Moms Talk Network

In this week’s edition of Buzz a Mom, we talked to Alyssa Avant of A Writer for Hire, for tips on which social networks she uses and why. Alyssa is a successful writer, author, speaker, talk show host, business owner and mom. (Whew!)

I’m breathless just reading about all that you do and accomplish. How do you use the web to help you manage your life?

It is true I do a lot online and I have my hands in many things. Ultimately the web is a part of my daily life, at least the weekdays. There are many applications and tools that I use daily to keep myself and my businesses on track.

What are your favorite tools and applications?

Google Calendar – This keeps me on track with everything from household chores to business deadlines. I love to set up the alerts and color code the different areas of my life.

Twitter – Twitter helps me to stay connected with online friends, clients and network with new people too. It keeps me sane and is a great outlet just for fun too.

Facebook – Facebook has helped me to reunite with old friends, keep up with current friends and learn more about my online friends. I go here daily, it is a bit addicting.

How do you manage your time online using social networks?

Honestly, I am better about this now than when I first started using these networks. At first I joined everyone that came up and followed every trend, now I am much more picky and spend much less time on them.

My favorite ways to connect are “Facebook” and “Twitter” which I use daily. Facebook is a bit more about connecting with my “in real life” friends, while Twitter is my “social” or “watercooler” for connecting with my online friends and contacts on a daily basis. As for managing them I limit my time on both and have to turn off Twitter to work.

Which social networks do you use and why? How do they benefit your business and networking skills?

As I mentioned in the first question I mainly use Facebook and Twitter. I am on other social networks however I just don’t check in with them as often. These include Twitter Moms and Mom Bloggers Club.

I enjoy social networks for the networking. Using them for this has landed me quite a few clients and created for me some valuable business connections.

If you want to get more contacts for a new blog or website, what is an effective way to use social networks to publicize your blog?

On Facebook you can import your RSS feed via the Note feature. Also you can use Twitter to spread the word by just Tweeting about it, however you want to be sure that isn’t ALL that you do on Twitter and that you also interact with others and engage in conversation.

Learn more about Alyssa and her brand new Project ‘Faith Leaps’ at tonight’s Christian Women’s Tweet Up!

Read more Buzz about Alyssa at Profitable Mommy Blogging!

Read more Buzz about Alyssa at Work at Home Moms Talk Radio!

Read more Buzz about Alyssa at Family Foodies!