A Day Spent with 140 Characters – Part 1 #140conf Takeaways

Its a few minutes before midnight as I begin crafting this post and I just wrapped the first of two days with one of the most eclectic group of Twitter Characters via the #140conf in NYC.  Over 60 personalities were on hand to share their perspectives on Twitter’s role in shaping the “State of Now”.  It was an incredible time filled with intensely passionate debates, hilarious rants, live musical artist performances and heartfelt stories of social good.  The learning and inspiration was not limited to the featured Characters themselves, but was also found in the serendipitous chats with my fellow Tweeps throughout the day.  

I’ve previously stated that Twitter, and social media in general, is about passion + sharing = community.  The conversations I heard and partook in so far have elevated and enhanced my thinking on this concept ten-fold.  In this spirit, I’ve attempted to capture and share with you one key takeaway from many of today’s keynote speakers and panelists in hopes it will inspire you to join and continue the conversation.

@jeffpulver – “The State of Now” Opening Remarks

“We now have democratized access to information where anyone and everyone’s voice matters”

@jack – Jack Dorsey, co-founder & Chairman, Twitter

“Expect the unexpected and when even possible, be the unexpected” (quote)

@timoreilly – “What Twitter Has Taught Me” Keynote

“Media is about serving the community – create more value than what you capture”

@fredwilson – “The Power of Passed Links and Earned Media” Keynote

“Links are the currency of the Internet; passed links (via Facebook and Twitter) are becoming the most powerful social and economic forces”

@johnborthwick – “The Twitter Ecosystem”

“Quality, innovation and sustainability will help the make the ecosystem function better”

@DavidSaranga – “The Use of Twitter for Diplomacy”

“You can’t hide behind the institution – you need to show your human face to the world”

@petermckay – “The Effect of Twitter on Newspapers” Panelist

“120-125 is your true character limit if you really want to make room for conversation” (think Re-Tweets, additional comments)

@jboitnott – “The Effect of Twitter on Newspapers” Panelist

“If you follow the right people, they can curate the Web for you”

@howardlindzon – “Living in a Twitter World”

“Having the right community provides a tremendous platform to expand the conversation and create value”

@shelly_palmer – “What Twitter Means to TV Shows / Producers Moderator

“Twitter is the electronic mob mentality – you can instantly find out what people are interested in”

@gavinpurcell – “What Twitter Means to TV Shows / Producers Panelist

“Getting Twitter means you know it’s a conversation – be open, interesting and available”

@lizstrauss  - “Marketing for the Eavesdroppers”

“If you really know and live your product, promotion comes naturally; make your Tweets short, fun and something your mother, brother or sister would feel proud to pass on”

@lebrun – “The Effects of Twitter on My Business” Panelist

“Listen for the point of need – people express their needs on Twitter more than anywhere else”

@Zappos – “The Effect of Twitter on My Business” Panelist

“The company’s brand and the company’s culture are 2 sides of the same coin; Twitter is a fantastic way to share that culture with others through friendships that deliver branding and long-term relationships over time”

@someecards – “The Effect of Twitter on My Business” Panelist

“The art of Twitter is to keep your voice, but not make it feel like advertising”

@maegancarberry – “Possibilities of Bi-Partisanship on Twitter”

“The social contract has changed – individuals can now be for a particular issue or hashtag, regardless of party lines”

@scobleizer – “Twitter as a News Gathering Tool” Moderator

“People are starting to care as much about global now, as they once did about local – real-time analysis will continue to improve and only help make it better”

@anncurry – “Twitter as a News Gathering Tool” Panelist

“Reporting is a service job, about taking care of people…must stay focused on searching for the truth”

@JohnAByrne – “The Business Week Perspective on Twitter”

“Engagement and Community are two of the most important things journalism can do; it’s not a product, but a process that makes the audience a collaborator”

@jmajes – “The Story Behind CNNBREAK”

“We’re all news people – start asking what’s happening and telling the stories behind the breaking event”

@jer979 – “Twitter as a Strategic Relationship Building Tool”

“Build relationships so you can earn the right to have more time with individuals, learn from them, and have deeper engagement”

@1000TimesYes – “Twitter and the End of Music Criticism”

“There is enough room in 140 characters to have good writing”

@JeffreyHayzlett – “Kodak and Twitter: What We Are Learning”

“Twitter is changing the measures from eyeballs and ears to hearts and minds” (quality vs. quantity)

@AudreyMcClellan – “Moms Who Twitter” Panelist

“It’s an amazing thing to have community around the clock and experience life with others who can truly relate to your current situation” (mom of 4)

@Pistachio – “Twitter: A Love Story”

“Twitter runs on love; it is full of little trivial interactions wanting to be discovered and known – helping us all find out what we have in common”

@peggyolson – “Twitter and Mad Men” Panelist

“Think about building community – not broadcasting; Listen to what counts; Crowdsourcing is your friend (ask people for things); Stay on Message and hire the right people (some born to do it, others absolutely not)

@bettydraper – “Twitter and Mad Men” Panelist

“Respond to your fans and incorporate them into Twitter storyline”

@ajkeen – “Twitter’s Power on the World”

“We are witnessing a shift from the organization/institution to the 21^st century individual – individual brands are now surpassing corporate ones”

@adventuregirl – “Making of a Twitter Celebrity” Panelist

“Never give up control or your product, brand or voice”

@ijustine – “Making of a Twitter Celebrity” Panelist

“Not all conversations need to be made public”

@UpbeatNow – “ThinkTweet: Books that Tweet”

“People want to consume and share in bite-size chunks; if you want to create a really powerful idea, you have to put care and thought into it”

@drew – “Twitter for the Social Good” Panelist

“I’m a cancer survivor who wanted to turn a extremely tough experience into something positive (#blamedrewscancer)

@staceymonk – “Twitter for the Social Good” Panelist

“I believe there is remarkable human potential that is untapped across the globe – amplify the voices of those who are working to change/better the world, but do not have access to the tools”

Believe me there was SO MUCH MORE that I didn’t capture in this brief snapshot…so be sure to do your own search on #140conf for additional perspective from these and many other Characters.  Stay tuned for Part 2 of my #140conf takeaways. #smcatl #socialmediaclub #140conf