It’s been exactly a year since I joined Twitter, and about a year and a day since I thought Twitter wasn’t worth my time. Are you wondering if Twitter is worth it to you?
Here’s what’s I think is great about it:
- I get to see work from other artists
- I am part of a connected community of creatives
- I can summarize my art process in a way that suits my editorial, journal-averse mind
- People share well-curated links
- There’s always something to read!
BUT. Wow, is it overwhelming! I’m almost always behind by a few hours or a day. I have no idea how others read it in real-time, follow more than a few hundred people, find new things to post, and reply or forward content from others.
Still. I carry on! Great content. Great tips. Great people! And a few ideas, along the way, on how to keep up.
- I read tweets on my phone when I’m waiting for something or someone.
- I try to stay within 24 hours of being caught up.
- I mark items to follow up on later. Quickest is the Favorite option within Twitter, but there are aggregating tools out there as well. I’m using Instapaper.
- I scan for shareable content through my tweets and subscribed blogs.
- I keep my RSS reader up on my laptop all the time, so I never get too behind on my reading. That was a tip from a Twitter user!
- I use a Twitter aggregator (HootSuite) on my laptop to have more control over my retweets and post timing. I can also post to Facebook or LinkedIn at the same time if I want. There are LOTS of other similar tools.
- I only follow people I’ve checked out and feel comfortable with. Usually something in their profile intersects with my life, their timeline is interactive and/or not overwhelming, I admire their work or process.
Overall, despite the occasional sense of drowning in tweets, it’s been worth it. My time on Twitter has coincided nicely with my re-dedication to my art. It’s been a critical part of my art journey and I see it as a vital part of a creative online presence.
Does any of that ring true for you? Wanna try it? I’m @lizruest if you do! If you’re already there: got any other tips for me? Any other advantages or drawbacks I forgot?
Lest I forget, here’s one awesome result from being on Twitter this past year: https://www.lizruest.com/2010/twittering-for-a-good-cause/!
And what do I find on Twitter today? A tip from Richard Darell (http://twitter.com/Minervity) for this article on sharing great content: http://www.bitrebels.com/geek/5-strategies-to-share-good-content-on-twitter/. Good stuff!
Another view, here: http://www.craftmba.com/2011/02/24/is-twitter-worth-your-time/