Over the last couple of months, Twitter has become more and more a part of my daily web routine. I don’t update every hour or anything like that. But, I probably have been sending Twitter updates at least 2-3x a day (+ direct replies to some conversations); sometimes, less on weekends.
Currently, these are my Top 9 Ways to Use Twitter:
1) Promote some of my content. I don’t inundate it with promos, but I do share… and I think it has helped bring folks to my blog, photos, etc. Here at ShaiCoggins.com alone, I’ve seen an increase in Twitter referrals over the last month, since I started using Twitterfeed and sharing some links.
2) Stay connected with some folks whom I wish to learn more about, but have no time to follow their blogs closely. There are many blogs that I just have no time to read and to monitor. But, I’m still interested to learn more about the bloggers. So, I follow them on Twitter. Chances are, they also tend to post stuff that have more meaning to them. Since their Twits are 140 characters or less, they’re easy to digest too. Not a lot of room for rambling, so folks get to the point. If I want to read more, I go to their blogs.
3) Communicate with bloggers and folks in general. There are people who won’t leave comments on my blogs but are happy to send Twitter responses. And, as I’ve said in Point #2, I don’t always visit blogs of all bloggers I wish to follow… so, Twitter is one good way to send them quick messages too.
4) For polling and instant feedback. I love that I can ask a question or seek ideas in one minute… Then, I get responses from all over the place soon after.
5) To think out loud. I post URLs that I find interesting… Share ideas that I come across… Again, without all the rambling.
6) As an ongoing “Note to Self” recorder. Sometimes, a concept comes to mind, a quote, a reminder, or an affirmation. If I feel like sharing these notes and thoughts, I Twit them. I figured if I ever need that note again, I can just revisit my Twitter archive.
7) To meet new folks and to network. Since folks conduct public conversations via Twitter using the @username function, I sometimes end up following those names if I’m interested in what folks are talking about. If I like ‘em based on their Twits, I follow them. Sometimes, they follow back. I also end up receiving public responses. And, I definitely visit the pages of folks who add or follow me on Twitter. If they seem nice and not ’spammy’, I tend to follow them too, even if I don’t really know them that well. I eventually develop friendships or networks based on these “Follows”.
8 ) To show a more personal side of me. On Twitter, I’m cool with talking about where I’m going or where I’ve just been… Who I just talked to… What I just did (or still doing)… I say when I’m feeling bad or tired or moody. I share jokes. Yes, I let my guard down a bit more. It’s easier, I guess, when I say such things and don’t have to explain for more than 140 characters.
9) For staying connected, when I’m disconnected. When I don’t have Internet access and all, often, I can still Twitter because of SMS/Text messaging and all that. I can even set my mobile phone to receive and to respond to Twits, if I want to. This is especially useful when I’m travelling or out and about in meetings, errands, etc.
So yeah, after loving Twitter… then, not loving it… then, coming back and feeling unsure… to using it again… Then, feeling blocked - and then getting back to it… Well, now, I’m back to loving it.
What about you? What do you think of Twitter? If you don’t Twitter, why not? If you do, what do you use it for and how do you like it?
I’d love to find out what you think via comments and/or vote on this poll:
Oh, and if you want to follow me or add me as a friend, my Twitter address is:
http://twitter.com/shaicoggins
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Kari 02.09.08 at 1:18 am
Twitter is great for all of the reasons you’ve discussed. I love that it’s short and too the point. Also, for me - when I’m at work during the day wishing I wasn’t, it makes passing the time a little more plesant knowing I’m not the only stuck at work
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Kari: LOL. Yeah… I actually look at Twitter as my virtual office watercooler. A place to catch up with folks - Talk shop, work, the kids, TV, movies, etc etc. But, if I’m too busy, I don’t need to stop by. And, if I want some time to kill, I can answer Twits, go back through the archives, etc. Ideal for every home worker!
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julia 02.09.08 at 5:26 am
i’ve never use twitter, but soon i will try it!
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Julia: I bet you’ll get hooked too.
Let me know if you do give it a go!
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Jen Hill 02.09.08 at 12:58 pm
I really enjoy posting on twitter once or twice a day, and reading other twits. Have you ever gone Exploring to the Twitter Blocks page? It gives “6 Degrees of Separation” an entirely new 3D twist.
Your points are excellent and a great reminder of what Twitter can do.
Many thanks Shai!
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Hi, Jen. I think I’ve seen that before but haven’t really played with it yet. Will have a closer look one of these days. Thanks.
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Jeanne 02.09.08 at 8:01 pm
This is a great collection of things about Twitter. I’m just starting to like it so these are actually pretty good tips. I have to admit, I like reading Tweets more than writing them but I’m getting there
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Hi, Jeanne. You’re doing just fine. Enjoying your Twits too!
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Heather 02.09.08 at 10:22 pm
Hi Shai,
This is yet another thing I havent tried.
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Hi, Heather. Do you think you’ll give it a go? I hope so. Would love to read more from you too.
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Jami 02.10.08 at 2:36 am
Thanks Shai for the rundown.
I am glad I’ve started using Twitter. It’s fun and a good way to keep up on current topics, and funny/interesting things from around the way. Like you, it’s nice to be able to share some of how I’m feeling without posting an entire diatribe explaining the whos, whats, and whys.
http://twitter.com/bionicbeauty
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Hi, Jami. Glad you’re enjoying Twitter. I didn’t see its merits before when it first started, but now that more people are using it and conversations, etc have started, I find that it has become a really valuable web tool. And yep - the short posts are definitely helpful.
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toni 02.10.08 at 2:45 am
Those are exactly the reasons why I Twitter. I admit I didn’t see the merit in it at first but once I discovered its benefits, I got hooked.
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
LOL, Toni. Yep. Me too. Twitter just didn’t make sense when hardly anyone I knew used it. Besides, Twitter’s new features really made it more useful (eg, working with Twitterfeed, Facebook App, WP plugins, etc etc). So now, it’s way better.
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Heather 02.11.08 at 4:28 pm
Hi Shai,
I think I’ve been a bit reluctant to do too many of these things, Twitter, Stumble, etc, because I am still on dial-up and don’t have a real swish computer. I suppose I should just jump in, anyway. I’ll try to check them out. It’s all a bit intimidating sometimes.
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Shai Coggins reply on February 11th, 2008:
Heather: Just take it nice and slow. No need to worry about being on dial-up. You’ll be just fine. And I imagine that you’ll find good use for them too in time. Just see how you like it!
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Darlene 04.24.08 at 10:04 am
Hey Shai, Thanks for your post about Twitter. It is probably the 4th post I have read on why I should use it as a blogger. My two biggest concerns, is that in my busyness I may not be out there as much as I should to truly build relationships with others. I barely keep up with my emails, blog, LinkedIn, Facebook and the list goes on. My second concern, is I actually might like it, and then be on Twitter more than doing everything else I should be doing. So, I definitely see value from what you share, but I am hesitant. Anyway, I may jump in soon. I definitely feel the pull, because so many people are doing it. We shall see!!
Also, I love your blog! It is beautiful. I am thinking about starting personal blog and a blog about prayer. I love the layout, the colors, the comment section. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Darlene
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Shai Coggins reply on April 28th, 2008:
Hi, Darlene: Well, it looks like this post helped to get you on to Twitter.
And lovin’ it too! It really isn’t all that difficult to keep up with Twitter. You just use it the way you feel like using it. I follow folks. I network. I communicate. But, I don’t feel the need to follow and/or jump in to every conversation. And, it’s still all good. 
And thanks for your kind words about my blog. I’m still trying to get it to a state that I want it. But, there’s not enough time in the day! And yeah - if you do feel like starting a personal blog, I say go for it.
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