Twitter: Reasons to Tweet
While Blogger, flickr, and YouTube are still relevant, we should all agree that lately Twitter has gotten our attention. But why?
According to The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools and Strategies for Business Success,
“Twitter.com is a service for friends, family, and coworkers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick and frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing”
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the available social media options; Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc.
So, why Twitter?
Think of it as a stream of mini blog posts (and we all know why blogging isn’t a waste of time.) Don’t judge it by the continuously-updated public timeline of often pointless comments. The value of Twitter is in your own micro-community of followers and who you choose to follow. For example, Bensur follows primarily marketers, social media gurus, and advertising Twitterers to hear the latest on these subjects that are relevant to our business.
Here are some other reasons to tweet:
Broaden your network - As a blogger, you know the importance of the human connection, both for personal enjoyment and professional growth. I like to meet new people, and I’ve found that my Twitter group is very different than my normal college student’s network. I don’t see many of the names that I commune with on other bulletin boards or blogs, but I get to know many more professionals and social media experts, and they get to know me.
Learn stuff - Would you like to read some of the daily thoughts and ideas from blog experts and thought leaders like Gina Trapani, Ben Yoskovitz, Connie Reece, Dwight Silverman and Chris Brogan?
Me, too.
Sure, you can read their blogs, but there are nuggets of information on their Twitter updates as well. Lets face it - we don’t all have hours to spend reading every blog, but Twitter provides you with just enough information to determine whether or not you want to read more of what they have to say.
Teach stuff - You can be an expert too. You know something that would interest others. Here’s another platform where you can show your stuff to an audience that you otherwise might not reach.
Showcase your stuff - Your name, your ideas and your personal brand are already out there via your blogs and websites. Twitter is one more way to extend your name and brand visibility.
Be conversational - What better way to learn about fresh social media ideas than immersion amongst the biggest brains who developed it? I love my fellow college students and business professionals, but not all of them are into blogging. I go where the action is to learn about the latest trends in the industry.
The 140-character limit also forces better, more focused Web 2.0 communication - this is a situation where you are forced to think INSIDE the box.
If it sounds like Twitter is for you, follow these important tips:
Market your work - This comes last for a reason. We are already bombarded enough by ads and marketing plans. Twitter should not be used to start blatantly selling your products/services; people get annoyed when they see what you’re doing and we won’t like it. Be cool.
Think before you tweet, Part 1 - As I mentioned earlier, Twitter asks the question “What are you doing?” However, this does not give you reigns to answer that question every 2.5 minutes; you’ll just annoy your followers. I saw this today: “Sorry, a Twtr for every Flickr photo you are uploading is way, way too many. Removing you from my list now.” Ouch.
Think before you tweet, Part 2 - Twitter messages are archived and searchable. Forever. Keep that in mind.
It’s not all about you - This is not a contest to see how many you can follow or how many sign up to follow you. A real network offers mutual help, nurturing relationships and good company; it’s not a numbers game. If you treat it that way, you’ll lose most of the major benefits.
There’s still real life out there, so live it - Maybe only someone like Robert Scoble can Twitter his kid’s birth. For the rest of us, we’d like to spend some non-tech time with air-breathers. You know, humans.
Twitter is just one more communications tool, perhaps more useful than you’d think. If you check it out and don’t like it, the world will not end. You can always do something really crazy like meet someone in person.
Feel free to follow Bensur or gerrilyn (me) on Twitter!
Happy Tweeting,
Gerrilyn Mele
Intern
Photo courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattleforge/418198529/
