Watch the Birdie!

I used to check my twitter numbers regularly. Once I realized that the number changed even when I wasn’t tweeting, I checked daily. Then I started checking after every tweet – in case I’d said something profound enough to instantly garner a significant following…or any following.

I finally got real. I did not try any of those guaranteed methods of getting thousands of followers in a day. I realized that I was looking for relationships, not numbers, and I (hopefully) started to act that way.

My numbers go up and down (I still see them, I just don’t care.). At one point I’d considered signing up for Qwitter so I’d know when I was losing followers. I decided that was too…let’s just say, too much for me.

I’m more interested in a different aspect of twitter these days. I actually hit 500 followers for a few minutes over the weekend. I wonder how? Oh, I’ve got some followers who are just anxious to show me how to make money online; some who want to show me their nude pics; and some who just seem to be following people…not tweeting, not building a following, just following people. These people (well, not the last group), I understand.

What I don’t get is the real people who follow me. Instead of finding out that people quit following me and contacting them to find out why, I’d really love to DM my followers and ask, “What made you decide to follow @ispecialist?” I guess it’s like the answer to the question about the number of licks to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

…Sometimes I think that’s probably a good thing. Wow, 496!

I’ve noticed that when I have a camera in my hand I find a lot more patterns to photograph than I see when my camera is in my pocket. When the camera’s in my pocket, I at least have the option of taking it out when I think about it. I’m at least a little more prepared than, “That would make an awesome shot. Wish I’d brought my camera.”

It’s all about preparation

Tools in your hand

If you know your business strategy — and have your “elevator speech” on the tip of your tongue, you can be prepared to take advantage of any situation you find yourself in. If you’re prepared and practiced, it’s like the camera in the hand. You’ll find lots of opportunities to use it because you’re ready to use it.

Tools in your pocket

If you have a pretty good idea of what your business strategy is, and have at least practiced your “elevator speech” a few times, you may be able to leverage some opportunities. It’s

like having the camera in your pocket. You’ll have to think about it more than if it were in your hand. Once you’ve decided to do something about it, you’ll have to act fast (get the camera out of your pocket) so that the opportunity doesn’t pass before you get your shot.

Tools in the garage

If you haven’t really thought much beyond, “I gotta make some money. This business will do it for me.... Elevator speech?…I’ve heard of that.” Then, my friend, you are attending a once-in-a-lifetime event — and you’ve left your camera at home.