Should you be on Twitter? Short answer: Yes.
Why?
Three reasons: networking, conversing, updating.
First: networking. While all social networks are important for networking (I cannot believe I just said that…networks for networking), Twitter possesses a certain ‘introducing’ quality that is hard to find in other networks, even LinkedIn. Twitter is really about making connections, though it is possible to have strong, deep relationships with people via Twitter. The networking on Twitter gives users an opportunity to meet and greet new people without being creepy or weird. Once these connections are made, they can then flourish through the simple conversations of 140 characters.
Second: conversing. This comes once those connections have been made (as I mentioned previously). Twitter allows users to hold simple conversations that aren’t too intimidating. Twitter is helpful in keeping conversations to the most important information, which means most conversations are meaningful (that is, if users know how to write efficiently in the character limit, because if they don’t, their tweets are far from meaningful). Once great thing about Twitter is users can come into a conversation right in the middle and be totally comfortable being there.
Another important aspect of Twitter conversations is the hashtag tweetchats. I recently discovered a few of these chats happening in the field of public relations and have been greatly benefited from participating. I have had the opportunity to meet new people by joining weekly conversations on various public relations topics. I read and send tweets by using and following a particular hashtag (i.e., #prstudchat). I have made new connections and started new personal/business conversations through these chats.
Third: updating. This is a two-way street. By using Twitter, we can both stay updated on other people/organizations and keep others updated on us. To be honest, this isn’t as exciting to me on a personal level (unless I converse with close friends via Twitter), since I usually use Facebook for personal online conversations. But it is very beneficial for business/profession updating.
Every day I follow and read the latest news, rumors, updates, crises, tidbits and happenings in the world of public relations. I have been able to get more of the information I want than through any other channel, including Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs or RSS feeds on their own. Twitter is the gateway to the best and brightest of each of these other online entities. I also get connected with the most recent articles on various topics on my field that interest me. And the best part? I can read a simple 140 character blurb about the article, blog, etc., to decide if I am interested before I ever go to the site to read it. Twitter has been crucial in helping me sift through all the clutter to find those golden nuggets of information that help me keep up-to-date on all the latest about public relations, find the best internship/job opportunities, and discover which industry leaders I should pay attention to and rub shoulders with.
So, basically, while Twitter is more beneficial as a professional/business network than a personal one, the benefits are positive enough that I feel everyone should have a Twitter account. And should use it regularly – it won’t be beneficial unless used on a daily basis. As users get more involved, they will begin to have the same experiences in networking, conversing and updating that I have had, and they will be so much better for it.
