I’m feeling down and out about Twitter. I still don’t feel like I’m understanding it/using it to it’s full potential but I think I may have come to a mild conclusion about it.
After reading this post by Melanie McBride and this other post by Kat Tancock, both about Twitter in the magazine world, I see how Twitter is indeed useful and beneficial but my conclusion is that it can only be those things if there is a purpose. A magazine Twitter page is good because there is a community being built – magazine readers, potential readers, and others interested in the topics at hand. But when it comes to using Twitter socially, I’m still feeling so unsold.
MY FRIENDS AREN’T THAT INTERESTING
As much as people are posting links to interesting things, it becomes a cluster and abundance of information that I really don’t feel inclined to check out. There isn’t a POINT or FOCUS. I think Twitter for magazines, when used properly (see two links above) makes sense and can be successful because people know what to expect to some degree. They follow the magazine because they know what the themes and content will most likely be, but when you add your friends because they are your FRIENDS, you don’t know what you’re getting and it makes clicking their links less desirable.
THE GOLDEN QUESTION NEEDS CHANGING!
Also, I think the Twitter question: What Are You Doing is completely irrelevant at this point. That type of question ignites “doing laundry” answers which isn’t useful or interesting to anyone. Perhaps it should be a more stimulating, focused question, such as What Is Interesting You? What Should I Know? etc. Perhaps that way the Twitter posts can lead to more fulfilled users.
Filed under: twitter
I dunno — I am kind of on both sides of the coin. When I follow a “twitmag” – I expect to get topical updates. But when I follow a friend (who is an actual friend) or family I like the question “What are you doing right now?” because it makes me feel connected – imagining then doing what they say they are – without the time investment of a phone call (which would get lengthy) It doesn’t have to be “interesting” per se.
What I don’t care for so much are the random, non-contectual remarks that inevitably appear.
I suppose that’s true – that it’s good to know what family is doing but in the end, if it’s a comment on Twitter, it’s usually something not that important. You know, it doesn’t mean anything if they are ironing or eating a sandwich. It’s not something I need to KNOW per se.
I agree the random remarks are bogus and annoying.