Debra Kasowski

The 5 “Rights” of Using Twitter Effectively for Business

by Leave a Comment

Social media is where the action is so if you have not started yet you better get tweeting. Twitter is adding 500K new followers every day. Twitter is real time conversation sharing but it needs to be used with a strategy to be successful in business. There is no sense in tweeting your update if no one is going to pay attention to it. If you do not tweet intentionally, you are wasting value time and even money. Pulcino Passerotto Blu Chat Blog Blue Birds Talking-Vector

To get the most out of the Twitter experience, you need to know the 5 Rights in order to get the biggest bang for your dollar especially if you are hiring someone or the biggest bang for your time.

#1 Right Platform

Is Twitter where you target audience hanging out? Think of Twitter as the real time discussion around the water cooler in 140 characters or less and 120 characters if you want your message to be retweeted. If most of your followers are on another social media platform, is Twitter where you should be dedicating your time?

#2 Right Time of Day

Learn more about your audience. What time of day are they tweeting? Are they only checking their Twitter accounts while they grab lunch or when they are running off to a meeting? Are they checking their accounts early in the morning or after supper? The timing of your tweets can make sure your message gets shared at the right time for the greatest impact.

#3 Right Message

Are you providing value to your audience? What advice or information are they seeking? Content rich tweets are ones that save people money, time, inspire, educate (the how to), or entertain through pictures, articles, external links, or retweets. Give a shout out to those who retweet your content. Everyone loves to be appreciated and to know the information they are sharing is making a difference. Promotion should only be about 10-20% of your tweets otherwise people will unfollow or even block you for blasting their Twitter Feed.

# Right Hash tag

Are you using the right hash tag to get your message out? hash tags not only let people know what is trending on Twitter but it is also a way to promote your business and share valuable information.

Hash tags like #biztip for business tips, #B2B business to Business, #Business for Business news, or #Howto for sharing information can help optimize the way you use Twitter. A hash tag is like a naming convention of a folder with a great deal of information inside. If you use it properly, the information and research inside may boost your business’ bottom line.

#5 Right People

Are you following everyone who follows you or are you being intentional? Are you following people who have not been active on Twitter for a long time? Make room for those who you want to follow you. Ensure you are targeting your messages, hash tags, and messages to your audience. Your tweets say a lot about you and your brand – your reputation. Make it great! Make it memorable.

Twitter can be a very powerful and robust tool to have in your social media toolkit. Know your rights and you will make an impact!

What hash tags do you use to promote your business message?

 

How to Recover from a Failed Conversation

by Leave a Comment

Some conversations leave us feeling empowered whereas others leave us with a bitter taste in our mouths.

There have been some instances after a long hard day that I have dropped into my big oversized chair and wondered what really happened. How did things get so array? Was it two stubborn people clamouring to be seen, heard, and understood?

Self reflection and self awareness are paramount in recovering from a failed conversation. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

  • What role did I play in the conversation?
  • What is the impact does this conversation have on our relationship?
  • Were we discussing something really important?
  • Did I make my intentions known?

It takes a huge amount of courage to own our issues, to share our perceptions, and to apologize for our part in how things went. Often people do not realize the impact of their words. I know people who have carried words said by someone over 40 years ago. One of the biggest challenges is to recognize that what someone says about you is none or your business and nor should you take it personally. It is one person’s opinion. Remember 1 in 7 billion people – so who are you giving your power to. You can only do what is within your power and you do not have to change for anyone else.

Courtesy of Imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of Imagerymajestic/freedigitalphotos.net

Avoidance of the situation or person involved does not solve the issue. You may have heard the phrase, “Do not burn any bridges.” What it basically means is you are better to mend a relationship, keep the connection than to damage it, and let it fester into more than it should be. Also note the world is a small place – you never know who knows who you know. Each person needs to own their own part. Seldom, is it just one person’s mistake. After all, communication is a two way conversation!

It is never too late unless a person has passed on to rectify a situation and to clarify what you really meant to say. Even then you can say it aloud to let it out versus keep it inside of you. There is no room for blaming, complaining, or cursing to say what you wanted to say. They say time heals and you may not forget how you felt but you can forgive yourself and the other person for being human and learning from the experience.

Failed conversations carry an emotional charge to them which tends to make people take comments personally. And yes, the beginning of your conversation it may get a bit awkward but as you speak intentionally – you can turn and failed conversation into one which the other person champions you!

5 Lessons I Learned from TEDxEdmonton

by Leave a Comment

TEDxEdmonton was more than an opportunity to sharing ideas worth spreading. TedxEdmonton is a movement changing the landscape photoof assumptions, challenges, and life! There were so many lessons to share.

Some of the lessons we learn come from the most amazing places. There are some lessons we know and then there are some lessons that keep repeating themselves as a theme or pattern in our lives. Whatever that may be for you, know that the message is for you or one you must disseminate among the masses.

Lessons are gifts  that come in all shapes and sizes.

1. Everyone has a story. Each individual that you encounter in a day has a story that will inspire you or motivate you in some way. You have a story and people are waiting to hear it. Be bold and gather the courage to share your voice.

2. Do not judge a person based on their age, appearance, title or list of accomplishments. See each person for who they are and what they contribute to life. Come from a place of curiosity and learn what motivates people and seek to understand their perspective. You can learn more about their purpose and how you can help them reach some of their goals but also to be a form of encouragement along their journey. People need to be seen, heard, and understood for who they are.

3. The extraordinary is found in the ordinary. If you look at situations and circumstances, you might be led to believe some people have everything that they have because it was given to them. However, when you take time to listen and be present with someone’s story you can prevent yourself from following throughout and perhaps making the same mistakes, you can learn what it is you need to do, and you can develop a humanistic perspective and appreciate where people are coming from. Listening to the stories that were shared made me want to have a conversation with each one of them and ask them more about how they pulled through or what had brought them to the idea and where they are now.

3. Everyone faces challenges and uncertainties. Although some people present the picture perfect life, every person has faced challenges and obstacles that have made them who they are today. Without those challenges, a person does not gain insight and understanding to their own purpose. Challenges and reflections are what I refer to as those defining moments that help us step into who we have yet to become.

4. Take a chance and roll the dice of opportunity. I received an email about a TEDxEdmonton Speaker Dinner in my inbox and thought it would be cool to meet all the speakers and hear more about who they are. I kept thinking about what is it I could share that would be worth spreading and make an impact. I played around with the idea and then my mind had a different agenda that it played around with. Finally, I came to – why not and pressed SEND! I won.  TEDxEdmonton Speaker Dinner Winner

The theme For Certain: Uncertainty for TEDxEdmonton was so appropriate for what individuals are facing today. From the moment we wake up, uncertainty kicks in. I want to commend all the organizers and volunteers for working so hard and putting together a phenomenal event! You have made Edmonton proud!!! It was a pleasure to be surrounded by incredible minds and sharing ideas worth spreading.

What story would you share?

7 Secrets to Staying Motivated to Reach Your Goals

by Leave a Comment

Staying motivated can be tough. For some, the idea of setting goals can be simply overwhelming. The extra demand that would put them over the edge. Achieving your goals does not have to be a daunting task and it should not be.

Courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net
Courtesy of Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net

There are challenges that arise. The challenges should not stop you as the sweetness of success alone should propel you. Think about what is really stopping you: not getting enough sleep, the belief that you need to look and talk a certain way, or even the money in your bank account. Look around you – there are people sleeping more or less hours than you and achieving goals. There are people of all shapes and sizes creating the life of their dreams. There are people with more or even less money than you but they are unstoppable. What is your excuse for not rising to the challenge?

The secrets are out! The solution is a lot easier than you think.

Here is what you can to to stay motivated:

1.  Make IT a game- FUN! Bust out of the routines. Break patterns of boredom. Create strategies or even make a game board so you can have a visual representation of your goal or journey. Make it real! Consider blogging about your journey or sharing it on social media platforms.

2.  Create a compelling reward. What would make the challenge worth your while. Is a day at the spa or a day of golfing and dinner at the clubhouse? What would it be for you?

3.  Celebrate the”small” successes. As you acknowledge all the small tasks or steps you are taking you create a momentum to fuel you through any challenges.

4.  Take at least one action step every day. When you know you are taking action every day you know that in one month you have taken 30 action steps toward your goals. You may have even gotten excited and accomplished more. Do you think you could take one action every day? They do not have to be monumental steps or huge leaps of faith (they can but do not have to) to make an impact. Imagine what could be accomplished in the here and now!

5.  Ink your goals. Write them down on a 3 x 5 business card and keep them in your sight to remind you of what you want to accomplish. This action will help you keep focused and can be used as a tool to make decisions based on your priorities.

6. Find an accountability partner. Achieving your goals can even be more fun when you are helping someone reach their goals at the same time you are striving to meet yours. They can call you on your excuses and challenge you to step up to the plate and push through your fears. They can be there when you need someone just to listen to you as your mindset plays tricks on you (and we know it will).

7. Be aware of your emotions. Do not let how you feel hold you back from the action you know you must take. Sometimes you need to do the things you need to do even when you do not want to. Think about the trash in your home. You may not want to take out the trash but if you did not…what would happen over several weeks? I do not recommend you experiment with this. The point being – you need to do what must be done even when you so not necessarily feel like it.

Motivation is the key to pushing through to success. It helps you  challenge assumptions and dispel any myths you may have been telling yourself. The journey itself is where the greatest excitement occurs. When focusing on accomplishing your goals, reaching the destination just seals the deal! Whatever you do – do not quit!

What do you do to stay motivated when trying to reach your goals? I would love to hear what you do! Share this post with others.

5 Powerful Lessons in Giving a Great Presentation

by Leave a Comment

Have you ever woke up from a dream startled and upright imagining yourself in front of an audience and you did not know what to say? Whether you are in front of one person or many, I have learned that there are several things you can do to make a great presentation. Now wipe the sweat from your brow, what I have to share with you is not rocket science but very simple lessons that can help you take a good presentation and make it great!

  1. Know Your Audience. It is very important to know the 5 W’s and the How of presentations so you can best target your message and make it meaningful. Who? What? Why? When? Where? How?

Who are you presenting to is one of the most important because you want to tailor your content  to relate to your audience so that they can take away some information and implement it into their lives. What stories can you tell them that would resonate the most? Are the attendees there willingly or did someone else send them? What are their interests? What is important to them? What stage of life are they in? What do the need? What challenges may they be facing?Vintage microphone on stage

2. Prepare Your Delivery. Brainstorm your presentation by using a mind map. Create a powerful introduction and end to your presentation. Leave your audience with something to reflect on or make them feel empowered. Find powerful quotes or your own stories to support your key 3-5 points. Avoid telling your audience everything you know on the subject. Otherwise, they make feel that they are being blasted with a fire hose of information. They will not retain what you have said. What is the best method of sharing or supporting your message?

3.  Practice, Practice, Practice, and Practice again. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel about your content. You want to embody your message. Speak with conviction. If you do not believe in the message you are sharing, you will have a disconnect with your audience. They will not resonate with your message. Practice in front of others and get there feedback and adjust your talk as necessary. Practice in front of a mirror and watch you facial expressions and movement. Also pay attention to your tone and the rate at which you speak. It is all the little things that make an big impact in your talk. What are the key points you want to emphasize.?

4. Tell Stories. People love stories! Unless you are an performance analyst or an accountant, you may not fall in love with facts, figures, or stats. You can make facts, figures, and stats come alive through storytelling. Share testimonials of other’s experiences. Every person has a story or lesson in their life that they can share and make an impact. Let people know that they are not alone in their challenges and others face the same issues. How can you build up your audience?

5.  Speak in conversation. Speaking to one or many should be done in a conversation. There should be more “you’s” than “I’s” – the conversation is about them not you. There is also much power in engaging others when you speak of “we” versus “me”. When you speak as though you are conversing with your audience versus lecturing or telling them to do something, you will build trust, rapport, and credibility. People are more apt to listen to what you have to say. They may even start asking themselves questions. If you are talking with many, scan the audience a look at one person and speak to them for a moment or two and then move to the next section. People like to feel you were sharing a message directly to them.

There are books exploding with lessons, techniques, and tips that can help you build and create presentations with purpose and meaning, so that your message resonates beyond your audience.

What is your greatest presentation tip?