Ramblings from the Twitterverse

About eight million people are now Twittering. Twitter, the popular “micro-blogging” social media, site enables Tweeters (Twitter users) to send Tweets, or small bursts of information (140 characters or less, including spaces) to their ‘followers’ (on Twitter, you follow others as you attract your own followers).

Twitter use has exploded over the past year, and every month usage seems to jump exponentially as more web users dive into the Twitter stream. Market research firm Neilson Online says Twitter grew by 1,689% from February 2008 to February 2009. Facebook still dwarfs Twitter in the number of users, but Twitter’s staggering growth is quite remarkable.

What’s to Tweet About?

Some tweeters are engaged in personal conversations, publicly (private messaging is also available in the form of DM, or direct message). While other tweeters use their Twitter ‘stream’ to deliver helpful, entertaining or informative information on a variety of topics. Positioning themselves as ambassadors or evangelists of their favorite topics, many of these tweeters are attracting dozens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of like-minded followers.

To find interesting Tweeples (those who tweet) to follow, browse or enter keywords on your favorite topics in a Twitter search directory such as WeFollow and Twellow.

Want to know what’s on the public’s mind right NOW?

Logging on to Twitter’s search engine enables you to take the pulse of the public at any given moment. Search.Twitter.com posts the ever-changing top trending keywords on its home page. And, you can enter any word into the search box to browse all the tweets on that topic, in real time.

Tech-savvy companies are monitoring Twitter Search to keep an eye on what’s being said about their brands. If a tweeter is complaining about a company’s product or service, it’s not unusual for the disgruntled tweeter to be contacted by a company representative (sometimes within minutes) interested in assisting with problem-solving.

It’s very important for tweeters to be aware that, even though the Twitterverse feels like a big party, what is being tweeted is archived for posterity. Even if you trash (delete) a tweet, it will still live on in the Twitter archives, available in Twitter searches. So, it’s always a good idea to think before you Tweet.

One Northern California-based tweeter learned this the hard way! After being offered a job at Cisco, the person tweeted about their dilemma of receiving a ‘fatty paycheck’ in exchange for a nightmare commute and work they would hate. See Olivier Blanchard's blog post "Losing Your Job in 140 Characters or Less."

It didn’t take long for this poor tweeter to be contacted by someone at Cisco, letting them know that they don’t appreciate employees who hate their jobs.

In shifting economic times, networking and establishing your own personal ‘brand’ is more important than ever. Twitter is packed with entrepreneurial-types, a few even becoming ‘Twitter celebrities,’ attracting hundreds of followers as they tweet about their passion or expertise. Once a large audience is amassed, could making money with Twitter be far behind?

Have questions about Twitter, or just getting started? Drop me a line with your Twitter questions.

Lisa Osborne, creator of Lisa.fm, Leading Edge Talk, is a radio broadcaster and media entrepreneur. Tweeting as @Lisa_FM, the astrology-themed @destinycards y en español @diosadeldestino.

Aren't you a Charmlng Goblin! ♠ Your Trick or Treat Cards Forecast

You are charming this week - starting on Monday, under the sexy 8♥! To make the most of it, set up meetings & dates with those you wish to impress!

By Friday, you'll be handing out or heading out for tricks 'n treats! This week's Goddess of Destiny weekly forecast (based on an ancient system that blends astrology, numerology and the deck of cards) predicts that your Halloween can be a lot of fun.

So plan to get together with your favorite ghosts and goblins for the big night. Just be safe, and avoid too much drinking and other illusion-making festivities. That's because Halloween is ruled by the dreamy 4♥ card, which is ruled by neptune (planet of dreams and illusions). It's a good idea to be extra careful if your Halloween festivities will be held nearby or on the water.

Tune-in to or sign up for the Goddess of Destiny Daily & Weekly one-minute podcasts. Or, get your Daily Card on the GO, follow Lisa.fm on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lisa_FM

Looking for a last minute, easy & inexpensive costume idea? Tune-in to my podcast with Lisa.FM Party Pal Donna Leeds.

Wow - it's LUCKY Friday the 13th!

Are you feeling lucky on this Friday the 13th? Oh, come on - you're not suffering from Paraskevidekatriaphobia (the morbid irrational fear of Friday the 13th), are you? A study published in the British Medical Journal in 1993 actually found that there are people who are reluctant to drive on Friday the 13th and that, in factc, the number of car crashes was higher on Friday the 13th, among the area they sampled.

Not only is 13 believed to be an 'unlucky' number - so much so that buildings taller than 13 stories rarely will include a '13th floor.' But, the number 6 is also unlucky, according to myth. So - FRIDAY, being the SIXTH day of the week - coupled with 13 - has led to the superstition that unfortunate things can happen on Friday the 13th.

Now, given all the talk about The Secret - the DVD/book that talks about the Law of Attraction - basically, what you believe you receive, isn't it time that we start thinking less about any possible bad things happening on a Friday the 13th - and instead focusing our intention on making this a TERRIFICLY LUCKY DAY, regardless of the date?

After all - for talk radio host Don Imus - his unlucky day(s) fell prior to the 13th - he lost his show at MSNBC on Wednesday the 11th (11 is considered a LUCKY number for many) and got fired from his national radio show on Thursday the 12th.


Now - get out and make the most of this very lucky day - Friday the 13th!