I did a special video this past weekend for my creative friends about how to maximize your time on twitter. It was a specific minute by minute breakdown on what to do on twitter in 15 minutes, but I realized I had forgotten a HUGE step so I had to write this post before I could send the video.
What I had forgotten was the question I get asked the most. “Why should I care about or be on twitter?” I’ve been asked this so many times that I thought it was time to answer not only to my friends but the entire creative world.
Right off the bat, I want to say, I get it why you may not immediately understand the point of writing 140 characters and think facebook is enough. I really do. I’ll even admit I had my doubts about tweeting but having been a tech geek since my tweens (unintentional pun) my curiosity about it won out.
Although creatives are naturally open beings and are the original pioneers of “think different”, twitter has been the one consistent thing that has been shut out. I know a staggering amount of people who don’t even have a twitter account. The few who have the honorary account rarely update or heaven forbid have their account set as private (we’ll get to you guys later). I’ve met people who won’t even have a conversation about twitter. Yeah, it’s that serious.
Having once been an undercover geek, I know that the people who don’t open themselves to what’s happening technologically are the ones who get left behind — WAY behind. Needless to say, the way people are doing business is changing and every day it changes a little bit more. That doesn’t mean you have to drive yourself crazy keeping up with the latest trends but it is important to realize when something is a fad or something more. Twitter is truly that something more, and I don’t want any of my fellow right-brained friends getting left behind.
If I don’t have your attention by now or this sounds like something that is coming out of left field, I respect that and this article is not for you and you can joyfully stop reading now and never ever tweet in your life. However, if what you’re reading resonates with you even on the most miniscule level please read on. This can possibly shift the way you think forever. I know that sounds grand but I have big dreams so read on.
So without further ado, here are the five key reasons that may just turn you from an anti-tweet to a tweet pro.
Reason #1 to be on Twitter: To Build Relationships
I can hear your thoughts now. I get to build relationships on facebook. Yes, I know. But let’s be honest aren’t those relationships with people you already know? While it’s great to keep the connection strong with the people who know, love, and support you twitter gives a greater opportunity to step out into the unknown. On twitter you can actually build relationships with people you don’t know, plus it’s really not much pressure due to the 140 character minimum.
Why would you want to build relationships with complete strangers? I hear you again. Because, these individuals are potential friends, supporters of your work (i.e. fans who buy your products and support your projects), not to mention potential employers. Since almost everyone is on twitter a little problem called “accessibility” becomes a non-issue. This doesn’t mean that you use twitter and make it about you. When you genuinely connect with people they will start to actually like you which leads to a natural development of the relationship.
One of the beauties of twitter is you actually get to pick one another meaning you can choose to follow who you want and someone gets to choose if they follow you too.
Reason #2 to be on Twitter: You get to be completely NAKED
I’m not talking that kind of naked. I’m talking about transparency. Twitter has no complex privacy laws and statutes and the vast majority of twitter users’ tweet timelines are completely viewable. And to those of you who have your accounts set to private: In my humble opinion, I don’t believe you are not ever going to tap into the true power of twitter. Simple as that. If you disagree I’d love to hear about it, so comment below.
For those of you willing to risk being in the nude and have your tweets be viewable, awesome because taking that risk will pay off. You may not want people to know that much about you or think about your privacy getting invaded. That’s completely understandable. So I urge you to set your own rules. You may choose not to talk about your personal relationships which is totally fine. However, I recommend that you find other subjects that you can share that are unique and revealing. You will connect with your followers in a deeper way if you do this. They key thing you must remember, no matter what industry you’re in, is that people don’t buy products or support a particular band or performer only because of how cool the product is or talented the band is. Fans connect to people who are accessible and are real people.
Reason #3 to be on Twitter: It’s actually fun and creative
When you actually start connecting with people twitter can not only be fun it can be downright addictive (but that’s not the point). Since it’s only 140 characters it takes the pressure off of you to write really really long thoughts. As a creative you actually get to create how you use twitter. So think outside the box. Being an open platform the tweeps at twitter actually are always making changes to the site based on how us users use it. I know, radical idea! I mean, who would have thought about the users? I believe as long as the focus remains on the user, twitter will constantly evolve and get bigger and stronger. I personally find meeting new people fun. Being from NY and having grown up with people from all over the world I would compare twitter to a great big global metropolitan city, so get out there and meet someone new.
Reason #4 to be on Twitter: You get to represent yourself (that means your brand)
We’re getting down to business now. What better representation of who you are and what you do than you? Twitter allows you to accurately represent you and your brand in real time. You may want only your work to represent you, but in our tech progressive society that’s the equivalent of hiding in the closet, because for most people that’s only half the equation. And when you hide in the closet you allow other outside sources to create your name and brand and sometimes you may not like what they are saying. When you represent yourself you get to put a human face to what you do, and you get to participate in the conversations about what you’re doing and if necessary set the record straight.
Reason #5 to be on Twitter: You get to create your own opportunities
Whether or not you’re a creative being able to create your own opportunities is golden. How you might ask? By building relationships (see #1). You can share what you do and your expertise with a global audience. People have gone from hobbiest to small business owner, landed business deals, and much more by using powerful social media. You no longer have to sit and wait for that bank loan, more clients, a dream role, the record deal to live the life you were born to live and even better you don’t need tens of thousands of followers to do this.
Okay I think I’ve said enough for now. If you’re ready to take the plunge GREAT! I’m excited for you! Welcome to a brand new decade. If not well, that’s fine too. I still have time to work on you with Part Two.
And about the video…I will be sending it out to my friends later this week. If I don’t know you personally and you happened to come across this post and would like the video too enter your first name and email below and you will get FREE instant access.
So in the meantime, now that you have a twitter account (or have dusted it off) if you found this article helpful please retweet it (using the big green retweet button at the top of this page) so that other creative folk join our tweetfest. Also please also leave a comment I really am interested in hearing your thoughts about this. Thanks so much!
If you’re really ready to uplevel your social media even more (I’m talking twitter, facebook, youtube and the whole shabang) sign up for Change Agent your weekly Social Media, Creativity, and Mindset Action Plan.
Thanks for reading again!
Yours in Twitter Fun,
A thriller that follows Eve Truesdale, a bounty hunter as she unravels a mind bending mystery.