Many of my closest friends STILL do not get all the hype surrounding Twitter. Yes, tweets can be viewed as glorified Facebook status updates, yet that is really over-simplifying things. Twitter is about engaging, interacting, connecting, networking, branding, and thinking big-picture. I have been on Twitter for 4 months now and have seen the power of this social media outlet first-hand. Allow me to give you a rundown of what Twitter has done for me, personally and professionally. (This is somewhat of a chronological timeline)

To be the best you have to learn from the best; and Ted Murphy personifies success through the power of Twitter and Social Media. I learned through observing Ted and how he conducts himself on Twitter… He’s HIMSELF! He is a leader and people want to follow leaders. His companies, IZEA, SocialSpark, and CloudShout are successful, in large part because of the leader he has branded himself to be. Ted has taught me a lot about maximizing the power of the internet and letting business come to you – by being you!

Calvin Lee was one of the first tweeple to teach me that content is king! I watched his follower count go through the roof literally overnight. I consider Calvin a design, marketing, and branding guru. He knows how to balance casual, engaging conversation with business plugs and is one helluva helpful guy. When you are helpful to others on Twitter, you reap the rewards professionally. His company, Mayhem Studios, is growing and flourishing because of the way he effectively utilizes Twitter.

Joanna Lord was one of the first people I began engaging with when I first got on Twitter. I found her to be incredibly sweet, helpful, and patient with me as I learned “the lingo” and etiquette – which she (and others) guided me through. She was the first who taught me how to ReTweet, amongst other things. She has assisted me in building my online presence and introduced me to Seth Jenks. (read on)

I inquired about how I too could get a professionally done Twitter background and she highly recommended I contact Seth Jenks. Seth is an incredibly talented designer with loads of SEO expertise and marketing know-how. Before we began designing my Twitter background, we set out to effectively brand myself. This is when I was introduced to Adam Smith.

Adam Smith is an award-winning web designer introduced to me by Seth Jenks. He is also the President and Creative Director of a Advent Creative, an Online Business Development Company which specializes in Web Design, SEO, video, and CMS. After several conference calls, brainstorming, and strategizing, I was extremely impressed with Seth, Adam, and everyone associated with Advent Creative. We developed a comprehensive marketing and branding strategy all through initially meeting Joanna Lord.

From day one we worked hand-in-hand developing my personal brand and style. The guys at Advent Creative truly brought my vision to life with both my personal blog, designed by @atsmith and my twitter background, designed by @sethjenks. Their patience, and professionalism was mind-blowing from the beginning. Every request I made was effectively executed and I felt very “listened to”. Obviously, their work speaks for itself.

I initially met Mike Rausch through our love of golf (@clevelandgolf), however we have become both close friends and business associates. He voluntarily offered to design my “follow me on Twitter @johnraser” logo which I will use for stickers, T-shirts, as well as graphics on my Staff Bag and Tour clothing. He has really helped me tie my brand together for maximum exposure and continuity.

John Grover found me on Twitter and was the first person to recognize the tremendous financial opportunity Blu Frog Energy can provide; especially in these tough economic times. Blu Frog Energy is one of my main sponsors, but I am also a member and have been making significant weekly supplemental income to go towards my upcoming tournament fees and travel expenses. We are now business associates – never having met face-to-face.

I could list about 10 more people who have had a dramatic impact on my professional life all because of Twitter. It goes far beyond “socializing”. I could not be more appreciative to these individuals for their unselfish contributions to my own personal success. Had it not been for Twitter, I never would have met these people.

Think of how YOU can use Twitter to build your business, brand, cause, reputation, …whatever. This is only the beginning! Maximize the power of Social Media!