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The value of Twitter

One of my New Year's resolutions is to try out and grasp some new technologies. More specifically, find devices and processes that will improve what I do and know.

That desire is what started me on Twitter a few years ago, and the experience has been well worth it. The timesuck of Web surfing has drastically decreased. The serendipity of discovering interesting sites and ideas and opinions has dramatically increased. And befriending people near and far has been an unexpected blessing.

I know there are a lot of people who are online much of the day and don't understand the value of Twitter and/or look down on it. (Brian Williams recently said he didn't need to know that someone had just bought an awesome pair of sweat pants. Where he came up with that doesn't surprise me -- there are lots of trivial tweets -- but why he put any stock in it bewilders me.)

But David Carr of the New York Times shares his experience on Twitter, which is the same I've had:

What could anyone possibly find useful in this cacophony of short-burst communication?

Well, that depends on whom you ask, but more importantly whom you follow. On Twitter, anyone may follow anyone, but there is very little expectation of reciprocity. By carefully curating the people you follow, Twitter becomes an always-on data stream from really bright people in their respective fields, whose tweets are often full of links to incredibly vital, timely information.

The most frequent objection to Twitter is a predictable one: “I don’t need to know someone is eating a donut right now.” But if that someone is a serious user of Twitter, she or he might actually be eating the curmudgeon’s lunch, racing ahead with a clear, up-to-the-second picture of an increasingly connected, busy world. The service has obvious utility for a journalist, but no matter what business you are in, imagine knowing what the thought leaders in your industry were reading and considering. And beyond following specific individuals, Twitter hash tags allow you to go deep into interests and obsession: #rollerderby, #physics, #puppets and #Avatar, to name just a few of many thousands.

If you aren't on Twitter, give Carr's column a read. It explains the service's value and knocks down most of the criticism.

Incidentally, I read this article because Mathew Ingram, communities editor of the Globe and Mail, recommended it on Twitter.

Update: Thanks to digiphile, these are the twitter links to Carr and Williams. (Oops. Sorry. Wrong Brian Williams. NBC's isn't on Twitter, apparently.)

Update II: Just for illustration, this morning in about 1 minute, I was directed to interesting pieces on 10 things every journalist should know in 2010; 7 New Year's resolutions news execs should be making; whether there is a fear shortage; and questions about the Apple Tablet.

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Tags: Twitter

Posted by John Robinson on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 10:20 am

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SueP

January 2, 2010 - 5:36 pm EST

Twitter is something I've been using about 3 months and plan to use more. My blog posting has suffered (save for the recent renovation/holiday slew of posts) but it takes me 10 seconds to get info on Twitter v. 1-2 days via a blog and more people read my tweets than my blog, so there you have it. Besides, I've gotten to know some local and national (plus international) people who would never drop by my "what my dogs have done lately" blog. Our business goal in 2010 is to increase the company's Twitter presence because it's good business. Someday, something will replace Twitter but for now, it fits into "cheap, easy, convenient and effective."

It also proves that someone else besides me is drinking coffee in front of their monitor before 6 a.m.

Get A Clue

January 2, 2010 - 6:58 pm EST

Substitute 'twitter' with any other technology in its nascent stage and you'll arrive at much the same conclusions. The only one that's missing is, unfortunately, it also heralds the demise of the technology it replaces...in this case, newspapers. Remember when you needed neighbors to get off the party line so you could communicate something important, even urgent? (OK, we're not all that old...but probably that well-read.) Heck, I recall reading how the telegraph was ruining the stook market by allowing traders to share information faster then those who couldn't afford access. Cell phones allow us to connect in a true emergency...or to txt OMG! 2 frnds...or to set off explosive devices and murder countless innocent civilians.
What continues to remain the same is change. How we access information and what information we fill our heads with has always been the key to understanding a civilization and cultivating it as well. Best wishes as you twitter though 2010! :-)

John Robinson

January 3, 2010 - 9:47 am EST

Thanks, guys. Twitter has reduced my blogging, too. The conversation is more constructive, as well. (You guys being the exception! :))

And Sue, I like talking to you pre-breakfast!

writermike

January 3, 2010 - 1:18 pm EST

I don't have many followers (who read my language thoughts at twitter.com/writermike) on Twitter, but A. they're all Choice people!, and B. they're all over the map -- several in England, one in Italy, several in South Africa, etc. Amazing reach.
I've encountered the usual anti-Twitter feelings, but -- as you'd expect -- it's always from those who are not on Twitter. (Yet.)

JeanneB

January 3, 2010 - 2:39 pm EST

With the launch of a new blog in March and signing up for Twitter simultaneously, I have seen traffic and opportunities I would not have seen otherwise. In a few short months, I've built what I believe is a respectable following and listing which has resulted in being approached for product reviews, guest blogger spots on other sites and mentions as a blog to consider subscribing to and/or following. The information I receive from those I follow keeps me up to date and informed which only helps me with future posts and promotions. I'm still learning the ropes and definitely see value in Twitter and other social media outlets. (@greensamaritan)