Comments on: Too busy to tweet?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:59:21 +0000

Wow – some extreme but thoughtful reactions are coming out in response to this post! I like your comments about the ‘oversharing’ too. Let me know if you’d like to write a guest post on this!

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:46:30 +0000

I’m inclined to agree with the comments. (Some of) the value of twitter is that it can be spontaneous, it encourages quick, off the cuff responses and interactions. Its these parts of the process that help build relationships with the tweeter and the followers. That’s particularly important with professional feeds looking to gain an audience with potential and existing customers, clients, contacts and suchlike.
You can instantly tell the large ‘old’ corporations that have a twitter feed because ‘that’s what’s done now’, without engaging with their followers you’re left with a completely one way stream of product info, press releases and a feeling that the whole thing is sterile in some way.
An extreme example I know, but twitter is so fast paced that even after a hour or two the conversation has moved on and the initial interaction is lost.

There is another issue entirely of oversharing. (Possibly another post!?) Many services like Foursquare and Buzz can be automatically linked to Twitter creating a neverending tirade of junk. This does nothing but to overwhelm the feeds of people who may have interesting things to say, but this becomes buried in the noise spewing from their feed. Any value they may have to give instantly becomes lost.

I think the answer to both points is balance. IMHO the follows I find most valuable are informative, sharing what’s worthy rather than ‘everything’, engaging with people who @ them, and making the odd press release, announcement, event or two. Having said that, no one can stay on twitter all day, can they?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:05:08 +0000

I have a feeling you may be right but thought it was worth a try!

By: Steffilewlew

Steffilewlew — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:59:13 +0000

Good luck with that – I’m sceptical I’m afraid. Surely the purpose of this type of communication is that it isn’t shackled by the processes of the past – ie print deadlines etc.
The beauty of Twitter (and the like) is that it is constant and immediate – I’ll be keen to see how the experiment goes, but I think you’ll find yourself clock watching, waiting for your time to tweet!