This post is part of the #UsGuys weekend theme: Is Twitter a network or podium? For more, just search for the hashtag #UsBlogs.
So the question is whether Twitter is a network or a podium. It all depends, but you’d be hard pressed to say one or the other. It’s not black or white. That’s a perspective of a closed mind who doesn’t appreciate all the shades of gray between, of which there are infinite or at the very least, 256 in the digital palette including black and white. The point is no one has the exact same twixperience. And before you can claim the podium, you need the network, or else you’re talking to echo chamber.
Yes, some use Twitter mostly as a podium to share one-way ‘look at me’ posts that don’t inspire a lot of following. Get enough followers like a Guy Kawasaki and you have a podium. But is anyone listening? Are they sharing with their tribes what you tweet?
And if you use it solely as a network, you’re missing a huge opportunity to share key messages that are of value to your followers and drive traffic to your business or brand.
So it’s a hybrid of course. And the amount of pontificating versus networking depends on your style, objectives and followers. But even when you’re using Twitter as a podium, always think about what’s in it for your audience. What’s their call to action? Why should they care and share? And also think about the 80 / 20 rule – 80% of the time you should be networking – building relationships, and 20% or less of the time step up to the podium.
Twitter is a great place to connect with other like-minded and not-so like-minded people. You get out of it what you put in – and if you care about your followers, are helpful, giving, your network will grow. And they’ll likely be interested in what you have to say when you deliver your 140 monologues. You might also consider paying attention to your followers when THEY step up to the podium. Think two-way street.
Now, I have a tweet . . .
Agreed completely. I think it is both, and can be both – or a hybrid. Just need to ensure however you use it that it’s aligned with your strategy and your business model, and then make sure you are measuring to ensure you are moving the dials you want to.
Patrick, I love the line: “You might also consider paying attention to your followers when THEY step up to the podium”.
As I mentioned in my post on this topic, the power of Twitter is in how you leverage both the “Podium” and “Network” aspects. Being open to allowing others to step up and take teh podium is critical. Great point and nice to have “listening” added to this weekend’s dialogue.
Fun read.
Favorite and hit the nail on the head quote, “What’s their call to action?”
Another one, where you wrap up, “You get out of it what you put in – and if you care about your followers, are helpful, giving, your network will grow.”
Twitter is a two way street for sure. it doesn’t pay to always be on your podium, nor are you getting 100% if all your time is spent socializing.
Cheers,
Todd
@tojosan
@Sean – You’re right about tailoring for business model and having a strategy; need to know where you’re going and what success looks like.
@Sam – Thanks! I think businesses often focus so much on their feeds and speeds that they forget to listen. And that it goes both ways. I certainly agree with both Sean and yourself on this one.
@Todd – I appreciate the kind words. “Call to action” is something that adds clarity to every communication – and something I talk about with our teams a lot. It also doesn’t always mean buy now, of course.
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