Hi LBpodcasters and Techies! (And wannabe's like me!)

I just scooped up LongBeachTweets.com and soon it will forward here:
http://www.meetup.com...

LONG BEACH TWEETS!

When: July 11, 2009 7:15 PM
The LBC - downtown Long Beach!

Please RSVP "yes" with your http://Twitter.com/Th... (your account) in your comment box.

Note: The BEST way to get hold of me is via theprimespot@aol.com Subject Heading JULY TWEETUP
or LONG BEACH TWEETS!


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The TAKE FIVE with http://twitter.com/Lo... 's MELISSA KEYES ( http://twitter.com/Me... ) will be posted to the Message Board shortly AND sent to members of this meetup group - you!

LBtweets: Long Beach Tweets!

Below is a "Take Five" between myself and MelissaKeyes of @LongBeachWater After seeing Melissa's tweets I started following her and eventually asked her to be in The SPOTlight at LBtweets.com a Meetup for SoCaL tweeters (or wannabe's) right here in Long Beach on July 11th. Melissa first learned of Twitter.com via a trade magazine. At July 11th's meetup in downtown Long Beach, we're going to learn how Melissa (and you!) utilize tweets, work aside!


KaRi: Thanks for replying to my Take 5 and Meetup opportunity, Melissa!
How long have you been tweeting on Twitter.com ?

Melissa: My husband will tell you it’s been forever, but it has only been since November 2008.

KaRi: How would you describe Twitter to someone NOT on the internet?

Melissa: Remember passing notes in class? This reminds me of an electronic version – but you follow people, and they follow you. That’s why it’s important to remember that people can and will read what you “tweet” and some will pass it on.

KaRi: I podcasted about it in 2007 while covering the New Media Expo in Ontario, CA.

When did YOU learn of twitter?

Melissa: I started paying more attention to it last year. I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to communicate our message, and this was certainly intriguing to me on many levels.

KaRi: LBwater.org is the organization you Tweet for. Tell us about how
you utilize www.twitter.com/LongBeachWater in your public education and awareness
strategy. I assume you're in the Marketing Department?

Melissa: yes, I am in the Public Affairs division – of which there are two of us. Between my boss and I, we cover all of the media released, be it thru print, web, video. In tweeting for LBWD, I try to make it personal – it’s not just a bot on the other end of the tweet. I use it to tell people about the current drought conditions and water shortage issues we are facing. I like to send out reminders that it’s not a water day or it is, but be mindful not to over-water. Simple concepts like this go along way. This is a great opportunity to spread the word, make new connections, and be a part of the community we serve.

KaRi: I notice your tweets all over Twitter.com YOU seem to have the pulse on the local LB twitter community.
Who/how many do you currently follow on twitter.com/LongBeachWater and who do you find follows you?


Melissa: I like to say our tweets have a gravity flow throughout the entire city…and for the most part they do. We have (right now) about 1650 followers and we follow about the same amount. There is no rhyme or reason to the type of followers we have, or people that we follow, they range from professional, to local media groups, to #LBC (long beach residents), to other water agencies (of which I like to think we started most of this trend) and people who are into the environment.

KaRi: In addition to this Take Five, has the Twitter account attracted partnerships and
other professional opportunities? What do you see forthcoming?

Melissa: Absolutely – I value the relationships that we’ve developed with the other social media minded groups such as 562Citylife, LBpostdotcom, ThePrimeSpotdotcom, LongBeachCity, etc. We have come to appreciate the efforts of our residents to make Long Beach a more beautiful place to live and work and we would rather be a part of the solution than just another city entity. I am sure that we will partner with the other groups on projects where our help/input can make a difference. We are always open to new ideas.

KaRi: Do you use any twitter "applications" on the Long Beach Water account? If so, which?

Melissa: No, it’s all about being real. Our tweets are it. We “man” our account and try to be as responsive as possible.

KaRi: What surprises you most about Twitter?

Melissa: I would say how it’s equally loved and hated – people who use it, love it; people who haven’t ventured into it yet, probably won’t.


Follow Us! www.twitter.com/ThePrimeSpotcom (KaRi) ; www.twitter.com/MelissaKeyes and www.twitter.com/LongBeachWater

This interview was great, visit www.LBtweets.com to see it on youtube.

In addition to Melissa being interviewed in HD video, she had no problem
hopping onto Live Internet TV and repeating it right them and there.
Within a dozen minutes or so she had 32 viewers from around the world!