I read and process about 150 business emails on a daily basis and look at over 80 websites. Adding any social media activities to this already heavily multitasking type schedule is overwhelming. I feel first and foremost I need to be responding to clients and scheduling projects with our team. I tried delegating this social media aspect to my assistant and that just didn’t work. I think social media is something one personally needs to do. It’s kind of like sending my assistant to a networking meeting – it’s not the same as me being there in person.

I gotta tell ya, this twittering is like texting on steroids. I’m still weighing out the time vs. benefit. Stats show that 60% of people who start on Twitter become Twitter Quitters. The piece I find fascinating is that it can be educational and easy to find resources with Twitter search. The company is growing rapidly and new uses for it are developing all the time. So, we’ll see what transpires in the next few months.

The first thing I noticed on Twitter was how many people started following me that are supposedly Twitter experts. They asked me to sign up for their Ebooks, Ezines and Courses all about making money with Twitter. This just added to my state of being overwhelmed. Then I became afraid that I wasn’t doing it right.

I started to wonder why some strange people were “following” me. It’s weird to think that, I know! What’s the point of having thousands of followers? I don’t just automatically follow everyone who follows me. I’m only interested in following people who have something of interest to me. For example, if I look at their tweets and they mostly say “having a bagel for breakfast” or “looking for something to do” or repeated self-promotions – I do not follow them. I unfollow people who tweet every few minutes about nothing. The ones I like to follow have current marketing tips, web trends, good resources, links to articles or quotes.

I downloaded several tools and apps for Twitter like Tweetdeck and Tweetlater. Another learning curve here as there are a gazillion apps out there. Now I’m trying Twitterific. I also downloaded the Twitter widget for MAC and that’s pretty handy. When I post on Twitter it’s supposed to show up in Facebook but if I post on Facebook it will not show up in Twitter.

Below are just a few items I’ve “tweeted” about in the past in no particular order.

# Just finished reading The China Study – extensive research and startling truths about what we’re eating.8:23 AM Jun 2nd from web

# Client Relationships – funny and true! http://bit.ly/DCwfL2:39 PM Jun 1st from web

# Wine & theatre event Quilters musical in downtown Denver http://bit.ly/smGg312:04 PM May 29th from web

# New blog post: Five Web Faux Pas to Avoid http://bit.ly/MNFdH6:48 AM May 27th from Twitter Tools

# Savvy Web Marketing in 5 minutes http://thewebmuse.com/blog/12:03 PM May 22nd from web

# List of website tools and resources http://bit.ly/BF59s11:53 AM May 21st from web

# “Family isn’t only blood – it’s the friends you love, across the generations.” – Michael Caine11:45 AM May 20th from web

# Q&A Laptop Cafe in Denver today at 2:00 – always learn lots of useful info http://www.creativemarketin…11:48 AM May 19th from web

Leave a comment below about your likes, dislikes and experiences with Twitter. I’m always learning! You can follow me on twitter here: www.twitter.com/webmuse

Are you a creative type? Me too! Having a creative mind can be both a curse and a gift. With so many ideas and business offerings buzzing inside our heads, we often experience headaches and euphoria simultaneously. We want to tell or show everyone all the many things we do.

Those of us with websites, blogs and ezines may want to showcase lots of products or services with too much text. You’ve seen the websites I’m talking about – too much text, too many calls. The reality is that simpler really is best.

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and been presented with way too many choices? It’s early in the morning or late in the day and you just don’t want to think about what to order. How many times have you ordered off the handwritten sign with just 3 choices because it was easiest? I know I’ve done that many times when my brain is just too tired to think.

Let’s use The Web Muse site and Muse News as one example for you. We have many pages trying to tell you everything we do. There’s web design, marketing, consultations and MORE. In addition, we have lots of free content and resources so the site is of value. The curse is putting too many words on the pages and knowing that people scan rather than read online. On the Home page in particular it’s best to keep the text brief yet get your message across to visitors.

In the Muse News it’s so tempting to share ALL the latest resources and information. Once again, getting carried away with too many words when the majority of readers are “scanning” this online. When I write beyond my self-imposed 2-page limit I put those new thoughts, ideas and resources into the next month’s issue. This works great because then I’ve got a good start on the next issue. This might work for you when you find yourself feverishly writing too many thoughts or ideas.

If you’re not seeing results from your website, blog or ezine – then try simplifying. You may be surprised by the response and the results. I would enjoy hearing from you on your tips for simplifying and may share those in a future Muse News.

I often hear from weary website owners that they just don’t have the time to market their websites. Thinking about doing this in large chunks of time can be overwhelming. Just the thought of it may discourage you from taking any action at all. So here’s a challenge for each of you. Do you have 5 minutes? Here’s what you can do in 5 minutes:

1. Go to any website – just pick one out of the blue. Preferably someone you don’t know. Be brave. Pretend I’m there holding your hand (grin).
2. Send the owner a friendly email and compliment him/her on a great site.
3. Indicate that you are looking for help. Remember people LOVE to help. Your single question may look like one of these:

• I need your help. I wonder if you could give me one idea for getting more clients in the area of _______?

• Would you mind giving me some advice? I’d like to know some techniques you’ve used to attract your ideal customers.

• I’d sure appreciate it if you could take just a moment to help me. My target audience is _____ . Do you have any ideas on ways that I could best reach that particular audience?

Thank them for their five minutes of time and close with your email signature. If their postal mailing address is on the website you may want to send them a handwritten thank you with your business card.

Now, go off and celebrate. Take a walk, take a nap, pat yourself on the back. You’ve done it. You spent five minutes working on your website. Well done!

It’s fast, it’s fun and easy! Click on the icon that says, “Leave a Comment” below and let others read about your five minutes of marketing.