When you’re making the decision of what social networks to commit time to, it’s best to invest in the ones that will net the greatest value. Twitter is, in my opinion, one of the best. It’s the biggest networking event you’ve ever been to and it’s all virtual. Sounds good, doesn’t it? I think so. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to give everyone the same results. That’s true of any network. Of the major social networks out there, Twitter has the fastest pace. With 200 million registered users tweeting 250 million tweets per day, you can see why the pace is fast. That means that it’s not the best place for everyone to be, but as a Twitter addict I can’t think of many reasons why someone would not benefit from using Twitter.
Who
Anyone interested in exposure to great content, looking to share their own content or connect with others.
What
I talked in-depth about what Twitter is and what to share last week in my first installment of Social 101. It’s important to remember that how you use Twitter doesn’t have to fit anyone else’s rules or formulas. There are many great resources out there for what, when and how to tweet, but It’s important to remember that social media use is a custom experience for everyone. I use my Twitter account for a mix of personal and business use.
For some, Twitter is exclusively business-oriented or exclusively personal. There are many accounts that do not engage other users at all. They follow very few and never answer mentions. Every use has it’s proponents and critics. Be comfortable with what you’re doing and don’t spam or annoy people and you’ll be fine. Just keep thinking of Twitter as a networking event - that should keep you on track.
When
There are no hard and fast rules for when to tweet. I jump in and out of Twitter at varying points throughout the day as time allows. You’ll encounter different people going in at different times and that makes your overall experience more interesting. Some check-in once a day. Some never leave. :) The frequency that you’re on Twitter will depend on the balance that works for you. It’s easy to incorporate Twitter into your life without letting it take over.
Where
If you don’t have a cell phone, just use your computer. I know people who’ve deleted social apps from their phones to avoid the temptation of checking them all the time. You don’t need a smartphone to take advantage of Twitter, though. As my friend Lara says, Twitter is like the radio. You turn it on, hear a few tunes and turn it off. You don’t worry about what you miss when it’s turned off.
Why
This is probably the most important question for everyone to ask themselves before joining any social network. But it’s also the hardest to answer before you really grasp how a network works. I spent nearly 8 months on Twitter before it finally clicked in for me. I forced myself to keep going back and figure it out. My reasons had to do with research for work. I used my personal account to figure out how Twitter could benefit the business I worked for and one day, it all fell into place in my mind. Twitter is often like that, which is why I always suggest people start with a personal account rather than jumping in with a business account. The worst thing a business can do is project radio silence on a social network. You’d think people wouldn’t notice with all the other noise, but they do.
Twitter is an essential network. It’s one of the first places I look for a business I’m interested in hearing from or engaging with. But like any social network, you’re better off not having a profile than an inactive one. Join me for Social 101 again next week when I’ll be talking about Twitter Lists!