What is it that makes Twitter so hard to get started with? Why is it that so many newcomers fail to engage? We all have friends that have created profiles and just stopped there. I am shooting a second round of free one minute videos at the end of this week and I would love your ideas. What do new Twitter users have the hardest time figuring out? Here are a few ideas for 1 minute videos that I think would be helpful:
-How to survive the first 24 hours on Twitter (following and engaging in your first conversations)
-How to gain targeted followers in your industry
-How to find interesting conversations/people to follow
Any other ideas?
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Hi Adrian,
I actually did a mini tutorial this morning for a friend. These were her questions:
– should I tweet from a business account only, or have a personal account as well?
– what are the ‘rules’ about dm-ing?
– when do you dm and when do you reply?
– how often should you tweet?
– what do you tweet about?
I know a lot of these things you have already covered in your video’s, but thought I’d let you know anyway.
Best,
Linda
Why folks FAIL at Twitter
1) They don’t look around first – one of my coworkers very accurately described Twitter as a big party where you don’t really know anyone. You look around first, find a few people that you do know, find some that you like and have similar interests and then begin aggregating in little groups. It takes listening around to find your group – who is going to be valuable to you!
2) They only post what they’re doing… and unless you’re @aplusk no one REALLY cares.
3) They are scared and give up. They don’t understand the party or the language that the party-goes are speaking, get embarrassed and frustrated then leave without even enjoying one martini!
4) They keep their account protected… that’s a big “don’t follow me – cause I’m going to have my own very small party! And you’re not invited.”
This is not Facebook or MySpace for connecting only with your friends. This is a means to meet new people and truly network for business or for common interests. New users need to learn to step out of their comfort zone and start to engage new people and jump into the midst of conversations and exchange ideas. Being shy on Twitter will not help you in any form.
This maybe 2 videos, one for choosing followers and one for how to engage in a conversation without fear.
I think, for many, the social aspect of Twitter hides the didactic aspect. If more people approached Twitter the way they would Google or Bing (as in, “what would I like to learn about?”), they may become much more involved.
I tell people to pick a topic or hobby, search for it and gravitate towards other users that tweet a good deal about your particular interest (say, photography for example). That mindset may help more people become engaged on Twitter (and get more from it).
-Chris
Twitter the network to promote your product/ whatever that may be/ but no one likes to go home empty handed/ and no one gives away anything for free/ So we have shifts in followers /followings/ where ideas are fundamental// innovative and hopefully for improvement of current trends/ moving away from the 20th century // J Flash Rodriguez
People who come to any “party,” and get confused and leave, are most likely doing that because they are shy. Studies at the Shyness Institute in California say that as many as 70% of all people say they are suffering from some shyness, with 40% saying they are profoundly affected by it. Dr. Philip Zimbardo, recognized authority on shyness at the Institute, thinks it is much higher, maybe as much as 90%+. Most people are afraid they might make a mistake in such a “public” place and fear that other people who see it will humilate them. I know when I first started, I was “worried” that I would get hit by a few people who were the social media police who would have to point out some “horrible” transgression I did as a newbie.
There are also so many “shiny objects” too…tons of Twitter aps. I was not really thinking Twitter was all that valuable until I got Tweet Deck. Then I could see the power of it. But, many newbies see all of the aps and don’t know where to start.
It is easy to say to those people who leave because of shyness, just do it! But people can be bullies too. What is nice about Twitter is you just unfollow those people and just connect and follow those that you resonate with. No need to continue to connect with stinkers in my opinion.
Nancy Knettell, MSM
The Shyness Queen
America’s Foremost Business Shyness Expert
Hi Adrian,
Everyone I know who is using Twitter effectively had a “Aha!” moment at some point. The problem is, most people don’t stay with it long enough to get to that point. I always say “Don’t worry if you don’t get it at first, most people don’t” and neither did I! I think Chris’ comment above is great: Twitter the way you would Google or Bing (as in, “what would I like to learn about?â€)
Business owners in particular are anxious to figure out how they can use Twitter to get more customers, so there is a whole education process that is involved here. If I can get them to understand that it’s a platform for learning, then it’s easier to get them comfortable with it.
Also, a big hurdle is the “How much time is this going to TAKE?” Interested to hear how others deal with this.