Not very long ago, one of my BBBF, Susan Getgood, nudged me to start using Twitter. I admit openly that I a gentle nudge was not enough. "What," I asked Susan, "do I need with another social media tool? I have enough to do just keeping up with blogging and Facebook!" (no, I do not have a MySpace page!)
Well, after some more gentle nudging - I took the plunge. I set up a Twitter account and wrote a few little Twitter posts. It was harder than imagined, since you can only use 140 characters.
About a week later, I was still mystified. Susan shared some of her followers - that's what it's called when someone decides to watch what you write in your Twitter page; followers. I started following some of the same people Susan follows, and I found Toby Bloomberg, another BBBF, and I found a few other folks I knew...and in short order, I was hooked!
Like most social media tools, you need to learn HOW TO Twitter, before you brush this tool off. Twitter is actually different than other forms of communicating and definitely different than blogging, for me. It's finally about ME!
Now, let me qualify. It's about me because I can pick and choose whom I follow. I can block someone I find offensive. But, best of all, I can get information about new ideas, new techie tools, new blogs, new products, and even insight into conferences and workshops...that I wish I were at, but could not get to -- ALL IN ONE PLACE! I don't have to go to the blogs, unless the blogger Twitters his or her latest, greatest post and I find that Twitter note compelling!
It's about ME because I can absorb a lot more education and information via Twitter, and the short Tweets written by the folks I follow, than I could ever do by trolling the net or trying to read all the blogs I love.
Another great way to use Twitter is to connect to a group of talkers outside of your usual network. There is a world beyond your window, you know. Find out what the rest of the world is chatting about. You might find some of them chatting about you! (I follow a number of Mommy bloggers and they are the best! I also follow some network marketers, and some major media Twitterers - all of whom give me delight in one form or another, on my terms.)
Twitter allows me a peek inside the offices and homes of many new people. If they are writing about a topic I'm passionate about, if they are chatting about a new product or service, or if they are asking a question, I can click in and join the conversation, learn something new, participate in a roundtable that could just solve an issue I've been having with...my marketing, my dog, my husband, my kid, my computer...whatever.
Twitter can be so addictive that you can't wait for that next update, but I recommend taking it in small doses. Start with a few minutes in the morning, then go about your business. Check it at lunch, if you have time. Twitter back, if you have time. Check it one more time before you log-off at night.
Remember...all those Tweets will still be there. Even if you're not watching. And, yes, you can get to them.
With Twitter, I feel not only better connected, but more in charge. For really valuable information on how to use Twitter effectively, check out The Twitter Handbook. And make sure to visit the blog, too.
Yvonne - your theme "it's about me" struck a chord. not only can you craft twitter to fit your needs but in terms of 'tweets' I find that I give more of "me" than I do on my blog. Sure I mix it up links to posts and and some biz information. So it's all about me on a couple of levels.
Posted by: Toby | September 19, 2008 at 01:33 AM
For me, Twitter is about putting the info into 140 characters. It's a great communication exercise without Twitter but with this tool, it really focuses you on your message.
And, the 140 character limit has the benefit of not allowing long links to Amazon, etc. because the URL shortcuts don't come in to play unless your message is less than 140. Limited spamming.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins | September 14, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Great article. Twitter is a great balance for me to follow things I enjoy, people I know, or that I know now, and also find potential clients.
It really is the type of thing that suddenly just clicks and you "get" it after a while.
Feel free to follow me at:
http://twitter.com/AnthonyRusso
Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
www.ganconference.com
http://blog.ganconference.com/
Skype: anth.russo
Twitter: @AnthonyRusso
Posted by: Anthony Russo | September 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM
@anonymous: I twitter because it's faster and it reaches a MUCH larger audience. I also learn things I could not learn just by blogging - my connections help me learn about conferences, articles, blog posts, and more...all in one place.
I still blog and recommend a blog for business, but Twitter allows me to be a fly on the wall, so to speak...and to share my work, too, with my followers, who are a fly on the wall in my world.
Posted by: Yvonne DiVita | September 12, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Great article! I was intially skeptical about twitter. Even after joining, I couldn't figure out the point! But like any other networking tool, there is a right and wrong way to use twitter. And not surprisingly, many people who are using it for their businesses have no idea how to use it! The Twitter Handbook is very helpful! Thanks for adding that link.
Posted by: Sarah | September 11, 2008 at 09:54 PM
This is a great post. I can't tell you how often I see people talking about Twitter, whether it be networking face-to-face or online. Reading this entry has encouraged me even more to check out the phenomenon known as Twitter!
Posted by: Kelly Sabetta | September 11, 2008 at 06:33 PM
What a wonderful explanation of twitter. I just got hooked on twitter myself and I can sure see how one can get very addicted to it! LOL!!!
Posted by: Trish Oleary | September 11, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Why do you "tweet" when you have a blog?
Posted by: Anonymous | September 11, 2008 at 04:12 PM