I have a daily routine to log into Quora every day and answer questions regarding Twitter as part of my daily learning session. There was a question which stood out yesterday; someone posted a question on Twitter asking
“How can I make Twitter useful?”
“I’ve been on Twitter about a year, and I really don’t understand its benefits at all. I really struggle to find anyone interesting to follow, and while I do tweet what I believe to be humorous/interesting content, I can’t see how anyone beyond my existing friend base, or spammers, would find my account.
Also, I find that too many follows equals a timeline that’s too bulky to read, too few means there’s nothing going on. Is there any optimum number of followees, or should I spend more time using lists to separate people up?
We exchanged a couple of comments and I told him he doesn’t have any objectives as to what he is trying to achieve on Twitter and that he can’t judge someone by “how interesting they are” without getting to know them better. I then told him that everyone has a story to share and everyone is interesting in their own ways and he too has his own tales to share. After that I advised him to follow and engage with at least five people a day to get more out Twitter to get started.
He replied me later on saying that he uses Twitter to learn, however, he is less interested in making new online friends unless they are knowledgeable in a topic that he is interested in.
My respond to that is that one wouldn’t know who is knowledgeable or interesting unless:
- You get to know them better (making friends)
- You read their blog
- You met them somewhere else (conference..etc)
After that I explained to him how Twitter changed me from being a teenager (when I started with Twitter) that used to play games (on Facebook…. blame games like Farmville) and got me more serious with what I want to do, and how it connected me with so many people when I started to engage with more people.
His respond
Thank you Aaron, you make some valid points – I think I need to approach Twitter as a source for people, rather than 140 characters of text. I’ve scorned it up to now, but obviously it’s a powerful tool and I want to get the most out of it.
Twitter is a great source for people, you wouldn’t use Twitter to its potential if you don’t plan to engage with anyone or meet new people. Twitter took away the relationship boundaries and gave us a big opportunity to market ourselves internationally.
If Twitter didn’t exist, I might still be using Facebook and I wouldn’t have met YOU… yes YOU reading this now.
Go out there, get to know someone today. You’re welcome to get to know me too. I respond to 80% of all my tweets (just an approximate random number which was in my head) and I would love to know you better.
How did you make Twitter useful for you? The comment box below is for you. Don’t make me beg! J
photo credits: Lego Life Story
Wow, really interesting to follow this conversation, thanks for letting me in on it. I particularly like the quote about “I need to approach Twitter as a source for people, rather than 140 characters of text”. It feeds nicely into your point about Twitter as a place without boundaries. I recently wrote a post “5 reasons why twitter is awesome” (http://blog.bufferapp.com/post/3200471707/5-reasons-why-twitter-is-awesome) and this was one of my main arguments too.
I love how I can learn from you by reading your stories. Makes it much more interesting than reading theory ;). Let me Buffer this post Aaron.
Wow! that was quick! I just posted this not too long ago and you’re the first Leon! You amaze me!
Yes! I love the quote too. Stands out without the need to do anything. Will be look into your post soon.
Thanks Leon, the goal of this blog was to share with people what I have learned from other people. Hopefully it doesn’t get too dull over time. It was used to be much more on theories but I guess a lot of people are doing it too.
Again thank you for dropping by,
Cheers
Aaron
Wow! that was quick! I just posted this not too long ago and you’re the first Leon! You amaze me!
Yes! I love the quote too. Stands out without the need to do anything. Will be look into your post soon.
Thanks Leon, the goal of this blog was to share with people what I have learned from other people. Hopefully it doesn’t get too dull over time. It was used to be much more on theories but I guess a lot of people are doing it too.
Again thank you for dropping by,
Cheers
Aaron
I use Twitter to monitor chatter and themes. I am watching for both comments about Idaho Tourism and also social marketing. If we have a hot issue pop up I can get a pretty good gauge on how problematic it might be based upon the twitter activity. I love how it leads me to interesting posts, such as this one and it really helps me follow and communicate with my local media. You know the other thing I use it for is to follow my staff when they travel. It’s good to know if they arrive safely, are having a good time, have a delayed flight etc.
Good day,
It never fail to amaze to all the uses of twitter and how people is making twitter so useful to them. Twitter is a source of a great communication tool as it allows you to connect with your staff, news, as well customers. Great use! You’re on the right track for sure.
Keep up the great work guys.
Aaron
Good day,
It never fail to amaze to all the uses of twitter and how people is making twitter so useful to them. Twitter is a source of a great communication tool as it allows you to connect with your staff, news, as well customers. Great use! You’re on the right track for sure.
Keep up the great work guys.
Aaron
Aaron,
You’re absolutely right with this post! Thanks for reminding me that instead of just browsing and RT-ing the good content, you have to actually connect. Joining tweet chats has been a great way for me to make connections that I felt like actually lasted. Thanks again!
~Kathi
nice valid points! can’t remember if it was back 08 or 09 when i first started using twitter, back then i already sensed that it’s a powerful tool but even till now i haven’t really utilized well the extent of its influence.. however ive been itching already for weeks now to finally get serious on building up my connections thru twitter and this might be a good start huh? hehe. thanks dude for sharing 🙂
I made Twitter useful by jumping in and writing stuff! Similar to what I’m doing here 🙂
I think if you want to get something out of it, you have to make it happen for yourself. It doesn’t happen unless you put the effort in.
i do not think twitter and facebook is working for my company how can i change this????
I use twitter for information for work, for social and for friendship. It seems to have so many purposes and is an unique tool.
the theme of twitter seems to be based about sharing and helping which is a great way to gain new knowledge.
Jane
Yep, if you want to extract more from twitter then conversation should go on and start to make a community which will help you to get most tweets easily in no time
Hi Kathi,
Thanks, glad I could help you with that. Yes it is about connecting, that is how one build a great connection. Feel free to jump in any conversation which you like when you see someone interesting pops up.
Cheers!
~Aaron
Hi Akira,
Twitter is indeed a powerful connection tool, its never too late to start no matter when you start. Get started today and you’ll be in your journey to success. All the best!
Aaron
You’re very right Ben, what we get out = what we put in, more effort we put into it, the more we get out of it. You’re certainly doing a great job jumping in and writing stuff and sharing your knowledge.
Aaron
Before I can help you, I would like you know what you’re currently doing, in order to advice. Feel free to email me at askaaronlee(at)gmail.com
Hi Jane, yes the theme is about sharing and helping which is great for anyone old or new, that is what I love about it, looks like you’re using twitter is a great way! Nice job! keep up the great work.
Aaron
Hi Jane, yes the theme is about sharing and helping which is great for anyone old or new, that is what I love about it, looks like you’re using twitter is a great way! Nice job! keep up the great work.
Aaron
Indeed, all community starts with a single tweet! 🙂
This is exactly what I struggle with each day. As a Director of Communications, it is my job to be current and relevant to what is going on in our industry and to try to create an environment for great communications within our company. I finally had to have a plan and a purpose to my Twitter. I don’t want people to know I am drinking coffee at Starbucks even though it may be true, but to reach out and share my blog, share thoughts and positive inspirations throughout the day seemed to be the plan I am following. I also follow others inspirational thoughts and their blogs too. I think if you define your goals and focus on your own industry, Twitter gives a broad look on a moment by moment bases as to what is going on in the world. I have connected with a few along the way and it is nice to make those connections.
Hi Alison,
Indeed sharing stuff like drinking coffee starbucks may be weird, but sometimes it adds a personal touch. Rather than saying “enjoying coffee at Starbucks” you could say “Enjoying a nice cup of coffee with three amazing colleges” or “Enjoying a nice cup of coffee after an amazing day at work” you’ll notice people responding to it.
Its great that you’ve already defined your goals on what you plan to do, you’re certainly on the right track to success.
Keep up the great work.
~Aaron
So fun to scroll down and see Idaho Tourism here! so I thought i’d leave my comment here. Aaron, great advice about following 5 a day. Twitter doesn’t just happen overnight. I think people become impatient with it. It takes time and daily dedication and the exponential growth starts to become huge down the road.
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for dropping by, indeed it was nice to see Idaho Tourism here. Yes twitter doesn’t happen just overnight, relationship takes time to develop and like you said, dedication. What we put in = what we get out. 🙂
Sounds like a deceptively simple target. I too love overloading on information, but I’m realizing that I often end up reading recycled stuff. Will make an effort to interact more. Thanks!
Thanks for the blog post. It is kinda useful. Last time I will only read people’s tweets, but I think now I should be more engaged to people instead of being passive at the back. =D
You’re doing well, by commenting on blogs too, it helps 🙂
Interacting helps a lot 🙂
Thanks. =D
As a journalist who also writes book reviews & critiques of manuscripts, Twitter is like a non-stop writers’ conference whenever I sign in. I learn from other writers as well as connect to writing clients, meeting new people all the time. Calling Twitter a great source for people defines the experience so well.