The SECRET on "How to get Verified on Twitter"

Like the old saying, "How does one get to play at Carnegie Hall?....PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

On Twitter it's even more difficult then that!

Its just a little blue check mark!  

But everyone wants one and its so hard to get! 

If you've seen that white check mark in a blue cloud on somebody's Twitter profile, that means they hold a "verified account."

 "Twitter uses verification to establish the authenticity of tweeters, and does so proactively—they concentrate on "highly sought users in music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, advertising, business, and other key interest areas."

That's what I thought or they want you to believe before I did some research because that's what they and everyone has been saying. 

FACT: Getting #Verified on twitter is a complete mystery only known to them! You can read article after post after blog, only they truly know how they decide each day who to verify!  


Lets look into this!

Here are the "OFFICIAL" #Twitter 

FAQs about verified accounts (click here)

Love this part: We do not accept requests for verification from the general public. - we may reach out to you in the future." I WON'T hold my breath!

 

When did it begin, how and WHY?

 

June 2009 and a then St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Managers lawsuit by the name of Tony La Russa. YUP! It appears that Mr. La Russa sued #Twitter over someone impersonating him on the #SocialMedia site! Here's a blog post from Twitter explaining the launch of "Verified Accounts!" by  @biz Not Playing Ball  

Love this part: "Please note that this doesn’t mean accounts without a verification seal are fake—the vast majority of Twitter accounts are not impersonators." The VAST majority! Come On! You mean 99.995% are NOT VERIFIED! 

 

The lawsuit was latter dropped by Mr. La Russa! Here's an article on @Mashable detailing this (click here)

 

Another term of reference on twitter verification process is a GREAT article by Crag Kanalley (verified) then of the Huffington post! Why Twitter Verifies Users: The History Behind the Blue Checkmark

True Statement by Craig: "Just because you're verified doesn't mean you're famous. In fact, it doesn't even equate to followers."(keep reading for an amazing example of this)

 

 (note) Tony La Russa STILL is NOT verified on Twitter! (they don't hold a grudge do they!) If that's him?

 

Here's a GREAT post by @PeerReach (not verified) Peerreach Blog giving us a statistical breakdown of all verified twitter account as of April 2013.

AMAZING FACT: ONLY 0.005% of #Twitter accounts are Verified! (as of April 2013) Think about that! Why is this percent so LOW? In my opinion twitter was forced into this and really doesn't want to do it.

 

I particularly like the two verified account's they note: @Change4US (22 followers now but ONLY 1 TWEET) and @ita_nishidaij (28 followers now). Makes sense! I particularly like the ONE and ONLY tweet by @Change4US 

 

This is why the verification process really needs to be revamped! Who are they, Him?Her?? There's NO bio! Why did Twitter verify them? Do we all feel safe and comforted that this tweet comes from a verified account!? It's CRAZY! 

 

We all heard recently of how even @Jack's parents can't get Verified! Tim Dorsey (@Tim535353, 4,066 followers) and Marcia Dorsey (@marciadorsey, 1,529 followers), who live in St. Louis, have tweeted requests to get their accounts verified! Here's a GREAT article about that from @MaryCLong from AllTwitter @alltwtr (BOTH not verified) If This Twitter Co-founder’s Parents Can’t Get Verified, What Do You Think YOUR Chances Are?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUT HOW DO WE REALLY KNOW! THERE NOT VERIFIED!!!!

 

 

Now @Pinterest and @Facebook (both verified) are starting to verify accounts. 

 

 On Pinterest it's easy to get your account verified as I spell out in my blog post @UBtalkin  How to Get verified on Pinterest

 

On Facebook, @TechCrunch (verified)  has a great post on the process by @drizzled:(not verified) Facebook Unveils Verified Pages And Profiles, Takes A Page From Twitter’s Playbook

 

 I would LOVE to be verified, wouldn't you!  

 

There are many on twitter in my opinion that deserve to be "VERIFIED" I am hesitate to name names as to not offend by not singling out someone who I truly believe should be, but I will mention one @MarshaCollier The Queen of @Ebay!(verified) Author of over 42 books,Forbes Top Influencer, #Custserv on and on! Isn't this someone who deserves a white and blue check mark?

 

UPDATE: Ok, now I'm going to get myself in trouble! I am going to add two more people on Twitter that I think should be verified! Jessica Northey @JessicaNorthey The PERSON for ALL things Country Music! Host of #CMchat on Twitter!

 

And  Reg Saddler @zaibatsu His Bio says it all: "Just a guy who loves Social Media, Tech, Travel and Humor."  

  

I could go on with MANY others! These are the Peeps that MAKE TWITTER what it is! NOT the rich and famous or companies and organizations! These tweeters is why people spend hours and hours on the #Socialmedia site!

To me this brings full circle what's wrong with the verification process! I suppose that when @Ladygaga sends out a Tweet its comforting to know it comes from a "Verified" GaGa, although why is her profile pic an EGG now? 

But wouldn't it also be more beneficial to Twitter as well as the tweeting public to know that not just high profile, stars, organizations etc. accounts are also who they say or represent they are. Doesn't THERE voice need to be heard over the crowd as well? Isn't there message just as important!

 

TRUST at what's being tweeted! Isn't that what its mainly about!

 

Isn't THAT what the Verification process really should be!

 

Social Media is becoming more and more important in our everyday lives and how we communicate everyday with people, brands, companies, celebrates etc., even politicians. It's important to TRUST who we are engaging. Not everyone can be verified. But the process needs to be changed and more tweeters need to be let in the exclusive club! They can find ONLY over 54,000 accounts "IMPORTANT" or necessary or whatever there reason is to verify! (complete list)      

 

I again go back to that account @Change4US  If Twitter can explain why this account is verified than maybe we can all understand the process of being "VERIFIED ON TWITTER!"

How to Get verified on Pinterest

A quick blog about how to verify your website or blog on #Pinterest! You can #Follow my account by clicking @Pinterest

It's really very simple!

First Log into your account either by #Twitter or #Facebook or your email! 

Next click on your name in the upper right hand corner and go to your boards.

Then Click on the pencil type icon of your Bio. (If your website/blog is not there you can add it now!) 

You will now get the "Edit Profile" screen like this.→


Mine is already verified but you would click on the "VERIFY" button and either dowlaod a file or use the Meta file to copy and paste it into your website or blog. Once you've done that come back to complete the verification process and you are then VERIFIED ON PINTEREST! 

Really easy. Anyone can do it! Unlike #Twitter where there verification process is secret and only they know who, how, when and why they decided who can join this exclusive club!

#SocialMedia is getting so important to individuals and companies that its getting really important to establish your identity and importance to help greater build your audience and trust! 

I want to thank Kim Garst  @kimgarst  for originally bring this feature to my attention.

The TRAIN of Social Media and ALL the stops.....

Who rides the TRAIN?

I mean the #TwitterFollowTrain.

What you say!

We all like to be noticed. To lead the way and have others follow in our footsteps, or at least care about something we do, say or yes, #TWEET!

Back in the day of +Myspace Getting followers was like a contest. Who can rack up the most no matter what. Just ask Tila Tequila, BUT even she has left the once top giant in #Socialmedia.


On Facebook its tough to rack up "FRIENDS" as they call it. "Do you know this person!" they ask. Ahhh, no, but i would "LIKE" too. Too many requests get you punished, ask my brother-in-law! You are also restricted to about 5,000 friends, although they have added a feature where you can "Follow" there stream. #Facebook is WAY TOO RESTRICTIVE! I find you really can's be "Social" on there unless you already know them!


Now Google+ (join me) is better. You can ADD people to circles whether you know them or not!




Pheed (join me) which now is mainly for kids is also more "FOLLOW" friendly.



App.net  (join me, although I'm still trying to figure this one out) is VERY new to the arena and am not quite sure where it fits in. Oh, and NOONE is #Following me back!



Pinterest (join me) Is REALLY HARD, at least for me, to get #Followers but no restrictions put in your way. 




Chime.in (join me) WHAT you say. A social media "story" sharing service. Being active and sharing good quality stories should help increase your follower count.

Instagram (not on it) but thought I would mention it.

There is VineApp(look for me there "Uncle Bill") and So.cl, Linked.in and on and on and on!

But back to Twitter (follow me, PLEASE ;-) and the TRAIN. Some say there NOT REAL FOLLOWERS! You can always check HERE

But if you want to hope on the #TwitterFollowTrain here is some I have found as the BEST of the BEST!

@iCudGivATityFuk And her #TityFollowTrain is one of the BEST!

@KashDracoMDS And his #DracoFollowTrain

@FuckYouXavier And his  #XavierFollowFrain

 

There are MANY others, #TeamFollowBack, #90sBabyFollowTrain as they say, but those are three of the BEST! 

Why do a post on this? It's out there and VERY POPULAR! 

Like It!

HATE IT!

But Hop on board and try it first! 

 

The FACES of TERROR - #BostonMarathon Suspects info Released

 

Today the #FBI released photos and a video showing two "Suspects" in the deadly #BostonMarathon bombing on Monday April 15, 2013 requesting assistance from the American public and citizens around the world!

We all watched in horror the events that unfolded from first being a GLORIOUS day for the city of #Boston with there annual marathon held each year on "Patriots Day"! A day uniquely there own which kicked off with the traditional Boston #RedSox game turned into horror and tragedy as two bombs went off close to the finish line of the Marathon.

At 2:50 p.m.: With 4:09:43 showing on the race clock, an explosion goes off just short of the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Ten seconds or so later, a second explosion goes off 1500 yards away on the same street, Boylston Street, along the finish of the race.

LOOK AT THESE PHOTOS! 

WATCH THE VIDEO!

ANY INFO YOU MIGHT HAVE - IF YOU KNOW OR HAVE SEEN ANYTHING - DO YOU RECOGNIZE THEM OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT KNOW WHO THEY ARE 

ANYTHING!!!

Its OUR TURN NOW! We must not sit in fear but act in determination that these cowards and those like them will not take control of OUR WORLD! They prey on FEAR! They drive a stake between us & our sense of security! IT WONT WORK!

CALL  1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3, with information.

Photos: Boston bombing suspects: 

   

Release of the images comes three days after the blasts killed 8-year-old Martin Richard of Dorchester, 29-year-old Krystle Campbell of Medford, and Lu Lingzi, a 23-year-old Boston University graduate student from China.

 

  Also remember these pictures. 

We MUST speak for THEM!

The true Tragedy of The Boston Marathon

In my opinion no matter how much security you put in place or how much precautions you do or how much counter-intelligence you can muster up the "bad guy' will find a way around it. We can't live in a Military/Police state, CAN WE?

(Photo) Dan Lampariello/Reuters

Our sense of security once again is brought into question as we truly see how vulnerable we are!

So once again the United States of America is faced with a TERRORIST attack this time in #Boston!

Whether it came from a domestic or foreign source really doesn't matter, the tragedy is the same either way.

Lives have been altered!

Source: @GlobeDavidLRyan

Dreams have been shattered!

Hopes dashed!


Was there enough security? Did we let our guard down? Could we have prevented this?

NO!   - WELL MAYBE!  

I've been thinking as the hours and day goes by that high profile areas of an event such as the "Finish-Line" of the #BostonMarathon should have been a frozen zone. An area were you can not get into without having your bags searched. They do this in #NYC Times Square on New Years eve. During the Thanksgiving day parade, which I have attended, there are frozen streets you can't go down without showing ID you work there. All others are issued down many blocks further up the route for a controlled entry.
I don't know what security people had to go through but time to re-double our efforts. 


Living in #NYC and experiencing the attacks on 9/11, trying to get in touch with my sister who was working right across the street from the Empire State Building and hearing reports that IT was the next target!

I'll never forget the TRUE AND UTTER HORROR on my mothers face trying desperately to get in touch with her as others in her office were calling us to contact there loved ones until finally we got her and that she was safe! Watching the F-16 jets circle so low overhead you felt like you could touch them. It was so surreal like it was happening in slow motion!

Then Monday, April 15, 2013, Tax Day, #Bostons Patriots Day, another attack. This one more crude in nature but all the same tragic. At this writing 3 confirmed dead including a 3 year old boy and close to 200 injured some VERY SERIOUS!

(photo) by Clare Richardson

@clarerrrr

This time my sister is far away, at a convention in Houston,TX. We've been texting, she's been WORRYING, as my niece goes to school in Times Square.

I texted her this photo, as #NYC #TimesSquare beefs up security telling her no threat just precaution trying to ease her mind. It didn't! My brother In-Law thought I shouldn't have. He's wrong. I wanted to try to, in my way, assure her that her daughter would be OK. To see what was going on before she turned on the #news and saw even worse pictures/videos of the anti-terrorism squad with there AK47's and military riot gear once again patrolling the streets! That they were going to be there for everyone in FULL FORCE Tuesday to serve and protect us!

Reports said that the #Boston Police had done sweeps of that area a few moments before. It was the latter part of the race. The professional runners had crossed hours before, now it was only you and I out there on the course! Some saw a man with a backpack trying to get into a secure area then running away.  

We shouldn't glorify this. Whoever did this are cowards! There reasons are meaningless! They once again took away part of our perception of safety! They put the word TERROR back into our lives! Other parts of the world live on the edge worse then this every day. I guess now we must remember that we ALSO DO TOO!

#PrayforBoston