
Twitter is a real time wiki. Although Google won't admit it, Twitter is a search engine, not a "poor man's email" as it was recently derided by Eric Schmidt. Twitter allows us to tap into the brainpower of people around the world, trusted advisers and total strangers alike.
Over time I noticed that I've gravitated toward people who write tweets that share knowledge ("just saw a presentation about...), tweets that pass along a provocative observation ("has anyone noticed that..."), tweets that point me toward content I might not otherwise have stumbled upon ("check out this site..."). I am following brand strategists, marketing gurus, social media wonks, designers, pop-culturists from Sydney to Sao Paolo. In turn, I have folks around the world following me, including my two teenage daughters (odd time we live in!).
I know I'll still write the occasional narcissistic tweet ("exciting dive today!"), but I've learned I have to give if I want to get. The community gets better when we share something interesting.
I'd write some more, but I'm heading out for a ride. ;)
Comments
I also like the way some companies have figured out how to use Twitter. Bank of America started a Twitter account last January to handle inbound service requests and outbound product announcements. Imagine using Twitter to sign up thousands of people so you can privately make offers on the products you are trying to clear out before the new products arrive (cars, fashion,...).
As I evangelize about Twitter, I usually preface it by saying that it could be the acid washed jeans of the internet where we wonder in a couple years just what the heck we were thinking, but I doubt it.
I know I'm in trouble when I have to sit and stare at the screen trying to think of something to tweet. That's my indication I should just shut up and go ride my bike. Then I can tweet.
Keeping in contact
Marketing
Environmental scanning
The people I follow are either friends/acquaintances, people I currently do or would like to do business with (or whom I would like to refer my services) and news-type organizations. I follow both local and national news so I can keep an eye on what is going on.
I have been selective about what updates go to my portable device and what I read on my computer through TweetDeck. My portable device is only getting updates from those I want to know right now (local news, certain friends, etc).
I am currently experimenting with TweetDeck and appreciate how it arranges information in columns and how I can have it track searches for me. I have searches set up for groups I am in, my business, and subjects that concern my business.