Phyllis Zimbler Miller

How to Explain to Your Spouse Why You Love Twitter



Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009

by
Miller Mosaic, LLC

A good friend said to me: "Why would anyone be on Twitter?" Mind you, he's never been on Twitter and he doesn't know a thing about it. But he's a successful lawyer and thinks he knows what's what.

In reply, I've decided to come up with a list of answers for when someone asks you this question:

  1. Getting news updates before the news media
  2. Asking technical software/hardware questions and getting answers
  3. Asking for referrals for a plumber in your hometown area
  4. Getting book recommendations in 140 characters instead of rambling book reviews
  5. Connecting with people you've met on LinkedIn or Facebook and want a quicker way to message them
  6. Getting links to specific industry news
  7. Sharing valuable blog posts
  8. Sharing information about your own projects
  9. Giving testimonials
  10. Getting tips in all kinds of subjects
  11. Getting help when you have a problem with, for example, your Sprint account
  12. Connecting with higher-level people than you could through other communication channels


Perhaps the reason I like best is that I use my Twitter contacts as information filters. I certainly don't have time to read everything I'd like to read. Thus when someone whose opinion I really trust tweets that this is a good article and includes the link, I'll click through to take a quick look. More often than not, I'm glad I was alerted to the information.

Of course, it's important when being on Twitter to be a giver and not just a taker. In other words, you have to share good info also and not just info that you've written. For example, when I've read a particularly informative article in that day's Wall Street Journal, I'll tweet the link if there's a public link available for that story.

Also, Twitter offers the ability to widen your own world and to do this from the convenience of your computer. Most of us tend to stick to the people we know. But on Twitter we can have conversations with people all over the country (and globe if they tweet in English) people we would never otherwise have the opportunity to meet.

For my part, I'm going to come up with a good "put down" line for when people say: "Why would anyone be on Twitter?" Something like: "You don't know what you're missing." Or: "Try it, you'll like." Or finally: "If you try it and become a Twitter addict, don't blame me."

P.S. I'm @ZimblerMiller on Twitter.

This Article has been viewed 45 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)
» left by revruc1
 2 years 151 days ago.
29 fans. Follow revruc1 on twitter!
I myself like the idea of twitter being like a filter. It can and will handle some of your time for you (for reading and updates). Thanks for sharing Phyllis
» left by Phyllis Zimbler Miller from Los Angeles 2 years 151 days ago.
And thanks for leaving a comment!
» left by Timmy Octavian
 2 years 150 days ago.
22 fans. Follow Timmy Octavian on twitter!
I recently just got on Twitter after saying for months that I never would. I've learned a few things about it in the short time I've been on there. Got some great ideas from your article. I'm following you now by the way. 
» left by Ronyae
 2 years 149 days ago.
92 fans. Follow Ronyae on twitter!
Good points, Phyllis. I just may have to look at my experience on Twitter like the points given. Welcome to Searchwarp, and keep up the good work!
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