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Email ThisSince I started blogging in November 2007, I’ve been debating whether I should create a Twitter account. This micro-blogging service appears simple enough, yet it completely intimidates me. What if my 140-character statements are borin
g? What if no one follows me? What if I look like a complete stalker?
To overcome my fears, I’ve been doing a lot of research. Luckily, there are a lot of great posts out there to help newbies start “tweeting”–I’m not sure how I feel about all this avian terminology!– but I still feel lost in this new endeavor of mine.
I created my account tonight, but I can’t even figure out how to start following people (edit: figured it out!). I feel like a Twitter failure, but I’m not giving up yet.
As a PR student, I’m interested to see how this tool can be used to build relationships, initiate conversations, and spark new ideas. Even if I don’t find myself completely taken with it, I’ll at least have an understanding about Twitter’s pros and cons, which can only be beneficial in our social media-obsessed economy.
For those thinking about joining Twitter, here are some great resources to read before signing up:
- Guide to Twitter for PR Students by Dr. Karen Russell
- The Big Juicy Twitter Guide by Caroline Middlebrook
- Newbie’s Guide to Twitter by Rafe Needleman
- How Can PR Practitioners Use Twitter by Ben Matthews
- Examples of Twitter Providing Business Benefit by Paull Young
I’ll keep you updated on the Great Twitter Experiment, and if you’re interested, feel free to follow me: http://twitter.com/megmroberts. 
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Twitter has played a great role for myself when prepping to go to industry conferences and events. I can keep up with the happenings by the event’s Twitter account and set up meeting places for new contacts.
Outside of convention world Twitter has been a great tool for allowing friends and colleagues to know where I am and what I am up to.
It’s not for everyone, but there are some great uses for the little tool that always seems to have some downtime.
This Twitter thing sure is tough to wrap your mind around, isn’t it Meg? I’ve been looking at it from two perspectives: How do I use it for myself, and how do I help other people understand how to use it?
It seems to me that Twitter only works if you have people who care where you are and what you’re up to. Building an audience is Step 1. Using Twitter to promote yourself to that audience comes later.
I’ll be curious to see how your Twitter experience goes. Good luck!
Twitter is not complicated. But there is a definite tipping point. Once i reached about 130-140 followers, additional followers began flowing in on a daily basis.
There are four primary approaches to Twitter:
1. Update Twitter only with links to your new blog posts - this gets old and you’ll lose most of your valuable followers. No one wants to be spammed all the time when they get nothing out of it. It’s an insult to ask others to care about you enough to follow your completely one-sided posts when you give nothing in return. No one is THAT special.
2. Discuss professional topics only. Keeping your private life separate from Twitter is a popular approach. While this works for some, I find it to be shallow and uninteresting.
3. Mix business with personal life. A balance between personal and professional will attract a specific crowd. We’re all human, and it doesn’t hurt to show it. This is probably the best way to build solid, beneficial connections with your Tweeps.
4. Personal comments only. If you’re really funny, you’ll end up with lots of followers. You may or may not get much discussion or actual networking, however. You can just talk personal interests with plenty of people as well, but if they don’t have an incentive for following you (professional connections), complete strangers won’t have much reason to care about your personal life.
The more the merrier on Twitter! Here are some of my ideas on twitter in the business environment:
http://newlycorporate.com/2007/11/05/twitter-in-the-office-fast-aware-open-teams/
@ Greg and Scott - It’s interesting to see how people make use of Twitter in both their personal and professional lives. I think finding that balance is key… I’m still getting the hang of it, but so far, I’m pretty intrigued!
@ Daniel - I love that list, because that’s definitely what I’ve been running into, and it’s only my first day using Twitter! I am hoping to utilize Number 3, and we’ll see how that goes!
@ Brandon - Thanks for the link! I’ll be sure to check it out… I’m trying to research this medium as much as possible.