Everyone uses Twitter differently, and I can’t really tell you what it is about generally. However, I can tell you what Twitter is to me, personally. It is about connecting with people (guess you figure that out). It’s about building new relationships with people that you’re not able to do on other social networking sites, for example, when being on Facebook we tend to be inside our own circle of friends. Unless we connect with them on twitter first, then we might be able to grow our network on facebook.
Twitter is about learning and adding value
Its is also about adding value to others by giving or sharing something valuable to them so that they are able to learn something. That is why I usually tweet about stuff that I read, learned or have good value. I have learned so much from the others that is why I love twitter. It is also about helping others, I disagree with many ‘experts’ that say you should only follow ‘influential’ users because I don’t judge someone that way, and because I believe the people at Twitter don’t believe in them either. I also disagree that you should only share your own stuff otherwise you will dilute your brand. Sure it makes sense but 24/7 sharing your own blog post and following influential people?
Twitter is about engaging and responding
I try to respond to everyone and help people if I am able to. I don’t judge who they are, or how many followers they have like some do. It is worth it to me? In my honest opinion, it is. Reading @guykawasaki’s book, Enchantment, taught me that it makes a difference, not just to me, but to the people that I have helped along the way. That is one way to build credibility and trust. @guykawasaki shared a story in his book where a traveller sees a man throwing starfish back into the sea to save them. The traveller asked the man why he thinks it can make a difference since there are many out there laying on the beach. The man picks up another, throws it into the ocean, and says “it makes a difference to that one”
For me that is Twitter, and no, its is not what I had or want to eat for lunch if you’re assuming that it is, although I did post a photo of what I ate once… *guilty*
Your thoughts? What is twitter for you?
photo credits: by frankh
This is a republished article from my column at istrategy
Nice way of putting it, it is all about engagement . well said !
Great post. Maybe we can learn that lesson and apply it to “real life”. What if we spent time engaging and responding and adding value daily? I know, crazy thought.
Great post. Maybe we can learn that lesson and apply it to “real life”. What if we spent time engaging and responding and adding value daily? I know, crazy thought.
I’m a Twitter “trainee” who’s on the way to working out what Twitter is all about and what I want from it. I love this post because I love the idea of reaching and sharing that Twitter offers. I think Twitter might be the digital equivalent of phatic communication: the introduction, the “hello”, the invitation to connect with others that encourages us to converse, discuss, understand, consider.
I’m a Twitter “trainee” who’s on the way to working out what Twitter is all about and what I want from it. I love this post because I love the idea of reaching and sharing that Twitter offers. I think Twitter might be the digital equivalent of phatic communication: the introduction, the “hello”, the invitation to connect with others that encourages us to converse, discuss, understand, consider.
I agree with you – Twitter is about connecting, interacting, and adding value for others. It is also not about only following the rich and famous. The best follows are those who are interested in what you’re passionate about or who are in your niche.
Anyone who is not using Twitter is really missing out. It only takes a few minutes a day to check in and answer any tweets sent directly to you. There is no better way to catch up with someone who is really busy or hard to get on the phone or via email.
Georgesisneros’ point is a good one. Twitter is teaching up what many of us never learned in real life: that relationships are what we were missing and the most important way to spend our time.
Worthy piece. I have learned a great deal from Twitter. I tell people all the time about the value of connecting with people from different frames of reference and how important diversity is in our daily lives. The world is a different place when we share our diversity and our ideas.
I learn every single day from Twitter. Ironically, some of the learning is how NOT to behave. I absolutely appreciate the community I have found via quick tweets or discovered blogs (like this one!) but I also find doofuses who don’t get it every day. I use these “role models” to remind me to continue to see Twitter as a village – not a podium. Great piece, Aaron!
Thats a great analogy…Twitter is a village, not a podium.
Indeed! Some say twitter is like a pub too. Either way its about connecting.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Jeanie. Have a wonderful day.
The twitter tribe! 🙂
Indeed, its amazing how we can learn from one another by exchanging ideas and putting out thoughtful contents and making me share their thoughts
Thanks for the comment Roger
Thanks Sathya, appreciate the comment 🙂
For sure we can apply it in real life. I am shy in real life though. Not sure how it will go then 🙂
Indeed it is already, not many people knows the power of it though and feels its underrated 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment Gail, appreciate it, from one wall of fame to another *winks*
Love the quote “best follows are those who are interested in what you’re passionate about or who are in your niche.”
You certainly do well in that. Love your passion and love how others are so passionate about you too. Your passion is contagious.
Twitter sure open the boundaries for all of us. Guess that is how we got in touch with each other 😉
Hi Aaron
I agree with you. Twitter is all about connecting with other people and learning and sharing with them. That is also how I see it. If everybody only was following people with more than 10.000 followers no one would have 10.000 followers 😉