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Smartphone in hand, tweeting from a committee room in the N.C. Statehouse, Rep. Tricia Cotham is posting to Twitter about education debates and votes. Meanwhile, she's getting updates from journalists about decisions down the hall.
“Facebook and Twitter are a good way to let folks know what is going on and get feedback and questions,” says Cotham, a Democrat who represents southern Mecklenburg. “You can get to people. It's fast, relevant and real. You get to know people better.”
Twitter has landed on the June 15 cover of Time magazine. It's made headlines for helping organize protesters of the Iranian election.
And naturally, Twitter – which revolves around 140-character messages about what the sender is doing right now – is growing in popularity in southern Mecklenburg, Union and York/Lancaster. Other social networks are gaining as well.
“The chances to put this to good use in business and community ways are endless,” says Mark Weber, who uses Twitter for his south Charlotte neighborhood and his business.
We asked readers about their experiences on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networks. Here's what they had to say.
The legislator
Besides tweeting on Twitter (@tricia cotham), Cotham posts to Facebook about likely cuts to the state budget.
“I was able to put my beliefs as a legislator on Facebook and let people know how horrific and terrible these cuts are. People can offer support or leave negative comments,” she says. Facebook is all about setting up profiles and “friending” others so they can have access.
The Democrat also has used Facebook to check backgrounds of potential staffers and volunteers, post press releases and even keep up with former students from when she taught at Independence High School and was an assistant principal at East Meck High.
A music maker
Scooter Abrams likes to check out a new band's sound by visiting its MySpace page and listening to tracks they've posted. Some casual users have cooled toward MySpace, which is similar to Facebook in that users create profiles and connect with friends. Abrams owns One Stop Live, which books bands for events like the Rockin' n' Reelin' concert series in Pineville.
He likes Facebook to publicize events, build a name for his company and connect with potential clients.
“I wouldn't rely solely on it to get the message out, but it's a great tool to promote your company for free…” Abrams says. He also likes Facebook to help organize his 20-year high school reunion and track down old classmates.
The pastor
Staff at fast-growing Elevation Church in south Charlotte and uptown have been Twittering under @elevationchurch for a couple of weeks. They say it's a good way to connect with their relatively young flock.
“It builds a level of confidence that we're connected with the culture,” says Larry Hubatka, creative pastor for Elevation Church, which draws more than 5,000 weekly. It's also helps track ideas.
Here's how Twitter can work for Elevation Church: 29-year-old Pastor Steven Furtick, writing under @steven furtick, posts a thought or a possible line for his next sermon. Then his staff can track how many times it is posted by others on Twitter. “It helps us look at trends,” Hubatka says.
A community
Amber Johnson Logan, director of the Ayrsley Chamber of Commerce, set up Facebook and Twitter accounts (@AyrsleyChamber) for the southwest Charlotte mixed-use development this spring.
She says it's better than e-mail blasts for connecting the diverse groups that live, work and play in Ayrsley.
“I use both Facebook and Twitter to build a stronger sense of community here in Ayrsley,” Logan says. “I find that people can get to know each other as neighbors, and businesses can also let the community know what is new or interesting in their space.”
An HOA leader
After an attempted break-in at his home, Mark Weber discovered his Providence Arbours neighborhood didn't have a Web site or an easy way for neighbors to communicate. So he helped set up the Web site and a Twitter account (@provid arbours). So far, social networking has helped recover a lost cat and start a conversation with nearby neighborhoods about a fox and coyote problem.
Weber, of the Darton Group financial consultants, uses LinkedIn, where professionals and businesses set up profiles with resumes and recommendations. It's a good, “cost-effective” way to attract attention and find talent.
The school
Ken Buck of Ballantyne set up Twitter and Facebook accounts for the Chesterfield County, S.C., schools (@ccsd_sc). They came in handy during a school lock down. “I was able to provide immediate and current information for parents and the community,” says Buck, the district's public information officer.
The expert
Internet expert Brian Howard, whose resume includes Monster.com and Hot jobs.com, says Twitter can be annoying with its 140-character limit per message, and also gossipy and pointless.
As an independent Web 2.0 consultant, he helps companies figure out how to use sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to find potential recruits.
He likes Facebook for backgrounding people. His advice to serious users: If it's not something you want potential employers to see, make the page private. It does let employers know you're involved in Web 2.0, attractive to most these days.
He also recommends professionals keep a LinkedIn profile to stay connected if you leave your company.
The hotelier
The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge joined Twitter last month as @BallantyneHotel. It's a way to stay current on news and trends and interact with guests, says Christina Argeris, public relations manager.
“With Twitter, we love that it is real-time, quick and easy to use,” she says.
Staff writer Celeste Smith contributed.
