We took the chat to the community on Open Mic Night to see what was on SBBuzzers minds. Financials, social media and time management were all topics of the evening.
Your summary for November 3, 2009.
- We’re on every Tuesday from 8-9 pm EST. The next chat will be held on November 17th, 2009!
- You can read the instructions on how to participate here: http://sbbuzz.biz/instructions
- Invite others to join in, help them get started. We started this chat to facilitate conversation between small biz owners.
sbbuzz: Rules: 1)NO pitching till end 2)Be nice 3)Stay ON TOPIC! 4)Send ?s for group to me w/o hashtag 5)Use #sbbuzz in all messages 6)Have fun!
sbbuzz: Everyone PAYING ATTENTION? We’re doing things a little different tonight. Asking for 2 introductory tweets #sbbuzzsbbuzz: INTRO: 1st introduce yourself and briefly describe your business #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: TOPIC: 2nd tell us an interesting topic you could lead the discussion on (this is “Open Mic” part – see more @ http://sbbuzz.biz) #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: I help coaches and other small biz owners write content for newsletters, blogs and article sites http://snipr.com/t1pw5 – Intro for #sbbuzz
- sbbuzz: An example from the bee: TOPIC: Using new Twitter lists to organize different groups in a Twitter chat #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz Hi Buzzers! I’m Michelle Riggen-Ransom of BatchBlue Software, maker of BatchBook social CRM for small businesses. #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: #sbbuzz Chris, Help It Crashed Again, Computer repair, small biz web design/branding/building/networking
- KPIOnline: @lindadessau I’m Fernando Labastida and KPI Online provides a hosted business intelligence app. for small business finances #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz Intro 1: Scott Blitstein of eSeMBe – we provide efficiency focused tech services to micro-biz. #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: I’d be happy to help others on #sbbuzz chat to brainstorm article topics you can write that will get you noticed & help grow your business.
- merylevans: Content maven aka writer and editor who plays with words for a livin’ to help clients build relationships and pubs inform. #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @KPIOnline Hello! I owe you an email
#sbbuzz - mcolacurcio: @sbbuzz Intro I – Hi, I’m Maria, a co-founder of Smartsheet, online collaboration with a built-in workforce (crowdsourcing) #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz TOPIC: Using social media for customer service. #sbbuzz
- KPIOnline: @mriggen he he…;-) take your time! #sbbuzz
- calcBob: Our focus is on companies that use email marketing. They often struggle with using spreadsheets to manage their email lists. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: #sbbuzz Desiree Scales here with Bella Web Design. Is this the Halloween Candy Edition? Ok, who’s eating it right now?
- leoraw: Intro: I build websites – for libraries, for small businesses, and for a Rutgers department. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Good job team, getting some good topic ideas! Let’s start w/Q1 @lindadessau how do you brainstorm article ideas? #sbbuzz
- merylevans: SM for customer service depends on if your customers use SM, regularly and for business. Otherwise, use it to network, find new cust #sbbuzz
- desireescales: Q1 We get article ideas from everywhere. Books, online news, friends. Keep your ears open at all times. #sbbuzz
- leoraw: Q1 Here’s an article idea – how to teach someone to use hashtags to make Twitter more useful. How would u approach that? #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz Topic: My current kick is task and time management. #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: Q1 I would divide it into bite-size chunks as if someone has never heard of hashtags, then build up from there. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @KPIOnline Absolutely but I don’t want to cover things other bloggers have necessarily covered. Try to be different. #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz Q1 I sometimes use Twitter to crowd-source ideas/interest levels/research etc. It’s a blogger’s best friend! #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @leoraw Too often I see people try to put too much information into one article #sbbuzz – better to publish more articles!
- desireescales: @KPIOnline Yes, lots of buzzing going on it seems. #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @desireescales I think it’s ok to be writing on the same topics as others, as long as you’re bringing your own slant to it. #sbbuzz
- pmohara: Forgot my intro – Pamela here from @batchblue and co-founder of @sbbuzz Trying extra hard tonight not be an echo of the bee #sbbuzz
- leoraw: @mriggen Yes, sometimes 1 can ask a question on Twitter and get lots of responses…other times, silence. Lots of responses=interest #sbbuzz
- pmohara: @lindadessau Do you find your article topics, or do they find you? #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @lindadessau I agree with you on that. You want to bring your own opinions and view to the table. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @pmohara HA HA HA! Good one! Its like finding a pet…do you choose them or the other way around? #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q2 for @mriggen How do you handle customer service in Twitter? Challenges? Advantages? #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @pmohara A little of both – I look to FAQs, new things I’m learning, and I also look down the line at products I’m developing. #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @KPIOnline We use contests for bunch of stuff and always do write about them mostly b/c it’s fun #sbbuzz
- desireescales: Q2: Most people call me or email if they have an issue. I’ve not really had many use Twitter for issues. #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: I tend to get an eerie silence when asking questions online *tumbleweeds* could do with hints for getting better feedback from ppl #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @pmohara I love when article ideas spontaneously present themselves. Most times it takes a lot of refining to an initial idea. #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz Q2 If it’s a short question, I try & answer but otherwise I redirect to our support email. Too hard to trouble-shoot in 140 #sbbuzz
- KPIOnline: Topic: how can SMBs keep their financial house as tight as possible during the fast growth stage? #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @helpitcrashed You’re just not connected to the right ppl LOL! Ask us every Tuesday and I promise you’ll get an answer! #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz Q2 Customers can be quick to sing your praises and/or voice frustration via Twitter. Need to ABL (always be listening!) #sbbuzz
- leoraw: @helpitcrashed Easier to ask within a chat group like this one. When do you go online? I find ppl responsive at dawn. #sbbuzz
- pmohara: @lindadessau Agreed. I like the finders best. The ones I must go looking for resemble a blank piece of paper for a long, long time. #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: Not been here for a while but will try and get more involved with #sbbuzz again
- lindadessau: @pmohara Absolutely, you can’t force article ideas – but you CAN help them along and increase your “fertility.” #sbbuzz
- leoraw: Regarding articles, I waiver – should I write for the technical audience? or the business audience? Or somehow capture both? #sbbuzz
- nrohrbach: TOPIC: Cross Promotion for Small Biz using social media #sbbuzz
- pmohara: @lindadessau Hey now, I think this might be getting a little personal. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q3 for @scoblitz Show us the time savings! What are you finding helpful for task and time management? #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz Q2 Curious, how many folks here are doing CS via Twitter? #sbbuzz
- flabastida: @nrohrbach What do you mean by cross-promotion? #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @leoraw I wouldn’t try to address both audiences in the same article – make each one feel like you’re addressing them specially #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @leoraw Which audience do you enjoy the most? Who is your ideal client/reader? #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @pmohara LOL!! #sbbuzz
- flabastida: Is Twitter slow right now or #sbbuzz?
- lindadessau: @DesireeScales Especially someone like you – you have such a natural flair that sets you apart! #sbbuzz
- leoraw: @flabastida I think it’s Twitter. I got “over capacity” fail whale twice. #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz Q3: I’m recently fascinated by the Pomodoro Technique of Time Management http://bit.ly/1Rs9Lm #sbbuzz
- merylevans: @leoraw You should write for whomever is reading the resource. Or do you not know who that is? #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: #sbbuzz things are slow/not working/posting
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz yes – search seems off again, and my tweets seem to be missing entirely from #sbbuzz ;-(
- leoraw: @merylevans I just started a new tech/biz blog so I could write for either audience. So I am working at developing the audience. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: I’ve been using http://bit.ly/MjRm1 to manage my time. I learned I could do much better today. #sbbuzz
- finstoryteller: Ok, on the bus again – whats the first question on #sbbuzz tonight?
- mriggen: @scoblitz Pomodoro is one of my favorite words! Don’t know how they help w/Time Management, unless you are eating them in the sun! #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @leoraw What’s your new blog URL? #sbbuzz
- flabastida: The focus for 25 or 45 minutes thing is something I have yet to do – always having Twitter and email on totally distracts! #sbbuzz
- pmohara: @finstoryteller Hi Stewart – we’ve covered brainstorming article ideas, customer service on Twitter & time management. #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @desireescales Rescue Time is amazing. Seeing the disconnect between perceived time and actual time – wow! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: Rescue Time will allow you to block all social media and distractions for as much time as you want. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: The program can alert you if you’ve spent too much time on social media or distractions. Its funny. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @scoblitz I know. I had a real eye opener today when I finally looked at my numbers. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: Time flies when you’re being social! #sbbuzz
- finstoryteller: @pmohara Thx – that’s save me time and given me an idea for an article
#sbbuzz - desireescales: @KPIOnline GTD? #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @mriggen just time yourself while you eat them and you’ll be all set. I’ve been thinking of alternate names but nothing has clicked. #sbbuzz
- pmohara: @finstoryteller glad I can help #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @scoblitz Whoa, Pomodoro is yours? You rock! #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @KPIOnline I’ve read the book and have incorporated some of the concepts but am not fully on board. It’s a big commitment. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Last question (my time is flying!) from @sbbuzz Anyone trying the new Twitter lists? #sbbuzz
- wvpmc: Hi bees – sorry I’m late tonite – just back from a board meeting #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @KPIOnline That’s sad because I’ve read that book. #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @KPIOnline I haven’t read it, but have heard it’s a great technique for some. I think I’m going Pomodoro, if just to say the word! #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @wvpmc Hi Wendy! Welcome to the show #sbbuzz
- flabastida: @finstoryteller just now got your pun! Ha ha! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @wvpmc Hey Wendy! Hope you’re well. Haven’t seen you in awhile (haven’t been around either!) #sbbuzz
- chadweinman: Good evening – Just joining for first time. #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @sbbuzz I set up a new Twitter list, but quickly lost steam b/c I’d have to scroll through 3,000+ to choose ppl (drat auto-follow) #sbbuzz
- BlakeGroup: Jumping in late–had a meeting tonight–hello all! #sbbuzz
- wvpmc: @desireescales missed yoyu last week – everything good? #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @scoblitz I just realized my error. A good Italian invented that technique. LOVE IT! #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @chadweinman Welcome to you, Chad #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @chadweinman Welcome Chad! Glad you’re here. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @wvpmc Couldn’t be better…just busier than a bee! : ) #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @desireescales I think @chadweinman likes wine. That means we like him, right (Hi, Chad!) ? #sbbuzz
- wvpmc: @chadweinman Great to see you! #sbbuzz
- chadweinman: Its true. Whats current topic of discussion? #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz I’ve set up a couple. Your sbbuzz list is better than mine, I’ll be switching to it: http://twitter.com/sbbuzz/sbbuzzcrew #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @mriggen I noticed that as well. Rock climbing too! @chadwinman you fit right in here! (Raising glass!) #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Sorry folks – lot of problems with Twitter. Our new schedule has us wrapping up now – anyone else feel like we just started!?! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @scoblitz How about the Red Wine and Chocolate Technique? That’s where you have to indulge every 25 min. #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @sbbuzz AWWWW! We were just getting going! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @chadweinman We’re discussing time management tools. #sbbuzz
- lindadessau: @sbbuzz Yeah, but this schedule works better for my bedtime #sbbuzz
- BlakeGroup: Catching up on the chat for the past hour—twitter is so slow tonight I don’t think I can chat with anyone in “real” time! #sbbuzz
- leoraw: @sbbuzz Oh, that is too bad. I liked the first half – lots of good questions. #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @DesireeScales I’d give it a shot – seems like it would work for a little while! #sbbuzz
- sbbuzz: And @scoblitz beat me to mentioning our new lists – http://twitter.com/sbbuzz/sbbuzzcrew & http://twitter.com/sbbuzz/sbbuzzspeakers #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @mriggen I responded to this but it didn’t come through. Absolutely! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @sbbuzz Love those lists! I’m honored to be included. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: And if you can read this – commence w/Pitch Time. Please tell us about yourself & your business. #sbbuzz
- merylevans: Sorry — had to multitask with the kiddos. Have a good night all. Connect with me @merylkevans, main ID. #sbbuzz
- scoblitz: @sbbuzz oops – I ruined the surprise… #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: bah, too much lag
#sbbuzz - desireescales: I have my own #sbbuzz list at @desireescales/sbbuzz Ping me if I’ve missed you!
- desireescales: Desiree Scales, owner of Bella Web Design. Web design-main meal Social Media-side dish Hosting-Where it cooks #sbbuzz
- finstoryteller: @flabastida looks like I arrived too late for #sbbuzz tonight – must have been GTD or writing an article or something
- lindadessau: Pitch time on #sbbuzz: How to write a top 10 article that will demonstrate your expertise to prospective customers http://snipr.com/l6f5h
- sbbuzz: @scoblitz No prob. Prime time chats on Twitter are thrills enough! #sbbuzz
- desireescales: More on Twitter Lists at http://bit.ly/3ih1ct #sbbuzz (Unabashed pitch)
- BlakeGroup: @DesireeScales Would love to join your sbbuzz list! Sorry I was late to the chat tonight– twitter was too slow to let me join in! #sbbuzz
- mriggen: @sbbuzz BatchBlue Software – we just launched a Sales version of our social crm and it rules! Go sales! http://bit.ly/inaC2 #sbbuzz
- desireescales: @BlakeGroup Consider your handle added! Thanks…yes Twitter was a pain…. #sbbuzz
- leoraw: Pitch time: Leora Wenger, builder of websites for businesses and orgs, also new tech/biz blog: http://biz.leoraw.com/ #sbbuzz
- BlakeGroup: @DesireeScales Thanks for the add–see you at the next #sbbuzz !!
- wvpmc: @desireescales – nice post on lists – thx #sbbuzz
- helpitcrashed: Thanks for tonight and for tweet adds, will reciprocate, look forward to good content! #sbbuzz Help It Crashed Again http://bit.ly/oBMTX
- leoraw: Thanks for everyone who answered my questions about articles – I hope I get over my writer’s block and move forward with more posts. #sbbuzz
- wordpost: For any #sbbuzz or #smallbiz tweeps: “Details of Obama Small Business Conference Remain a Mystery” (Huffington) – http://bit.ly/2aw7Pn
