The weekend read

Delicate, fragile, difficult to preserve. Oh, snap. You though I was talking about orchids, but that could well be you at week's end, couldn't it, communicators? Let me get some plant food for you, my delicate flower, in the form of my curated collection of finds of the week, served up every Friday for communicators. I pick the best ones via @dontgetcaught on Twitter, then present them here for you, a bouquet to celebrate the weekend ahead:

• Brand-ishing a flower: Here's a new list of the 20 most popular brands on Twitter.
• Plucked from the garden:  New York City art museums are considering banning selfie sticks. And in another model, the Grammys had the first selfie stick station for celebrities, perhaps an idea for your next event. Somewhere in between lies greatness.
• You don't bring me flowers: Don't laugh, 'cause this has serious implications for mobile offerings: Millions of Facebook users around the world don't think they are using the Internet.
• Fake flowers? I've enjoyed and linked to AdWeek's social media feeds (Social Times, All Facebook, etc.) but lately find they're using evasive headlines on data stories, like this one with the headline Twitter Most Effective Social Marketing Platform (But Facebook Most Important), Says Study. Missing: The fact that the study was limited to marketing professionals in Ireland. Nothing against a focused study, just call it what it is, like this very useful one on the 10 most influential Pinterest users in the UK. 
• Pressed flowers: Earlier in the week, I shared my 15 secret weapons for staying productive personally (which save time that makes me more productive at work). Lots of apps and services to try, with a few discounts or bonuses.
• Flower arrangement: Here's when to use Twitter group DMs (direct messages).
• English rose: Come to my pre-conference workshop at the Spring Speechwriters and Business Communicators Conference in Cambridge, UK, this April. What goes into a TED-quality talk will help speakers, speechwriters and conference organizers understand how to craft and deliver a talk in the style of TED, whether you're getting ready for a TEDx conference or just a presentation in this popular style. Go to this link  for more details on what's included, as well as a significant discount. The workshop is on 15 April, and the conference is 16-17 April. Please join me!
• Branching out: I've got a new ebook, The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. Share it with speakers and conference organizers! At $3.99, it's an inexpensive coach to put in your back pocket, or your phone or tablet.

Like a watering can to a flower, I'm always delighted to see you here on Fridays. Take some time to sign up for my free monthly newsletter, register for my workshop, or let me know how we can work together in 2015 with an email to eloquentwoman at gmail.com.