A Love Letter to My Followers (and 100 of them YOU should be following)

I hit 100K followers today (OMG), and I still remember the exact feeling I had when I hit 100. I could not believe that 100 people (that were not my relatives or friends) actually had an interest in what I had to say. The conversations I had with those 100 were unbelievable. Here I was, speaking with people from around the world, in executive positions at companies I lusted after, or interns in cities I had always dreamed of living in, or people that were on a completely different career path than I was that I gained inspiration from.

A year and a half, and 99,900 more followers later, I feel as equally as thankful and in awe. Greater than the number of followers, has been the increase in authentic conversations I’ve had with people from literally all walks of life.

I started Twitter in 2010 as an intern. It was mandatory for me to have one at the Miami beach agency I was interning at. I followed a handful of people, and mainly used it as a search tool for the next three years to find articles on social media. I found it to be the most accurate spot to find the articles I was looking for in the industry. I was a silent participator, savoring every new article I found in private.

Then, when I started my own business and blog, I found a new passion for Twitter, and here I am today, actually using it as an engagement tool.

I wish I could just paste transcripts of every meaningful conversation I’ve had with my followers RIGHT here, but it would be endless. I truly believe I am the luckiest girl for the time followers have taken to engage with me, and read my blog. I still feel like the Twitter newbie a year and a half ago, that screamed and went out for drinks with friends at the sight of a 100th follower, because who knew people were actually interested in what she had to say.

So, while I can’t take all of my followers out for drinks, I can pass along the love. Here is my list, in no particular order, of the 100 people I can think of off the top of my head that I have had eclectic, authentic, emotional, riveting, lovely conversations with on my account. Granted, there are WAY more than a 100 followers I’ve had meaningful conversations with, but, hey– you gotta start somewhere:

1. Roman Jancic (@RomanJancic)- Thought provoking– he share incredible quotes and makes me think twice about things.
2. Nick Cicero (@NickCicero) – Awesome networker.
3. Joshua Mathe (@WadoobiePtC) – Clever. Stand-by for our Anti-Fruty pie campaign (Since we are both pecan pie lovers, duh)
4. Jason J. Loya (@JasonJLoya)- His film connectons don’t hurt 😉 In all honesty though, he is completely engaged and willing to learn more about social which is something I love in a follower!
5. Shelma Bockey (@sbockey7)- A go-getter! Full of so much drive and smarts it’s unbelievable.
6. Jeff Sheehan (@JeffSheehan) – One of the first people I followed on Twitter for his inspiration and, as it turns out, he is INCREDIBLY kind and humble, as well!
7. SOCIALiTELL (@SOCIALiTELL)- Sassy
8. Suncoast Social (@SuncoastSosh) – Smart– love their blog!
9. Shasta Social (@ShastaSocial)- Observant
10. Christine Collins (@ccollins1919) – Motivational
11. Chateau Clingman (@chateauclingman)- Enthusiastic
12. Adam Dince (@AdamDince) – Compassionate
13. Chris Moody (@cnmoody) – Approachable
14. StemageSkincare (@stemageskincare)- Classy
15. Erik Qualman (@equalman) – Humble
16. Simply SAwrap (@SimplySAwrap)- Eager to learn
17. Laura Bedrossian (@LauraBedrossian) – Hilarious
18. Lisandra Carballosa (@PRntheCity)- Peppy (Cuban Coffee in a Twitter account 🙂 )
19. Melanie (@vinogger)- Wino. Enough said.
20. Jess K Taylor (@i_amjessk) – My favorite girl from college that I love dearly 🙂
21. Michelle Glover (@EnTREEpreneur)- Intelligent! I love to see the network she’s created.
22. Gayatri (@GayatriWrites) – Inspirational
23. Christopher Tivey (@ctvy17)- Engagin, Jolly
24. Brian Diaz (@b_diaz)- Smart
25. M’ (@MaureenahN)- Inspiring
26. Mike Miller (@mimllr)- Hilarious Ginger
27. Kelli Snedegar (@ksnedegar)- Soulmate– Love you, Sned <3
28. Sam Hosenkamp (@SamHosenkamp)- BEST Twitter Chat Hostess
29. SeaWorldMommy.com (@SeaWorldMommy)- Engaged
30. W3 Impact Movement (@W3Movement)- Empowering
31. Ann Hofvander (@annkh)- Enagaged
32. Erin Daly (@ErMicheal)- My apprentice and successor 🙂
33. Andy Swann (@AndySwann)- Helpful
34. Brian Fanzo (@isocialfanz)- Positive
35. Midori Miller (@midorimiller)- SoFlo
36. Tris Banha (@TrisBanha)- AMAZING
37. Jeff Mayes (@midnightdog)- Cleverly Intelligent
38. Jay Baer (@jaybaer)- Expert
39. Petra Schrott (@petraschrott)- Lovely
40. Adrienne S. McCord (@AdrienneSMcCord)- Energetic (COFFEE!)
41. Rose Caiazzo (@JacksonHoleRose)- My touch of Wyoming (my homestate)!
42. Mike Raffone (@MikeRaffone)- Inquisitive
43. The Bitcoin Rat (@BitcoinRat)- Fun
44. D’Narius Lewis (@DnariusLewis)- Courageous
45. Tom Varghese Jr. MD (@TomVargheseJr)- Kind
46. Code Improv (@CodeImprov)- Honest
47. Everyday Orange (@everydayorange)- Personable
48. Tina Shakour (@tinashakour)- Thinker
49. Anthony Permal (@AnthonyPermal)- Thoughtful
50. Syed Malik (@isyd22)- Philosophical
51. Jess Borrini Burgett (@jessicaborrini)- Engaged
52. Elizabeth Burnside (@Eli414)- Strong
53. Najaah Y. Daniels (@NajaahD)- Beautiful (Inside and out!)
54. Becky Joy Photo (@BeckyJoyPhoto)- Kindred Spirit
55. EagleEyedEditor (@EagleEyedEditor)- Caring
56. Sandy T (@sassygirlcanada)- Sassy 😉
57. Roger Neil Russell (@shadowsofsense)- Spiritual
58. Aurora New Dawn (@AuroraNewDawn)- Encouraging
59. Arno Douze (@ArnoDouze)- Learner
60. woKATse (@woKATse)- Motivational
61. Chris Zubryd (@SirGalahad)- Networker
62. Jose Guaravselvam (@JoseKagoo)- Wicked smart
63. Danielle Beder (@daniellebeder)- Brave
64. Oracle CX Fan (@OracleCXFan)- Creative
65. Dr. Tecsla Evans (@DrEvansCo)- Supportive
66. Nick Jones (@Nick_Jones34)- Enthusiastic
67. Amelia Tran (@AmelianTips)- Incredible girl!
68. Kelsey Rae (@KelseyRae)- Engaged
69. Antony Bagalue (@AntonyBagalue)- In love with my dog, and, really, that’s all it takes.
70. Gary Gonzalez (@gargon82009)- Touch of home 😉 (Ask him abt my mad tennis skills)
71. Liv Graber (@LivGraber)- Smart
72. Brian M. Koshley (@bkoshley)- Knowledgable
73. Vladimer Botsvadze (@VladoBotsvadze)- Aware
74. Mark Bernhardt (@ImMarkBernhardt)- Smart
75. Dago Ochoa (@dagoochoa)- Has been a follower since the beginning! Smart, compassionate dude!
76. Cheryl Massey (@ccmasseytx)- Miami connection 😉
77. MacCBOE (@MacCBOE)- HUGE heart
78. Adam May (@agkmay)- Super networker :p
79. Marquee Chang (@MarqueeChang)- Generous
80. Business Unbound (@BusinessUnbound)- Enthusiastic
81. Dimitri and Cat (@DimitriandCat)- BEST GRAPHIC DESIGNER EVER. He designed my Sherman Social logos. Check them out @ShermanSocial.
82. Tracy Stella (@TracyStellaBlog)- Personable
83. Mally Graveson (@mallygraveson)- Great at delivering personalized sport scores when you can’t watch the game!
84. Nobre (@NobreClothings)- Great style and mission.
85. ThinkAboutC (@ThinkAboutC)- SMART
86. Philip Emmanuele (@philipemmanuele)- Using Twitter the right way as an Exec!
87. Lindsay Stewart (@LindsayNStewart)- Sweet
88. Gabe Chesman (@gchesman)- Thinker
89. Cameron J. Wood (@Cameron_Wood)- Incredibly compassonate
90. Nikk Smit (@NikkBishopSmit)- Finds awesome social content
91. Chris Faria (@AdGenieCreative)- A great conversation 🙂
92. Steve Martin (@LeoMcGirr)- Philosophical
93. Tom Dealy (@tomdealy)- Brings up great points on social!
94. Jason Schemmel (@JasonSchemmel)- One of the funniest, smartest guys I know
95. Kenn Blurton (@BlurtonKenn)- Tips me off to awesome topics for my blog 🙂
96. Deke Bridges (@dekebridges)- Knowledgable AND compassionate
97. Brian Moran (@brianmoran)- Clever small business consultant that knows what’s up
98. David Payton (@david_payton)- In love with his glasses.
99. Massimiliano Balbi (@MaximilianBa)- A little shout out from Italy never hurt a girl.
100. Ian M. Calvert (@IanMCalvert)- Businessman 🙂

So THANK YOU to those of you that have found me relevant enough to follow. I’ve had so many real conversations with you from consulting you on social media issues you’re having, to having you console me when I all of a sudden found myself in an abusive marriage. The kindness, intelligence and authenticity you’ve given my Twitter community is astounding, and I am incredibly grateful for it everyday.

Love,
M.