When Twitter asks “what are you doing?” is your answer:
a) I’m not wasting my time on that nonsense
b) It’s a fantastic way to make and consolidate connections
c) Hang on, it’s months since I last logged on and I can’t find my password
d) I’m practicing the art of brevity. Twitter challenges me to be creative, incisive, witty & interesting within a 2-line box & 140 characters
e) What’s Twitter?
I haven’t worked out my own answer yet. I have given it another go after a couple of failed attempts and I am feeling a bit more positive about it now.
I can see the possibilities of micro-blogging – for the bits and pieces of news that don’t fit into a post, for thoughts, questions and ideas that you want to put ‘out there’. Sometimes I think that I want a deposit for my streams of consciousness – although it’s still kind of surprising to find that other people might want to tune in…
And I like the idea of listening, waiting, learning – biding your time before jumping in. Maybe something I read will strike a chord with me, make a connection and lead to a new conversation. Maybe someone will read something that I’ve been turning over or wondering about out loud, like how best to use Twitter, or the pros/cons of using Advanced Typepad, and send me an offer of help. (In fact, they already have.)
Perhaps, like most such things, it’s a question of using and experimenting and finding a way to express what it is that you’re about – and trusting that the connections will follow, that your words (or rather your 140 characters) will resonate with those who were ready to hear.
And as I’m always wanting to learn about such things – and as there’s no-one better to learn from than all of you – I’m wondering if you’re making the Twitter connection? If you can help me to make the most of it… or if you’d try and steer me away to more sensible pursuits like reading a book (!) – or sticking with blogging to make the connection?
Thanks to three bloggers who persuaded me to give Twitter another go:
- Emma Bird on HowToItaly on Twitter – and why I rate it
- Nathania Johnson on integrating Twitter into your on-line marketing strategy
- Valeria Maltoni for asking the question: Is Anybody Listening?
If you want to make the Twitter connection – you can follow me here. If blogging’s your thing – please do just leave me a comment in the usual way 
Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you’re trying Twitter.
It can definitely be daunting at times. This week I’m trying to “put myself out there” a bit more. We’ll see how it goes!
Twitter is like going to a mixer where you think you don’t know anyone. Then suddenly you catch a message and meet a person and it or they spark a recognition in you. As Nathania said, you get out there and then opportunity and situations happen.
Hi Nathania
Thanks for your encouragement – and welcoming messages on Twitter. You’ve made it seem a lot more human than it did first time round.
Joanna
Hi Valeria, I’m glad you found me here – and thanks again for the encouragement to jump back into Twitter (your Italian roundabout metaphor worked a treat)
I think you hit the nail on the head with this comment:
“suddenly you catch a message and meet a person and it or they spark a recognition in you”
I will keep exploring, and listening and watching for those sparks of recognition.
Joanna
I’m still trying to feel out the whole Twitter thing. If I had a better text messaging plan with my cellphone, I’d use it more. If anything, I’d use it as a message pad for capturing ideas.
And there was me thinking I’d learn how it worked by following you, Erik!
Joanna