Just as I was defending Twitter this morning for being an excellence resource for expert information, I opened my email to learn that elephantpoopaper was now following me. That’s right, a company that specializes in stationary pressed from pachyderm dung felt compelled to follow me on Twitter. The credibility of my argument just went down the crapper.
It all started from a blog our WOM guru posted yesterday about the viability of Twitter as a resource for so-called experts to share information. His premise: Just because you can use Twitter to link to something you’re reading doesn’t make you an expert.
I think experts abound on Twitter, as do frauds. But be careful how you judge. Just because someone Tweets about an interesting story their reading doesn’t mean they’re trying to position themselves as an expert. They’re simply sharing with you something that interests them. You can choose to read it or not. If you really want to decide if this Tweeter knows their shit, then follow their link to their blog, that reveals their insight, which may lead to a b2b website, which should tell you everything you need to know about their expertise. It’s actually quite transparent, if you ask me. Those that are masquerading as experts are soon revealed with a little sleuthing on your part.
The Four Main Things I Like About Twitter:
- Listening: Our son, who is in film school at Chapman University, said he didn’t have time for another social media tool. Facebook already does it for him. He doesn’t care to receive a Tweet about his buddy hanging in Dunkin Donuts. I showed him that he didn’t have to participate in the conversation on Twitter, but he could listen in on the tweets from the Hollywood types to see what was happening in the biz. One of the best uses of Twitter is to find your target communities and simply listen and learn from their conversation. Be a fly on the wall.
- Sharing: I read lots of incredible blogs about green marketing, innovation, music, and other quirky and inspiring stuff. When I find something that I fancy, I “Twithat” and share it with you. In essence, I aggregate information that hopefully helps those who follow me. It’s a service I offer. Doesn’t mean you have to read any of it, and it certainly doesn’t proclaim me as an expert. However, the bi-product of reading and sharing helps make me a smarter professional. Linking and sharing in Twitter is also a great way to archive wonderful information for easy access later.
- Trolling: Twitter is my fishing pole. Here’s the deal: Our ad agency specializes in green, environmental, sustainable, conservation causes and marketing. So I think of our website as the wharf where we process our catch. This blog is my fishing troller that allows me to standout in a sea of marketing people. Here, you get an idea if I’m for real or not. I share my insights and you choose to come aboard or sail away. Completely your call. Twitter is my fishing pole. I cast out into the ocean of green marketers, companies, professionals, and aficionados and hopefully lure you into reading my blog. Then you decide if you want to hang with me/us. It’s as transparent as I can be short of sitting down with you in your office, living room, or pub (I prefer the pub, BTW).
- Yapping: This is where it all started with Twitter: Having conversations with those that share your interests. You don’t have to be an expert, or even parade as one. Just share what interests you and your followers will come.
So I defend Twitter. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty dang amazing to be able to connect, communicate, and share so quickly with the special interest world around you.
What are your thoughts about Twitter? Do you use it to look like an expert, become an expert, or share your expertise?
My buddy Paul in Seattle called me the other night about Twitter. He’s a neophyte and non-believer. Paul has traveled the world, experienced extraordinary things, and puts in the reading and effort to be an expert. He’s skeptical about the depth of most bloggers and certainly about the value of Twitter. Paul is also famous for his world-class rants. So I leave you with his response to elephantpoopaper following me on Twitter:
Oh my god, this hurt my brain. Too early maybe. Cyberspace, poo, what, twitter is poo, no elephant poo, twitter cloud talking about poo, and poo paper is a tangible thing! @#&*!
Here is another reason to get to India. Poo House. But you have to go there to talk them – can’t twitter them.
Feel free to re-Tweet this post to get other opinions by copying this line into Twitter.
Is Twitter a powerful tool for experts or elephant dung? http://tinyurl.com/777t3b
Don’t worry, it probably won’t make you look like an expert.
One other thing: What do you think happens when Elephant Poo Paper gets wet?
Tags: environmental marketing, Green Marketing, tweet experts, Twitter
Posted in: Green Social Media, Sustainable Marketing
[...] “Four Reasons why Twitter is not Elephant Crap” [...]
Very funny post, Park! What I like about Twitter is that I can get news and random drizzle quickly throughout my day. I’m a very “don’t call me” person. I want to be emailed. With Twitter, I can even eliminate that task. Maybe I’ll get my communication whittled down to just a few grunts…
Glad you liked the post Brooke. You’re right, a grunt can say so much.
Your twitter as a fishing pole is a good analogy, but it sure is a bit too long and a fragile one at that.
There are people out there, who say I don’t use twitter, I have a real LIFE
vinod407
The purpose of Twitter is to receive and send short bursts of content from other Twitter users. Many use it only to interact socially, but Twitter is also turning into a great tool for internet marketing.
generating Followers on Twitter is the crucial part of marketing your product or service to all over the world using twitter but automation is the key way to get you there, you definitely must have tools to automate the process.