Ok Much has been written or much was written yesterday about Twitter. I'm not sure why yesterday, but for whatever reason, yesterday was that day, my post included. So I found myself embroiled both via blog responses and via Twitter, defending in some cases what I see as the best way for me to use Twitter.
Here's a quick recap of what was written.
Guy Kawasaki's post just flew totally in the face of my post, but he did mention some things that you should do regardless of your ultimate goal on how you're going to use Twitter. But his post is more about being the Uber-Twitter user, and I just can't do #4 Which is follow everyone who follows me- I'm sorry but I would like to get to know "some" of the people I'm following. I think Guy and I have a different perception of definition of what Twitter is or should be used for., Though I do admit, that I follow some of the social media whores-not sure why, but I do.
Alan Wolk has totally nailed his post which speaks to why he thinks Twitter is going to be cluttered with N00bs, more experts, and gaggles of clueless wannabe's and everything in between. Which means my Twitter post makes even more sense!
Business week has written about how ubiquitous micro-blogging and Twitter have become, which means a vertical version only makes sense right? And the we have Information weeks article on Twitter tools to turbocharge your microblogging Wow, didn't know I needed to! here's Compter World's 5 ways to tap the power of the tweet which actually are pretty close to what you should do and not as self serving and indulgent as Guy Kawasaki's directives. And the we have the Top 10 ways to attractt followers on Twitter which is a total link bait link juice article.
If you really want to know all things Twitter, and don't feel like waiting for the next piece of hyperbole then go to Laura Fitton's site, she blogs about all things micro-blogging and she actually brings some sanity to it all- Though I can't stop thinking about what a tweet is worth, knowing full well that that is where this is all heading.
Ok so I'm going to sum up one of the best ways to get the most out of Twitter, do you know how search marketing experts and Chris Anderson talk about the Long Tail? Well why would you want to follow 5000 people who all tweet at once about 5000 different subject and 5000 different links? When you could follow 1000, or 750 or 500 people, get to know who they are and what they're all about, and develop a vertical relationship?
I'm going to quote Chris here and splice/blend his words and my thoughts to make my point about Twitter:
The long tail aspect of Twitter does exist, but the data tells us that there may really be no head or body when it comes to following thousands upon thousands of people without any focus or reason. When it comes to Twitter, everyone is hell bent on following as many people as possible, but the fact of the matter is, Twitter traffic has the potential to be long tail and the word "long" doesn't do the length of the tail justice.
Thanks Chris.