Thomas Umstattd Jr. » Twitter

Profesional Speaker

Thomas — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:26:29 +0000

One of my favorite things in the world is teaching. Now I (sometimes) get paid to do something I love. If you would like to learn how to use Twitter better you are invited to come hear me speak. I’m just getting started as a professional speaker and so many of my classes are still free.

I have also added an upcoming speaking events widget to the sidebar.

Upcoming Classes:

July 27, 2009
- Introduction to WordPress (If you ever wanted to learn how to use wordpress better come to this free class)
July 29, 2009
- How to Use Twitter Class (this class costs $35 and comes with a free lunch. Download Flier)
July 30, 2009
- Tech Talk With Rick Green on KLGO (tune into 98.5 or 99,3fm or listen on KLGO.net)
August 4, 2009
- New Media and Politics (only for Patriot Academy Students)
August 6, 2009
- Tech Talk With Rick Green on KLGO (tune into 98.5 or 99,3fm or listen on KLGO.net)
August 13, 2009
- Tech Talk With Rick Green on KLGO (tune into 98.5 or 99,3fm or listen on KLGO.net)
August 20, 2009
- Tech Talk With Rick Green on KLGO (tune into 98.5 or 99,3fm or listen on KLGO.net)
August 27, 2009
- Tech Talk With Rick Green on KLGO (tune into 98.5 or 99,3fm or listen on KLGO.net)
September 11-12, 2009
- NTCW Writers Conference (I’ll give a very short talk at this conference and then give 15 minute consultations)

Speaker Packet

View my Speaker Packet.

Need Help With Technology? Check out my new website. This robot goes with the new website I started to...

The Thin Line Between Creepy and Charming

Thomas — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:27:20 +0000

Yesterday I tweeted “The only difference between creepy and charming is permission.”

Some explanation is in order. No, I did not go on a date last night. No, I did not have yet another awkward encounter with a woman. But there is a story here and an interesting conclusion.

The tweet was the result of three completely unrelated things blending in my mind.

Thing 1: Barrack Obama

There has been a lot of chatter online about this photo of Obama at the G8 summit.

In light of the chatter, I have been thinking about how men ought to look at women. And, how they ought not look at women. The base forces of nature seem to war with the moral law. The specific social rules seem to vary by community. What is appropriate?

Thing 2: Girl in Parking Garage

As I left the apple store yesterday, I walked to my car in the parking garage. A young woman drove past me and as we made eye contact she unconsciously whisked her hair behind her ear. I wondered why she would do that, at that moment.

Thing 3: James Bond

Yesterday my family watched Quantum of Solice. So, as I walked through the parking garage, the movie swam through my mind.

In the movie, James Bond’s credit card gets denied at an airport. He looks deeply into the eyes of the lady at the counter who denied him the charge… and she melts. He asks “in a few moments you will get a call. Tell them I’m going to Cairo.” She smiles at him and he walks away.

Why would she melt? Why is this scene believable? Why can’t I do that?

I started adding up all the differences between me and James Bond. It was a depressing 30 minutes. Then I started eliminating the things James didn’t have to help him at the counter.

He had no gadgets, no money and no bad guys to beat up. But he still had one thing: His striking good looks and crystal blue eyes. If he had been ugly and peered into her eyes she would have looked away disgusted. I know. But James didn’t get disgust. He got permission. The woman gave him permission to look into her eyes because she wanted to look back into his.

The only difference between Bozo and Bond is permission.

So What?

You girls who are probably saying. “I could have told you that!” I know. Several of you already have on Twitter and Facebook. But to me this is a profound truth and I feel it applies to much more than just guy/girl relationships.

Gospel Permission

There is a Gospel application here. Before we can talk to someone about their soul we need their permission. Otherwise they won’t listen. Permission does not need to take long. Permission just takes tact. I find that tracts and humor can help break the ice.

But how did Jesus get permission? He healed people, raised the dead and offered hope. But, he had also something more. He could look into a man’s eyes, say “follow me” and the man would. Permission is power. Jesus’ power is supernatural. If we want permission that goes beyond gimmicks like tracts and treasure lists we need supernatural power too.

Business Permission

I have given Amazon permission to email me book recommendations. The emails are relevant because Amazon knows about the books I buy. If Barns & Noble were to send me an email recommending the same books I would spam it. Why? Because, Barns & Noble doesn’t have my permission to talk to me. They haven’t earned it.

If you want to grow your business you need to stop thinking of ways to spam people and start thinking of ways to earn their permission. Twitter is a good way to learn this skill. It doesn’t take much permission to send 140 characters once every other day.

Political Permission

The more I get around the more a realize that most people actually do care about politics. They just don’t care to hear about my politics. This is an important distinction. It is easy to write people off as complacent when I really just lack permission. Are people apathetic or do they just distrust both parties? A political party needs permission before it can have discourse. It must have discourse before it can sway opinion. It must sway opinion before it can win elections.

How do you get permission to influence someone’s political views?

I’m not sure. Striking good looks don’t hurt. Why else would Hollywood celebrates and Ann Coulter get such power? Humor seems to work too. I’m not sure what the answers are here. I know I often get into a political conversations on Facebook after sharing a link to a political YouTube video. What do you think?

Take Aways

Permission is more valuable than money.
Money can’t buy love, but permission is an ingredient to love.
Money can buy spam, but spam can’t build a relationship between you and your customer.
Money can’t buy votes, but permission can get attention and attention can change minds.

No related posts.

Need Help With Technology? Check out my new website.

Thomas — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:35:59 +0000

This robot goes with the new website I started to help people use technology to advance the kingdom. It’s targeted at Authors but the tips will be helpful to you as well. Do you have a question about some tech topic? This is the place to ask it.

Recent Tech Tips:

If you help get the word out about the site I would appreciate it.

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Twitter & Micro Blogging (New Media Monday)

Thomas — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:54:41 +0000

In this issue of New Media Monday you will learn:

What is Micro Bloging?
What is it good for?
How to use Twitter
How to Follow me
Who I Follow

What is Micro Bloging?

Have you ever asked someone how they knew something only to have them reply that a little bird told them? Well mico blogging is that little bird. It tweets in your ear about what your friends are doing. Micro blog posts are short 140 character posts that go out to your friends and family.

How to use Twitter

Watch the video on YouTube , Blip.tv or Vimeo .

What is Twitter good for?

Keeping up with friends. This is micro blogging’s first use and it is great at that but twitter goes far beyond keeping up with friends.
Asking Questions. Twitter is a great way to ask your followers questions. Renae Brumbaugh , a friend of mine, asked how to spell "Ornery" The best selling author Linda Carlblom twittered the answer.
News. If an atrocity like September 11th were to happen again, God forbid, the news would hit twitter first. Twitter can integrate with your cellphone via SMS text message. So, at Virginia Tech, students could have used twitter to announce which room/hall the shooter was in while he was still shooting.
Networking. Twitter can also be great for networking. Questions like "Does anyone know a good auto mechanic in the Ausin area?" can get fast & good answers.
Learning to focus. Twitter only gives you 140 chracters and so it forces you to learn how hone your language.

How To Follow Me

Click on the bird to follow me on twitter .
Signup for twitter
Click Follow ThomasUmstattd

Who I Follow

Michael Hyatt An editor for Thomas Nelson the biggest Christian publisher.
Max Lucado Famous Christian Author
Renae Brumbaugh a fellow writer
Complete list of who Thomas follows

How to Integrate Twitter

You can integrate Twitter with Facebook in two ways:
- See your friends updates and Update Twitter From Facebook
- Update your Facebook status from Twitter
You can use Twitter to update your Plaxo status as well.
Twitter also Integrates with Friend Feed a site that collects all your blog posts, twits and other shared content.
The iPhone App Twitterific lets you view twitter updates and update twitter for free on your iPhone.
You can also have your most recent Tweets appear on your blog via the WordPress Twitter Widget .

Helpful Twitter Links

Do you use Twitter?

Leave me a comment with your Twitter Name so I can follow you. Sorry its not Monday. The death of my grandfather has messed up my blog posting schedule.

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