Twitter Anyone?

Twitter is a social-networking blog site that allows users to send status updates, or "tweets," from cell phones, instant messaging services and Facebook in less than 140 characters. It's value has been questioned by many, but CNN recently reported that a student from the University of California-Berkeley, who was in Mahalla, Egypt covering an anti-government protest, used Twitter to let his contacts know that the Egyptian police had arrested him. Buck's entry led to his college quickly learning what had happened to him and hiring a lawyer on his behalf.

Usually Twitter is not used for such urgent situations, but this story demonstrates the far reaching implications of the tool. Staying connected to people you know is important, and being top of mind can often lead to valuable help and opportunities.

Twitter gives users the ability to follow people they know well or would like to get to know better. The microblog updates are an amazing window into the rhythm of a person's day and a great way to figure out their likes, dislikes, priorities and professional and personal plans, projects and goals. By just reading a few "tweets" I can find out important information about my network such as who is traveling, who is moving, who is preparing for a big presentation, who is interviewing and who is enjoying some downtime. Knowing these little nuggets of information about people helps me forge new conversations with them and deepen the relationship. And my "tweets" to them help keep me on their radar as well. Twitter is fast, easy and fun. And you don't have to be a great writer in order to make it work for you. Hope you start "tweeting" to build and nurture authentic, meaningful relationships soon!

Posted by Barbara Safani

Comments

[Jason Whitman]

Barbara:

So what is your Twitter user name? No link to your profile?

Jason

[Barbara Safani]

Jason,

Thanks for asking! Here it is:

http://twitter.com/barbarasafani

[Walter Akana]

Great Post, Barbara!

Actually, I’m a twitter newbie who has just posted my reactions to using the service for one week (http://snipurl.com/28qxz). While I see great potential for deepening connections with others, I’ve also wondered if twitter could be just a vehicle to be more “deeply superficial.” Actually, I suppose, like anything else, it’s what you make it!

You make an excellent point about how “little nuggets of information” help to “forge new conversations.” All of which can support managing one’s career as well as enriching life!

BTW: Hope you found a sturdy umbrella. As a displaced New Yorker, I know how important that is! :-)

[Barbara Safani]

Walter,

I think that Twitter or any social networking site for that matter has the capacity to be used for good or bad. I'm working towards putting an authentic face on my tweets and I hope I can find and follow people who do the same. BTW, it's still raining in New York and I still don't have an umbrella!

[william fischer]

we just launched a job aggregator tool for twitter that finds the highest paying jobs in several areas and sends one tweet an hour. it can be found at www.workhound.co.uk/twitter or to see how it works for startup jobs simply follow http://twitter.com/StartupJobs

would love your thoughts on how we can improve it.
cheers,
bill
workhound.co.uk

[william fischer]

we just launched a job aggregator tool for twitter that finds the highest paying jobs in several areas and sends one tweet an hour. it can be found at www.workhound.co.uk/twitter or to see how it works for startup jobs simply follow http://twitter.com/StartupJobs

would love your thoughts on how we can improve it.
cheers,
bill
workhound.co.uk