Optimal Risk

The top 4 reasons I use Twitter June 23, 2009

I’ve contracted something (not Swine Flu / H1N1) . . . The Twitter Bug!

I’ve succumbed to its promises of up-to-date, wall-to-wall information, low commitment time, and cool points (that also comes with a toaster).  That’s not why I’ve kept tweeting. Here are my top 4 reasons I use twitter.

I feel cool.
In the span of social media phenomena, it is hugely popular and relatively young.  I can quickly establish or re-invent my online persona.  I’ve been on Facebook and Myspace for years.  When paired with Twitter, it can make you look like you were cool all along.

It helps promote my other social media profiles.
There is a high cross-over of my buddies on my various social media platforms. When I’m on Twitter, I read the tweet and go to the link, if there is one.  I come back to the list and do it again.  When someone reads my tweet, they can only do a couple of things:  Re-tweet, direct message, reply or go to a link.  There are no games to play or photos to sort.

It makes me a better communicator
There’s a saying that goes “The key to good communication is brevity”.  It makes me think about how I can say something in 140 characters.

It makes me more productive
Some people believe that all these social media platforms are a big waste of time.  They usually are referring to when people play games or share American Idol videos.   I don’t tweet lies, so I have to do something cool enough to tweet about. By ‘trying’ to tweet daily, I am putting out quality information for my tweeps. Also, if you aren’t putting out enough or high quality tweets, people will unfollow you.  (I’ve learned the hard way)