Do you Tweet? Are you on Facebook? Are you bloggin’? There’s a whole new world of communication and everyone has a voice. It’s the world of social networking, and you just need to get hooked up.

Remember the days of playing telephone? Mom would tie a string to the end of two paper cups and magically you had a way to connect with a buddy. Yes, technically, there were challenges with that model. But now all you have to do is set up your Twitter account, and get “Tweeting.” Think of Twitter as a micro-blog, documenting your life in 140 characters or less, and allowing you to read what is unfolding instantaneously in the lives of others.

Facebook is another hot tool. Open an account, and in about five minutes you’ll be reconnected with former co-workers, college buddies and high school sweethearts. Like it or not, your worlds collide on Facebook.

Why Tweet or FB? Connection. You can find friends, customers and even a new job on Twitter. And a warning for you all — it’s addicting. I’ll admit when Ryan Squire, NBC 4 content acquisition manager, offered to help me set up my Twitter account, I had no idea what he was talking about. Now, I can’t stop Tweeting.

At NBC 4 we use Twitter to connect with our customers. We deliver breaking news, share story ideas and ask for viewers’ opinions and feedback. It works, and brilliantly, I might add.

The New “Girl Talk”
The typical “play date” used to revolve around the park and a good, strong cup of coffee. Now it wouldn’t be complete without a Blackberry. Moms all over are blogging, Tweeting, and constantly updating their status on Facebook and I LOVE it! It’s a perfect way for moms to connect, share advice, promote their blogs and, of course, vent.

Every morning I hop on Twitter and see what my favorite bloggin’ moms are talking about. Marcy Wagner with www.stretchingabuckblog.com uses it to boost her blog.

“As a blogger, I love Twitter for many reasons. It has enabled me to connect with business owners and public relations representatives, some of whom have ended up advertising on my blog,” Wagner says.

There’s a softer side to Tweeting, too, such as finding new friends or engaging in some fabulous “girl talk.” We moms constantly exchange advice, support and especially laughs. Danielle Smith of www.extraordinarymommy.com blogs about the joys of motherhood, and says “it’s an opportunity for me to reach out and for others to reach in. I treasure many of the relationships I have cultivated. I may not know faces, but I do know ‘lives.’”

You Are Cordially Invited
There’s no engraved invitation required at the door and no initiation fee to join the world of social networking. Just log on, open an account, and get Tweeting. First thing — find us at NBC 4. You can start with me. Here’s my contact information and we’ll get you all set up with the NBC 4 crew.

EllieNBC4 on Twitter
www.wcmhblogs.com/ellie  
Ellie Merritt on Facebook

We’ll see you on the Tweet side!

Watch Ellie Merritt weekdays on First at 4 at 4 p.m., NBC 4 at 5 p.m. and NBC 4 at 5:30 p.m.

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