Twitter - My Humble Thoughts

Twitter

I'm about to wax philosophically about my enjoyment of using Twitter, probably (so far) the most useful application of social networking I've ever used (The use of MySpace for connecting to and networking with other musicians and recording artists such as myself probably ties, if not runs a close second)

I dont QUITE remember how I started using Twitter, but as of today I've been on for  516 days (or 1 year, 4 months, 30 days) from the start date of November 21, 2006. With 5163 updates as of this blogpost, that averages to about 10 *tweets* per day.

I have learned more about social networking (in terms of it's science), the use and power of it in business and technology, and the applications associated with it, then any other sites I've been on. I've been on Blackplanet, Blackuniverse (short stint), and Myspace, and as said above, with the exception of MySpace, the other fail miserably in comparison (with respect to my interests - all due respect to BP and BU)

I first got interested in Twitter after reading about it via a story in Wired Magazine about the way its creator tweets. The articles are listed below, should u be so inclined to read them.

Twitter was created to answer the question "What are you doing?" The mechanism, via the web, SMS, and various Twitter apps, allows one to answer that question in 140 characters or less. I've found in the time I've been on that many do that, while many others use it pretty much like an instant messenger client. The response time is so quick on Twitter that it's easy to see why some find that convenient to do. What is different than an IM chat client is that Twitter allows many to follow you and vice versa, in that some create what is called "twitterfams" (now that's the ultimate in social networking, per se). One can unfollow others, or block them if they see fit also. Tweets can be seen publicly, and via RSS feeds, or one can remain private and off public timelines. Direct messages to another are also private. I don't consider myself an expert, so I am sure I left out some key points.

I think I've been on Twitter long enough to see most of the ways people use it. While it is very easy to *chat* on Twitter (I've found myself doing it...), I am now leaning more towards being a Twitter *purist* more so than not. There's something about answering the Twitter questin I prefer more than the continual chat aspect of it ... there's always DM for long back and forth communication via Twitter (if one or both are not on, or want to use an IM client).

Last year I tweeted around about Twitter tips, etiquette, etc, and got a few answers from a chosen few. Since then I found a blog post via a tweet by David Michaels regarding checking Twitter Karma. I tend to agree and try to subscribe to that which is below (to me, they make great sense):

A couple helpful Twitter tips...

No-no's

Lack of activity
Too much activity. Using @s constantly, therefore turning Twitter into a public chat room. Or just twittering way too much...and by way too much I mean posting tweets every 20 minutes or less. I'm serious! In fact, limit it to 30 minutes apart, AT LEAST.

Twittering non-sense (i.e. "Pooping" or "vms;udhf") Needless to say, annoying. (this is subject to definition, of course)

Spamming links from your Flickr, Utterz, and/or blog, etc. A few occasional links here and there are quite alright. Moreover, make sure the links you are posting lead to substantive subject matter relevant to your followers. Don't post last nights binge drinking and then go follow business oriented twitter-ites.

Save the expletives and vulgarities. If you shouldn't say it in person, don't say it online. (Again, could be a transfer of offline activity).

Don't worry about who is or is not following you any longer. Get a life! ...just kidding. No, actually if you break a sweat when your "followers" count goes down a tick, that's a sign that Twitterholics anonymous is for you. Admit it. Quit it. Forget it. Don't twitter about who unfollowed you.

Don't Tweet and drive folks. Safety is #1

Do's

Do the opposite of everything above!

Use Twitter to share the wealth that is you and your intuition, insight, talents, creativity, joy, love, and so on throughout your daily life. (My favorite - for me, I'll add technology share...)

Greet and thank those that do follow you. (Great etiquette!)

The Twitterverse is your oyster not your garbage dispenser.

This isn't exactly a do, but is essentially. Just because you don't have 10,000+ followers like Scobleizer or iJustine doesn't make you a nobody. Instead, it means that you have a unique niche or community of friends with which you can realistically communicate and share thoughts and experiences.

Do the right thing and Tweet responsibly. :)

Twitter is awesome for networking in industries related to the Internet and technology, or almost anything thing for that matter.

So obviously this is not an exhaustive list of what to do and what not to do with Twitter, nor is it a rule book. But these are my personal experiences and guidelines for myself on how to utilize Twitter. In the end do what works for you.

So there you have it. Here are some articles about Twitter, that you might find interesting:

http://www.caroline-middlebrook.com/blog/twitter-guide/                Twitter Guide
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/15-06/st_williams  The Creator Of Twitter
http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/04/twitter_creator.html           Creator of Twitter Speaks

Have a great day....

peace,

F!