Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Grand Twitter Experience

I joined Twitter in December. I had decided Twitter was an ideal way to share snippets of information - beauty, shopping, and fashion bits - with you. It has been that - and more. After three months, here are my initial impressions.

It's a good thing I don't depend on Twitter for my self-esteem! Sometimes, chatting in Twitter is like shouting into dead air. Recently, I asked a question twice and got absolutely no replies. A friend was looking for a new lavender fragrance, and I asked for recommendations. You would have thought that was easy, right? No responses. I realize that my followers are few (259 today), but still...someone must have read it, right?

Speaking of followers, I love them. I do have a few unusual followers. Mister Shuffles, the baby elephant in Australia, may deserve the "most unique" award. Mister Shuffles followed me after I tweeted about him. I now follow him for my daily dose of darling! I follow a cat too. His name is Sockington. He's a hoot! My personal Twitter world includes creatures great and small. I can't figure out why some people follow my tweets. Some cute guys, though. :)

Twitter has been a fun way to keep up with some of the beauty bloggers, makeup artists, and PR gurus I have "met" along the way. I have enjoyed that. I have also read more beauty posts than I used to - simply because I follow the links back to blogger and magazine posts. Twitter has been a great way to follow the buzz. Yesterday I learned from InStyle that supermodel Gisele Bundchen launched Sejaa, a skincare line that upholds her commitment to preserving the environment. When I got home from work today, I was able to follow the link Bobbi Brown's team posted to her appearance on The Today Show this morning. No need to miss fun stuff because of work!

The contest phenomenon on Twitter is amazing. There is a giveaway contest for just about every beauty product on earth (really every product on earth). Seriously, if you like giveaways, you really need to join Twitter. Some gals spend hours a day sharing contest information. I don't know how they do it, but I think it's a great service!

I like to follow the brands I cover here on the blog (a few examples are @AskBobbiBrown, @LieracSkinCare, @NickChavezBH, @LHBeauty). I learn about new introductions and events. I actually think Twitter is far more effective in getting the word out than Facebook. Although it can be time-consuming, Twitter is still faster than checking out all the Facebook posts. You learn to scan on Twitter - fast!

I have made some new cyber-friends too - people I really like. What a great way to connect with people who share your interests!

That is why I recommend that all of you set up a Twitter account. It only takes a few seconds; you don't need a photo; and you don't even need to tweet (except to enter some contests). You can learn some cool stuff! Just don't expect to tweet and hear another chirp out there. Oh, and will you follow me, please, @BTiBeauty? Love you!

Please let me know in the comments if you have a favorite lavender fragrance. I want to know what you think!

Photo courtesy of jivesoftware.com

7 comments:

KathyT said...

I'm still fairly new to Twitter, so I haven't used it too much. I do like it for keeping up with new launches, and I think that it is a great tool for companies to use to get the word out quickly about new products. I forget to check my account though! I do follow you.

As for lavender fragrances, my favorite is still technically a men's fragrance - Caron Pour Un Homme - lavender/vanilla goodness! I love Andy Tauer's lavender for a bracing version. Check out the Now Smell This blog for some lavender recs too.

Charlestongirl said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will pass along those recommendations!

Unknown said...

i have twitter and rarely use it. too lazy to look for my friends, and some people twitter about their every move- i am not too interested in that. Good idea about contests but since i dont have too many followers i would twittering to myself ;)
Lavender scent is so great but I never had it in perfume. I loved the Bath and Body Works old lavender line- it was amazing.

Fab Over 40 said...

I didn't see your question - not on Twitter too often. I don't have a lavender fragrance, but this Kerstin Florian lavender body spray is wonderful.

http://www.kerstinflorianusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KF&Product_Code=14184&Category_Code=

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Anna and Fab!

I am sure my friend has checked out all the "regular" lavenders, like Bath & Body Works and L'Occitane. I could have recommended a spray, like the Kerstin Florian or John Masters one, but I think she was looking for something heavier.

I found a new line at Saks that has one lavender fragrance. I am going over there in the next few days with one of my handy perfume spray sampling containers to grovel for a sample for her. :)

Thanks for helping!

SkinStoreChris said...

I loved reading this post! Glad to have you as a follower on Twitter. Also glad to be following you! If your friend is still looking for a new lavender fragrance, I highly recommend the Melvita Wild Lavender Eau de Toilette. It's perfect for those who love Lavender. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Chris!

Thanks for dropping by! That sounds like a fabulous recommendation. I love Melvita products - a reader turned me on to them. I will recommend that one to my work friend. Now she has a few choices.

And thanks for chatting on Twitter! I'm glad we follow each other. :)