Some Conversations have shifted to Twitter
Twitter is one of the top referrers of traffic to my blog, over 2000 referrers from twitter to my blog in the last 30 days…there’s something happening there.
I’ve also noticed and increase of new users over the past 30 days, feel free to add me as a friend, I will add you back. (Update: I’m no longer adding anyone back, as it’s not time efficient for me to do this)
Twitter is becoming a major communication tool for me lately. There are more intimate conversations being held on this next-generation chat room, and it’s filled with early adopters and those who are trying to reach them.
If you’re not familiar with Twitter, my colleague Peter Kim recently did research on it, as well as recorded a podcast. I’ve also got a post up on why Twitter matters to the web strategist –it’s a quick start guide.
Here’s a few of the conversations I’ve been having in the last week
Just this morning we were debating the (lack of) user enterprise software debate This past weekend I met over a dozen people who like the same type of music I do, and they recommended new artists to me. News and information breaks on Twitter before it hits blogs Last week I was on the phone with Francis Tapon, author and world traveler, he told me his secrets to getting paid to traveling the world, so I tweeted it to my 1900 followers. I also share interesting links to content I’m reading, mainly around web and technology, as well as events I attend, much of this does NOT end up on my blog. I’m starting to use Twitter like my link feed, why I find interesting I put on twitter, rather than on my google shared reader or my blog. You won’t hear me talking about what I ate for lunch, but you will learn things about me that I’m passionate about –strategy, music, art, etc.
Who it’s for and who it’s not
If you’re in the tech industry, and in marketing, you should be paying attention to what’s happening on twitter. There’s even search tools that can help you find discussions and memes. Also, if you’re trying to reach early adopters, these are tools for you. This really reminds me of the the whole blogging industry in 2005, it’s the same type of pros and cons –it’s just much smaller now. If you don’t meet these criterion, then it may not be for you, always remember to find the audience you’re trying to reach first.
Hope to see you there, my profile is jowyang, and I’ll follow you back.
If you’re seeking more followers and want to connect with folks (once you get a few dozen active friends, a real ‘conversation’ starts) leave a comment below with your twitter name.
Update: I’ve tweeted to my network to add their name to this comment area if they want to connect with other folks (see my actual tweet) that are interested in social media+marketing+and are on twitter.
[The Fabric becomes stronger as the Threads connect]
In just a few minutes there are over 20 responses. This is testament to how rapidly things are evolving. Now the title of this post is needs to be modified: “Some conversations are moving to twitter..and back to blogs”
Update 2: Three hours since I’ve posed the first tweet pointing people here (Have about 50 new followers, and over 160 comments on this post, dozens of replies within twitter, became the top node on techmeme, as well as direct messages), and I’m getting messages that Twitter is slowing down as people are starting to add other, the fabric is growing. This is a good test of what could happen in an emergency, as folks were using Twitter to get messages out during the South CA fires a few months ago.
The viral activity in and around Twitter was amazing, people of like minded interests were leaving their twitter profile below, then connecting to each other at a rapid rate, it then spread the the blogosphere slowing both twitter.com and my blog.
There are echoes on the blogosphere too:
Why is Twitter Exploding? Because it’s A Conversation Ecosystem. Jeremiah Owyang Causes Twitter Explosion Twitter Traffic Help! I’m Addicted to Twitter! Twitter is a Conversation Ecosystem
My assumptions were right, there really is something happening in twitter, it’s clear it’s the desire to connect and communicate.
Update 3: The Day After
It’s very clear this was twitter storm resulted in meeting the objectives of getting folks to connect. I’m receiving messages and reading blog posts that many people now have added 20-100 followers or connections that they might have not been able to connect to previously, you can track the many incoming links from Technorati. Sadly, having a few hundred more contacts has flooded my mail inbox with notifications, but as promised, each person I’ve promised to follow and listen to in return. Lots of clicking to do this weekend.
Most importantly, the value of a network is determined by it’s size, yesterday (which some are calling ‘Twitter Tuesday’) resulted in a stronger fabric across the social network. All of the boats rose with the tide.
I’m fairly convinced that Twitter will stay very niche. It will just be the likes of us. Already the signal to noise ratio is getting very muddy and unless you have particularl interest and skill, it’s just not a meaningful conversation. File under fad
Thanks Simon, I agree, it’s certainly very niche.
Any comments on why Google purchased it’s competitor, Jaiku?
I agree with all of these points, and I actually just wrote something similar on my blog.
Twitter is definitely niche, but I can see a lot of potential for it down the road. If I have a company of 100 employees and I want to keep tabs on what they’re working on and the general vibe of the shop, why can’t I have an enterprise version that would work the same way as the public version, but add a level of security from outside eyes just by clicking “Send Public” or “Send Internal”. I think something like that would be an incredibly powerful way of keeping a large group communicating without overflowing the all-staff email address.
google bought jaiku just in case it made something awesome that they could not. oh and also it likes sucking up teams. makes the playing field easier to cope with later on.
add me on twitter! - http://twitter.com/philcampbell
having come to the Social Media and Marketing crowd by way of an extreme tech background. Im always willing, wanting and interested to meet and get to know more people.
My clients are discovering how twitter is working in their industries and its the first time for them that Social Networks have had a a very clear return on investment.
Great posts as usual Jeremiah
Count me in! Twitter name:
http://twitter.com/chrbutler
I’m glad to connect with more people interested in technology, communication, public relations, marketing, music, politics…bring it on.
I’m mjkeliher on Twitter - http://twitter.com/mjkeliher
Twitter will “stay niche”? Don’t forget the important role of the cell phone in a medium like Twitter. My 16- and 11-year-old siblings (sick as it is) almost literally live and die by their cell phones.
per your Twitter post, here’s my info:
http://twitter.com/ncho
would love to keep in touch with other Social Media/Jazz heads via Twitter…
peace,
-g-
http://twitter.com/babatola
Great post, Jeremiah. Can’t agree more with you that Twitter is either replacing or disrupting other channels of communication such as blogging or email discussion lists. I see it as the perfect augment for the more static blog sites and where the real action happens first.
Here’s my Twitter acct. Add me!: http://www.twitter.com/samharrelson
Jeremiah - Have you been following the development of any “white label” microblogging apps? I, among others, would be interested in a follow up post on this.
Twitter is amazing: I always come back for more. But one needs to spend time there to grow your contacts and relationships. Or not. I enjoy the folks who do use it *just* for their company and business to keep in touch. I use it to keep up on *some* of my favorite bloggers and podcasters. And yet I like the personal element of some of my friends being there. It’s just an interesting place. [I should have just posted 140 characters, right?]
http://twitter.com/barbarakb
I wasn’t too sure about Twitter when I first heard about it but am a full on koolaid drinker now. My twitter page is http://twitter.com/sheagunther
1st things 1st: http://twitter.com/DougH.
Like Jeremiah, I follow most everyone back (spammers excluded). Why do I use Twitter?
- Networking
- Live event sharing– esp. for people who are not there, but even among attendees
- Ideas — asking and sharing
- Getting news and interesting links- I found this post through Jeremiah’s tweet.
- Self-promotion; try to be careful with this– adding value and keeping context in mind– but as a PR person, links/info pertaining to myself, my agency or my clients are part of the mix**
** Gotta be part of a mix; promotional tweets only are bad juju.
Niche? Sure. But sometimes it take one event to bring a tool into wider recognition and use. SXSW got Twitter started with a bang, who’s to say something else won;t happen to take it further?
Why did Google buy Jaiku? I suspect they will integrate it within another Google service. It is a great tool, but it didn’t take off on its own to the degree Twitter has– perhaps because Twitter has been over-simplified
I’ve used Twitter to make some very interesting and powerful connections. I’ve cut back on RSS feeds because I use Twitter to point me to good reads; it also sends traffic to my blog. With increased numbers it does become more difficult to follow conversations, but there are tools to help. For example, I use the “track” command to send all of my @ replies to my phone. That way I know when someone is including me in a conversation.
http://twitter.com/conniereece
Oh– and Gene, I’m a huge Jazz-head– used to be an NPR Jazz DJ, once upon a time…and I welcome more jazz talk. @creativesage is also a big jazz fan
Per your twitter post Jeremy, my twitter detail: http://twitter.com/Henre
The more the merrier!
awesome post Jeremiah…
i share the view that it is niche and agree with your assessment on the value to the tech / marketing crowd.
Best, Chris
http://twitter.com/mobilediner
Hope to get in touch with more social media folks, add me when you like
http://twitter.com/Corporateweb
Cheers
Joost
Twitter went from something I disdained to a daily part of my life. Some of the conversations are innocuous, but some are incredibly gripping. I’m definitely an addict now.
http://twitter.com/jbruin
Love twitter & been looking at the application across a broad spectrum of businesses (most recently for realtors who thrive on strategic networking).
The research has been fascinating, and referred heavily to Forrester thanks to you.
Incisive & relevant as always, thanks Jeremiah
Twitter with South African style: http://twitter.com/MaxKaizen
we’re already following each other but I’m happy to connect with anyone else here, we’re all into some of the same stuff.
twitter.com/EaonP
Jeremiah I also agree with your points here. Twitter has the ability to facilitate conversations between people via these short 140 character SMS styled text posts, but it also scales up well so that it is amazing when used in large scale event situations, such as some of the Podcamps, Gnomedex, etc. This strength was seen in the earlier days of Twitter when it was being heavily pioneered at SXSW.
Between all the interesting apps that are springing forth from clever use of Twitter’s API, and the ongoing surge in users, it is tough to imagine Twitter’s usefulness and appeal flittering away any time soon.
Thanks!
RhiannonSL in twitter
I am A Futurist, Living on the Edge of the OC. I love shiny new toys and hot new sounds. Got Any?
http://twitter.com/darinrmcclure
Do you follow me?
Darin
With a new blog I do not have the traffic you have but I too see a large percentage coming from Twitter.
Feel free to add me - http://twitter.com/marcbenton
Angela and others
YES, THE NEED FOR A WHITE LABEL TWITTER APP IS NEEDED.
If you have such a tool, please brief me and Peter Kim at Forrester.
I’m a grad school student in applied anthropology focusing on cyber and design anthropology who uses twitter for academic reasons (it not only provides useful fodder being a social network itself, but the buzz it generates around things just as they hit the web has proven very useful). I’ve found that though I entered the sphere for social reasons, and then stayed for academic reasons, due to a recent job change to that of an information architect the particular sphere of twitterers I’ve found myself lends itself to my professional interests as well!
I personally thought it was cool that you accepted my friend request so quickly!
http://twitter.com/mindofandre
Oh and I already follow you, but you can find me at http://www.twitter.com/sollitaire
What a timely blog entry. I’m on twitter and follow about 100 people. There are sub-group of them that drop “to-do’s” or tasks to one another as they work on a group project. I think the utility is there PLUS it shows a team working hard towards a task and focused on the end goal….which could be used as a source for new leads to their business.
“@xxx when r u going to have the new mock-up ready for project yyy.”
“@898 I’m on it. you’ll see it an hour.”
Twitter is niche, but the idea of knowing what your friends are doing isn’t. It’s not an accident that LinkedIn just moved to a Facebook-style news feed. Really it’s an evolution of CNN, etc. - headlines all the time, but focused on one person’s life.
I’m expecting there to be some interesting tension between getting updates on people’s lives and getting updates on people’s ideas. Compare Leisa Reichert’s “ambient intimacy” with Christopher Fahey’s “intellectual doodling”. We might need more “channels” within accounts, or more software to choose what types of news are shown.
I’m @jcberk and still getting my feet wet.
Oops, nearly forgot - you can twitter me here:
http://twitter.com/spangles
(we are already following each other Jeremiah)
Just added Jeremiah on Twitter last week and have loved twit-blogging about the industry already…
http://twitter.com/dbrowell
Jeremiah:
Love to be part of this fabric - I work for a large company and am one of those small, tiny voices shouting from the inside that there are amazing networks, technologies and techniques we need to get our grubby little hands on inside the firewall. I often use the example of Twitter as a way to talk about channels and employees “feeling” connected (based on my experiences outside the firewall, that is!)
http://twitter.com/achitwood
http://twitter.com/vargasl
Twitter feedback/conversation has helped me prioritize trends and applications to research/learn.
Very nice post Jeremiah. I agree the community growth at Twitter is really accelerating.
My social media niche is developing the best uses of web video. Always interested in learning and sharing with good folks.
You can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/earwood.
Working from home can be isolating, so Twitter has become my office water cooler, where the best and brightest hang out and share what’s on their minds.
Twitter allows me to network with my peers, learn from the rock stars of social media, get access to news first, hear about new tools to play with, make new friends in the space and realize that we are all passionate about connecting.
http://twitter.com/adelemcalear
true story, Jeremiah. Twitter has replaced a lot of my formerly decentralized web time. People like you (and me) link to interesting blog posts that we think might be of interest to our twitter pool, and I’m so far finding that a more targeted and efficient way of staying up-to-date when I’m on the road. It’s also strengtheing some formerly “weak-tie” relationships with my far-flung peers. I love it.
follow me at twitter.com/bethdunn
Let the connecting begin:
http://www.twitter.com/georgedearing
I’m at http://twitter.com/ruperthowe
Twitter has changed everything for me.
I’ve grown a lot closer to people I knew vaguely before - and made some very strong friendships IRL and online.
I learn at least one new thing on Twitter every day.
I’ve gained a mass of new skills and a broader understanding of social web & tech stuff. I’m starting to make a better living as a freelancer thanks to all this new knowledge.
And creatively, it’s been a huge boost. It’s inspired me to make over 150 short films with my phone posted directly to http://twittervlog.tv and Twitter, which has led to a hundred thousand views, a thousand comments, hundreds of new connections, scores of new friends and dozens of opportunities for work and travel.
I’m taking a two week break for my sanity, though, because I have so much work to slog through before Christmas and Twitter can be distractingly fun.
But I’ll be back, because it’s the hub of all my work and play online.
I can barely remember how I used the web before it.
..and by the way, anyone reading this feel free to add me– I am finding new folks in this thread as well: http://twitter.com/dough
Jeremiah - You are one of the masters in the Twitter space. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I’m a huge Twitter fan. I learn so much from it every day. Twitter name: http://twitter.com/podcasthotel
I’m on Twitter and love it. Am encouraging friends and colleagues to join as well.
I’m at:
http://twitter.com/melgallant
While Twitter may be niche, I think Ryan and Nik have identified the real benefits of Twitter. People who have the opportunity to experience how it works can often find uses to improve communications in their line of business.
Thanks Jeremiah!
I’m on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rickmahn - feel free to join me.
{licks finger and checks for wind direction} I’m on and off twitter more than some people go on and off the patch to quit smoking. Right now I’m back on there, doing a lot of lurking and checking out the links others post.
Twitter has become my new “digg”, but without the comments.
Oh yeah feel free to add me too!
http://twitter.com/newmediamike
It is interesting to see Twitter evolve. I’ve grown up in B2B marketing and am interested in how social media will help in that arena, and also how it will help (or not!) with business and personal productivity. Twitter is very ambient in nature, which is great for helping remote workers feel connected.
http://twitter.com/redcatco
already following you but my twitter’s at http://twitter.com/blunders
yeap, am doing alot of research on social networking. i must say i was initially very skeptical about the whole proposition of twitter and thought it was another frivolous app. only till my friends went overseas and realise it’s indeed one app that helps me stay connected with them, know what they’re doing and certainly serves as another social bridge. it’s also another great way to stay connected remotely with people who share same interests and know what’s going on on the other end of the world!
great stuff here!
Twitter has been instrumental in a variety of ways for us:
Standard networking and communications with peers
Getting pitched and communicating with PR agencies
Drawing attention to/promoting content
Twitting at conferences
Picking up on memes of interest
Sharing useful resources
On the client side, we’re doing even more.
Let’s connect
http://twitter.com/leeodden
add me if ya like, i’m looking for ways to evolve social media and learning.
http://twitter.com/mattshandera
http://twitter.com/mrosenthal
Saw your Tweet - I’m in; look for http://twitter.com/stevegroves
loop me in…
http://twitter.com/dirkmshaw
I was a twitter skeptic at first, but recently I have benefited greatly from it — for the social and the newsgathering aspects. Yes, I’ve seen the light.
Feel free to add me:
http://twitter.com/tfdavis
Keep up the great work Jeremiah.
Hey Jeremiah,
We are already twitter friends but love to twitwork (twitter+network) with any and all.
http://twitter.com/herb
I’ve been playing with Twitter for the last year but only starting taking it seriously th last 3 months or so. I actually get more out of it then my 200 plus feeds via Google Reader.
Count me in: http://www.twitter.com/markkrupinski
Cheers,
Mark.
I’m encouraged to see that I already know a handful of the folks in the comments of this post but will go in and add some that I don’t to my “following” list.
Bottom line is that Twitter is changing the way people in technology and social media interact. If you’re not participating, you’re missing the boat!
Oh yeah, I’m http://twitter.com/astrout
Hi Jeremiah,
saw your tweet, here’s mine: CollectiveIntel and copydiva
Twitter is interesting to me on multiple levels - personally, it’s nice to have a support network of like-minded friends; professionally it’s become a valuable way to share information and network.
I predict we’ll see some fine tuning or developers from the outside bringing ways to use twitter more advantageously and efficiently.
Please feel free to add/follow me to network/discuss Social Media, Tech, Blogging, PR, Marketing or Student Loans. I love to follow back and strive to contribute humor, support and information, since that’s what i get from my twitter friends!
mariana_66
I guess we are already intertwittered; if not:http://www.twitter.com/pixites
Canadian Government, following social media trends and impact on communications/issues management.
http://twitter.com/iketches
http://www.twitter.com/pixites
Hi, Jeremiah!
I signed up for Twitter in July. Didn’t ‘get’ it. A friend talked me thru it in October, and I’m hooked. Twitter is in that quiet-rumbling-before-the-storm mode, which is exciting, but is also proof (albeit intangible) of its potential. I use it to keep up with friends, to make new ones, and to get an inside look into who’s doing what. I’d pay for it…
I’m adding twitter to my next set of business cards. It’s on my email signature, my latest ‘tweet’ is at the top of my blog, and it has become as valuable as email and voicemail. (But it’s a lot more fun!)
follow me at http://twitter.com/davidbadash
I’ll follow you back.
http://twitter.com/jstorerj
looking forward to adding more voices to my social media circle. thank jeremiah!
David if you are interested in twitter uses as a way to connect and disseminate information and content in an educational/non-profit way, check out what I set up for Global Kids’ holymeatballs.org blog: http://www.twitter.com/holymeatballs.org
Jeremiah, I am SO overdue for an update of the “Ode to Twitter” I wrote around the time of gnomedex. I am making dozens of business uses of it, and it has become THE single most important “networking tool” (it’s WAY more than that) I have ever used.
I believe that with the right study, modification, training and application, a Twitter-like communications app can be rolled out into “the enterprise” and become mission critical in a matter of 5 years or less. And my brain has been EXPLODING about how.
It has the potential to become as ubiquitous as, and much more powerful than, email.
And yes, in case you’re skeptical, I am well aware that it is arguably the dumbest app in the world.
Twitter might be niche now, but I am sure this is where the curve will head once Facebook explodes. It’s a great way for insiders to connect now, and I think will become an even better way for a larger population to keep in touch soon.
check out http://impost.org — the green “>” opens a window with two frames that enables you to track discussions between several twitterers (well, two at a time, but you can switch around — it’s based on twitter’s friends lists)
I’m there Jeremiah - in the past few months, twitter has become a huge source of traffic for Searchviews.
would love to add anyone participating in this conversation thread:
http://twitter.com/searchviews
Last night on Twitter I found out that Twitter friend @susanreynolds has an invasive, aggresive breast cancer and will be going in for surgery before Christmas.
Please add her and help her be strong.
http://twitter.com/susanreynolds
For me, Twitter’s power really comes from the feeling of intimacy with people as I get a glimpse into their lives.
At first I just followed people I knew from other media (blogs, podcasts, developers whose apps I use). What surprised me was how much value I get from following even people I’d never heard of, but who still want to share their interest at a given moment.
I’m happy to join the conversation - I follow people who follow me too:
http://twitter.com/patlaj
Hi Jeremiah,
I don’t believe micro-blogging will stay niche. I got into it with the other tech PR/Marketing and social media types (because I am one!), but I can quite readily see my other ‘communities’ of friends and colleagues taking to it, for example:
- professional associations sharing news and ideas
- mothers sharing support and planning activities
- widely dispersed ‘colleagues’(potentially a really wide term) creating much closer links despite not often physically meeting very often if at all.
- closed groups such as a task-specific team or attendees of a conference.
There’ll continue to be a huge range of ways to communicate with and relate to other people, including new ways to test our social skills. We need to know how to combine the best mix to meet the needs and preferences of the people and relationships involved, and that best suits the task in hand.
Micro blogging is particularly good at short, regular, low investment contacts (tempting out the otherwise quiet??). But I’d also argue that it is a high-trust situation - those that betray the trust are easily de-selected.
No wonder we are seeing ‘here first’ announcements of new babies, sudden illness, the fall-out from natural disasters, as well as some great idea sources that you wouldn’t necessarily have the time to come across in the working day.
That its all this and personalised too is just a bonus.
My Twitter name is Ronna if anyone would like to follow me.
Cheers, Ronna
PS - so far I tweet exclusively from my laptop.
I agree that the usage of Twitter is growing. i expect when I tweet next from a Mall - somebody is going to Tweet “Hi” I am standing behind you on the escalator”
I like the thought from Ryan Anderson above for a enterprise version where employees can send messages on Twitter and its would be more efficient than internal email.
I am http://twitter.com/shashib > always welcome people to connect and will try to help anytime.
Woo Hoo! Follow me!
http://www.twitter.com/carmaxchris
I’m always looking to add insightful people to my twitter reading list
My network keeps me updated on what’s going on, and I love how the constant conversation on twitter has helped me create and maintain relationships that otherwise would have remained conference-centric!
Whoops - I suppose dropping my twitter link would help
http://twitter.com/ericskiff
I left twitter for almost 8 weeks and then was drawn back in by someone specific who started following me. Their addition to the conversation triggered a realization about what Twitter was really about… for me personally. It’s a brainstorming tool and a networking tool. In the beginning, I was trying to find a B2C connection, but it’s not there and doesn’t need to be. It’s become one of my most valuable tools for finding the latest information.
http://www.twitter.com/respres
twitter following is not like a straight line, it’s more like a circle where the beginning of the circle changes all the time. http://twitter.com/AlbertMaruggi
Since Jim Long so unselfishly recommended another Twitterer, I’ll recommend him as well– http://twitter.com/newmediajim
Is new at Twitter and trying to be convinced of its value. I’ve been blogging and involved in social media for well over a year now, but am still not sold on Twitter.
Still, follow me and I’ll start following you… http://twitter.com/parkernow
I am currently figuring out how to streamline my twitter experience. Following disparate groups of people can make for difficulty in following a conversation. I also worry about my friends/followers who are getting tons of texts on their phones including my half of conversations to people they don’t know and aren’t interested in. Still not sure how best to integrate twitter into my overall ecosystem, but enjoying the heck out of it in the nonce.
http://twitter.com/Demca
You got over 70 comments since posting your tweet about an hour ago!
I’ve been connecting a lot through the “Twittercooler” and blogged some use cases:
http://www.tapio.com/2007/11/your-watercoole.html
I’m at http://twitter.com/alexdc , I’ll follow you back
To me it’s fascinating to see it grow and change…
I can’t imagine that we can really accurately predict where it will be in a year - if only because it seems to have changed so much in the last month.
It appears at this point to be Jeremiahs own SONET though! And that’s pretty cool..
http://twitter.com/steveames
I commented earlier, but might as well add my twitter address: http://www.twitter.com/ryananderson
Hi Jeremiah and Twitterverse!
Add me - I’ll follow you back -http://twitter.com/benvear
I’m interested in social media, data visualization and representation, PR, advertising, and anything geeky.
I signed up for Twitter in July, didnt really get it, and now find it invaluable for work (I work @ motivequest, a social media consultancy - shameless self promotion in the website, as my blog is in the process of launching), school (northwestern), and play/community (I’m very involved with Rotary). It’s been a fantastic tool to keep in touch with my friends, coupled with facebook and gchat.
I find myself using gchat to communicate with my 20 something friends who havent, or wont, ‘get’ twitter. It seems like a nice steppingstone. Thoughts?
I am -not- an early adopter, but I’m not a Luddite either. I like to watch fads and see which ones are useful and which ones I feel will tail off. I never saw the necessity or a real business use of MySpace (I have personal space,) but I do see it in FaceBook, mostly in the way it is perceived in the market and how it has grown away from the things that made MySpace a turnoff for business folk.
Twitter is different. I heard about it some time ago, but I just realized what can be done with it during the PubCon conference this past week. Ending this now, since others have stated the ‘whys’ better than I could.
http://www.twitter.com/ninety7
I started off somewhat skeptical of Twitter but am finding it more useful as time goes on. Since I’m currently working in a small marketing department, having access to people who do what I do in a whole range of other places helps fight feeling isolated and keeps me in the loop for what’s going on out there. It’s a great networking tool, an idea feed, and a way to make connections to people in a new way.
Plus, it’s fun!
http://www.twitter.com/rslux
It seems to me like the fabric of social media can only get stronger. much like blogs were few and far between a couple years ago, & now everyone and their dog has one twitter and other SM tools will only grow in use and options for use.
twitter: @colleencoplick
http://www.twitter.com/colleencoplick
I have had so much feedback and help from my Twitter followers in the last 9 months that it has all been worth the effort to Twitter. Plus, I get a unique insight into the goings-on in silicon valley, you get to see what people are doing behind the blogs and conferences. Brilliant stuff.
http://twitter.com/pete_gilbert
Genius, Jeremiah! What a great way to expand the community.
I would argue that rather than replacing other forms of communication, Twitter is adding to it in a very powerful way. I haven’t found another tool like it for quickly getting answers, sharing information and connecting with others.
Anyone who wants to connect: http://twitter.com/davefleet
1)It is so simple-my 76 year old mom can use it w a mobile-simplicity is its strength
2)Little pocket-size gems of content-’media snack’ as u called them. Drip-feed content like this never gets too much(unless u forgot to turn off your mb phone and get Gapingvoid reporting passionately tweeting away on a laptop from the Microsoft Conference in Paris;46 sms’s get delivered in machinegun style in 5 mins on your phone in Sydney(time-diff-late-at-night) when asleep in bed w partner(great content still.
My top 3:
1 @jowyang
2 @gapingvoid
3 @briansolis
Everyone can tweet-just like anyone can make coffee-but same places just make a killer espresso or picolo-the above 3 are great. Anyone know of someone that delivers value like @jowyang? If you had to pay something would you pay a subscription fee for the value that he delivers or your number 1 equivalent? Jeremiah-i would pay $5 to $10 to subscribe 2 ur feed-(nope ur not allowed to start charging now!)
Love twitter-ubiquitous and it works for u and allows you to do something easier and better
http://m.twitter.com/hansdek
Biz Developer, Sydney,Australia
Wow, 89 comments.
I run the Twitter feed for my agency, slack barshinger. I use it most often to make notes at conferences/shows and also to check out the snarky zeitgeist at conferences/show.
http://twitter.com/slackbarshinger.
it is funny how this very post is cross polinating back to twitter, shows the power of conversation across various web platforms/sites.
http://www.twitter.com/RhiannonSL
Really great post. I’ve become increasingly addicted to Twitter. Just came from Social Media Breakfast thru a tweetie.
http://twitter.com/whatsnext
Hey! Great post. I agree. It seems many more people are joining Twitter.
I’m the host of a web show called “Daily Idea.” We cover how to tips in a humorous way to make your life easier.
I’m always interested in meeting new people on Twitter.
http://www.twitter.com/nikkikey
and
http://www.twitter.com/dailyidea
Yes, Twitter is something that is changing and augmenting conversations. Sometimes it’s the backchannel, sometimes the news breaking tool … sometimes just fun.
Here is my Twitter ID: http://twitter.com/trishussey
Jeremiah - I agree 100% with your post and in fact twitter is the number one way I keep track of your tips.
Follow me & my Startup Weekend adventures on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/wisesumo
I like twitter a lot both for business and personal use. My indie biz is tiny (me) and imbued with my personality, so my twitter use is a natural extension of that. I think for more big business or straight-laced types twitter can be used to show a little personality for users/consumers of your service or product or to bring or keep awareness of your brand in the public eye. I don’t mean use it as a way to spam folks but to interact with potential customers.
I also like twitter because of the instant feedback. When I pose a query I almost always get a useful answer back right away. and yes twitter has increased traffic to my site. Overall it’s helping me improve my business.
We are already linked on Twitter. Anyone else, add me if you want conversation
http://twitter.com/ConversationAge
Twitter is fast becoming my favourite tool for finding out what going on “out there”. Maybe I like it because it is so niche… y’know, because I like alternative music too, and it’s only cool if nobody else listens too it ;-D
http://twitter.com/Bunnly
http://twitter.com/waynesutton
I forgot to include my twitter addy, ha:
http://twitter.com/Trula
While Twitter is mostly a personal communication tool, it is interesting to see how many businesses are beginning to try and use it in various ways.
Twitter’s opt-in/opt-out nature a blessing for the end-user and will ensure that businesses provide content with value rather than generic advertising based blasts.
http://twitter.com/jeffglasson
Over the past 6 months, my attention has shifted away from RSS reader and to Twitter. I still read blogs but almost always I am starting with a link that I saw on my Twitter feed. It also has become my primary source for breaking news outside of the blogosphere.
Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/mdoeff
Always happy to have more Twitter friends
http://www.twitter.com/willpate
I love Twitter, just brings me all the key news fast.
http://twitter.com/rachelclarke
I totally agree…I have been evangelising for months on the merits of Twitter– but is IS really only relevant to specific communities: tech 2.0, marketing, web strategy. But Twitter is definitely my source of rich, earth-to-ground conversation…the back-chatter before the blog posts and I’m addicted.
I have found twitter to be a great resource. When ever I had some sort of problem in the past I would head to a chat room and ask the question. Now I ask on twitter on any subject and I get 3-4 responses and I am not a internet superstar like you jeremiah or rice, brogan, penn and of course darkgracie.
I also am waiting for a train or a plane and I can ask for info make a comment and start a conversation.
I work alone most of the time in an office so I also feel like I am connected to others during the day.
Add me and I will add you if you want to be my cyber friend.
http://twitter.com/mmcallen
Many times someone has broke news or posted a link on Twitter before most news outlets so as others have said, it’s fast becoming my source for what’s going on.
http://twitter.com/DavidWard
There has been some great points here. Twitter is so simple, so targeted, but has a fair bit of entropy, which is what makes it fun to use.
Plus, no vampires or zombies.
twitter.com/andrewhyde
I’m just starting to use Twitter. Question - is it proper etiquette to follow those who follow you?
I’m always interested in people in marketing, PR, social media and general tech trends.
http://twitter.com/csalomonlee
Back in November I wrote about my shift to Twitter instead of my readers…
http://alisaleonard.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-i-learned-from-twitter-this-week.html
http://www.twitter.com/sass
http://www.twitter.com/myxertones
Great Post Jeremiah, as always. As is widely known, I am an early Twitter addict… It is like no other communication platform as it is both IMMEDIATE and ASYNCHRONOUS at the same time. You can dip in and out, or spend the day. You can join a pithy, enlightening conversation, or pass along a joke or a link. It is also an effective distribution channel for blog posts, videos, and other digital tidbits. Last week I posted a humorous “recruitment video” for my company via a link in the twitter stream, and in minutes we received resumes in response (http://tinyurl.com/ywv885) Follow twitter.com/myxertones and we deliver a FREE daily Indy Music ringtone via Twitter (with the download right to your phone if you get your tweets on your mobile). The possibilities are endless. Twitter has been the first introduction to many valued friends and associates that I have gone on to meet in person and go well beyond 140 characters with! In short, and in common Tweeting parlance: TWITTER RAWKS!
Wow, great response. My Twitter feed has become my #1 source for keeping tabs on things, so this is a non-brainer for me.
http://www.twitter.com/hyperg
http://twitter.com/pfanderson
Like Connie Reece says, I’ve neglected my RSS reader in favor of Twitter for preselected excellence.
I keep telling people social tech doesn’t make any sense until it is SOCIAL. It is about finding the core group of folk who interest you. Then, BOOM, it becomes a very interesting place indeed.
PS - Teaching a mini-class on social marketing for libraries and health in February. Hunting good examples and ideas.
http://twitter.com/msg
First: http://twitter.com/skalik
Second: I like the idea of twitter for academics (now following @sollitaire thanks to this conversation). I’m thinking about all the ways it could have been useful when I was in school– live tweeting notes (for those at home sick, or otherwise), sharing research related ideas with a community of like-interested folks… Wow!
Thanks Jeremiah for gathering all of us!
Great stuff. I’m just learning the twitter ropes and am doing all I can to dive, head first, into the waters of social media.
Help me learn: http://twitter.com/markpalony
Thanks,
Well, I was going to do this later as I am really busy but BLUF (bottom line up front)
1) I agree with your post Jeremiah, keep ‘em & your tweets coming. I may not always comment but I am dilligently reading.
2) Google bought Jaiku most likely as a safe guard to enter quickly into the space and also to tie in the service with the GooglePhone b/c mobile is it…and they know it.
3) Can’t wait to see the Wednesday Digest this week!!!
4) http://www.twitter.com/Suki_MHC05
Hey Jeremiah,
Wow, you’re bringing us all together. Well, we’re already twitter buddies but here it is:
http://www.twitter.com/danielriveong
Also, I event did a survey asking twitter followers what they expected to get by following me on twitter:
http://tinyurl.com/2qsoe7
Thanks Jeremiah!
I’ve met a log of great folks on Twitter, definitely a great resource.
http://twitter.com/jasonw22
Been Twittering a few months now and equally love it, join the convo:
http://twitter.com/skanwr
I started using Twitter in late 2006, and I’ve been so impressed with how it’s evolved from more than status updates to conversations. What I used to put in blog posts back in 2002, I now post to Twitter.
The people I follow on Twitter make me smarter. I also love using it to connect with people in-person. Forget CNN.com, I know I and others turn to Twitter for late-breaking news.
Follow me on Twitter and I’ll follow you back:
http://twitter.com/danieljohnsonjr
not gonna post my twitter address. Too many conversations as it is. My network grows well enough thru word of mouth, and seems a bit more meaningful that way.
Good observations, tho.
Been Twittering a few months now and equally love it, join the convo:
http://twitter.com/skanwar
What a great way to build a community of passionate twitter users… this will help galvanize a group, certainly. I’m at http://twitter.com/adamcohen
I would love to see some sort of “grouping” capability - either to manage connections but also watch/follow conversations. For example, it would be great within twitter to have a group of all co-workers from my company to have conversations that are exclusive. A feature like that would perhaps help with enterprise adoption around security concerns.
Anyways - thanks Jeremiah - connecting with folks in Twitter who are “followers” of yours will only add value to the conversations.
I find my constellation of followers/followees expanding and contracting. I follow people who are in conversation with people I follow, adding a few each day. Eventually the twitstream gets too wide or hurried, and I pare it down.
Folks who complain of a low signal/noise ratio (and “file under fad”) are not trimming their followees, apparently. Doing so has opened conversations with people I otherwise wouldn’t have met and has expanded my thinking about my own work, which I rarely tweet directly about (not sure why). http://twitter.com/jplummer
I got addicted to Twitter due to the speed of information sharing. It’s a fantastic tool - http://www.twitter.com/anwith1n
First: www.twitter.com/tonysteward
Second: I am a big twitter fan, it has taken virtual connections and transitioned them into real relationships better than any other social network I use. And I get invaluable information through my feeds that I don’t get with the same relevancy or timeliness compared to my RSS feeds. Great Stuff!
I see twitter as a never ending virtual cocktail party (not that I go to cocktail parties, but it’s how I imagine them - except without the snobbery.) You see two people talking, you can just walk up, listen a bit, join the conversation. Boom- you’ve made a friend. Meanwhile, you find out what people are talking about, you ask questions, you joke and laugh and have fun.
Then again, it’s also like an open source diary, or im conversation… oh well, so much for a unified metaphor.
ANYWAY- feel free to add me on Twitter - I’m http://www.twitter.com/misc, and as you can see I love to meet people there!
For the record, yes, there are a lot of librarians that ‘get’ Twitter. PF, will point you in the direction of a few that may be able to help.
Especially like the fact that you can collect tweets into your blog (through LoudTwitter) and refer people to your blog for feedback by posting links to it on Twitter. both work to expand the conversation.
Follow me at:
http://twitter.com/randimason
I admit I too have been abandoning my RSS feeds in favor of twitter.
As a student/practitioner of social media marketing, it’s fascinating to watch this new communications tool evolve in its functions. Personally, I haven’t yet used twitter for any promotional purposes - but I did live-twitter my ENTIRE childbirth experience (see my faves on twitter) - from my cell phone, cm by cm, all 15 hours of labor!
I have always loved watching streams flow, and for me, watching the twitter streams of thought, data and effluvia appeals to the lurker/voyeur in me.
I already follow you, Jeremiah, and thank you for all the insights you share. Thanks for watching the space.
http://twitter.com/carmenleilani
Guess I oughta jump in on this. Twitter’s great.
I’ve debated about the ability to create subgroups. I actually think that’s the beauty of Twitter, that you can’t segment. There are plenty of other tools for more segmented messages.
Like most organizations, Twitter has a critical mass of about 40-50 people, after which the dynamics change dramatically.
Before, you’re used to being able to read every tweet from every friend. Once you get past 50 or so, you have to learn how to dive into the twitterstream, swim around, and get out when your done–and not worry about what you miss when your not immersed…
You can follow me at http://twitter.com/vanhoosear
Great post Jeremiah.
http://twitter.com/rkcollins
Count me in, I follow marketing and web trends related to higher education.
http://twitter.com/smeranda
I was skeptical about Twitter for a long time. Other than maybe my mom and my husband, who else could possibly care about what I was doing at any particular moment?
I jokingly said this to a new acquaintance, a Very Connected blogger whose work I admire. He didn’t miss a beat, and said, “Oh, I’d totally follow you!” I admit, I was very flattered. He explained how he uses Twitter like an extra antenna, to pick up on little ideas and themes that sometimes grow to be very big. And he likes to keep track of friends’ everyday lives. So, hesitantly, I dipped a toe in the Twitter pool.
I’ve found I really like following people I’ve met IRL at one conference or another. Fun to see that, while we’re hunkering down for another round of ice and snow in the upper midwest, my PodcasterCon friends in North Carolina have 80 degree sunshine. Fun to know that a favorite OPML guru took time out of his afternoon to play with his dog.
And it even comes in handy for actual work, too. I feel really lucky to be looking in on the lives of so many creative, smart, connected people. As they share about what they’re reading, buying, writing, it sparks lots of new ideas for me — and sends me off in new directions.
I dread the day that Twitter gets so big or mainstream that the guys in suits get involved and try to monetize the thing — or people figure out how to use it for spam. But that’s fodder for another comment, another day.
http://twitter.com/podcastmama
Twitter has become an indispensable tool for online marketing for me. It has actually cut the time I spend in feed readers and blogs. It happens first on Twitter, then it ripples out to the rest of the space. I try and add value in return for the value I receive.
You can follow me at http://twitter.com/sschablow
Great post, Jeremiah.
Twitter is the easiest way for me to quickly get status on my family and friends, keep track of/find out about live events, get industry/topic specific news before or as it’s hitting the wire, and keep a pulse on what others are saying about me and the company I work for in 140 characters or less.
Once you are hooked, you can’t live without it. It’s not a convenience, it’s a necessity. It’s here to stay.
You can follow me at: twitter.com/zenaweist
[…] Jeremiah Owyang: Some Conversations Have Shifted to Twitter - “If you’re in the tech industry, and in marketing, you should be paying attention to what’s happening on twitter. There’s even search tools that can help you find discussions and memes.“ […]
Wow I wish we could get a list of these put together Jeremiah!
http://www.twitter.com/Genuine
Twitter is useful, fun, viral, and easy to use. There’s no better combination.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/jeffbarr and I will follow you back (as long as I can read your language).
Excellent post, Jeremiah. Twitter has quickly emerged as on of the best tools for me in growing my personal and professional network. I’ve made far more meaningful connections through Twitter than I would have ever imagined when I started using it earlier this year.
My posts are here: http://www.twitter.com/Bryper
So, reading this thread has been interesting and it’s given me a little more insight into why people I’ve never met follow me. Now, spammers are obvious, but I still don’t completely understand why strangers follow me. I talk about mainly boring day to day stuff on Twitter, rather than engaging in the larger social media conversations that I see….
Maybe I’ll change my habits. We’ll see where the following of strangers goes.
Nice work, Jeremiah, on starting this thread.
http://twitter.com/stewtopia
I just got into Twitter even though I’ve known about it for a while. Don’t have too many followers at the moment, so it would be great if you could add me and give me some feedback!
http://www.twitter.com/gonzibonzis/
Great post as always, Jeremiah!
http://twitter.com/merlene
Renaissance Woman, Canada
Honestly, I’ve met so many great people strictly as a result of Twitter, and it’s made it so easy to share with my friends and to get help when I need it that I have trouble imagining life without it at this point. Just as a tool for extending and maintaining your personal network, even if you don’t have anything to sell, I think it’s invaluable.
And I’m always happy to meet new folks too! http://twitter.com/WickedGood
Stumbled onto twitter while exploring social media for my employer www.swedish.org (a large medical center in Seattle)where my boss is savvy enough to want to join the conversation. She won’t be totally sold until I drag home my first hire from someone I met on twitter…like a cat placing a dead mouse tenderly on your pillow…but as I’m totally convinced that *could* happen in the natural course of events I keep twitter tweeting away along with the job boards, blogs, forums, Linkedin, and Facebook that crowd my screen. And personally and professionally I value the chance to hang with my peeps…brainstorming ideas, making connections, always always learning something new. And I’m going to my first real life tweetup next week! How cool is that
I signed up for twitter a while ago, but haven’t been able to get into it.. Today I committed to put some effort into it and see what it can do.
Ironically, I later come here and you’re talking about it!
Looking forward to following you and others, and perhaps even having people ‘following’ me!
http://twitter.com/krusk
Great post Jeremiah. For me, Twitter is definitely the Most Valuable Social Media Tool of 2007. When I started using it last January, I had no idea that it would become such an integral part of my online life.
–Andy
http://twitter.com/andykaufman
[…] one? Easy, you get someone like Jeremiah Owyang to make a post on twitter linking back to his blog on how conversations have moved to twitter then asking for a microblog roll via comments. This […]
I’ll be boring and just leave my twitter name –> http://twitter.com/apennny
I adore twitter, but recently haven’t been seeing as many postings from the people I follow because so many of them start with @person and I don’t follow that person.
oops.. 2ns http://twitter.com/apenny
So far I have more followers than following, lets keep the trend alive LOL http://twitter.com/mherzber
It´s true. I just converted the half of our company to use twitter:
http://twitter.com/nugg_ad
and my twitter (of course)
http://twitter.com/etorsten
Connie Bensen turned me on to twitter about 45 days ago. Life will never be the saNe. Cheers!
http://twitter.com/lalunablanca
http://www.twitter.com/centernetworks
I’m proud to say that I’ve been a twttr/twitter user since May of 2006 under:
http://twitter.com/missrogue
It’s been central to my life since then even before it became ‘useful’.
BTW…we don’t need a white label twitter. They have a totally rich and useful API that can be integrated deeply into any website in any form you wish. White labeling is not the answer here.
Eh, why not? http://twitter.com/povertyjetset
Twitter is at a peak now. How do you keep it the place to be once there are too many people doing it? what kinds of gates do you think will happen?
I’ve been using Twitter for quite a while now. When I first signed up, it was boring and I didn’t “get it”, but that’s because I had no one to follow or follow me… the more the merrier!!
http://www.twitter.com/goaliegirl
“extra antenna” Thanks Elisabeth (and your friend), this sums up Twitter perfectly for me.
For me, Twitter is digestible, reliable, real-time, news feed. It is also somewhat self adjusting and humans learn quick.
As for Jeremiah, he is a human net nuke explosion. I’ve known people who can spew for days on end, but never have I seen such organized thought come from someone who doesn’t stop. I observed him last week (Web Comm. Forum) and he is the real deal. I honestly don’t know how he does it.
Now, how do we take what you’ve started here and roll it up into an emerging folksonomy of twitterers?
Okay, so I’m a geek. I build infrastructure, and I’m experimenting with collaborative social commerce.
http://twitter.com/joshuamckenty
PS - I would ask termie about the Jaiku purchase (the WHY, not the details): http://termie.jaiku.com/
I am interested in socialmedia use for the good of the whole. How does it serve corporations is not my concern if this corporations don´t have strong ethical values and are thinking on Service for the planet. We are facing the biggest challenge as specie where the corporations have a huge role as well as consumers who, by being more informed, VOTE everyday for the kind of planet they envision for the future of their children.
In my own work in collective intelligence (CI) I am interested in the ways tweeter is being used to raise our CI by rapidly helping us organize, connect with small and large forces, weather is to collect money, develop a wiki, follow a live stream or like this experiment Jeremiah launched.
For those with similar interests please do follow me as I will be deeply engaged in your own path.
http://twitter.com/transitioner
Great post. I’m been using Twitter since February and it has definitely become a great source for news and information. It’s also been a great “network” to query… I’ve had all sorts of questions answered in near real-time. I like what Tris Hussey wrote earlier:
—-
Sometimes it’s the backchannel, sometimes the news breaking tool … sometimes just fun.
—-
Indeed it is - I’m http://twitter.com/danyork
For those interested in social media and marketing, I would also recommend you follow:
http://twitter.com/chrisbrogan
http://twitter.com/cspenn
http://twitter.com/kr8tr
I’m still having trouble getting my “mainstream” friends to adopt Twitter, and usually I’m pretty good about introducing them to stuff. Perhaps they’re just too embedded in their cell phone SMS and Facebook updates. I don’t know.
Anyway, I’m @innonate on Twitter.
I only use twitter to communicate — Email? What is that?
http://www.twitter.com/ijustine
Great idea. Here’s moi. I’m at SplashCast Media - very involved in the world of socia media, etc.
http://twitter.com/tomturnbull
Good post, great energy Jeremiah.
I’m in the process of adding a bunch of folks who commented above. I notice some familiar names in my friend list already and of course Jeremiah. Here I am:
http://twitter.com/TDavid
Let’s expand the conversation