By: Carla Bobka, SocialPie

Good stories resonate and build strong relationships. Social media channels give you a new place to tell your story. It broadens your audience, too.

Last holiday season I used Twitter and Picasa web albums to tell the story of our family’s Christmas cookie adventure. We think of our recipients as customers. We get value from them and we like to exceed their expectations.

Twitter was the main story telling tool; it could just as easily have been Facebook or a blog. Photos were saved to an on-line Picasa album. Using two platforms enhanced the experience, allowing both written text and images to give our story more depth. Maybe we inspired some other cookie sharing.

Below is the story, told backwards, via tweets. In social media channels be mindful that viewers come back often looking for tidbits.  In our it’s case cookie crumbs. Enjoy!

Cookie Adventure Tweets from @carlabobka

• Cookie thank you gift–not why we do it, but so love the kindness in return. (big smile) http://twitpic.com/xd1gc 2010-1-9 7:07:36 from Twitter for iPhone
• OK, you just made my day. Literally. What a treat to return home from the hustle bustle and discover that goodness in my mailbox!—Laura 2009-12-23 6:20:38 from HootSuite
• Cookie Thank You’s from recipients in today’s line up. 2009-12-23 6:10:59 from HootSuite
• OMG, I’m in cookie heaven. All is right with the world again. Thank you, Bobkas. Best Gift Ever!–Dbl Dutch Bus 2009-12-23 6:03:52 from HootSuite
• The whole staff loved the cookies-Dr. Barnsley, Vet 2009-12-23 5:50:21 from HootSuite
• “I gained 5 lbs eating those; I gave up trying to pick a flavor, I just ate”-Dr. Tim, Family Chiropractic 2009-12-23 5:40:45 from HootSuite
• Cookie Thank You’s to follow-feedback from the masses, Greg lives for it. Er, bakes for it. 2009-12-23 5:35:37 from HootSuite
• Your cookies were great!-Debbie, mail carrier (she picked up 24 pkg from our garage, saved us trip to Post Office-all cookie shipments) 2009-12-23 5:20:34 from HootSuite
• TY 4 the fabulously yummy “cookie man” treats–The Lower School Faculty (in handmade card) http://ow.ly/OKI0 2009-12-23 5:15:26 from HootSuite
• The cookies are FANTASTIC. WOW u guys are experts, Merry Christmas-Dallas & Dakota 2009-12-23 4:50:35 from HootSuite
• Final tally: 8000 cookies, 25 flavors, 115 deliveries.
• Cookie Thank You’s to follow, so fun to hear people’s smiles 2009-12-23 4:40:19 from HootSuite
• Now, to use the leftovers in an equally tasty way…Emeril’s Spiced Nuts Recipe Food Network http://ow.ly/OM8a 2009-12-22 18:55:40 from HootSuite
• “I was hoping I’d make the list!”-David, the organist 2009-12-22 17:46:21 from HootSuite
• Cookie Thank You’s to follow…2009-12-22 17:41:9 from HootSuite
• Just a note to say TY for the yummy cookies, what a nice surprise-Hendrix Orthodontics 2009-12-22 17:36:17 from HootSuite
• TY for the delicious cookies and more so for your kindness and friendship. May Christ fill your hearts w His presence this season-Lydia&Bill 2009-12-22 17:20:58 from HootSuite
• Thank you so much those cookies are awesome! No kidding, you guys make some tasty cookies-Julie, TD Bank 2009-12-22 17:11:0 from HootSuite
• TY so much 4 including us on Ur wonderful cookie list. Ur hard work is tasted in every bite We R both so touched that you sent 2 us-love A&A 2009-12-22 17:04:17 from HootSuite
• Cookie Thank You notes to follow 2009-12-22 16:55:54 from HootSuite
• “My kids started going thru the cookies-so I hid the tin in my bedroom. The kids can have the take-and-bake cookies in the fridge”-Miss Lori 2009-12-22 16:50:56 from HootSuite
• “Thk U 4 the amazing and delicious cookie assortment. What a fun project for your family. Our family loves them”-Mrs ORegan 2009-12-22 16:41:14 from HootSuite
• “Thank you for the wonderful and delicious cookies. What a treat and how generous of you to share, Feliz Navidad”-Senora Cahill 2009-12-22 16:32:20 from HootSuite
• “What an array of great cookies. I skipped lunch on Thurs to feast on them, left a few for my wife”-Chip 2009-12-22 16:07:47 from HootSuite
• Thank You note notes to follow…2009-12-22 16:06:25 from HootSuite
• Butter $2.99/lb, 25# flour $13.69, 32 oz Vanilla $39.99-walking barefoot on clean kitchen floor once the baking is over..priceless. 2009-12-22 15:49:25 from HootSuite
• Final cookie stats to publish before Christmas-stay tuned. 2009-12-21 17:53:14 from HootSuite
• Cookies are finished. All that’s left is the cleaning. Come hither Mr. Clean! 2009-12-21 17:02:33 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/uj0uk – Look out USPS 2009-12-21 10:46:23 from TwitPic
• Surprise ingredient in this season’s recipes: Cream of Tartar. 80% of our recipes called for it. 2009-12-21 7:46:11 from HootSuite
• Bye Bye. Cuisinart-done for the season. 2009-12-20 19:49:49 from HootSuite
• Home from our parties later than expected-lots of fun. Uncle Bennie is a hoot. Grinding out the last few batches b4 packing boxes. 2009-12-20 19:32:16 from HootSuite
• which leftover nuts will stay fresh longer? Pistachios or Almonds? 2009-12-20 5:17:23 from HootSuite
• Back at baking to finish today. I’m headed to shovel snow so we can get to 2day’s cookie party. (plower guy did a 1/2 way job) 2009-12-20 5:16:23 from HootSuite
• Cookie Party at Monteith’s on Sunday. We’re taking Rainbow ‘Smore dough. Sure to be a kid pick. 2009-12-19 15:50:36 from HootSuite
• Snow is as deep as Cookie-we can’t tell if her feet touch the ground or not! It’s still coming down. 2009-12-19 12:56:24 from HootSuite
• Cookie #6700 just went into the oven 2009-12-19 11:46:28 from HootSuite
• Firing the ovens–The last 24 cookie buckets get mailed on Monday 2009-12-19 11:38:37 from HootSuite
• what to do on a snow day? (10 inches and counting) Bake cookies!! 2009-12-19 11:37:15 from HootSuite
• Its happening & hes glowing > crush of compliments Greg will get from teachers today at Holiday Concert. He lives for this part. 2009-12-18 7:41:30 from Twitter for iPhone
• Prepping for the crush of compliments Greg will get from teachers today at Holiday Concert. He lives for this part. 2009-12-18 4:52:32 from Twitter for iPhone
• Note waiting at school for today’s delivery http://ow.ly/Nan4 2009-12-17 13:29:27 from HootSuite
• Up to wrap tins for today’s deliveries–42. Greg baked until 3:30. He is Superman.<3 2009-12-17 3:03:41 from HootSuite
• Our Christmas cards are scented this year. They smell like cookies 2009-12-16 18:56:32 from HootSuite
• Tin soilders http://twitpic.com/ttdko 2009-12-16 17:17:49 from Twitter for iPhone
• Neighborhood cookie exchange today. Dog ate a pile of Special K bars, will make for an interesting night. 2009-12-16 16:17:7 from HootSuite
• Dinnertime-no place to sit in our house. Cookies EVERYWHERE 2009-12-16 14:18:25 from HootSuite
• another grocery run–20 lbs flour. The novelty is wearing off. 2009-12-16 14:03:21 from HootSuite
• Grocery run: 8 lbs butter, 10 lbs flour, 10 lbs sugar, 2 lbs pwd sugar 2009-12-15 18:47:42 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/tox2t – Cookie thank you from faculty at kid’s school. Gregs still glowing 2009-12-15 18:02:13 from TwitPic
• Feedback from the Starbucks crew (delivery yesterday) “cookies were a huge hit; you (Greg) are a rock star”. Hubby is glowing 2009-12-15 5:22:11 from Twitter for iPhone
• Ortho was new recipient 2day. Message on machine “I’m a cookie guy. I’ve had 10 so far. These are unparalleled.” That’s why we do it. 2009-12-14 19:32:29 from HootSuite
• Trash men got their cookies today. Called dispatch to give our driver heads up on the cookies. He started route in reverse to pick them up! 2009-12-14 19:05:38 from HootSuite
• Early night tonight. Greg baked until 1:00am this morning. Effort was appreciated by 2days recipients-their thx was on the answering machine 2009-12-14 18:38:15 from Twitter for iPhone
• Oh Mr. Mailmaaan, our flag is up… http://ow.ly/i/cf4 2009-12-14 6:36:12 from HootSuite
• Baking again-9 more tins need prepped for Monday. Go Eagles 2009-12-13 19:23:34 from HootSuite
• Jay and Marcy’s crew, making the world more beautiful http://maps.google.com/?q=39.7895%2C-75.6986 http://twitpic.com/t8kdz 2009-12-12 12:10:8 from Twitter for iPhone
• Yummy http://twitpic.com/t8i8h 2009-12-12 11:57:34 from Twitter for iPhone
• http://maps.google.com/?q=39.8469%2C-75.7039 Best butcher in PA. Lots of samples today too http://twitpic.com/t8h3q 2009-12-12 11:50:18 from Twitter for iPhone
• Just about landed at a wrong address with this one. Reid and Alice-enjoy! http://twitpic.com/t8e7p 2009-12-12 11:33:32 from Twitter for iPhone
• Kreikers-check http://twitpic.com/t896l 2009-12-12 11:04:56 from Twitter for iPhone
• http://maps.google.com/?q=39.8035%2C-75.7818 Dry cleaners-check http://twitpic.com/t87vd 2009-12-12 10:57:8 from Twitter for iPhone
• Locked and loaded for delivery http://twitpic.com/t86fl 2009-12-12 10:48:23 from Twitter for iPhone
• We are almost ready to deliver. Here is this year’s list of flavors. http://twitpic.com/t80f3 2009-12-12 10:12:12 from Twitter for iPhone
• http://ow.ly/LhnG Delivery map for today’s cookies 2009-12-12 9:44:10 from HootSuite
• The cookie photo library is up. Match your delivery’s list to the photo to find your favorites more easily http://ow.ly/LgYu 2009-12-12 9:09:49 from HootSuite
• Logistics plan http://twitpic.com/t7cjo 2009-12-12 7:27:30 from Twitter for iPhone
• The cookie photo library will be up later today. Search Picasa for Bobka Cookie Adventure & you will see photos of each cookie w/ it’s name 2009-12-12 7:15:4 from HootSuite
• Cookie cooling station http://twitpic.com/t76bq 2009-12-12 6:36:43 from Twitter for iPhone
• Cookie Tins at the ready http://twitpic.com/t75mu 2009-12-12 6:30:54 from Twitter for iPhone
• Gregs working on baking the last 5 flavors for today’s deliveries. Girls are off to church for pageant rehersal. I’m digging for Santa hats 2009-12-12 6:02:36 from Twitter for iPhone
• Working on Monday? Cookies coming–Freesource crew, Starbucks in Longwood 2009-12-11 16:03:0 from HootSuite
• Pecan balls out of the oven and rolled in pwdr sugar–my fav 2009-12-11 14:22:53 from Twitter for iPhone
• Final Sat targets: Doreen, Lisa, neighbors, breakfast clubbers going to Harry’s, groomer, postman, dry cleaner, babysitters, butcher. 2009-12-11 12:50:30 from HootSuite
• More for Sat.-the crew at church (you know who you are) 2009-12-11 12:47:42 from HootSuite
• Tomorrow’s delivery list: J Christian Studio, Dr Barnsely (vet), Cheryl, Sheri, Dr Leardi (dentist) 2009-12-11 12:44:17 from HootSuite
• Working tomorrow? You deserve cookies! We are delivering to 28 of you tomorrow morning, so skip breakfast. 2009-12-11 12:13:43 from Twitter for iPhone
• Gregs been baking all morning. Staging area pic http://twitpic.com/t3017 2009-12-11 11:13:44 from Twitter for iPhone
• There seems to have been a calibration problem with the nut order. After 75 sticks of butter, the nut station is still overly endowed. Hmm 2009-12-10 18:41:8 from HootSuite
• tonight is recharge night, we are tired. Dip some Buckeyes in chocolate, bake biscotti (lemon pistachio) then bed. 2009-12-10 17:30:52 from HootSuite
• Cookie supply update–hit the bottom of the flour bag. Will we need more than 50lbs this year? 2009-12-10 14:20:48 from HootSuite
• Dear teachers–my kids did not have cookies for breakfast today. i.e. any misbehavior is genetic, not the sugar 2009-12-10 8:43:6 from HootSuite
• 75 sticks of butter later and we are still mixing. Pre-emptive jog suggested 2009-12-9 19:33:39 from Twitter for iPhone
• Gingersnap dough goes nicely with Malbec. Cheers 2009-12-9 18:56:20 from Twitter for iPhone
• Next in the mixer, my personal fav (and Dean’s)- Triple Chocolate Espresso. Choco dough/espresso pwdr/choco chips/choco covered espresso…2009-12-9 17:26:45 from HootSuite
• Test bake in progress now- Orange Coconut Ambrosia 2009-12-9 17:24:59 from HootSuite
• My “main roller” on the cookie team. Nice and cozy are we… http://twitpic.com/sv377

2009-12-9 16:58:42 from Twitter for iPhone

• We are approaching full http://twitpic.com/sr3ls 2009-12-8 19:47:45 from Twitter for iPhone
• 1st up tonight Rainbow Smores. So colorful it’s bound to be a kidpick http://twitpic.com/sqx5x 2009-12-8 19:02:57 from Twitter for iPhone
• For all you do, this cookie’s for you 2009-12-8 6:31:12 from HootSuite
• Our recipients are those who improve the lives of our family 2009-12-8 6:31:12 from HootSuite
• Wondering what we do with all these cookies? We give them away 2009-12-8 6:25:36 from HootSuite
• Maple Walnut this what heaven smells like http://twitpic.com/smgrn 2009-12-7 19:44:14 from Twitter for iPhone
• Foaming melted butter, dk syrup, maple syrup, maple extract and baking soda before going into MapleWalnut Oatmeal http://twitpic.com/smbge 2009-12-7 19:21:17 from Twitter for iPhone
• Maple Walnut is so good you can have them in a bowl w milk on them. Guess what I’m having for breakfast 2009-12-7 19:21:1 from Twitter for iPhone
• Scratch & Sniff Eggnog Cookies w nutmeg test bake; new last year http://twitpic.com/sm9ax 2009-12-7 18:55:6 from Twitter for iPhone
• Ingredient stations: dry station, wet station, flavor station, “stuff” station 2009-12-7 17:34:3 from HootSuite
• Mixing strategy: lightest colored dough to darkest colored; minimize need to wash mixer 2009-12-7 17:21:45 from HootSuite
• Our cookie strategy: mix, scoop, freeze, bake, pack 2009-12-7 16:10:12 from HootSuite
• Dear teachers: my daughters will breakfast on cookies thru Christmas break. 2009-12-7 6:19:45 from HootSuite
• Dishwasher humming, floor mopped, counters de-crudified. 7 recipes down, 21 to go. Sweet dreams 2009-12-6 20:57:33 from Twitter for iPhone
• Freezer shot http://twitpic.com/shwic 2009-12-6 20:13:35 from Twitter for iPhone
• Would you like a warm Gingersnap? BTW-Almond Toffee ROCKS; wow 2009-12-6 20:00:40 from HootSuite
• Dear Kitchen Aid, The big boy mixer seems to top out at 10 cups of dry ingredients. 2009-12-6 19:40:41 from HootSuite
• New cookie getting mixed: Honey Rosemary. Honey is from Dad’s bees (Donahue IA) 2009-12-6 19:13:58 from HootSuite
• Almond Toffee going in for a test bake. Taste test update in 10-12. The dough is incredibly good 2009-12-6 19:10:56 from HootSuite
• Lemon Poppyseed, awaiting glaze drizzle. Different from Aunt Ida’s Poppyseed(10 yrs on R list.) Time for chg http://twitpic.com/shjjl 2009-12-6 18:47:0 from Twitter for iPhone
• Hello luscious! http://twitpic.com/sgvl7 2009-12-6 16:19:27 from Twitter for iPhone
• You’re next, baby http://twitpic.com/sgrug 2009-12-6 15:57:40 from Twitter for iPhone
• Snickerdoodles, in the house! 2009-12-5 18:15:49 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/sc52b – Scooper helper; paid in dough$$ 2009-12-5 18:14:15 from TwitPic
• Worked out fine RT @CarlaBobka: a little odd there is no butter or oil. New recipe, we’ll see Recipe #1 Almond Biscotti 2009-12-5 17:54:29 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/sc0wv – Next up 2009-12-5 17:51:15 from TwitPic
• http://twitpic.com/sbktf – Mmmm, scratch n sniff 2009-12-5 16:26:11 from TwitPic
• http://twitpic.com/sb0mv – The biscotti got a little bigger than expected, I’ll recalibrate on the next batch 2009-12-5 14:35:31 from TwitPic
• http://twitpic.com/sar2e – Extract Central 2009-12-5 13:44:34 from TwitPic
• a little odd there is no butter or oil. New recipe, we’ll see RT @CarlaBobka: Recipe #1 Almond Biscotti 8 batches http://ow.ly/IZBu 2009-12-5 13:00:59 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/sai26 – Dead soldiers 2009-12-5 12:58:20 from TwitPic
• Recipe #1 Almond Biscotti 8 batches – Joyofbaking.com http://ow.ly/IZBu 2009-12-5 12:31:39 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/saa0f – Great atmosphere for cookies: carols on the iPod and falling outside 2009-12-5 12:15:45 from TwitPic
• The butter is at room temp, let the baking begin…2009-12-5 12:10:18 from HootSuite
• http://twitpic.com/s1r2v – The rest of the supplies hit today. Thx nutsonline.com 2009-12-3 18:55:14 from TwitPic
• Today we mix!! Which recipe do you think we’ll start with? Dough samples at 11:00pm 2009-12-3 7:25:22 from HootSuite
• Count down to recipe #1– T minus 1 day 2009-12-2 14:20:19 from HootSuite
• Last year’s list, before the pretty paper http://ow.ly/d/NU 2009-12-2 7:21:17 from HootSuite
• Dry ingredients-yes that’s 50 lbs of flour http://ow.ly/HGnj 2009-12-1 18:40:46 from HootSuite
• Wet ingredients http://ow.ly/HGme 2009-12-1 18:40:41 from HootSuite
• Laying in Supplies http://ow.ly/HGl3 2009-12-1 18:31:43 from HootSuite
• Count down to recipe #1–T minus 2 days 2009-12-1 17:08:45 from HootSuite
• Dynamic cookie modeling ala Greg http://ow.ly/HGiR 2009-12-1 17:02:9 from HootSuite
• Ingredient calcs; yes that’s 55 cups of flour http://ow.ly/d/NT 2009-12-1 8:15:17 from HootSuite
• Greg got a deal on those tins; TG for basements http://ow.ly/GXtQ 2009-12-1 5:55:8 from HootSuite
• New tins for ‘09 http://ow.ly/GXtd 2009-12-1 5:45:7 from HootSuite
• Emile Henry USA warehouse sale coming up 12/12; huge deals to be had…http://tinyurl.com/yzm92sc 2009-11-30 7:46:56 from web
• Packing supplies left from last year http://ow.ly/GXsA 2009-11-30 5:45:33 from HootSuite
• Checking our list MANY times-guess which flavors are our old timers? http://ow.ly/GXs1 2009-11-29 17:31:28 from HootSuite
• Our favorite Cookie http://ow.ly/GDi9 2009-11-29 6:40:23 from HootSuite
• Greg’s contemplating new cookie recipes for this year’s pkgs http://twitpic.com/r16k6 2009-11-26 13:09:51 from Twitter for iPhone
• Grt Gram Weiskopf silver,Auntie Elaine linens, Gram Jo china, Mags Turkey notes http://twitpic.com/r0hu6 2009-11-26 10:32:38 from Twitter for iPhone
• Thanksgiving pregame for Greg–editing the cookie lineup http://twitpic.com/r0eyr 2009-11-26 10:10:17 from Twitter for iPhone
• Glitter to make Key Lime Snowballs sparkle http://tinyurl.com/yfas9n6 2009-11-24 13:06:55 from web
• One of our fans uses cookie lists as decor http://bit.ly/4aRYqp 2009-11-18 14:45:24
• http://twitpic.com/phgnz – D2 had dry ingredient duty last season during “dough making” stage2009-11-14 9:34:43 from TwitPic
• 2008 stats: 25 flavors, 7000 cookies, 78 recipients. Superman is aiming higher this year2009-11-14 9:26:37 from web

Testimonial:
“Carla exemplifies a great business consultant. She quickly establishes rapport, listens and zooms in on issues, she proposes solutions that are implementable, and she gets it done! We retained Carla to assist us with using social media to market our newest business, myonlinedecorator.com Not only good at what she does, but what differentiates her is her enthusiasm about helping businesses grow.“ Rita Wilkins, president, www.MyOnlineDecorator.com

Get Another Slice:
Carla Bobka is the owner of SocialPie. She’s been helping businesses forge deeper relationships with their customers for 20 years. SocialPie teaches business owners how to leverage the web’s latest tools to make their relationships stronger, deeper and more profitable. We provide expert instruction for DYI’rs and project implementation for those with no time to spare. Find us on facebook.com/SocialPie and at www.carlabobka.com/socialpie. Sign up for our newsletter at http://bit.ly/socialpieregistration