Water Off A Duck's Back

I have found Twitter to be a great tool for staying on top of news as it happens, connecting with people from my city, and learning more about social media. I share Twitter in the hopes that they might also benefit from using it. So when some people respond towards Twitter evangelists like this (and this), I initially get frustrated.

Then I think about ducks.

Some people are simply misinformed, ill-informed, or just ignorant about social media and how it will continue to change the world of business, marketing, and relationships. They react in a negative way. I would rather spend my energy teaching people who are willing and interested in Twitter than those who are opposed or simply not ready to hear about it. If you know and have experienced the real benefits of using Twitter, than why let the haters and naysayers cause you to react in an equally negative way? Don't comment on the naysayers' articles, don't argue with the social media critics, and don't waste your energy arguing about social media when it probably won't change those people. It's a waste of time to fight those who are unwilling; instead, put your energy towards those who are curious and willing to learn.

10 Reasons Not To Join Twitter

Yes, I am on Twitter (you can follow me here), but it might not be for everyone. Lots of people have been writing about their reasons to join Twitter, so I thought I would give you a few reasons not to join. Maybe more than reasons not to join, this list are expectations and goals you might want to change before joining.

10 Reasons Not To Join Twitter:

1.) If you don’t know why you are doing it. Don't get me wrong -I think that you can develop skills and better reasons for tweeting as you use it longer, but you should have some idea about why you are joining in the first place. Just because someone told you that you should or because it is really popular right now doesn't mean you should. While there is no substitute for actual experience with Twitter, reading Twitter articles, tip lists, and blog topics can help you to develop a better idea of how you want to use it before you jump in. By developing a game plan ahead of time, you can also hit the ground running and make the most of your Twitter time.

2.) To talk about yourself most of the time. You have some really great ideas in your head and valuable things to share, but Twitter is about how you can help others. You will gain more permission as time goes on to talk about yourself. The quickest way to not improve your Twitter network is to join Twitter, instantly follow 1000 people, and then insesently talk about yourself. Help others.

3.) To become an internet celebrity. I'm not sure I can point to anyone specifically who is doing this, but I have my guesses. Twitter is no doubt a good way to build personal brand, but if you are solely trying to use Twitter for your own good, please take a dose of humility.

4.) To get instant results. Social media is not a short-term project. It doesn't happen right away. It takes time, effort, hard work, and patience. Many join Twitter thinking its a silver bullet for the marketing project and that things will happen right away for them. Patience is possibly one of the most crucial traits you can possess when dealing with social media.

5.) To talk about what you had for lunch. Please do not perpetuate the false image that Twitter is just a bunch of people talking about worthless drivel. Provide actual content. Tweet a helpful article you read (because someone else will find it helpful too.) Learn to use the "@" to reply to people. Learn the value of ReTweeting.

6.) Because you think everyone else on Twitter will want to be your best friend. Not everyone on Twitter will care what you are saying. And that's okay. You need to find the group of people that does and become close to them. The Long Tail actually works in your favor because you no longer have to be everything to everyone. Find the tribe you can lead and engage them. Quality over quantity.

7.) To talk about your political beliefs or complain all the time. Maybe its just a pet peeve of mine, but when someone builds up a network of friends on Twitter and then stands on a soapbox to spout their political beliefs, I get turned off. Your personality does need to come through, but Twitter may not be the best place to whine about your problems or talk about things you really don't know that much about.

8.) To spam people. Definition of spam: "Unsolicited mail/e-mail [Twitter messages] sent out in mass quantities. Usually not even addressed by name to the person who receives it." Also this includes get-rich schemes, pyramid scams, and other untargeted pitches. Spammers, you (mostly) know who you are. Stop it.

9.) To program a massive que of messages that get tweeted every few minutes and then proceed to never actually talk to anyone. This kind of fits with the spam. Auto messages can help you get info published efficiently, but when the ratio of robot vs person messages is out of wack, people can tell. When I see someone Tweeting every few minutes (night and day and weekends), I get a little annoyed. Twitter is about real people connecting with real people, not just constantly pushing messages out.

10.) To just lurk. Sometimes I even find myself guilty of just reading other people's Tweets and not actually contributing anything. If you join Twitter plan on talking with people. Plan on learning how to follow people. Plan on answering questions. Get involved in the community.

Social Media Is Useless (Without Perspective)

"Twitter doesn't make sense. What is the point? It seems like a big waste of time and energy."

We spend so much time trying to explain the importance of social media to our friends. We highlight how things are changing in the world, give some examples of people we have met through Twitter, and try to get them excited, like we are, for the possibilities that are out there. But they still just don't get it.

Perspective is everything. Without looking at social media from the right point of view, it is nonsense. Sometimes for people to understand and gain the right point of view, they don't need more examples or facts, they just need more time to walk further down the road.