I'm coming round to Twitter Chris, and enjoy following your own tweets (if only I could keep up!) I admire the way that you point us towards great resources and sites, that you do your best to share and promote what others are doing. It says a lot about you.
Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year - and that at least some of it will be unplugged...
Joanna
Dave LaMorte
· 2 years ago
Something about it makes it feel like a mix of a personal notebook/sketch-pad and the hallways at a conference. Twitter gives you the opportunity to play with ideas, try them out on other people, and get feed back without the formalness of a finished product.
I'm more likely to make a mistake on Twitter, and I'm more likely to just let it go on Twitter.
IAAdmin
· 2 years ago
Although, I've met some great people on twitter, I'm still experimenting. When you don't know too many people, it's hard to "get to know" people in cyberspace.
But, I'm looking forward to writing more tweets.
BTW, on twitter, I'm diettips...............:)
AnnOhio
· 2 years ago
Twitter=life altering experience for me. I'm sure that some people are going to read that and think good grief this woman is a freak. Not necessarily a freak, a little crazy perhaps.
I've been in the stream and drinking the KoolAid for 9 months. I think I use Twitter differently than most people. For me it's about connecting, checking in on people and finding ways to contribute and give back. I've been tagged the social butterfly and the human part of Twitter by a few people.
Examples of good things that immediately come to mind, the Kandahar project that still continues, the Frozen Pea Fund that goes live on Friday (http://www.frozenpeafund.com), donations I have made to Kiva, Wishood and even a few tweeted in the stream by people that I know, admire and respect.
There are hundreds of individual connections and contributions that have added to my world. Connections that have moved to IM, email, phone conversations and the infamous bullriding tweet up in South Florida.
Where else would simple Ann from the cornfields of Ohio become AnnOhio? Where else would I come across people like Jim Long, Jeff Pulver, Connie Reece, Susan Reynolds, Steph Stockman and far too many more people to name, all gathered together in the Twitter stream.
Oh yeah, and that Chris Brogan guy that added me on a Stripper Friday and became my very first favorited Tweet. :o)
For me? It's about the people and what you bring to add to my world.
vicequeenmaria
· 2 years ago
Twitter has been the "glue" this year that helped me stay in touch with friends and brought together a handful of bloggers socially in meatspace. I can't imagine my life without Twitter. But you're right, it's something you have to "tweak" and "adapt" as you use it. I don't like to follow too many people because then I lose track of the individuals who are in my life whom I personally care about. On the other hand, I've made new friends online whom I will probably meet in person someday and I've come to care for them too, even if I don't interact with them socially yet. I get to peek into the minds of intelligent people who offer bits of insight (ie YOU) that mean something to me, but it doesn't overwhelm me with information. For me, Twitter has been a very "human" online experience and I suspect it will continue to be so in the future.
Gregory Pittman
· 2 years ago
Chris,
I've only been using Twitter for the last couple of months but it has changed the way I think things through. I've always been pretty detailed, and am pretty much a loner when it comes to planning things out. Because of my training and experience, I trust the way I do things and they usually turn out just the way I expect and want them to. But the social nature of Twitter has caused me to begin to think about bringing other people in earlier in the process. I actually think about getting input proactively rather than reactively.
Too, I'm kind of a current events junkie and when things like this morning's fire at the OEOB show up on Twitter a full 35 minutes before the news sources send out text alerts (thanks to newmediajim!), that's pretty cool.
Matt Searles
· 2 years ago
The way I often use twitter is I'll meet someone at one or another meet up, conference, or whatever.. kinda connect, and then add them on twitter. It certainly adds to my feeling of connectedness..
On one level or another I see building relationships as an important part of my personal branding strategy.. So it seems like a marketing tool to me, all be it a kind of personal one.
The other thing is that sooo much of what happens in this space seems like sooo much serendipity. A serendipity of a sorta that I don't know how you could ever really quantify.. I mean sometimes it just feels like pure magic. So much for the analytical mind, but I can't help but feel that Twitter figures into this serendipity in a powerful way. I suppose it's similar to the idea that X percent of success is luck, and in certain ways we make our luck, and it seems like twitter is a bit like the Woody Allen shtick about showing up.
Of course I'm not sure if that really makes any sense or not but..
Elizabeth Grattan
· 2 years ago
I'm enjoying the Twitter experience for a few different reasons. It's a small community now, deliberately. A quick way for some friends to just keep updated and feel connected from a distance, while also meeting a few new people and finding out what's in their head as well.
I use Twitter primarily as a resource for learning. I'm following links to news feeds that will serve as a catylist for a broadcast or piece I'd like to write, and follow the links from others for this reason.
And I'll plug my piece also, knowing that some of it isn't for more than that small community following, but not all.
I'm in a state of multi tasking Twitter now, simply as I grow and develop the community for myself personally.
Which has already been more beneficial for me than other tools I've used. I can bookmark the links quickly, and rather than searching through topics I think will interest me, I can find topics that are interesting to others...which eventually, will lead to better conversations with everybody.
Nice blog Chris!
e
True Jersey Girl
· 2 years ago
Twitter has definitely changed my life, as corny as that sounds. I definitely dont use it for business or marketing reasons - its all fun for me. I have met so many amazing people on there and have made some true friends. It has also strengthened my connections with my cousins, who joined twitter when I was babbling about it one night - now we talk daily on there. Some people still dont get it - but its a daily part of my life and I love all the tweeple on my list!
David Tames
· 2 years ago
the "what am I doing right now" vs. "where my attention is right now" is an interesting choice in terms of using twitter. What I like best about twitter seeing what people are reading and paying attention to, it's a stream I visit once in a while for that.
David Binkowski
· 2 years ago
Chris, I enjoy the post but have to disagree. Does it beat Facebook as a time waster? Potentially. But Twitter makes me want to blurt out "Simpsons did it!" -- everything you listed can be accomplished through other tools as well.
It almost feels as if a small group of the "PR blogging inner circle" is trying really, really hard to push Twitter as the next big thing just to finally be able to claim they predicted what the next big thing is going to be. If you really want to know what will be big, it's pretty simple -- follow the kids. They're why the last few sites have blown up, not because of the hype of middle aged communications pros (myself included).
That being said, if I was a company like Vocus or NBZM and wanted to get the influencers within the PR/communications or even tech circles buzzing, it'd be one of the many places to do it.
Dave
JasonFalls
· 2 years ago
I think I fall into the "wastes time" category on Twitter, though I have connected with folks there I wouldn't have otherwise. I have found a measurement firm I like (and am now officially using ... Radian6 ... check them out) by chatting with a Twitter friend.
And, of course, I've found ways to utilize Twitter for a client that provided something of value to a community of folks despirate for it (The Beam Baja Twitter Tracker). So it's helped me with my work and client.
The reason I can say it has changed me is that I really miss it when I'm not on. The people I chat with in that community are important to me. I value their opinions and want to know "What they are doing." My hope is they feel the same way about me.
Dr.Mani
· 2 years ago
Interesting question - No, I don't think Twitter has 'changed my life'... yet!
Will blog a longer answer soon. I like the perspective of posting on Twitter to answer the question: "What has your attention now?"
I took that further to say: "What are you doing that might interest ME now?" - which changes focus to Tweeting about stuff likely to be of interest to others - than how you feel coz your airline got delayed!
I agree that Twitter is a fantastic way to meet new people and to connect with others all over the world with whom I might otherwise never interact.
As mentioned, Twitter is also a great way to learn about breaking news and to spot trends.
One technique I find helpful in keeping up as I follow more people is to periodically check the individual pages of my "closer" Twitter friends (which I would loosely define as local, personal and/or professional contacts) to catch up on their Tweets since, as you mentioned, as more people are followed, it's easy to miss Tweets from individuals.
I wish there were a way to choose to follow some followees differently than others, for instance, to opt in to SMS updates from a user on an individual basis.
With that functionality, as an example, a user could receive updates from family members, fellow conference attendees, or local followees on his or her phone some or all of the time, while saving updates from sources (like ZDNet Blogs) that are followed primarily for their news updates to catch up with back at the office.
David Petherick
· 2 years ago
Excellent article Chris - I have an article on using'2.0' tools for business early in 2008 - and goddarn it - you wrote half the article already! I'll be sure to reference this.
Let me share two points:
1) Twitter has brought together some great connections, friends and contacts internationally, who have actively been useful in a business sense.
2) I find that using http://twitterfeed.com to automatically add tweets that announce link to my own blog posts (and a few favourite blogs) is a great way of starting conversations and sharing ideas. Adding a 'follow this blog on twitter' link is a simple way to build traffic and make connections.
The enforced discipline of brevity that twitter imposes is a great way to ensure that you say what's on your mind effectively.
Sofie
· 2 years ago
Very cool! I hang out at a community called Scrappiz.
charlieanzman
· 2 years ago
Great piece Chris - Think you've described Twitter really well for those who haven't messed with it yet.
Knight
· 2 years ago
The thing I love about Twitter is that it helps me know what my friends or peers are "observing" ...leading me to wonder if the act of observing someone changes the observer or not? :)
As you can see, I agree with almost everything you say here.
Sam Freedoms Internet Marketin
· 2 years ago
Chris, your attentiionupgrade widget on the left side freezes things for like 20-30 seconds while it loads...
Anyways, Twitter is revolutionary. I'm going to tell you what you and so many others keep missing out on because you insist that social media is about marketers and businesses asking YOU what you want.
We already know.
You either just don't know that we already know or you are looking at failed and struggling businesses who are desperate enough to try anything.
Like a leaf or sand can highlight the pattern of the wind, Twitter highlights psychological frames. You touched upon it briefly but, it seems, almost by accident. You referred to "gate jumping" but the gate is all in the mind. You would find a greater store of knowledge on this if you called it "frame breaking" or "frame making."
For example, if I meet you on the street. I come through the frame of "stranger" and whatever "stranger" triggers for you, that's what I get for it.
But if I have a friend introduce us, or I am with my friend who is a friendly policeman, then I come through a different frame.
Another example is my nephew hates (school) chop suey, but he loves pasta, beef and sauce... its the same food but "chop suey" reminds him of school lunch.
TWITTER is a plug into the stream of consciousness of 100000s of people. The immediacy of connecting is so exciting that people would meet total strangers if all you said was, "Hey, Twitter Meetup in 25 min at (coffee shop X)" because you come through a frame of "cool!""
But businesses don't have to ask you what you want. Humans, in their mechanical state, are not extraodinary and not difficult to figure out and no amount of drum rattling or whining will change that.
@Joanna- Hi and thank you. I'm not sure how unplugged I'll get over the holidays. I think the plugging in keeps me feeling better.
@Dave- I think that's a *really* great way to use Twitter, as a kind of scratch pad.
@Diettips- Cool! Glad to make the connection. : )
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
@AnnOhio - you're right. For whatever reason, Twitter seems to bring much more connectivity to people who have good causes.
@ViceQueenMaria- true. Twitter makes a great glue. People say that to me about Facebook, but I guess I'm using Facebook wrong.
@Gregory- Interesting, so you're using the collaborative effects of Twitter, and that's shaping your off-twitter events, too?
@Matt- You're right. Following someone just before and definitely just after an event really adds to the overall experience. It's like having a longer relationship than you might have had otherwise. You're not off base at all.
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
@Elizabeth- it's neat as a resource for learning. I feel that it helps me see things faster than when I was simple reading lots of blog RSS feeds.
@TrueJerseyGirl - see? That's what @ViceQueenMaria said, too, and I like that. Nice when it can be used in a more personal way.
@David - glad you like it. Twitter can certainly give us things to consider that we hadn't before.
@Jason- see? You've even made business from Twitter. That's what's really cool. It's a tool set that can be used different ways. None of us have a definitive way to use it, because that's like saying computers are for calculating math.
@Dr Mani- if there were a way to filter out airline tweets, I'd do it in a heartbeat, and yet, folks like to commiserate. Twitter was definitely a great place to share my frustration when I got stuck in traffic for over 6 3/4 hours last week.
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
@Susan- deep dives is a great way to dig back in. I use a separate Netvibes page to do that, so I don't forget to dive on certain people.
@David P- I don't use an auto-poster because I like to follow my tip of turning the post into a conversation point, instead of just feeding a URL into the void. But your mileage may vary. Your point about forced brevity, however, rocks. I agree totally.
@Guarav - thanks for the link!
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
@Sam. Well hi, Sam. Long time no demeaning comment telling me that I'm rambly and short-sighted and wrong. : )
Oddly, I wasn't talking about marketing while talking about Twitter. I understand that people use it for marketing, but I went so far as to tell people to abandon it as a tool for marketing.
Further, I didn't ask marketers to understand me in this post. Never entered the conversation.
But I love your thoughts, enjoyed your blog a great deal, and encourage you to come back when I tell you marketers are poopy heads again so you can slap some sense back into me (and I mean that with all sincerity).
Oh, and I took your advice about the AttentionUPGRADE widget. Thanks for the constructive feedback.
Meaghan
· 2 years ago
Chris, you captured it much better than I did in my twitter epiphany, but I was getting at the same idea of twitter as an idea bank. I got an iPhone today and PocketTweets was the first app I installed :)
Meaghan
· 2 years ago
Chris, you captured it much better than I did in my twitter epiphany, but I was getting at the same idea of twitter as an idea bank.
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
@DavidBinkowski - Thanks for pointing out that my blog ate your homework. Sorry for the delay.
First, a clarification: I'm not in PR or Marketing. I'm a tech dude who talks about social media. Technically, I guess I help people with some of that kind of stuff, but I'm not paid to help people relate or market.
I don't say it's the next big thing. I just say that I like it more than other tools. Frankly, whatever works for you, is my mantra. I like it. It works well for me. Facebook? Not so much.
As far as other tools, how's Pownce doing? How about Jaiku? Where's the energy? Here.
Thanks for your comments. What were those other tools you mentioned at the end? (I was too lazy to google).
Mosley
· 2 years ago
I just got in to twitter... I agree with you about it being a good tool. I asked a question and got awnswers in seconds. Oh and its really is a hot bed of ideas for blog posts.
Jasmin Tragas
· 2 years ago
When I first saw Twitter being used by two friends earlier this year I totally didn't get it. Huh? What IS this thing? Then as I saw the way work colleagues were using it and created my own account (jazzydee) I started to see the benefits of Twitter. Made my 1000th tweet yesterday. The people I have met, the knowledge shared, the immediate access to information..it's been such a great way way to communicate ad hoc. Thanks for the great post
Christine Taylor
· 2 years ago
Not to "pounce" all over this, but wow! What a great post!! :-):-)
I discovered Twitter through one of my brothers, and quickly thought it would be great to spread the word about a charity art auction I was organizing. I had no idea how different it is from other social networks. When one of my brothers finally messaged me saying, "You DO know you're only sending these messages to me and J and like 2 other people, don't you?" ...I guessed it was time to rethink my options.
So then I had to decide if Twitter was right for me...because no one of my friends, outside of my bros, was there. I was prattling to myself and "like 2 other people." It was lonely. I allllmost left...then I saw a familiar blogger's ID, and said hi. Then someone I don't know invited me to participate in his idea 'TwittyTales,' writing a short story through one Twitter post a day. And then and then...
:-):-) Now I can't wait to explore and meet new faces!
Nancy Marmolejo
· 2 years ago
I'm trying so hard to want to love Twitter, but it's a huge investment of time and energy. I'm wondering if everyone posting great experiences also find themselves constantly plugged into their blackberries?
It's like the alcoholic who justifies drinking because the AMA said wine is good for you...
I'll still try, but waiting for the big "ah-ha!"
Karen (aka MrsB)
· 1 year ago
Twitter is my "home base" these days. It's the first thing I open in the morning and with Tweetscan, I can search mrsb to see if there were any @replies that I've missed. I also use the DM feature every day.
I don't go back in the stream, just jump in and keep it running on my sidebar all day. I never "just Twitter". It's an open app that I glance at while doing other things. I've also used it to make new connections by clicking on others' @reply recipients.
Honestly, Twitter has become my main source of items to click on and read throughout the day. Even if I never get to open my Google Reader or email because I'm so busy, I still have a finger on the pulse of what's happening by clicking on the links provided by friends.
I love Twitter! :-)
Thelma Bowlen
· 1 year ago
I'm nearing my first Twitter anniversary this March and have been thinking about how big a part of my days Twitter has been. From my life in the Philippines to moving back to the US after 27 years, Twitter has kept me company and has served as my means of cyber-journaling.
It came into my life when I was on the threshold of making a huge change so at this point, all the friends I've made through and because of it, have provided me with an odd sense of stability in this challenging season of my life.
Now that I'm half a world away from friends, Twitter's a great way for us to keep tabs on each other in real time.
Oh! Happy New Year, Chris!
chrisbrogan
· 1 year ago
Happy New Year to you, Thelma. I wish you the very best.
I'm glad to hear that you're using Twitter to keep tab with friends. I agree that it's a great way to use it.
seejayjames
· 1 year ago
From the point of view of Ed Tech, Twitter has a fair amount of potential. I could certainly see some creative uses within schools, where groups of students could keep in synchronous communication about a current project, especially if several separate classes wanted to work together or be in some kind of competition --- they would be able to track the progress of other groups as they researched or brainstormed ideas about a subject or assignment. The trick would be to design the assignment so that using the application would be beneficial and not distracting. If it was some kind of “treasure hunt” of resources, that could be appropriate, or during a field trip students could utilize it for coordination of activities or to let others know about something they’ve seen (like telling the group to go see a particular exhibit at a museum). The usage would ideally be on school computers or school-provided texting devices, rather than on personal cell phones, so that it would be separated from students’ other networks.
Along those lines, using Twitter in a confined network has a lot of possibilities. I think at a large conference, each attendee could be given a rental BlackBerry or other wireless device that texts easily (keeping their own cell phones free for other usage). This would create a temporary network of a manageable size which allows people easy access to up-to-the-minute information and ideas. Perhaps refining the message threads to several categories: General chatter / ideas / thoughts; Logistics (what’s happening where and when, and who’s going); Reactions to specific events like major speakers; Need Help / Advice (Where is? Did anyone find my wallet?); and a Broadcast channel from event supervisors (Talk cancelled / Reception moved here) which would go to everyone’s threads. Again, there could be issues related to the “signal-to-noise ratio” of information, but hopefully as people get used to how the tool works, they would generally use it effectively. If the threads were well-defined and obvious as to their intent, this would help people filter and focus.
Once you have a good-sized network that’s manageable, I can definitely see the possibilities for getting ideas and answers to questions. In this usage Twitter certainly rivals forums or discussion boards, since the response is generally so much faster and more easily received. Since the messages are short, good ones get to the point fast; and since it’s so well-integrated into other communication tools, it can add a layer of interaction which could be quite useful. Again, it’s like any other new tool --- people use it for a variety of purposes, and it takes a little while before “best practices” (which vary between tools) are established. The interconnectivity and immediacy of it is appealing, but this is balanced by the amount of information there. Filtering out the noise is essential for most uses and of course will take some practice.
Rokchic
· 1 year ago
Okey dokey, have joined, looked round, have a couple of 'followers' and I am 'following' a few people. But ... I'm still trying to 'get' it. Oh well.. will carry on and see what becomes of it. Must say, I like the Twitterfeed feature. That's pretty cool. Thanks for the article - interesting read and pretty helpful too! Cheers :)
jason eano
· 1 year ago
Do you find that in the near year since you wrote this piece, that Twitter has shifted towards more of a broadcast then it was in December of 2007.
Obama's Twitter account is a perfect example of this shift for me. In a content thirsty culture, being able to customize your media channel from microblogs from the direct source of your interest becomes far more intriguing than the simple back and forth conversations that Twitter was used for in its inception.
I get my news from Twitter now, I follow interesting and influential people relevant to my life and business whom I rarely engage with personally but whose links, comments, ideas, blurbs of jargon i find more interesting than most other media channels, new or traditional.
frank
· 9 months ago
Hey Chris -
I read this post a long time ago and it's one that helped me get a better grasp on Twitter and how to use the tool. I was late to the Twitter game, but with the help of posts like this and the ability to get in and see how others were using it I was able to really grasp it.
TWITTER is a plug into the stream of consciousness of 100000s of people. The immediacy of connecting is so exciting that people would meet total strangers if all you said was, "Hey, Twitter Meetup in 25 min at (coffee shop X)" because you come through a frame of "cool!""
All Comments
Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year - and that at least some of it will be unplugged...
Joanna
I'm more likely to make a mistake on Twitter, and I'm more likely to just let it go on Twitter.
But, I'm looking forward to writing more tweets.
BTW, on twitter, I'm diettips...............:)
I've been in the stream and drinking the KoolAid for 9 months. I think I use Twitter differently than most people. For me it's about connecting, checking in on people and finding ways to contribute and give back. I've been tagged the social butterfly and the human part of Twitter by a few people.
Examples of good things that immediately come to mind, the Kandahar project that still continues, the Frozen Pea Fund that goes live on Friday (http://www.frozenpeafund.com), donations I have made to Kiva, Wishood and even a few tweeted in the stream by people that I know, admire and respect.
There are hundreds of individual connections and contributions that have added to my world. Connections that have moved to IM, email, phone conversations and the infamous bullriding tweet up in South Florida.
Where else would simple Ann from the cornfields of Ohio become AnnOhio? Where else would I come across people like Jim Long, Jeff Pulver, Connie Reece, Susan Reynolds, Steph Stockman and far too many more people to name, all gathered together in the Twitter stream.
Oh yeah, and that Chris Brogan guy that added me on a Stripper Friday and became my very first favorited Tweet. :o)
For me? It's about the people and what you bring to add to my world.
I've only been using Twitter for the last couple of months but it has changed the way I think things through. I've always been pretty detailed, and am pretty much a loner when it comes to planning things out. Because of my training and experience, I trust the way I do things and they usually turn out just the way I expect and want them to. But the social nature of Twitter has caused me to begin to think about bringing other people in earlier in the process. I actually think about getting input proactively rather than reactively.
Too, I'm kind of a current events junkie and when things like this morning's fire at the OEOB show up on Twitter a full 35 minutes before the news sources send out text alerts (thanks to newmediajim!), that's pretty cool.
On one level or another I see building relationships as an important part of my personal branding strategy.. So it seems like a marketing tool to me, all be it a kind of personal one.
The other thing is that sooo much of what happens in this space seems like sooo much serendipity. A serendipity of a sorta that I don't know how you could ever really quantify.. I mean sometimes it just feels like pure magic. So much for the analytical mind, but I can't help but feel that Twitter figures into this serendipity in a powerful way. I suppose it's similar to the idea that X percent of success is luck, and in certain ways we make our luck, and it seems like twitter is a bit like the Woody Allen shtick about showing up.
Of course I'm not sure if that really makes any sense or not but..
I use Twitter primarily as a resource for learning. I'm following links to news feeds that will serve as a catylist for a broadcast or piece I'd like to write, and follow the links from others for this reason.
And I'll plug my piece also, knowing that some of it isn't for more than that small community following, but not all.
I'm in a state of multi tasking Twitter now, simply as I grow and develop the community for myself personally.
Which has already been more beneficial for me than other tools I've used. I can bookmark the links quickly, and rather than searching through topics I think will interest me, I can find topics that are interesting to others...which eventually, will lead to better conversations with everybody.
Nice blog Chris!
e
I enjoy the post but have to disagree. Does it beat Facebook as a time waster? Potentially. But Twitter makes me want to blurt out "Simpsons did it!" -- everything you listed can be accomplished through other tools as well.
It almost feels as if a small group of the "PR blogging inner circle" is trying really, really hard to push Twitter as the next big thing just to finally be able to claim they predicted what the next big thing is going to be. If you really want to know what will be big, it's pretty simple -- follow the kids. They're why the last few sites have blown up, not because of the hype of middle aged communications pros (myself included).
That being said, if I was a company like Vocus or NBZM and wanted to get the influencers within the PR/communications or even tech circles buzzing, it'd be one of the many places to do it.
Dave
And, of course, I've found ways to utilize Twitter for a client that provided something of value to a community of folks despirate for it (The Beam Baja Twitter Tracker). So it's helped me with my work and client.
The reason I can say it has changed me is that I really miss it when I'm not on. The people I chat with in that community are important to me. I value their opinions and want to know "What they are doing." My hope is they feel the same way about me.
Will blog a longer answer soon. I like the perspective of posting on Twitter to answer the question: "What has your attention now?"
I took that further to say: "What are you doing that might interest ME now?" - which changes focus to Tweeting about stuff likely to be of interest to others - than how you feel coz your airline got delayed!
All success
Dr.Mani
As mentioned, Twitter is also a great way to learn about breaking news and to spot trends.
One technique I find helpful in keeping up as I follow more people is to periodically check the individual pages of my "closer" Twitter friends (which I would loosely define as local, personal and/or professional contacts) to catch up on their Tweets since, as you mentioned, as more people are followed, it's easy to miss Tweets from individuals.
I wish there were a way to choose to follow some followees differently than others, for instance, to opt in to SMS updates from a user on an individual basis.
With that functionality, as an example, a user could receive updates from family members, fellow conference attendees, or local followees on his or her phone some or all of the time, while saving updates from sources (like ZDNet Blogs) that are followed primarily for their news updates to catch up with back at the office.
Let me share two points:
1) Twitter has brought together some great connections, friends and contacts internationally, who have actively been useful in a business sense.
2) I find that using http://twitterfeed.com to automatically add tweets that announce link to my own blog posts (and a few favourite blogs) is a great way of starting conversations and sharing ideas. Adding a 'follow this blog on twitter' link is a simple way to build traffic and make connections.
The enforced discipline of brevity that twitter imposes is a great way to ensure that you say what's on your mind effectively.
Here's a post I wrote on the same topic last night -- Seven Reasons to Join Twitter If You Already Haven't.
As you can see, I agree with almost everything you say here.
Anyways, Twitter is revolutionary. I'm going to tell you what you and so many others keep missing out on because you insist that social media is about marketers and businesses asking YOU what you want.
We already know.
You either just don't know that we already know or you are looking at failed and struggling businesses who are desperate enough to try anything.
Like a leaf or sand can highlight the pattern of the wind, Twitter highlights psychological frames. You touched upon it briefly but, it seems, almost by accident. You referred to "gate jumping" but the gate is all in the mind. You would find a greater store of knowledge on this if you called it "frame breaking" or "frame making."
For example, if I meet you on the street. I come through the frame of "stranger" and whatever "stranger" triggers for you, that's what I get for it.
But if I have a friend introduce us, or I am with my friend who is a friendly policeman, then I come through a different frame.
Another example is my nephew hates (school) chop suey, but he loves pasta, beef and sauce... its the same food but "chop suey" reminds him of school lunch.
TWITTER is a plug into the stream of consciousness of 100000s of people. The immediacy of connecting is so exciting that people would meet total strangers if all you said was, "Hey, Twitter Meetup in 25 min at (coffee shop X)" because you come through a frame of "cool!""
But businesses don't have to ask you what you want. Humans, in their mechanical state, are not extraodinary and not difficult to figure out and no amount of drum rattling or whining will change that.
Sam
My Twitter Articles
@Dave- I think that's a *really* great way to use Twitter, as a kind of scratch pad.
@Diettips- Cool! Glad to make the connection. : )
@ViceQueenMaria- true. Twitter makes a great glue. People say that to me about Facebook, but I guess I'm using Facebook wrong.
@Gregory- Interesting, so you're using the collaborative effects of Twitter, and that's shaping your off-twitter events, too?
@Matt- You're right. Following someone just before and definitely just after an event really adds to the overall experience. It's like having a longer relationship than you might have had otherwise. You're not off base at all.
@TrueJerseyGirl - see? That's what @ViceQueenMaria said, too, and I like that. Nice when it can be used in a more personal way.
@David - glad you like it. Twitter can certainly give us things to consider that we hadn't before.
@Jason- see? You've even made business from Twitter. That's what's really cool. It's a tool set that can be used different ways. None of us have a definitive way to use it, because that's like saying computers are for calculating math.
@Dr Mani- if there were a way to filter out airline tweets, I'd do it in a heartbeat, and yet, folks like to commiserate. Twitter was definitely a great place to share my frustration when I got stuck in traffic for over 6 3/4 hours last week.
@David P- I don't use an auto-poster because I like to follow my tip of turning the post into a conversation point, instead of just feeding a URL into the void. But your mileage may vary. Your point about forced brevity, however, rocks. I agree totally.
@Guarav - thanks for the link!
Oddly, I wasn't talking about marketing while talking about Twitter. I understand that people use it for marketing, but I went so far as to tell people to abandon it as a tool for marketing.
Further, I didn't ask marketers to understand me in this post. Never entered the conversation.
But I love your thoughts, enjoyed your blog a great deal, and encourage you to come back when I tell you marketers are poopy heads again so you can slap some sense back into me (and I mean that with all sincerity).
Oh, and I took your advice about the AttentionUPGRADE widget. Thanks for the constructive feedback.
First, a clarification: I'm not in PR or Marketing. I'm a tech dude who talks about social media. Technically, I guess I help people with some of that kind of stuff, but I'm not paid to help people relate or market.
I don't say it's the next big thing. I just say that I like it more than other tools. Frankly, whatever works for you, is my mantra. I like it. It works well for me. Facebook? Not so much.
As far as other tools, how's Pownce doing? How about Jaiku? Where's the energy? Here.
Thanks for your comments. What were those other tools you mentioned at the end? (I was too lazy to google).
Then as I saw the way work colleagues were using it and created my own account (jazzydee) I started to see the benefits of Twitter. Made my 1000th tweet yesterday. The people I have met, the knowledge shared, the immediate access to information..it's been such a great way way to communicate ad hoc.
Thanks for the great post
I discovered Twitter through one of my brothers, and quickly thought it would be great to spread the word about a charity art auction I was organizing. I had no idea how different it is from other social networks. When one of my brothers finally messaged me saying, "You DO know you're only sending these messages to me and J and like 2 other people, don't you?" ...I guessed it was time to rethink my options.
So then I had to decide if Twitter was right for me...because no one of my friends, outside of my bros, was there. I was prattling to myself and "like 2 other people." It was lonely. I allllmost left...then I saw a familiar blogger's ID, and said hi. Then someone I don't know invited me to participate in his idea 'TwittyTales,' writing a short story through one Twitter post a day. And then and then...
:-):-) Now I can't wait to explore and meet new faces!
It's like the alcoholic who justifies drinking because the AMA said wine is good for you...
I'll still try, but waiting for the big "ah-ha!"
I don't go back in the stream, just jump in and keep it running on my sidebar all day. I never "just Twitter". It's an open app that I glance at while doing other things. I've also used it to make new connections by clicking on others' @reply recipients.
Honestly, Twitter has become my main source of items to click on and read throughout the day. Even if I never get to open my Google Reader or email because I'm so busy, I still have a finger on the pulse of what's happening by clicking on the links provided by friends.
I love Twitter! :-)
It came into my life when I was on the threshold of making a huge change so at this point, all the friends I've made through and because of it, have provided me with an odd sense of stability in this challenging season of my life.
Now that I'm half a world away from friends, Twitter's a great way for us to keep tabs on each other in real time.
Oh! Happy New Year, Chris!
I'm glad to hear that you're using Twitter to keep tab with friends. I agree that it's a great way to use it.
Along those lines, using Twitter in a confined network has a lot of possibilities. I think at a large conference, each attendee could be given a rental BlackBerry or other wireless device that texts easily (keeping their own cell phones free for other usage). This would create a temporary network of a manageable size which allows people easy access to up-to-the-minute information and ideas. Perhaps refining the message threads to several categories: General chatter / ideas / thoughts; Logistics (what’s happening where and when, and who’s going); Reactions to specific events like major speakers; Need Help / Advice (Where is? Did anyone find my wallet?); and a Broadcast channel from event supervisors (Talk cancelled / Reception moved here) which would go to everyone’s threads. Again, there could be issues related to the “signal-to-noise ratio” of information, but hopefully as people get used to how the tool works, they would generally use it effectively. If the threads were well-defined and obvious as to their intent, this would help people filter and focus.
Once you have a good-sized network that’s manageable, I can definitely see the possibilities for getting ideas and answers to questions. In this usage Twitter certainly rivals forums or discussion boards, since the response is generally so much faster and more easily received. Since the messages are short, good ones get to the point fast; and since it’s so well-integrated into other communication tools, it can add a layer of interaction which could be quite useful. Again, it’s like any other new tool --- people use it for a variety of purposes, and it takes a little while before “best practices” (which vary between tools) are established. The interconnectivity and immediacy of it is appealing, but this is balanced by the amount of information there. Filtering out the noise is essential for most uses and of course will take some practice.
Obama's Twitter account is a perfect example of this shift for me. In a content thirsty culture, being able to customize your media channel from microblogs from the direct source of your interest becomes far more intriguing than the simple back and forth conversations that Twitter was used for in its inception.
I get my news from Twitter now, I follow interesting and influential people relevant to my life and business whom I rarely engage with personally but whose links, comments, ideas, blurbs of jargon i find more interesting than most other media channels, new or traditional.
I read this post a long time ago and it's one that helped me get a better grasp on Twitter and how to use the tool. I was late to the Twitter game, but with the help of posts like this and the ability to get in and see how others were using it I was able to really grasp it.
I shared a bit about my 1st go with Twitter here.
Hopefully it will inspire others to join us and get something out of using Twitter.
http://twitter.com/franswaa