Twitter is addicting.  The more you use it, the more you want to use it.  Just checkout my new Adam Ginsberg Twitter page!

It’s important to get a handle on how much time you’re spending on twitter.

Twitter can be an incredible asset to your business, just like email can be.  But (just like email), it can also be a huge time-waster and can suck hours out of your day without you even noticing.  You get on Twitter and then the next time you look up it’s an hour later!

A portion of self-control is important for any business person.  If you are self-employed, it becomes even more important!   Wasting time is wasting money.

Wasting time on Twitter is like sitting around the water cooler and chatting with coworkers about last night’s American Idol segment – it might be fun, and it passes the time, but it wasted time that could have been used to make money.

Here are some tips on how to keep your Twitter time under control:

1.  Schedule a time for Twitter.  Just like you can spend hours online checking emails and just surfing the ‘Net, getting on Twitter 10 times a day doesn’t help you at all.  Schedule two Twitter times per day – once in the morning and once in the evening – and then stick to it.  Your Twitter buddies can survive without knowing your entire itinerary for the day.

2.  Decide the purpose for your visit before getting on Twitter.  Are you sending a tweet about your latest blog post?  Are you trying to find local business people to network with?  Deciding what you want to do before you log on is a big time saver.

3.  Jot down notes during the day for your Twitter time.  It doesn’t have to be anything long or fancy.  A sticky note will do.  Just keep track of your thoughts so when you get on Twitter you can accomplish what you want and then leave the site.

4.  Do not tweet about every single thing you do.  No one cares if you are going to the store.  They don’t agonize over the fact that your hamster ate too much.  Keep your tweets limited to important stuff.

If you take control of your Twitter time, you can take control of how well it works for you.  Be strong.

With that being said…it’s the holidays so why not spend some time on Twitter - have some fun - enjoy yourself - and while you’re at it…follow me here:  Adam Ginsberg On Twitter

2009 is almost here.  2008 has been an interesting year - and shortly I’ll post my reflections on 2008… But for now, let’s talk about what a great year 2009 will be!

This morning I was with my kids having bagels, looking at the front page of the LA Times.  The woman next to our table asked if she could read the paper - which was on our table when we sat down.  “No problem” I said and passed it over to her.

I wasn’t interested in reading the LA times - with pages and pages of negativity.  From war to corrupt politicians, the media is filled with information - none of which is positive.  And, everywhere you look, from the TV to the Newspapers to Talk Radio, you’ll hear about the massive downturn in the economy and how this is the worst economic times since the great depression.

If history tells us anything, we can learn that even in catastrophic times like a depression people can still flourish.  And, while I don’t think we’re in the worst economic times since the great depression, the fact is that people are still struggling.  At the same time, others are silently making masses of money!

For my friends and students in the UK, Ireland and throughout Europe, change is coming - and it’s called Think And Grow Rich in 2009.

Check out this web page below to learn more:

http://www.adamginsberg.com/thinkrich

What is this event all about?

Financial Transformation: 3 Days Strategies and Techniques to Transform Your Financial Destiny
Away from Negative News of Recession and into a Clear, positive Hope for 2009!

Low Investment, High Return Strategies: Would you like to know how to turbo-charge any business in
any economic climate? You’ll see and hear stories of classic rags-to-riches direct from the mouths
that have been there and down it. They’ll show YOU how anyone can copy them

Recession Crushing Tips That Work: Remove your mind for 3 days from ‘downturn, recession and gloom’. You
discover mind-blowing ways of how just you, a computer and an internet connection can easily make more cash
in a month that you ever could earn in a year at any job!

Stop Attracting Gloom: Discover ‘the universe’ consistently rewards those who take action in ways that will frankly leave you jaw dropping with utter disbelief!

Recession Busting Superstars: If you’re You’ll see and hear experts that  take no notice of recessions and downturn. They laugh in it’s face. When you see the actual cash numbers on screen before you, you’ll soon see why!
And so much more..!

http://www.adamginsberg.com/thinkrich

I started using a blackberry when the first were introduced to the market place - way before it was “cool” to use a blackberry and long before it was commonplace in many businesses.

As loyal a fan, and as much as anyone could love me, would be well described by a holiday gift I received - a shirt with the phrase “Crackberry Addict” on the front.

Then, something happened.  Apple introduced the iPhone - a revolutionary touch phone that not only looked cool, but would work effortlessly with my Mac.

So, I took a leap of faith and jumped ship - taking an oath that the day Blackberry came out with a touch phone I would switch back.

So I waited - and in the interim upgraded to the 2nd generation iPhone…still wishing the email was more like my Blackberry.

Finally, on November 21st - the day it was released, and true to my word - I purchased the Blackberry Storm - the first Blackberry touch phone.  I kept it for less than 48 hours and then returned it.  It was terrible.  The lag time, the learning curve, the frustration…I was so disappointed.

I returned the phone, canceled the plan with Verizon and went back to my iPhone.

Then, something happened.  Blackberry started releasing system updates and spoke to a few people who told me the new software fixes made a huge difference.

With a bit of hope and enthusiasm, I headed back to the Verizon store and I am so glad I did.

I’ve had my new Blackberry Storm for almost a week and I’m really enjoying it.  Last night I upgraded to the newest system release and it’s really starting to take shape.

Is the Blackberry storm an “iPhone Killer” as some people have said?  Probably not.  It’s not as user friendly for a technologically challenged person looking to pick up a phone and use it in minutes…however, it is formidable competition.

Here are the drawbacks with the Storm that need fixing:

1.  The homepage screen rotates and there’s no way to disable this.  That’s a problem.  There’s actually no reason for the home page to rotate - and when it does it can take up to 10 seconds (lag time) before it rotates back to the proper view. This, by the way, was the main reason for my initial return - at that time it could take as long as 30 seconds for the home screen to rotate properly.

2. The ipod component of the iPhone is superior.  Not much, but definitely better.

3. While Google Maps rock on the iPhone, the Verizon Navigator is spectacular.

4. The Verizon phone network is FAR superior to the ATT’s “least drop called network”.  I haven’t had a single call drop with Verizon - whereas with ATT I would average 8-10 dropped calls per day.

5. While confusing perhaps for some, I type significantly faster on the Blackberry Storm than on the iPhone.

6. The killer app of the Blackberry of course is it’s mail functionality.  There’s no way to explain Blackberry mail other than it’s on a separate planet than the iPhone.  If you use email a lot, this Blackberry is the way to go.

7. I prefer texting on the iPhone and of course there’s the iPhone app store (which I’ve hardly used).   Blackberry is set to open an app store in the coming months.

8. AT&T charges international data roaming rates for checking email and surfing the web whereas with the Blackberry Storm you can upgrade your plan to an international data plan - unlimited data roaming with no excess fees.  If you travel outside of the US (which I do a lot of), this is a huge feature.

The iPhone is a great phone - there’s no question about it.  For me, though, I feel like I’m “home” again.  If you get a Blackberry Storm, keep it and use it for a week.  If you can make it through the first week, you’ll never go back…

One thing I’ve been really impressed with is the approach Blackberry is taking to update the firmware on the Storm.  There have been 3 updates in the last 3 weeks.  Blackberry is serious - because they have to be.

Today I’m going to officially port my phone # over from AT&T to Verizon and make the switch from the iPhone to the Blackberry Storm official.  The more I use the Storm, the more I can appreciate the power of it.  In the long run this phone is going to dominate the marketplace.

What are your thoughts?  Do you have an iPhone and love it?  Do you have a Blackberry Storm?  Have you had both?  Share your comments below - would love to hear from you!

I hope you had a great weekend.  Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts with me on the value of my new blog.  I am excited to make this blog a place where you check back frequently to learn new information, insights, tips and strategies - not only on how to make money online…but more importantly to have a great life.

This blog will not include money-making tips, but will also have my personal opinion and insights on world views, politics, economics and on life in general. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy posting to it.

As you I’ve been focusing a lot on Twitter in my most recent posts.  So, make you follow me on Twitter.  And, here’s my promise to you - If you follow me on Twitter, I will follow you on Twitter.

So, let’s make 2009 your best year ever - and start with your 2009 New Years Resolutions and Goals.  What do you want 2009 to look like?  What do you want to get out of 2009?

Oh, and don’t forget to continue to post your comments to my thoughts as written on my Adam Ginsberg Blog!  I look forward to hearing from you and helping you have Success Online in 2009!

Follow Adam Ginsberg on Twitter Here!

http://twitter.com/adamginsberg

Adam Ginsberg Asks: Can your Online Business Profit from Twitter?

Twitter is a hot social networking tool, but can online business owners really profit from it, or is it just a way to pass the time?

Yes, it can help!  Twitter is fast, free and simple way to get immediate results for your online business.  You can increase your traffic today, and reap the benefits quickly.

Here are some ways your business can profit from Twitter:

1.  Find local people you can network with or find local events to meet local customers.  Use the search feature (www.search.twitter.com) to find people who are near you, then follow them.  Many times they will follow you back (and be sure to thank them when they do).

2.  Get great quality traffic by sending messages (“tweets”) that are meaningful and helpful.  Twitter users come from many walks of life and income levels, so build a relationship with them to get the best results.

3.  Remember the old saying, “It’s not what you know but who you know that counts”?  That is true on Twitter, as well.  If you need a favor, send out a tweet – you never know who can help (or who knows someone who can help).

4.  Know the power of the “re-tweet,” which is what it is called when someone takes a message (“tweet”) you send and then sends it to their followers.  It is sort of like the way a forwarded email works.  Send a quality tweet to your followers and see how it gets passed along to others.

5.  Use the search feature to find like-minded people across the world.  Use it to find people who may not possess the same talents as you, but complement your talents.

Twitter is a great way to find what people need, and then help fill that need.

Twitter is an excellent tool for building your online business.  If it is used properly, it is a free asset to your Internet marketing plan.

Follow Adam Ginsberg on Twitter Here!