Attending a Twitter Conference
I’ve been very busy lately dealing with social media. I blogged about attending The Digital Content NewFront, hosted by Digitas. A few days later, I appeared at TWTRCON NY, a one-day conference focused entirely on the business use of Twitter, held at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. The keynote interviewer was David Pogue, personal technology columnist for the New York Times. I spoke openly about the ways that I use Twitter. I told the standing-room-only-audience that authenticity is extremely important in all social media and that I believe there are no hard and fast rules about expressing one’s self on Twitter. It’s always an honor for me to attend such events with so many influential and knowledgeable individuals.
1 David Pogue - a personal technology columnist for the New York Times, Jesse Engle - of Co-tweet, me, and Tonia Ries - Founder & CEO, Modern Media; founder & host of TWTRCON
2 Heather McPike - attorney and wife of, Shawn McPike - social media strategy manager with AT&T’s customer care group, me, and Tonia Ries
3 I really liked Heather's bowed shoes - she told me they're from Ann Taylor.
4 Here I am with Bob Allen - CEO of the Digital Marketing Association.
5 I wondered if this noose hanging backstage was there to provide a quick exit for dull speakers. Ha-ha!
6 The room was packed - standing room only in the back. Everyone brought their own personal device to tweet with.
7 There was a live twitter feed on the big screen. No, I did not bring treats! That rumor was wrong.
8 Taking the stage
9 David Pogue has been on my show before talking about technology. We have a good rapport.
10 Everyone was snapping away for 'TwitPics' to share on Twitter.
11 I reinforced the fact that I really AM doing my own Tweeting. Occasionally, my tech guru, Eliad Laskin, will help me out when I am not able.
12 It's true that I really only tweet for about 5 minutes per day.
13 As usual, I had a lot of fun with David.
14 David asked me about my recent tweeting of 'poutine' - french fries topped with fresh cheese curd and covered with brown gravy, which I ate in Montreal.
15 I believe that you have to be where the customer wants you to be - whether it's Twitter, blogs, or Facebook.
16 A quick exit through the kitchen - the chefs waved goodbye as I got into the elevator.
It is sad that twitter and other social media have been overused by everybody starting from rookie entrepreneur to giant business houses. I have done a study and found that out of every 10 tweets that I receive 8 are trying to sell something. Twitter is just a spam house and I think it has lost its value. I read in NYTimes that one of the first Twitter employee recently quit because he didn't want to work for an advertising company.
Posted by: Body Scrub | June 18th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Martha, you look great in that outfit. The pencil leg pants are super on you, and the shoes are to die for. Also, the hair was especially nice.
Posted by: Judy | June 18th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I am happy to be able to follow many on twitter.Most of us want to sell something so is a good time to be around this wonderful tool. Absolutely overjoyed that poutine twitter was discussed wherein my part was to relate a story about messy fries. Thank you Martha. Do all readers want to be writers?
Posted by: ann | June 18th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I refer your use of social media - blog, twitter, and facebook - to many leaders. Authentic is key. You are a good example. Thank you for your committment, work ethic, and results.
Posted by: E. Teresa Touey | June 18th, 2010 at 10:57 am
I'm thrilled that you have made yourself accessible to all of us who think you are wonderful. Twitter is short, quick and invigorating. Its just one of many ways to keep in touch with us and I love it.
You are loved Martha by many and it was evident by all those cameras flashing.
Thanks for continuing to share with us.
Posted by: Mona C | June 18th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Dear Martha, I was introduced to Twitter by you and I love it, I have been following you since you opened your account, it is always a great pleasure to read your tweets. It will be an honor if you could follow me.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 18th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Love both those pairs of shoes!
Posted by: Alyzabeth | June 18th, 2010 at 11:49 am
I agree somewhat with the body scrub person above, that Twitter is easy to abuse as mass advertising... like everywhere else public on the internet, there is a TON of spam. But it's an easy enough fix: just don't follow people who only advertise themselves. I sell online and use Twitter as a marketing tool occasionally, but I use it more to "market" myself as a real live human being who happens to make silver jewelry, to make connections with people whether or not they are potential customers.
Posted by: jess | June 18th, 2010 at 11:57 am
As a social media advisor, I often recommend your social media tactics to others. Your voice is strong and reflects your branding and image. Well done.
Posted by: Laura | June 18th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I was there and you were great! I had the mike in hand and was next in line to speak to you when the interview ended.
Thanks for taking the time to join us and inspire us. Blog posts abound and eventually mine will as well, at http://www.fortmyerspublicrelations.com. Coming back for the Naples Winter Wine Festival next year? If so, I'd love to treat you to lunch at Angelina's Ristorante (www.angelinasofbonitasprings.com)
Posted by: Ginny Cooper | June 18th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Dear Martha: It was a joy to have you participate in TWTRCON. Many of our attendees told me that they were very impressed with your social media insights, your business acumen, and with your delightful personality and sense of humor. Thank you for being an inspiration to business and media entrepreneurs everywhere - Tonia | @tonia_ries
Posted by: Tonia Ries | June 18th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Bravo Martha! I love how you have embraced technology and how you continue to evolve in your business and make the best of them! this is what makes you successful! You do not ignore the new and embrace it while staying authentic! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: amanda | June 18th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I so enjoy your Twitter posts. While I wish you you would tweet a little bit more, I always look forward to seeing your tweets pop up in my feed especially the Twitpics.
I'm really happy to see F & S back tweeting again too!
Posted by: Sonya W. | June 18th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I LOVE the "Macy's Fashion Challenge" video!! It is witty, creative and VERY FUNNY! You should host Saturday Night Live...you have great comedic timing. Cheers, Rose
Posted by: ROSE | June 18th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
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Wheww!
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I've been away too long! I'll have to get back into the home saddle and catch up with your stories!
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Hope you are having happy days all along the way! Will try to catch hellos with you on radio Wednesdays throughout the summer!
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With love,
AJS and the Weimaraners
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Posted by: andrea spencer | June 18th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Hi Martha,
I think Jess has the right idea - I follow a few people who do the same. Friendliness is what initially engages me and then of course I become interested in whatever else they have to offer whether it is a product or just a visit to their blog. The minute someone spams me in an email though, I stop following them.
~
I'm with Sonya W. 'I wish you would tweet a little bit more.' Enjoy Turkey! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 18th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Hi Martha,
It was a pleasure to watch you at TWTRCON on Monday. You and your colleagues at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia are industry leaders in your adoption and usage of social media and it was a pleasure to hear you speak about why these platforms, specifically twitter, matter to you and your business.
My colleague, Ben Whitford, covered your session for SmartBlog on Social Media, a SmartBrief blog, and he distilled key takeaways from your presentation here: 4 social-marketing tips from Martha Stewart, http://ow.ly/1ZmA9.
Our readers have been actively sharing this piece and learning from your example.
Thank you for being a model of a forward thinking executive!
Best,
Emily Molitor, SmartBrief
Posted by: Emily Molitor | June 18th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
love the shoe pic
Posted by: Wendy | June 18th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
A twitter I am not
A comment I will leave
Especially when I enjoy the web works. Martha you always keep me coming back..Kudos to you and your
staff.
Posted by: CB Ballard | June 18th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Hi Martha, Thanks for another technology blog. You are one super intelligent person who knows how to do almost everything and you do it all extremely well. Tweeting for 5 minutes daily is probably all you can do with all of the other fantastic things that you do. I love reading all of your tweets and your fabulous blog. These photos once again are really great. I would love to see a video of your twitter interview. I'm sure it would be extremely worthwhile. Sure hope you and Kevin have a safe trip to Istanbul and can't wait to read your tweets and blogs about this trip. Thanks again for all you do for all of us. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 19th, 2010 at 12:44 am
you are one of those influential people... you have changed the way many of us look at food and entertaining and we are happy to follow you!!!
Posted by: Punctuation Mark | June 20th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Twitter is a very powerful tool and it's nice to see large companies and influential people such as yourself embracing this new technology.
Cute shoes btw! Have you seen Toms Wedges?
Posted by: Nadia Carriere | June 20th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Martha Stewart is my hero. I am still not convinced of Twitter as a necessary aspect of my overwhelmingly busy "e-life", but I appreciate reading her candid opinions from this blog. Twitter needs more professional editors. I can't figure the place out and am just waiting for something better to come along.
Posted by: Richelle | June 21st, 2010 at 3:02 am
Hi Martha,
From where do you get most of your Twitter followers? Your Martha Stewart website? Also, thank you so very much for letting me take a pic of your fab riding boots when you were in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the annual Canada Blooms flower show. You sold out the house! You have to return next year with decorating stuff. I do not know how you seem to be in good spirits all the time. You are a joy. Here is the shoe pic / blog link. http://maydelory.wordpress.com/category/shoes/
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | June 21st, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I saw the pic last week in this post of those very fetching shoes! but forgot to mention it. Just clicked through some of the pics again 'cause they are so great. Oh, to live just part of your exciting life! Just a part of it. Take care!
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | June 21st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Martha,
It was great meeting you before your spectacular (and funny) keynote. My beautiful wife Heather (Twitter: @heathermcpike) very much enjoyed meeting you as well, and the shoe attention made a nice memorable event for us on the day before our 8th wedding anniversary. For those unaware, my wife Heather's shoes are featured alongside Martha's in picture 3 above.
All thanks to my great fortune to have such a FUN position in social media at AT&T that it afforded us the chance to meet. Only in social media!
Thanks again and best wishes,
Shawn
Posted by: Shawn McPike | June 21st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Hi Martha:
This is my first time to do this. Wish me luck
Posted by: Debbie Troxel | June 22nd, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Dear Martha,
Your T.V. programs and web sites are AWESOME.
I love your recipes,cakes,cookies,dinner meals
the works.Your Decro. and craft programs are out of this world.THANKS.Ilove your dogs.
KEEP IT UP GIRL U GOT IT GOING ON.
Posted by: Aicia Holloway | June 23rd, 2010 at 12:02 am