Each week, I’ll try to interview one of the biggies on Twitter … the Twitter Elite. This week’s interview is with @wbaustin or Bill Austin:
Name Bill Austin
Location Phoenix, Arizona
Web http://www.azhttp.com/
Bio Bill Austin Ramblings and News from Phoenix Arizona. SEO SEM Internet Marketing Social Media Advertising Public Relations Strategy Search Engine Optimization.
When this interview was posted, @wbaustin had over 89,000 followers.
How long have you been on Twitter?
A little bit over two years. I joined on March 1, 2007, the day that Robert Scoble told a crowd in Arizona that Twitter was the next big thing.
Article and picture here:
http://quotes.wordpress.com/2007/03/02/robert-scoble/
How did you find out about it?
Robert Scoble told the “Revolution in Marketing Conference” in Phoenix Arizona that Twitter was the next big thing.
What Twitter client do you use? And why do you like it?
I use the web client and http://search.twitter.com/ most of the time but I have installed tweet deck on a couple of our computers and use it from time to time.
I am less productive in Tweet Deck than most people appear to be and way less productive than in the web interface but that could just be me. I’m the guy who was still using command line DOS and UNIX for everything when Windows 95 was released.
What do you use Twitter for mostly?
I tweet about news, quotes, jokes, recipes, politics, startups, clients, other work related things and my non-profit activities. I use the search function to keep up on what is happening and what is hot. I use DM a lot when it is working to conduct private conversations with individuals and use Skype and the telephone for that when DM is broken (The better part of each day.)
What do you attribute to your large number of followers?
I used to run some of the largest topical mailing lists in the world. Out of the 2,000,000 e-mail addresses on those lists, I have invited a small percentage to join twitter and have followed those who are already using twitter. I may never get around to cleaning up those lists, uploading and inviting all of those people but if they really want to follow me, they are welcome to do so. I believe that people continue to follow me because of the diversity of what I tweet. There is something for everyone and although they could do without the Swine Flu Jokes, they want to be sure to catch the next Slow Cooker Recipe or the next event announcement happening in their neighborhood. Once or twice per week, someone will send me a note about the volume and that they have to stop following me but the majority seem to be fine with what I am doing.
What tip(s) would you give others for Twitter success?
Get on Twitter. Get your profile filled out and personalized. Engage other people in conversations that are helpful and interesting TO THEM.
Would you ever pay for additional services from Twitter? If so, what services?
I might or might not, depending on the value of those services to me. I have not yet found a compelling reason to pay for LinkedIn. The upgraded or additional services would need to have a high perceived and actual value.
In 140 characters or less, what has Twitter meant for you personally?
Twitter is the second most fun thing you can do with your clothes on. @evliving says dancing is the most fun you can have with clothes on.
Thank you, @wbaustin! You can follow @wbaustin at:
http://www.twitter.com/wbaustin
Please tell him @TweeterTips sent you!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Good evening Jason,
Thanks for inviting me to do this interview. It was a fun and enlightening experience for me. You asked some great questions and drew out some thoughts and ideas from way back in the dusty corners of my brain.
Bill Austin