Friday, December 5, 2008

Why Twitter?

I'm finding out not everyone is Twitter convinced.

I recently heard someone say, "If you have something to say to someone, just pick up a phone." I say, that better be one heck of a conference call. My followers/following only range around the 100 mark, so my reach is still relatively small. Still, every time I send out a tweet, I am potentially sharing information, seeking information or starting a conversation with over 100 people.

Then, I hear, "I don't have time for that." I say, how can you not make time to stay informed and be involved in the conversation? I have the knowledge and insight of over 100 people being delivered directly to me.

There are tools that make Twitter easy to use. If you feel like you don't have the time to follow hundreds of people, find 10 that really interest you and start small. I bet it won't take long before you realize that every time you add someone new to your follow list, you have just expanded your circle of influence and the circle that influences you.

Still not convinced? I was prompted to write this after reading this article. It applies to lawyers using Twitter, but has relevance for others too. Need more? Even this writer, who isn't in love with it, understands the value in using Twitter.

Why do/don't you Twitter?

3 comments:

ThunderChyld said...

Type-A,

For me, it is rather hit-or-miss. Today was the first day, I know in a month since I last used Twitter. Most of the people I would contact would be people I work with. So sometimes, it's not necessary to Tweet. Also, I am not on the computer nearly as much as I used to for personal time (that also includes work and home). Normally, if I got something to say, I'll send an email, or answer a blog, or reply to an email. It's just the way it is. However, today I did answer an email, write a blog, and use Twitter. I think I havae covered all the bases.

Just some food for thought.

--ThunderChyld (CDK)

Jim Brochowski said...

I just seated a new board for my foundation. One of the very first things I told them was "Email is my last priority. If you really need to talk to me, get on Twitter."

But I'm not just there just to be there. Comments and emails are good communication tools. So is the phone.

IMHO they all take too much time.

Twitter is right now. It's interactive. Most importantly - it's fun!

Dave said...

I have two profiles in Twitter done by signing up under 2 different emails. One is casual, Columbus-centric. Lots of interaction, lots of fun phatic chat.

The other is me trying to learn about the business of domain buying and selling. It's a tight-lipped crowd. Everyone tweets but no one tweets back to each other. So, in this case, it's kind of useless, everyone yapping but no interaction. Interaction is what makes anything fun.

Main library for me and the family today. Couldn't believe how few people there were.