3Sixty Creative Blog

6 months of using Twitter - useful, irrelevant or a revolution?

When I mention Twitter to friends who are not yet using the service, usual reactions are either to dismiss it as "more noise I don't need in my life" or "why do I want to hear the dreary details of strangers lives?". Having been using Twitter now for 6 months I thought it would be useful to look at the case for and against and sum up the experience. Is this just a passing fad or are we experiencing a communications revolution? Is it worth the time and effort or should I turn off my computer/mobile and do something more useful instead?

The case FOR using Twitter

1. Getting to know people

Although not a substitute for real face to face relationships, it can enhance the relationships you already have and allows you too keep in loose contact with people you know only a little or don't have time or opportunity to hang out with in the real world. For example I am a member of a large church and can't hope to get to know even half of them. However an increasing number are on Twitter and with a simple "follow" I am able to get an insight into their lives and some of the things happening amongst the church community that I would never otherwise be able to do. It also allows you to meet interesting strangers and chat in a way you would rarely do in real life. This represents a golden opportunity to reach people outside the church.

2. A resource for general information

Probably the single most useful aspect of Twitter is the links that are shared. Many times I have clicked on links to web pages that are fascinating and informative, sites that I would never have otherwise heard of or seen. Information, ideas and pictures that broaden our understanding of the world, of God and each other.

3. Being part of a shared experience

Twitter allows a group of people to experience an event and pass comments and feedback as it happens. I have twittered other church members during sermons (this is actively encouraged in some churches) and there is often extra insight, a new angle or just witty comments on the sermon that can expand and deepen one's thoughts on the subject. It can definitely become a just an unhealthy distraction (or an escape if bored) but with care is definitely an enhancement. One can also hear the group commenting on a news story, or an event such as a football match or TV show as it happens even though they maybe located around the globe. This kind of global interaction can really add to the excitement a make you feel part of a shared experience.

4. A 'group mind' that you can call on for advice and help

With a network of people instantly contactable at your fingertips it is easy to pose a simple question and get quick responses. "What time's the meeting tonight?", "Anyone know a good electrician?", "Is the new U2 Album any good?" "where's the best Italian restaurant in Brighton?". Most people love to give advice and opinions so you will usually get quick answers.

5. Build a network of people that you can influence

Assuming your tweets are interesting and worthwhile, you will start to build a group of followers and this gives you the chance to influence them in a small way. Whether its offering them links to good websites, commenting on events or offering a glimpse of your lifestyle you can become an online force for good. I run a campaign website as a small sideline and have a twitter account, tweeting a couple of times a day only about issues relevant to that campaign. The number of followers for this 'single subject' twitter feed is ballooning.

6. Promoting events, websites or business

This is the more controversial aspect of Twitter. Many see Twitter as something that is mainly for personal use and are becoming dismayed by the increasing use by PR and marketing people to sell and promote brands and companies to clients and customers. However it is possible to engage an audience by being a good 'net citizen' and avoiding blatant marketing and blatant self-promotion. Good practice is to make subtle and occasional 'promotional' tweets mixed with stuff that is interesting and useful to your followers.

The case AGAINST using Twitter

1. An addictive distraction from life, family or work?

Anything that takes time away from your main focus in life should be carefully considered. Twitter could become addictive to the point that we are always thinking "what's happening now?", "what have I missed?", "I must tweet this..." There are already plenty of distractions that can de-rail us from our main purpose of in life. Time spent with family and friends is also precious and we need to be careful we don't spend more time with the laptop than with people. Are we wasting our employers time when we should be working? If Twitter becomes your idol then it's time to re-think.

2. Just a flow of information that is of no interest or use

If not used carefully, Twitter can just send us a stream of information about stuff that is of little, help, use or importance and it just becomes another noise to add to email, the web, TV, radio, texts, phone calls etc. Information overload is a hazard of modern life. We need to control the flow of information and not let it control us.

3. Pressure to tweet regularly and be clever, interesting or witty

Once you establish yourself as a regular twitterer with a following you can start to feel under a constant pressure to be engaging and keep on tweeting or you will loose people's attention and the momentum you have built up. My advice is that if Tweeting has stopped being fun and just become a hassle, take a break, the world won't end.

Some quick observations

There are loads of people out there who know far more about Twitter than I but here a few of my observations:

1. Dont try to follow too many people probably more than 100(?) and you will start to get lost in the noise and be unable to get a grip on what's going on. If you must follow masses of peolple then use something like TweetDeck that offers groups and filters to help you focus on your favourites.

2. Don't Tweet too much mundane personal info "In the toilet", "on the train" will not add much to the sum of human knowledge, become annoying and probably get you unfollowed. However interesting personal info is important and helps people get to know you eg "been reading John Piper and feel challenged" or "Tired after a long week and looking forward to weekend away".

3. Dont Tweet too much. There is no hard and fast rule about how often it is advisable to tweet but I know I get annoyed when I see that same person filling my twitter feeds with endless chatter, however interesting they may be.

4. Don't follow automated Tweeters (a give-away will be that their tweets come from something like TwitterFeed). They are just trying to build a huge following, probably as an ego-trip or to make money without putting the effort into properly tweeting themselves. Another give away is that their tweets are usually in bursts, around 10 at a time and lack focus or personal detail.

5. Tweet links to photos when you can. A picture can convey a lot more than words. I find them particularly interesting when they show a an event that I was unable to attend or people I know.

6. Don't just follow anyone. If someone you don't know starts following you, avoid just following them back straight away. Look at their profile first and try to gauge if they will add interest and substance to your network.


[Baltant self promotion] Follow me on Twitter