Twitter - Use it as you see fit, but don't expect us all to like it!

This post started as one idea and has evolved into another.

I was going to rant and rave about how to use Twitter and how I see it as a communication platform, taking on everyone's opinions as equal and adding them to my understanding of the world.

Then I paused . . . and then thought who the hell am I to dictate how anyone else should use the Twitter platform?

Surely it's a democratic platform, with the exception of banning a few spam accounts people are pretty much free to say what they wish and we are free to follow or not follow them as we wish.

Sure, in an ideal world, I'd have you all doing what I'd like and that's not just in Twitter! But hey, this is the real world!

Anyway, so in this fictional world of "Ed", I'd have everyone follow everyone back as long as the account had some value, i.e. conversation rather than just irrelevant link publishing or "make $1000 in 5 mins" tweets.

I always saw Twitter working as a method of finding out more about your specific industry or interests with others who share those passions or common grounds. Sharing your own ideas and personal form of engagement back with that community.

This community should consist of those just starting out, finding their feet, industry leaders and everyone else in-between. We all have something interesting, insightful and valuable to say on our good days and who are am I to say others have got nothing to add to my knowledge . . . I'm nobody.

You work at your content, mixing up interesting on-line content you find with conversation between your community. Developing trust and building relationships with other people within your network.

You use the multitude of tools that are out there to filter and group your following stream to ensure you find what you need when you need it; if I was to pick a favourite mine would still be TweetDeck although to do keep meaning to spend some more time with HootSuite.

Find more people that might add to your community by reading other interesting users feeds to see who else they are talking to.

Isn't this how it's supposed to work?

While I wouldn't wish to push my ideals on individuals use of Twitter, I'll quite happily have a go at brands on Twitter.

While doing the research for my 10 brands on Twitter post I followed many global or national brands to see how they were using Twitter. I would say of those I followed only 20% of them followed me back.

This shocked me.

Okay, so they may not think I have anything interesting to say, but do they need to make this so apparent by not following me back? Because that's what it feels like when they don't.

But don't worry, I don't take it personally . . .

I feel brands should follow everyone back that isn't an autobot or spam account. Then using one of the numerous applications on the market filter their interest stream down to the conversations they want to listen to.

But, hey it's a democracy, I'll leave you to define how I perceive your on-line brand.

Anyway, that's about it. Everyone should be free to use Twitter as they wish, but don't expect everyone else to agree with your use of the platform.

If you're unsure of how to go about using it personally or for a brand, then get some advice from someone who claims to know more . . . and then get a second opinion.

But remember we've all got more to learn on just about everything, and if you're choosing not to listen to anyone but a select few you might just miss that gem that revolutionises your thinking.


Related reading:

Brands on Friendfeed - A different proposition to Twitter - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/08/brands-on-friendfeed-different.html

Why bother with social media - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/06/why-bother-with-social-media.html

TweetDeck - The benefits a groups - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/04/tweetdeck-benefits-of-groups.html

In support of Twitter - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/01/in-support-of-twitter.html

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