What is twitter? What is twittering? why do people do this and what type of person is most likely to twitter. Every time I’ve tried to describe twittering and tried to show examples of twitter I’ve gotten blank responses and been labeled as a nut. I have also made the wrong assumption of thinking just because someone is young say in their 20’s is into twittering or understand social media. This is a bad assumption and has even gotten worse responses.
So what is Twitter? what is twittering? why do i do it and why does anyone care or why do I try to recruit people to twitter?
Twittering is defined as microblogging. Microblogging is a form of blogging that allows users to write brief text updates and publish them, either to be viewed by anyone or by members of the social group
These message can be submitted by a variety of means from mobile updates, instant messenging, email, mp3, video or the web
Most microblogging is broadcasted and attracts other users with similar interests. Microblogging is all about self expression. Entries are typically individual commentary on subjects ranging from anything under the sun- many users describe what they are doing at any exact moment from shopping to attending events to deciding what to wear for the evening. Others are more focused and use the service to post links to their sites or draw attention to posts they have made on their websites or blogs. It’s these posts that attract other users with similar backgrounds and interests- these users then decide to follow the posts.
Microbloggers or twitters can friend, follow or fan other account owners to receive updates similar to adding connections on a social network such as facebook.
Users can also direct message one another thru these services or what has become popular direct comments at a particular user by using a @ sign before their username not only to communicate with that user but also highlight the communication with other members of the group
Others uses of twitter
- Ask questions, advice, directions or for feedback from your group
- Offer resource information to peers
- Promote your projects, products and updates
- Drive awareness to something of interest to a larger community
- A channel of discovery, trends, sites & breaking news
So with all that said what is twitter and why do i twitter?
It’s a form of self expression I use to communicate with others within my social network. I use twitter to document my life and work and help create a brand for myself for others to see.
A term I just recently became acquainted with is social media optimization which I believe goes hand in hand with microblogging and twitter in general. This is a set of methods for generating publicity through social media.
when you twitter, blog, post pictures or use other forms of social media you are inviting others into your life to view, comment and ultimately approve or reject
When I began researching microblogging I found that what I had imagined was true, microbloggers are not necessary young they are more often male and more affluent than average typically 78% male and 31 years old. These users are typically early adopters on the bleeding edge so to speak.
Now that I have researched my obsession and understand the reasons or at least explanation behind this am I really prepared to explain this to someone now? Only time will tell and I’ll be here to twitter about it 
Tags: twitter, social media optimization, microblogging, twittering, facebook, social media
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