Twitter The Magical Marketing Goldmine, so we are told...

Hello my friends,

There are so many misconceptions about Twitter that I feel it is important to write about the reality of life on Twitter.
The community of Twitter is currently being bombarded by well meaning (well most any way..) people who want us to believe that Twitter is a magical goldmine . They give credence to the myth that Twitter is a magical goldmine that you can harvest and become wealthy beyond your wildest dreams...

We are continually receiving direct and @ reply messages telling us, "leverage twitter and become wealthy", "use my system and get 3000 followers in seven days and make money", "Serious about using twitter for your marketing? You gotta see this" and many others...

Is Twitter a magic gold mine?

Not like so many would have as believe and madly click on their links breaking out our trusty Visa cards.
The truth is that Twitter is a gold mine, a gold mine of people who are there to share their lives with others are like minded. I have found a goldmine of people who have a heart, love to help others and enjoy communicating with this 140 character platform!
I have been able to meet and become with many fine people that I would not ever have met if it wasn't for Twitter and the power of social networking.

Social networking and Twitter being my personal favorite, is a modern day phenomenon. The riches are in the people!
The truth is just as in this wonderful world we live in there will always be those who prey on and those who fall prey to the promises of easy money, power and fame.

I have changed much of how I approach and interact with the people on social networking sites, yes I post links, my internet businesses are taking shape. We are making money online in recession proof businesses. The real value though is the friendships I have made and there will be many more as like minded people gravitate towards each other.
I also post the finds I come across of value, things that are interesting, helpful or just funny! I help those I can and try to boost any valid non profit that I deem worthy. These things are the value I provide.. I have many who comment every week, thanking me for sharing links, caring and playing music. It is great fun!

I recommend ignoring the stuff that we know is just straight up hog wash...lol as in real life.. actually Twitter has become a part of my real life..
The people are real, have real feelings, wants and desires and just want to make a connection!

The truth is and the beauty of Twitter is if my tweets, or someone elses disturbs you or goes against your core beliefs there is a little magic block button.. Use it if you must! I have used it, very rarely though. Twitter is truly opt in in that sense that if some tweeps are unbearable to you, just unfollow them. Very simple to this simple riding man..

The true goldmine of Twitter is not the money we have been making my friends it is you, it is the people. Unique individuals that are generous enough to share their lives, loves, likes, and gripes with us on Twitter!
Thanks for reading my rant and beyond all have fun, life is too short to stress about some small minded people that drive ya batty :-)

Mine the gold of Twitter! Reach out and give someone A SMILE, ENCOURAGE THEM, practice the qualities of a true friend and experience the true benefits of Twitter!
Have fun my tweeps:-)

Follow Friday! So here is my shot at it...

Ok for months Fridays are crazy here on Twitter, I mean I enjoy being recommended as much as anyone.It will not be any different in coming months either as more people follow me every day...
I also have made it a goal to thank every person who recommends me. A personal thing I think is important.
NOW dont take that wrong like I am telling you what to do!

The deal with me though is to treat people like you would like to be treated, in fact we should treat them better than I treat myself..lol.. more on that another time!
So I thank each person and always have been like how will I recommend my friends..
So for a while I didnt recommend anyone, just wasnt going to play then cause I could see what might happen.
Either I will be tweeting all day recommending the many great people I have met on Twitter or leave a lot out!
Sure enough the Fridays I have succumbed to the #followfriday peer pressure at the end, I would be like I forgot this person, and that person.. it was a difficult problem for me..
So I am keeping a list now, not just my friends, business partners ect but Tweeters I see actually helping others.
It has took the pressure off! I will recommend those I see helping others which has allready increased my Twitter awareness cause I watch the Twitter stream more now.
Well mrken is trying to catch you doing something nice for someone!

RC Club for Boys Mrken , Beatnik, Deb, Scott, Dillon

Every year we do two events a Swap Meet and a Pool Tournament to raise funds for The Rapid City Club for Boys.
We make a mini run out of it and present the check to the administrators.

It is a blast! We pass out stickers and last year key chains to the boys. They mob us!
It is a great time and rewarding experience every year.

08-17-07 034 RC Club for Boys Rags, Beatnik, Deb, Scott, Dil
Originally uploaded by mrkensworld777

Please visit the Rapid City Club for Boys site here http://www.theclubforboys.com/

This is their mission statement:

Our Mission
The Club for Boys is dedicated to providing positive experiences that develop self-esteem and character in a caring, safe, and fun environment for all boys.

Our Vision
The Club for Boys is committed to helping all boys meet their needs today so they can fulfill their potential tomorrow.

The Club for Boys Code
I will show my love for God in the way I treat my family, friends, and fellow members. I will show respect for our flag and our country, which has given me my freedom. I will show my gratitude for our club by displaying fair play, honesty, sportsmanship, and respect for the staff, club equipment, and my fellow members in all that I do. I will show kindness to others and will expect them to show kindness to me. I understand my membership depends on my ability to live up to this.

Our Cardinal Principles
1. We are for all boys
2. We are just for boys
3. We have an open door policy
4. Our dues are kept low so any boy can afford to belong
5. We are a non-sectarian organization
6. We are guidance oriented
7. No proof of good character or pledge is required
8. We are building centered
9. Our staff is professionally trained
10. We offer a varied and diversified program

We believe in helping our communities future and this is one way we do it...by giving our time and resources to this great outreach!

That is me on the left!

Mrkens Thoughts on Automatic Direct Messages to new Twitter Followers..

Hey friends, thought I would add my thoughts on our new poll. Just my thoughts, that and a dollar fifty will get you a cup of coffee!

It seems that there are a ton of Twitter experts today as my good friend Traci Knoppe was saying on our latest Business Builders Workshop call in show. Everywhere you look there is a new "expert" that will teach us the "rules" of Twitter. I make no such claims although I have a little experience...

9,928 Following

9,612 Followers

15,430 Updates

I started the poll to your right and hope you will take the poll, leave me a comment with your full thoughts also. I am interested what people really think on this..
I see a lot of tweeps saying how much they dislike the automatic direct messages..and by my observations on new followers less people are using them...
So here are my thoughts..
I use them number one and have not stopped because some "experts" say that automatic direct messages are wrong. For myself and the amount of people that follow me, the times I am not posting on Twitter, ect I use them! I like to give people a greeting using Tweetlater, some people might have just gasped at the air!
Yes I use Tweetlater! For when I am doing things and want to post on Twitter. I have been reluctant to share this but have upgraded to professional and used this since I started on Twitter!
Back to the subject, Automatic Direct messages on Twitter, I also try to greet people personally after I am on and see them following me.
For me it is important to greet someone right after they follow me and connect with them when I can. So of course in my humble opinion this use is good!
Now! You notice in my poll the entry, DM's are ok but leave out your money link!
This is an incorrect use in my opinion and usually I do not respond to those auto direct messages because it is just flat rude! To say hey you followed me here buy my stuff, is rude and it does irk me when I get them. I see some who add a link and is tastefull, but most seem like BOOM heres MY stuff.

I think it boils down to the golden rule my friends.. just treat others as you would want to be treated! I think with that in mind and some common sense, you can determine what works for you on Twitter and all social networking sites.
I will keep reading what the "experts" are saying, taking the valuable stuff and just shine the rest on! It is not likely you will hear me tweeting complaining about those tweeps who do this or that friends. Twitter is opt in! If it really bothers me I will hit the unfollow button! That is the beauty of social networking, if someone or thier behavior bothers us that bad, just quit following them!

It is supposed to be fun! Treat others well, greet and engage them heartily by what ever method you choose and by all means have fun!