yo’ books website, had a big hand in this one and did my Facebook business page.

Countless others have offered assistance in some shape or form: @yummymummyclub, @thatericalper, @kitestring, @iangordon, @parentclub, @optimom pop to mind immediately. And many others along the way! (I thank you from the bottom of my heart.)

And then there are the people I already knew of before Twitter. Now that I’ve gotten to interact with them through Twitter, I’ve confirmed they are fantastic. And now they actually know who I am, too! It still blows me away that people such as Erica Ehm (@yummymummyclub), Ann Douglas (@anndouglas) and Kathy Buckworth (@kathybuckworth) know little ol’ me.

And getting to know people behind companies that I loved before I’d even heard of Twitter: @nameyourtuneCDs, @mabelhood, @juliecole, @mumby, @karmabi, @THEMUSEUM.

I could go on and on and on… and I already have, so… my point is.. stop looking for ROI and let awesome just happen.