Hello Friends.
So, I was talking to a friend the other night about Twitter, and trying to explain it's virtues. This is a smart guy in the IT field, open to exploring new and interesting things, and most importantly, someone I respect. He asked me THE question most common to new Twitter users:
"So how do I know who to follow?"
Knowing everyone answers a question like this differently, all I could do was offer my own personal opinion. In re-hashing our conversation, I reflected that my answer focused on a couple key areas:
1. How I use Twitter to connect to others who share common passions
2. How I leverage Twitter to gain visibility to insights, trends or portable tactics that might help me be better at my job.
Many of you might have had similar conversations with someone considering jumping into Twitter. In our conversation, I found myself hoping that he would be curious, and be willing to try it. I wanted him to find this medium as interesting and useful as I do. I wanted him to to be open to the idea of bringing his passions to the table for sharing, whatever they may be.
So, patiently, I began to explain many of the basics, such as the idea that it will take time to find people to follow because it forces you to listen in a different way. That you need to be willing to dive feet first into this realm, and be willing to explore. Explore the site, the people, the information sources, etc... I also explained that until he figured out how he wanted Twitter to work for him, neither he or I could answer his question of who he should follow. He was confused, however, I think what struck a chord with him was when I took a different path, and began to explain my view of Twitter as "The Great Meritocracy".
I'll explain: In my life, I use Twitter to connect with others about the various passions I have. To-date, it has been both listening from afar, skimming updates, etc...and it has been interacting up close and 1:1 through DM and @ replies. Yes, everyone is able to chose who to follow, but how do you really know? I simply explained to my friend that I base who I "follow" (not to be confused with "followers" - those that follow me) on the quality of the user contribution. It doesn't matter who you are, if the content isn't interesting or relevant, there's enough clutter in my universe. Goodbye, see ya' later. Maybe I'll check back, maybe not...?
Conversely, the beauty is that again, it doesn't matter who you are, if your posts and updates are stimulating and interesting, I'm in. I want to know more. I want to know where interesting feeds come from, or learn about a new subject through a previously undiscovered source. I want to listen to what you have to say. In other words, I believe Twitter has become a true meritocracy in which the quality of the content drives interest, not titles, or "stature".
Through my network, I've been fortunate to connect with many people on Twitter who I might not have had a chance to have any interaction with. In some ways, it feels like the world is flattening again. Different state? No problem. Overseas...tell me what's up over there. Whether you're a person or company with an obviously big role in the world, or a just a dude in Detroit with an interesting POV, we all now have a podium. What we do with it is up to us, but if you are willing to invest in making real contributions, and willing to do a little listening, the possibilities to make real, and lasting connections with this hungry new audience are endless.
In the end, my friend created an account today. His Twitter ID is @OHaraMatt. I'm his first follower, and I look forward to what he has to say to all of us.
