When I first heard about Twitter, it just sounded like a bunch of people sharing way too much information. I doubted any meaningful communication could happen in 140 characters or less.
I started an account just to see what it was all about, but my account sat idle for months. Things changed last summer when a friend of mine told me I should be using Twitter to promote the blog. For the last year or so, I’ve been Tweeting when I have a new post on the blog, and I can see on Blogger stats that quite a few people link to the blog from Twitter.
Along the way, I’ve been Tweeting more frequently, just random things about reading, sports, music, whatnot. My new phone has a Twitter app, and I have to admit, I dig it.
There’s a lot of crap on Twitter to be sure, but that’s life isn’t it. We learn how to filter out the crap and focus on what we like. Turns out, there’s a lot I like on Twitter. If you do Twitter, here are 5 Voices From the Stream worth following.
5) Walter Kirn/@walterkirn: If you like your social media with a dose of skepticism, Kirn is your man. Walter’s tweets (and his blog) are often glorious rants. He is concerned about the evils of social media even as he proves himself to be a master of using it.
4) Ayelet Waldman/@ayeletw: Waldman is a writer and a serial tweeter. She might fall into the category of TMI for some people, and her politics are way to the left, but I find her funny and insightful. Her tweets often contain links to interesting articles.
3) Peter King/@SI_PeterKing: This is my sports fix. King reports on the NFL, but he comments on all sports like an average fan. He responds to questions and comments from followers.
2) Katie Rosman/@katierosman: I have a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon type connection to Rosman, but I think I’d follow her anyway. She writes a lifestyle column for the Wall Street Journal and her tweets are frequent and funny.
1) Roger Ebert/@ebertchicago: I grew up watching Siskel and Ebert, and I’ve always respected Ebert’s opinion when it comes to movies. He’s much more than a movie critic on Twitter; his thoughts cover a wide range of topics. Ebert may tweet more than anyone on the planet.
I’ve connected with a few people from the blog on Twitter, and if you’re interested, my Twitter handle is @triles.
Have you embraced Twitter or do you detest it with all your heart? If you know of some cool Tweeters to follow, feel free to mention them in the comments.
I held out on Twitter for a long time, then had an account for about 6 months and got sick of spending so much time on there. I restarted it a few months back and have finally gotten the hang of it. I use it to promote my blog, but I also have "conversations" with a lot of people. Most of it is just witty (I hope) banter, but it's kinda cool to have a connection with people I'd never otherwise meet.
ReplyDeleteI'm still dragging my feet when it comes to Twitter. I have my reasons for not liking it, but the biggest reason is because I'm too lazy to change and too prejudiced to learn more about it. You would think I have a rotary phone with that kind of attitude.
ReplyDeleteI was a little like you. I've had my account forever, but mostly I used it to stalk agents. Then I forgot about it. Then someone from the blog found me and followed me and so I started getting more interested. I think I sent out my first tweet a month ago. Such a noob still. I don't have the hashtags down yet or the shortened links, but I'll get there. You'll probably see me follow you later. :)
ReplyDeleteEmbrace is a strong word. I find Twitter noisy. For the vast majority, I believe it is a spectator sport.
ReplyDeleteI have gone off Twitter a bit after an initial interest but am following....
ReplyDeleteI am still not on twitter, but maybe worth getting on to see what Peter King has to say.
ReplyDeletehmm, I've got an account, but it's gathering dust. Maybe I'll have another look - it's always a bit awkward delving into new media. Like LGSmith I don't understand all the conventions. Sue
ReplyDeleteI love twitter. You just have to find the right twits. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI think it can go either way. It can certainly be a timesuck if you let it, but it's invaluable with networking and connecting with readers as well. Ever since I've joined, I've had a great time with it.
ReplyDeleteI don't Tweet. To plagarize another friend, "I can be relevant without it." So I hope.
ReplyDeleteI've had an account for a while, and am just starting to use it more. I'm kind of getting my feet wet with it. Thanks for the suggestions for accounts to follow, and I'll look you up as well. One thing that has made it more interesting to me is finding my blogging friends on there, it feels like a way to get to know people I already enjoy reading a little better.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the many who was peer pressured into opening an account. But my account sits idle for the most part, not really knowing what to tweet without sounding like a twit. Ugh! Just more to keep track of--which isn't a good thing for a reluctant multi-tasker. ;)
ReplyDeleteCool. Not sure I am following you. I'll have to check and will if I am not. I have slowed with Twitter recently (@Seattledad ) but just need to use it wisely, like the force.
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