I originally committed to using Twitter for 30 days. So far, I have enjoyed the service and intend to keep using it. My wife, Gail, and four of my five daughters are active. I have sure this is one of the reasons I am still using it.
Don’t know what Twittering is? Read my original post on this topic. If you want to know how to get started, read my Beginner’s Guide to Twitter.
If you are wondering why in the world you should consider it, here are twelve reasons:
- It will enable you to experience social networking first-hand. One of my pet peeves is people who pontificate on new technologies but have never actually used them. This is particularly annoying—but common—among CEOs. Real users can always tell the difference. There is no substitute for personal experience.
- It will make you a better writer. Twitter only allows you to post 140 characters at a time. As a result, you are forced to be concise. In my opinion, this is one of the hallmarks of good writing. Short messages. Short paragraphs. Short sentences.
- It will help you stay connected to people you care about. This is one of the few technologies I’ve found that actually contributes to community-building. In today’s busy world, it’s difficult to keep up with others. Twitter makes it easy—and fun.
- It will help you see a new side of your friends. In an odd sort of way, Twitter “humanizes” people and provides a context for better understanding them. If you follow me on Twitter, for example, you’ll quickly see that I get excited, bored, frustrated, and confused—sometimes all in the same day. You’ll also learn what is important to me and what drives me crazy.
- It will introduce you to new friends. I have now met several new people via Twitter. These have contributed to my life in small but significant ways. Gail and I have even had dinner with a couple that we met via Twitter.
- It is faster than text-messaging. In a sense Twitter is a universal text messaging system. You can broadcast to all of your “followers” (i.e., people who subscribe to your Twitter feed) or send a direct message to just one. As a result, I have almost completely stopped text messaging. The only time I use it is to reply to someone who messages me outside of Twitter.
- It will make you think about your life. As you answer the question, “What am I doing?” you start to see your life through the lens of the people following you. Interestingly, it has made me more intentional and thoughtful about my life.
- It will help you keep up with what people are talking about. Via Twitter, I have learned about hot books, cool software, breaking news, and even great restaurants. Because the information is coming from real people who care enough to Twitter about it, I have found it more valuable and authentic.
- It can create traffic for your blog or Website. I have noticed a 30% uptick in my blog traffic in the last 30 days. It may be related to the fact that I have been in the news more or have been writing on more controversial posts. However, I also think it is related to the fact that I am Twittering every time I post a new blog entry. This seems to have a viral effect.
- It requires a very small investment. Twitter itself is a free service. In terms of my time, I probably invest less than 20 minutes a day. Since “tweets” (i.e., posts) are limited to 140 charters or less, you can scan them in a second or two. Writing them usually takes less than 30 seconds.
- It can help build your personal “brand.” When people hear your name, what comes to mind? What is your reputation? What is the “brand promise”? Brands are built incrementally, one interaction at a time. Twitter gives you one more way to build your brand, one tweet at a time.
- It is fun! Twitter is just plain entertaining. Following your family and friends is kind of like watching reality TV. The difference is that you know the people and actually care about them. In this sense, it is even more fun, because you know more about the people from other contexts. Don’t believe me? Give it a try.
I’m sure there are some downsides to Twitter that I am either ignoring or don’t recognize. But I would rather jump into the fray and shape the future of social networks rather than sit on the sidelines and throw stones.
Question: How about you?
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Please help me with my twitter dilemma
I live up in Toronto while the rest of my family is in the Southeast US. we keep up with each other through twitter and are much better connected because of it.
PS-I recently listened to your podcast on Ancient faith and really enjoyed it.
Social media – what a load of rubbish a complete time wasting FAD – all social media is a complete and utter waste of precious time – to become a self made multimillionaire you don't do it by wasting precious time on social media. I know for a fact there are two very successful ebooks that make $20 million US on clickbank and they don't use ANY social media AT ALL!! Think about it!
Kind regards!
The last three are what almost got me to join!
I have two Twitter accounts, one personal/political, the other (the new one) business/professional.
I must admit some possible addiction issues, especially with the political conversation.
BUT…
Twitter has truly sharpened my writing–even when I tweet about trivial things. It has focused my thoughts. It has made me MUCH more aware of issues of encoding/decoding that take place in communication all the time, but are much more pronounced in the 140-character world of Twitter. As I've often said after witnessing–or participating in–Twitter misunderstandings, Brevity may be the soul of wit, but too much of it can be the death of clarity.
Another great post, Mr Hyatt. You certainly take away the guilt of tweeting. I cannot convince certain members of my family, how enriching and enlightening it can be to twitter. They, as you said "pontificate" about it but have never tried it. If I could just get them to try it. I know, I will print out this post and give it to them to read. On second thought, i will read it to them. LOL Problem solved.
Now, if I can figure a way to keep my twitter time down to twenty min. a day like you do, I would have 2 problems solved.:-)
Thanks again,
Cynthia
Thanks for the tips. They are helpful.
My recent post Leading Through Daily Discipline
I haven't been so sure about this twitter stuff but your tips have help me understand that twitter is far more than a narcissist's paradise.
Thanks!
My recent post “The class had to move on…”
I'm doing a webinar on social media for a Canadian non profit building leadership confidence in Christian women. I'm using this! And recommending they follow you, like I do, for your good insights on social media.
I'm actually retweeting this article :D which, I found on Twitter :D