Last summer, the Today Show decided to change their Twitter strategy. They had been using Twitter for over a year, but were simply pushing out links to their content. But after the Olympics, they put a real person behind their account, and they started interacting with the community.
Of course, the Twitter community responded – who wouldn’t want to talk to the people behind the nation’s largest and longest running morning news show? I suggested they do a Today Show segment on Twitter, and kind of flipped when they actually responded back and asked what I thought would be interesting to their audience. I mentioned the breaking news stories, Obama’s savvy election strategy, & how Comcast and Dell were offering faster customer service than someone could get if they picked up a phone. Oh, and by the way, I said, I certainly would be an appropriate guest to talk about it on your show!
I never heard from them again on that idea, but we did tweet back and forth a bit every now and then. I pretty much forgot about that conversation until the morning of February 24th, when I got a Twitter Direct Message from @TodayShow:
“Hey, when you have a chance, call me at xxx. Thank you.”
After I picked myself up off the floor from falling off my chair, I called up Ryan, the show producer. He reminded me of our Twitter conversation, and then told me they were doing a segment on Digital Moms.
And I almost couldn’t believe it.
I had just landed a spot on the Today Show because of a Twitter conversation.
It was a perfect story of social media done right. A company on Twitter with a real person behind the profile. A mom with a good story to tell. And both of us on Twitter for all the right reasons – to not only market ourselves, but to build real relationships, add value and be part of the conversation.
I suspect that the Today Show is going to get a lot of new followers and story pitches thanks to this post. And I bet a few other news shows might, also. But here’s my advice: Don’t expect to land on national TV if you spam these shows with your ideas. Remember, again, that there are real people who run TV shows, and real people don’t like spam.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Get Your FREE 21-Page Internet Business Idea Guide
Enter your name and email below and we’ll send you our unique 21-page guide chock full of Internet business ideas – for free! Your information will be kept private, of course.
Sparkplugging Founder Wendy Piersall is dang passionate about helping people start & grow a business while maintaining life balance (somehow). 
Easton Ellsworth is owner of 
Luckily for me, I don’t want to be on TV;) You did great though and I have always known that you would be a celebrity!
Oh, that’s the story behind it? That’s awesome. I like the way our local ABC station connect with the local community via Twitter too (@abc7). Similarly, they have a real person behind it, instead of just pushing out links. I mean, if they are just pushing out links, I might as well use a RSS reader for the updates, if I actually care enough.
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..Visually Stunning Taiwanese Puppet Video
You are awesome Wendy! I’m so glad I got to hang with you at SXSW.
If I’m lucky I’ll get to see you before next year!
Arunis last blog post..Building A Web Business After Hours
That is really awesome! Watching the video now. Congratulations!
JMoms last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Twilight
Wendy, what a great example. It is so neat how Twitter is connecting companies, individuals and people like this. Inspiring actually.
Sommer @greenmoms last blog post..Teens Go Green For Prom YouTube Contest
Successful companies on Twitter use REAL people to tweet. Everyone likes that special reception (and reaction!), as though they are being spoken to, especially online, with the barrage of “cut and paste.” Pretty soon, those on Twitter who just amass followers and not partake in the conversation will be like the tortoise and the hare.
Okay I’d be picking up more off the floor than myself! WHOHOO! I was all excited to have a phone convo with a PR buddy I met from twitter this week.. so baby steps here..!
@carissa_momif
Carissas last blog post..E is for Ice Cream?? Huh?
I am new to Etsy, learning to create a great site, learning to create my own website, and how to market in the online world. I am so glad to learn that these social networks actually can help promote your business.
Pippis last blog post..Black Wetlook and Brown Fur Bag
wow thats awesome, Twitter does open the doors to a lot of things and thats amazing you got this opportunity great job!
JustinSMVs last blog post..Twitter Spring Clean Up
What a great segment… an awesome plug for women, moms, bloggers, social media, and marketing in general. I loved when you pointed out that marketing has already changed. I am constantly amazed at people that don’t believe that and therefore, won’t jump in. It’s a fun space to be in and I’m with you, this is just the beginning.
@jyl_momIF (Mom It Forward/#gno)s last blog post..Photo Story Friday: The Best Part of On Is Off—The Friend Frenzy That Is Social Media!
started to follow them after reading your post. thanks!
Suzannas last blog post..In Iraq, Chaos Feared as U.S. Closes Prison
Great post Wendy.
Twitter has become a really powerful tool to connect with people from around the globe instantly.
Just last week I was interviewed on radio because of a post I made to someone following me on twitter.
The day after my post I was on air.
Your TV experience is another great reminder for people to get out there!
Daniel Munday – Sydney’s Fat Loss Experts last blog post..Motivation for Your Weight Loss Success
Congrats on the segment Wendy! How fun to be involved in that, and good for you for contacting them with some ideas. I’m sure many of these shows are willing to work with others who can genuinely add value to a piece they are working on.
GoEverywhere Teams last blog post..Workspace Calculator
Thanks so much for this article! I’ve been on the fence about using Twitter to promote my business and am really glad I happened on this post. Great information!
Jens last blog post..My Quiet Book
Cool video. Twitter creates some awesome possibilities these days. My blog got on the CNN website in Asia, thanks to Twitter.
Leighton Cookes last blog post..The zone of unreality and imagination
Wow, that is fantastic. It’s amazing just how far considered and insightful twittering / blogging can take you.
Staceys last blog post..cozy up
Congratulations!
Im new to Twitter but really starting to realise the power of it!
AHotBath, my Diarys last blog post..An opportunity to reflect…