Here's a new twist on an age old offering: The Twitterview. It's an interview conducted via Twitter...with a 140 character limit for each question and answer. It's a concept, if not birthed, at least strongly tweaked by Joel E. Carlson (@joelecarlson) of the Twin Cities. Joel, a social media enthusiast and advocate, has been hard at it for 2+ months now, Twitterviewing marketing and communications experts, those associated with well-known brands, and others on the scene that catch his interest. And in short order he's amassed quite a cross-section of interviews and, in the process, an amazingly social-media-astute following. (What a fabulous example of using social media to build your own personal brand! Way to go, Joel.)

This week Joel Twitterviewed Good People Branding's Betsy Treinen (@btreinen). Here's the transcript of the exchange.

And you can read more Twitterviews here.

NOTES of Twitterview #47 - With Betsy Treinen (@btreinen)

(reprinted with permission)

@btreinen - Yes, hello all. And @joelecarlson, thanks for having me.

Q - #1   So @btreinen, how did you come to be living in MN - Born, moved or started college here?

A:   I actually grew up in SoDak. Spent time in DC, then Seattle before Mpls. (And had a bit of a stint in between all that in So Africa.)

Q - #2   WOW! So what kinds of things have you been doing, in your working life, to get you where you are today?

A:   Started out in banking (!). That wasn't me! Thankfully found advertising. My big breakthrough was managing the Target acct for 8 yrs.
 
What a crazy, fabulous ride that was. I'm an acct & strategy person by trade so managing the birth of that branding was incredible.

Q - #3   What steps were there then from working for @Target to owning your own company?
 
A:   I never worked for @target, but ran the brand adv'g at PMH. From there I went to @catalyststudios, which was an incredible 5 yrs.

So now I've got experience in adv'g, design, interactive, and the multi-channel integration of all of that as it relates to branding.

Q - #4   So you have experience and background in a number of areas. Which are you drawn to the most, and why?

A:   The strategy. The figuring out of the landscape. Helping determine where they should be showing up & what they should be saying.

And then I ADORE managing the creative process. Getting to a brand's emotional essence. That moment when you know you've nailed it.

It's such a FUN business to be in. Esp right now as things are shifting & moving so much. It's much more collaborative with clients.

Q - #5   That sounds both rewarding and exciting. What are your thoughts on the development of Social Media in your field?

A:   What a powerful tool! Growing brand awareness quickly, having actual conversations, listening. Makes what we do so much more personal.
 
And personal is always better, right?

Q - #6   Yes it is! So now some points about you: What is your favorite - Restaurant, store, lake & person to follow on Twitter?

A:   Eek! Um. Restaurant: 112 Eatery. (Can I buy stock?) Store: has to be @Target, right? Oh, and the Wedge.

Fave lake: Isles (I live by it) & Superior for its drama. Twitter person...ohhh, that's harder. So many. Must I pick just one?

Q - #7   Okay, I'll be nice - Top 5 on Twitter that you follow.

A;   How about @fastcompany @the99percent @dena33 @strategy_samba @leezukor. There are so many more. Can you tell I'm addicted to Twitter?

Q - #8   Just as long as you don't dream Tweets. :) Final point - what thought or mantra would you like to share?
 
Be fearless. Sit in the knowledge that u truly can do anything. Invite that possibility. Hope that's not 2 cheesy. Just how I roll.

@JoelECarlson - Cheese is for crackers and pizza, not life. :) Thanks so much @btreinen for your time and comments today. Enjoy #jmu612 on Thursday.

@btreinen - Ha! Right you are. @joelecarlson, I truly thank you for reaching out. It's been my pleasure to spend this bit of time with you.