So I signed up for this Twitter thing ages ago but wasn’t active at all.* I remember staring at the 140 character text box wondering just what I could enter there that anyone would be interested in.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve come to a realization of sorts about Twitter though. Now I see the 140 character box as a challenge. Can I distill down my thoughts into a concise statement that fits into this box. Is it interesting? Does it provide any value to anyone who might read it?
But it isn’t what I enter in that text box that is the value, it’s what other folks enter. Folks that I know, folks who work for companies that provide services that I use, industry folks, fellow bloggers, and other interesting folks who might have interesting things to say.
Really though, Twitter is nothing more than a stream of thoughts, links, and other ramblings. Twitter is often the equivalent of the stuff I used to overhear cubicle neighbors chatting about. As a web worker, I often don’t have a lot of interaction with others. No chats by the coffee pot, no hallway encounters, even lunch is often a solo venture. Twitter isn’t life changing, it isn’t critical (although it can be), rather it’s noise that keeps me grounded and keeps me connected.
So if you’re interesting, leave your twitter name in the comments. If you think you might be interested in what I might have to say you can view my profile and follow me. I’m not as connected as some, but I am slowly assembling a good group of people to follow.
Is anyone else finding Twitter useful? How do you use it?
SB
* If you aren’t familiar with Twitter, watch this excellent video from Commoncraft
I’m one of the “folks who work for companies that provide services that I use”, and Twitter has rocked for me on so many levels. First of all, it gives me direct access to people like you that are giving our product a spin—people that can provide extremely valuable feedback I’d miss otherwise. We’re completely obsessed with user feedback, so Twitter has been an awesome addition to the “data collection” arsenal.
I also recently became a part of the Providence RI web community (after hoofing it to Boston for many years to work). Adding a whole bunch of Providence folks has made me feel a lot more connected to my surroundings, even though I’m now working from home (after always working in an office).
There’s also the opportunity to see what industry folks you really trust and admire are thinking about. In fact, I’ve basically ignored all other “social networks” in favor of Twitter lately.
Thanks Adam. Some folks consider Twitter a time waster but connecting with you and other folks has been really productive for me. I’m still in the “couple of toes in” phase before I completely dive in, but a full immersion is likely soon.
SB
I don’t use twitter, and to be honest, I’ve been having a heck of a time keeping up with Pownce. I have given thought to joining twitter, because it seems like the majority of people on pownce post stuff, but don’t read / respond to other’s posts.
Do you find that too? You’ll have to let me know how twitter is.
Hey Mike,
I still visit Pownce but my friends there have been pretty quiet and I’m not compelled to find new folks to follow.
I’m still pretty quiet on Twitter but I have found that a request for help or a question asked will usually get some sort of response on Twitter. A comment on dinner likely not, but then not usually expected.
For those that follow thousands of folks I have to wonder what value they see but for a small group I am liking the stream of consciousness feel to it.
SB
Scott, I’ve gone back-and-forth on Pownce. I still monitor it some but finding less interest. Twitter seems to be more spunky, more active. I’ve yet to find either to play a central role in my work day. It still is more entertaining than anything. On occasion I’ve gotten some really valuable feedback from a few folks yourself and Mike included. Maybe in the end the lines blur and multiple venues are a good thing. I don’t know.