Tough question.
It’s almost like asking someone if they like chocolate cake. Some people love it. Some people don’t. And some just say, “Eh.”
Reasons I joined Twitter:
- Curiosity – (I had to see what all the fuss was about.)
- I’d rather learn it and develop followers as an unpublished writer.
- Follow agents and get a feel for their personality. (Research baby.)
- Connect with other writers.
- To tweet about contest and get more points.
I went into it the same way I did blogging. I had good reasons.
Why I’m glad I joined Twitter:
- It’s been so cool to connect with blogging friends. Blogging is like waving from across a crowded room. Twitter is like having coffee by the pool early in the morning.
- It’s been great to encourage other writers and promote other writers.
- It’s been fun experimenting with voice and humor.
- It hasn’t been a time suck. I check in. Read. Post. And leave.
- I’ve run across great retweeted blog posts.
Do I understand everything about Twitter? Heck no. I finally understand hashtags. I know how to block spammers. Baby steps.
My biggest frustration: For the life of me, I can’t figure out how to get a twitter button to show up on my sidebar. (But that dips into my blog deficiencies and this is about Twitter.)
Final words: Social media comes second. Writing a fantastic book comes first!
What are your hesitations or frustrations about Twitter?
I think it’s time that I tried Twitter again. I didn’t really give it a fair chance the first time around. Laura, which ones do you like to follow? Why I stopped? I always felt as though I’m coming into a conversation mid-way through, and that was unsettling to me. Did you feel that way–did you get over feeling that way? Maybe I just need to let that go…
I didn’t do much for a while except post links to my blog posts. I’d retweet people. I’d check out kidlitchat. I’d encourage people after a good writing day (that is people whose blogs I follow) I ignored conversations I wasn’t a part of. And maybe that’s why I don’t spend a lot of time on there. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.
It’s been a slow build up and I’m taking my time. It’s fun to follow NE authors. I rarely respond to someone who doesn’t know me. Some days I don’t go on. But I wanted to understand it. And I do.
I hesitated on Twitter because it was just one more thing. I like it not but am not in uber love my any stretch.
You make a good argument for Twitter. And I have every intention of doing it. I know it is coming but it feels like a leap to branch out to it. I feel like I make such thoughtful and slow expansions that I can’t do it before I make space for it. Actually doing wibij has been disconcerting for me because I feel as if I have expanded blog-wise before I could keep up with it. It’s funny because it’s not The Practice Room I find difficult at all it is keeping up with everyone’s blogs. But maybe because Twitter is so discrete, it would be easier.
Thanks for taking my Twitter education on! I will learn this yet (with your help).
Great post on Twitter. I have not joined because I am afraid it will take more time from my writing. I feel that even though I look as blogging as entertainment and networking and friendship all rolled into one, it does take a bit of time away from my regular writing.
I will probably eventually join. But not yet!
The biggest advice Mitali gave at the conference is not to do if you don’t want to – esp. if you’re not published or have an agent yet. So don’t feel pressured!
I like the agent research – it gives me a sense of their voice, what they’re looking for, and if we might click. I still have a hard time following twitter – and the hashtag thing still confuses me. I have tried to follow #kidlit and #agentadvice — Not even sure those are the right names. Finding and downloading tweetdeck made things slightly less confusing.
Of course – extra contest points rules. But, I haven’t really won anything yet. 😉
Great post, as always, Laura!
I like Twitter because I can “connect” with other writers and it’s sometimes faster than reading blogs. I’m like you, I check in, read, post and leave. I only read the current tweets. I don’t have time to read what was posted hours ago.
I also love following agents and getting cool links about writing.
At first, I followed others based on my other interests (health, exercise, motivation, celebs), but it got to be too much. Now I only follow writers and that’s the only thing I use Twitter for.
I got off because I had too many spammers following me. I was unaware of ways to avoid that. I also wasn’t crazy about the time it took away from other things. I prefer to spend my time writing and blogging. Someday I may give it another go.
Happy weekend,
Karen
I’ve had days when I really loved Twitter, but most of the time it’s just too much. I feel like I’m shouting into a void and reading half of a conversation gets frustrating. I think kidlitchat is great — if you can keep up. And when I get into a conversation with someone it’s a blast. Most days though I stick to blogging and writing. I have enough other things to distract me without adding Twitter to the list 🙂
I finally bit the bullet and joined yesterday. I’m still just figuring it all out. Not quite sure what the point is yet, but so many people swear by its entertainment so why not? My hubby will just have to deal.