Comments on: You’re Looking at a Twit-iot

By: Sal

Sal — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:57:00 +0000

@Nikki: Exactly. When I first started using Twitter, I thought it was a glorified Instant Messenger, but now I see it as a useful tool. For instance, just last night I was doing an article on how men and women view going green differently and what they think about when buying green. I asked a couple of questions and got an overwhelming response.

It helped me put my paper together and it was based on actual research that I did, not just something that I read out of another article. I see Twitter as a place to connect with people, but also a little place to do some research with live people (as opposed to dead people???)

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:10:00 +0000

I'm with Sal & WordVixen on this. I love to get to know more about the people I've only ever seen the business side of and Twitter lets me do that.

I tweeted about a friend finishing classes for medical transcription and who could point me to some places that hire; it turned into a discussion between two other tweeple and some some great information for my friend. Today I used for dinner advice, I've talked to other moms struggling with potty training. I like Twitter because there are no restrictions on how I can use it.

Some of my most favorite twitter conversations and most tweeted things are not about business - but it's nice that I can use it to point to a new blog post immediately or ask for advice on an article I'm writing.

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:03:00 +0000

No way- you've seen Spice World? And I so would not think less of you. 0 says you're a grown up, 1 or more says we have a lot in common. (I've watched it twice in a row before).

And yeah, discussing Spice World is the best Twitter advice that I can offer. ;-)

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Gotta love it. :)) Spice World – I can’t tell you how many times I watched that. And I won’t tell you – you’d think less of me for sure.

Thanks for the guidance, hon. See you in Twitterland!

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:08:00 +0000

I use Twitter as a way to be social without being confined to the one sided conversations of email, restricting topics as in a blog comment thread, and not having to sign into a chat room and devote all my attention to it.

I like Twitter, because I can have an actual conversation with someone, and yet others can join in (usually if they follow both of us) or ignore me.

And just so ya know? The tweet that got the biggest response lately was when I mentioned that I was watching Spice World. :-)

I have, however, made a few really good friends via Twitter. I can name at least 5 right off the top of my head.

Honestly, the people that I know who've drummed up business via Twitter were just using it socially. Then, someone suggested a tweep of theirs, or someone was found via search... I had my first real freelance opportunity based on a chance tweet that a tweep of my "overheard".

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Oh Amie, I pity you if you’re looking to me as the Twitter example! LOL

Sal, I know what you mean. Facebook is fun. My Space is fun. They’re not business-y, and I don’t think I’d use them as business tools. LinkedIn is ALL business. It’s just set up that way. No “I had grilled cheese for lunch” there!

By: writtenexpressions

writtenexpressions — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:53:00 +0000

My husband is considering Twittering for business (as opposed to Twittering for pleasure, I guess), and somebody told him that the secret is to be a followee rather than a follower. Good in theory, but if everybody went by that philosophy nobody would be following anybody, and it would just be a bunch of Tweeple tweeting at themselves. So I guess I’m no closer to an answer than you are. I am just content to Twitter vicariously through you.

By: Sal

Sal — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:43:00 +0000

You know, amazingly, Twitter has been the one social networking tool that I have been able to keep up with. Facebook, myspace, mybook, facespace, whatever is just too much for me. I created accounts, but after getting hundreds of app requests and people telling me that I need to constantly update my page, then others writing un-professional stuff on my wall or message board or what have you, I just lost interest. Now the only time I get on those accounts is to see where everyone is at in their lives about once every 3 months or so.

I still have yet to try LinkedIn and some of the others, but Twitter just seemed easy to get set up when I was getting started so I guess that helped a lot too. I learned Twitter as I was learning the ropes so it went hand in hand.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:07:00 +0000

You guys might be relieved to know that of all the social networking tools/sites, Twitter was ranked 17 on the list. LinkedIn came in at number 11. I don't feel so bad now. :)

Angie, it took me too long and one teenager to learn to text. Apparently, there is a faster way, and she showed me how as we were sitting in the doctor's office waiting room. I suppose these things should come with more detailed manuals. :))

Lillie and Brenda, that's what I use, too. They are the tools that are most useful to me. I guess that's the point - use what works for you.

By: Angie Ledbetter

Angie Ledbetter — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:16:00 +0000

So far, I’m a one SN woman…unless you can count learning to text as another. 🙂