I’ve been on Twitter for a little over a year. In that time I’ve followed many people of interest and gained quite a few followers in return. I’ve learned how to add hashtags, and reply to tweets. I’ve learned how to DM (direct message) followers and shorten long URL’s. I think I’ve come to the point where Twitter makes sense.
But over the last few months, my Twitter stream seems to just be… NOISE!
Where I work, social media is blocked, so I am limited to checking my Twitter stream a few times a day on my phone. As I’ve added people and put people in groups, the stream goes by faster and faster. My Twidroyd app on my Droid allows me to filter by list, but even those are growing and growing.
It seems lately like almost everything is a retweet or a reply without the context of the conversation. Then there is the occasional user who blasts out 20 tweets at a time and totally overwhelms my tweet stream. ARRGGH!
However, there is a silver lining. In the midst of the noise there is usually something of value. It might be a popular quote, a direct message from a friend, or a link to some incredible blog post or new idea.
Twitter still has value and posts today from Chris Brogan and Daniel Decker helped me see things in context and helped me find some new tools to make things better.
So here’s a toast to a better social media experience!
(Follow me on Twitter at @success2you )
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You are so right about content control. I often wonder how the high traffic guys keep up.
I think social media is connecting the planet more than ever. I am hearing from people I would have never met 5 years ago, but I agree that 97% of the tweating is noise.
Hey John. Thanks for the link love.
No doubt there is noise. Some days are worse than others and even though you can tend to separate the good conversationalist over the bad (over time), it's still a challenge. I'm just come to look at it like TV. There are hundreds of channels (Twitter'ers) and sometime I have to flip through a bunch of them in order to land on the show (conversation) I want to watch (be a part of). Varies by day and interest. I don't try to read it all, just dip in and dip out enough to hopefully add some value and pick up a few insights from others.
Twitter is a constant work in progress to understand. I have found some awesome quotes, which are worth not only re-tweeting but using in articles, etc. However, the thought of how some user who are following 10,000+ users can possibly keep up or interact with all those conversations is still mind numbing. Perhaps I am still missing something? We will press on…
Great post and very entertaining. As a social media coach, I find that Twitter has it's purpose but have to admit most of my clients get more out of using Linked In and Facebook. However, I use the analogy that Twitter is like the kid on the corner with a megaphone that yells out your website address. It gets you traffic to the sites with the "meatier" content. I still get a kick out of it and personally, Twitter has created some very valuable connections for me, professionally. I use Twitter to build up my Social Media Now Fan Page on Facebook as well as my blog. So far, it has worked! Thanks again!
It took me about a year to figure out Twitter, but it really works well for quick communication, announcing when you post on your blog, and during emergencies (like earthquakes). I agree that Facebook and LinkedIn are easier to use, but they aren't as immediate as Twitter. If you need to get the word out quick, Twitter seems to be the best tool.