I’ve never officially shared a Tweet. And my resistance to participate maybe just stubbornness at this point. I see value in joining in, although I don’t feel I time to dedicate to it (just look at the lack of updates on this blog). Additionally, I don’t believe there’s room to share a complete thought. (Feel free to share how I’m mistaken in the comments)
Even though I don’t officially ‘tweet’, I use Twitter in 2 ways.
1) Twitter as a point of ‘Content Curation’
Credit this term to Rohit Bhargava :
A Content Curator is someone who continually finds, groups, organizes and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific issue online.
So, instead of trying to follow a complete stream of updates, articles, links and photos in real-time. I visit a hand full of go-to curators twitter feeds – A group of individuals that I scan 3-4 times a month (probably something easily done via lists in twitter?). I believe this approach takes much less time AND I seem to find greater value (quicker) than if I followed a large group of people day-by-day, hour-by-hour.
2) Twitter as real-time feedback of a live event (or topic)
A World Cup match, a NCAA final, or a Presidential speech are perfect opportunities to look at a Twitter search feed for realtime feedback. Most, if not all, updates are posted before the participant has really had adequate time to process a complete thought. This realtime-stream-of-consciousness is probably a more accurate view of how people really feel. I look at these gut feelings and reactions help see different points of view and shape an informed opinion.
How do you use Twitter? Do you think I’m missing out on greater value? Am I being selfish by just stopping by and listening in?
While I think you’re justified in your reasons to not engage, especially how time consuming it can be. However, I do think–scratch that–know people would find value in some of your thoughts. But perhaps there is strategy in keeping innovative thought to one’s self. maybe I am TOO open-minded regarding things I share.
I do disagree with you on one particular subject – that you couldn’t communicate a thought in under 140 characters. You of all people, are about simplicity. Maybe that should be a challenge for you. Not to necessarily start tweeting, but to summarize a topic – maybe this topic – in 140 characters or less. That’s best practices for anyone as far as I’m concerned. Removing all excess from my statements or writing – it’s an ongoing struggle – even for a Twitter user.
Thanks for the feedback and encouraging words Brooke! I do think people can share a thought in 140 characters or less, but many times those 140 characters lack clarity. So there’s a difference between simplicity and clarity. In fact, many twitter updates are a simple introduction to a link that shares a complete thought.
For your challenge:
“I don’t tweet, but I do use twitter in 2 ways. 1) as a point of content curation and 2) for real-time opinions of a live event.” (127 characters!)
The statement leaves the reader hanging with questions like, ‘How do you use Twitter to find content?’, and ‘Why do you want to know real-time opinions?’ Or is that part of the mystery? I just noticed I’ll have to re-word things if I use it as a Twitter update, since it states that ‘I don’t tweet’