Today, I have a sort of round-up from the web in terms of a couple of blog posts I found useful.SocialTimes wrote an interesting post on Why The Average Person Can't Figure out Twitter. In it Nick O'Neill makes compelling arguments for the value of this tool and the hurdles to using it right.
What it really boils down to is that many people quit too soon because they aren't following the right people. And, I have to admit, when I first began using it more than a year ago, I was "following" nearly 300 people. I use quotes here because in truth, although I was subscribed to follow them, I quickly realized two things: 1.) I cannot possibly keep up with that many tweets in any meaningful way and, 2.) most of those tweets did not deliver any real value to me. So, I took the time to truly identify the folks and channels that actually delivered value to me. I still follow around 100 people, but I do genuinely read their tweets - most of them anyway.
Nick also emphasizes the importance of following people who are hyperconnected within the world of social media. And, sure this helps. But, I think Nick has left out the most important means for making Twitter valuable: community. So many people treat Twitter and Pownce and Jaiku and others as if they are one-way RSS feeds. If you do this, you will never achieve any sort of critical mass within the community. Twitter, like all forms of social media, requires the social part. It's not enough to follow a few people, you should comment on and link to and share tweets within the group. If someone you're following asks a question or seeks advice or has a survey, answer them, help them, and fill it out. The more you participate in their tweets, the more people will participate in yours.
Immediate Influence Blog's Ron Hudson compiled a list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Social Media. I'm sorry to say, no, I did not make the list. That tragedy aside, there are some amazing women and terrific resources in this post that you should all check out. I'm happy to say that some of my personal favorites were included.
Incidentally, Ron compiled this list via a call-out for nominees on Twitter. Another great example of how to use tweets for good.
-- my two cents (or really Ron's and Nick's)
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3 comments:
You was robbed!
Yeah its amazing how many people miss the mark in twitter. all it takes is a little patience, perseverance and participation.
Hi. I found you because I was reading a tweet, which led me to a blog, which led me to another! So I guess I found you through Twitter, LOL. You are correct, the important thing about Twitter is relationships. Helping one another, answering one another's questins, reading what one another has to say. If I read what you have to say, or answer your question, you will answer mine back. That is not why I answer you, however. It's just that what goes around comes around.
I think that women understand relationships even better than men sometimes. But men are getting this pretty well too, LOL. They are "networking." And that's just great.
You are correct about not just following anybody. I started following not too long at all (just a few weeks ago), but didn't take it seriously. So I only got followers in the past few days and it has been kind of fast. Still under 100 but quite a few I think for me, LOL.
You want to know something? They are all quality, each and every one of them! Of course all people are quality, but what I mean is they all add a lot to the experience of Twitter. Why? Because they are in my niches, which happen to be: blogging, social media, non profit, fundraising, awareness for leukemia NHL and other blood and bone marrow cancers, The Light the Night Walk to end Cancer, Bone Marrow Donation (funding and awareness and bone marrow donation), the Catholic Church, spirituality, anything retro (70s), claymation Christmas specials!, maine coone cats, digital photography, writing, and blogging and social media once again!
So you see, as I know what my interests are, it is easy to decide who to choose as Followers in Twitter. And often if you choose to Follow, they will Follow you back. How do you find these Followers? Through Twitter Search, Twellow, and a number of Twitter search systems. I am just learning them.
But I am finding a wealth of great friends! They are very intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually stimulating. They teach me how to work in my field, as well as teach me how to play! As one of them said -- work hard, play hard! That as well as many of what they have said has definitely stuck with me!
So, Jennifer, if you need a guest blogger, just let me know! I could speak on this subject for quite some time. I just love talking about Twitter!
Krissy :)
my main blog: Sometimes I Think
my twitter: www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
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