Apparently, according to this interesting article, I am a Twitter Snob. There are different ways people use social networking, for sure. When it comes to Twitter, I Tweet frequently (1-8 (or 10?) times a day) and I only follow people I actually know in real life. There are a small handful of exceptions, some folks I know only online, and a few interesting topical Tweeters (The Onion, for example). But, when someone I don't know starts following me, I don't start following them. I'm delighted they are curious about my tweeting. But life is so cluttered with details as it is, I don't have time to sort through tweets to find my actual friends' updates. So, I am followed by a few more people than I follow. This is what makes me a Twitter Snob.
So, on the suggestion of the article, I've downloaded TweetDeck. The idea is that I will be able to make a group of those people I really want to follow and will be polite and follow everyone who follows me, too. Until this article I didn't realize some Tweeters consider it bad form to not follow-back.
I've been using Twitterific which I like because new tweets come in, a pretty little transparent box appears, shows it to me for 5 seconds and disappears. But, there aren't any grouping options with it. I'm looking at TweetDeck which has some nice features. But, it's bigger and not as pretty or subtle. And, more importantly, I realize that I like only following people I really want to follow. I like that my list is pretty short, though I certainly would love to add more friends if they are Twittering.
There is another issue, though, keeping me from being polite and following my followers. Sometimes, when I'm supposed to be working, I like to go through other people's profiles and see who they're following. Until I read about this Twitter Snob, etc. idea I assumed that checking out who my friends were following would give me fun insights or questions about who they are. I imagine someone looking at my follow list and thinking I have things in common with... --insert someone who I have had no contact with, ever, beyond their following me-- ...and that may be way off base.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to just stick with what I've been doing. I'd like to rename Tweeters like me, though, from Twitter Snobs, to Twitter Friends. It's not that I don't care about other people, or believe others deserve the experience of sharing their thoughts with a wider audience. It's just that I don't choose to use Twitter necessarily as a way to meet or get to know new people. If some must label me a Twitter Snob, I guess I'll just have to deal.
If you'd like to follow me on Twitter and won't get into a twit if I don't follow back, please do. It's a serious honor, believe me. :-) http://twitter.com/serenebabe
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Monday, December 08, 2008
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2 comments:
Peer pressure to follow any- and everyone who follows you is lame. Don't succumb.
I have a number of folks whose twitterfeeds I follow but not necessarily using twitter itself. Just because CarloRomeo starts following me (who he?) is no reason for me to follow him (or her or someone's pet pooch).
Just checked. I have twice as many people following as followed, but I don't think that makes me a snob. It makes me a lazy, more like. Or a fritterbrain. Or something.
Hello Heather,
Im glad you found my post and I hope you don't take the "Twitter Snob Stage" to heart. I like your suggestion in re-naming it Twitter Friend but my point was about allowing yourself to be open to follow back people because thats what social networking is all about.
Its ok if you stop following people or become selective in choosing people but don't be too picky or "snobby" you might find the new followers a blast to get to know of from blogging mommies, to a day in the life of an ER Doctor, whichever the case maybe, explore your Social Media Skills.
Take care Heather. You have a great blog here ;)
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