Like a lot of Boomers, my client in today’s meeting said that, while he had heard of Twitter (which is not the typical response I’ve been getting so far) – he was shying away from it. He had the same reaction I did initially when I became aware of Twitter.

Who’d want to hear about me going to the grocery store? He asked.

(In my case it was: Who’d want to read: I just took the puppy out for the fifth time today. Or: I just got back from the drive-through at Wendy’s…???)

But I took the plunge and signed on to Twitter. And I admitted to my client that at first I asked myself what I thought I was doing. Did I even belong? Like him, I’m interested in results. Would there be any for me?

For months I’ve been gathering more and more info on things like Facebook vs. Twitter, and how to use blogs, backlinks, linkbaiting, and other social media channels. I feel like I’m in an accelerated MBA program – all it’s costing me is my time, which is considerable.

Actually, being a writer and so not a tech person, I feel like I’m back in Sister Kostka’s freshman algebra class – clueless, lost, and frightened that everyone will notice how little I know.

[Caveat: OK - if you're one of the honors kids and know all about this stuff -- proceed on to the blogs and links that feed your soul.]

I’m talking to people like… well, me… and my Boomer client. And anyone else just becoming aware of things like Twitter – and wondering what it means. Or if it’s worth it.

You see, my client is a very, very successful businessman who has created a second career as a motivational speaker, partner in a web design firm (www.SiteBrandBuilder.com), and poet. I learn a great deal from him. He can see the value of a Facebook page and a profile on Linkedin. He just doesn’t want to be that connected through something like Twitter.

Does he need to be? Not if he’s happy with his scope of success and quality of business and personal life. (And he is.)

Are there downsides to Twitter? Sure.

The benefits of using Twitter as a part of your communication can also provide results you could never imagine.  Let me give you a sample:

A few weeks ago, I read a question on a LinkedIn group that I belong to. It was from Michael Stelzner (www.stelzner.com), the white paper specialist. Michael Stelzner originated the first On-line Copywriting Success Summit last October. I attended the Summit — which was excellent — and have a great respect for Mike.

His question was: Is anybody else addicted to Twitter?

This question became a perfect example that I can use to explain to my clients about how social media is directly benefiting my work. Stay with me.

Doing an online conference in October led me to:

• join the LinkedIn social networking discussion group from the summit conference
• which led me to post a comment on the group discussion
• which led me to read Cindy King’s (www.cindyking.biz) very helpful comments about Twitter
• which caused us to become aware of each other
• which led me to watch her name become more prominent across social media
• and influenced my decision to join Twitter and “follow” this woman, in addition to professionals from the summit already on Twitter
• which caused Cindy King, a cross cultural marketing consultant located in Paris to also follow me on Twitter (@writerdiehl)
• which led me to ask her a question about another social media network in Europe that I’m on (Xing www.xing.com)
• which led to her answer to me by email (which was very helpful) and
• she requested that we have a phone conversation to learn more about what I do (www.marcidiehl.com).

Ultimately, we had a 1.5 hour phone meeting.

This is a perfect example of the result of social media networking.

In one week, I gained a contact and valuable resource, and she learned more about me and my work. We exchanged insights and tips, and plan to keep up our contact via Twitter and the phone. All that was missing was a cup of coffee and a table to sit at. I gained by learning some things I should do for my blogs and website, and how I might seek work on an international level.

I’m using this as one example of how fast this kind of thing can start gaining. I’m still learning – but as I learn, the results can be surprising.

And exciting. And yes – ultimately profitable. In all sorts of ways.

Marci Diehl (www.marcidiehl.com) is an experienced, high-level commercial writer and consultant with an unusual background. She’s a content creator and storyteller who believes it’s not just writing-it’s solutions.

Social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter are taking on many of the functions once completed by email. In the same way text messaging changed the way we use cell phones, Twitters and “status updates” are changing the way we communicate online.

Here are seven reasons social media will make email obsolete.

7. Email takes too much time

Nothing like opening the morning email to find 100 or more emails awaiting your attention. Just sorting them can take up the better part of a morning – least bit reading and responding. While email has made communication easier, it has also made our lives much busier.

6. Email Etiquette demands are greater then with social media tools

Email etiquette stems from traditional letter writing. Salutations and signatures are somewhat expected – at least upon first contact in an email string. Tools such as Twitter, with it’s 140 character limit, don’t allow for such formalities.

5. Email discussions can be hard to follow

Email discussions can often become so long and unwieldy as they get passed from one participant to another that those late to the discussion have no chance of catching up. Add to that the failed “reply to all” and you are soon missing important elements of the discussion.

The basic structure of a forum with the topic posted at the top of the string makes the conversation much easier to follow. Remember how the email user group used to be so popular? Now the discussion takes place in forums.

4. Social Media allows quick communication to the group

Social Media sites make it much easier to broadcast messages to the group. Instead of emailing pictures of the children to each and every family member, they are now easily posted on Facebook pages or Flickr albums.

Businesses are using social media to broadcast content to massive audiences in ways email does not allow.

3. Email can’t accommodate larger files or group access

Ever try to send a video by email? Video hosting services such as YouTube eliminate the bandwidth constraints of many email servers. Forums also allow users to post files needed by the entire group. No need to email each document individually.

2. Social Media Tools are quick and to the point

When you are limited to 140 characters (Twitter), you’ve got to be concise. Get to the point, respond, move on. Twitter also has the advantage of both broadcasting to the group or responding to the individual.

1. NO SPAM!

At least not yet. Spam is one of the biggest reasons many dread opening their morning email. Even with the best filters, it still gets through. Worse yet, spam filters often block the messages we need to see.

Unlike email, social media sites allow us to choose who sends us messages. While social media makes it easier to broadcast to the group, it also makes it easier not to listen.

So while email will always have it’s place, many are finding social media tools filling in for the shortcomings of email.