Written on June 6th, 2008 at 12:06 am by Darren Rowse
Twitter is a Complete Waste of Time!
Every time I’ve written about Twitter (or FriendFeed or most other social media) I see comments left saying ‘Twitter is a waste of time’.
My response is simple – yes it is.
Twitter is a waste of time…. unless you use it in a way that isn’t.
- Twitter can be a waste of time just like blogging can be a waste of time.
- Twitter can be a waste of time just like going to conferences and talking to people face to face can be a waste of time.
- Twitter can be a waste of time just like other micro-blogging/life streaming/social messaging tools like Plurk and FriendFeed.
- Twitter can be a waste of time just like talking on the phone can be a waste of time.
I would argue that there’s never been a type of communication invented that can’t be used in a way that is a waste of time.
The key is the way you use it.
Twitter can be beneficial to bloggers in many ways (I’ve written 9 ways that Twitter benefits me here) but the key is to work out how you want it to benefit you and to go about using the tool (and it’s nothing more than a tool) in a way that takes you a step closer to it paying off in those ways.
If you’re just on Twitter because everyone else is and you’re using it in an unfocused way then you’re unlikely to see it as anything more than a waste of time.
I would also add that I don’t think Twitter is ever going to be something that everyone should use.
The way people talk about Twitter (or any other type of social media tool) sometimes reminds me of how people used to talk about Blogging.
Four or Five years ago I heard people speaking about blogging as though it’s the answer to every problem that a company or individual might have with their online presence. It was claimed that blogging could do almost everything and fix any issue you faced. The truth is that blogging can be great but it’s not right for every situation. The same is true for Twitter.
It takes a certain type of personality to click with Twitter and it will only ever meet some of your needs and even then, only if you’re smart about it.
If not, it could well be a waste of time!
A Question to Ask about Your Use of Any Medium
When looking at Twitter, or any medium for that matter, the question to ponder early on is ‘what are my goals?’ Once you have them nailed down you then have a framework to begin to think about how you’ll use it and how you measure whether it’s a worthwhile medium to use.
So what are your goals for Twitter?
79 Responses to “Twitter is a Complete Waste of Time!” - Add Yours
Make Money Talks
June 6th, 2008 12:24 am
I find Twitter incomplete waste of time :)
People that don’t like it and find
useful shouldn’t use it then.
Moyo
June 6th, 2008 12:26 am
“Wait isn’t Darren a big Twitter fan?” The title caught me off guard … but I see your point.
I always say this to people:
The productivity around the world has been cut in half because of the time spent on all these social sites.
But maybe I’m wrong, maybe 1/2 the people waste time, and 1/2 of them are more productive, so it could even out — who knows
Michael Ramm
June 6th, 2008 12:35 am
It is hard to get folks to really understand what twitter is all about. I use it for a number of different things.
First and foremost, I am pretty targeted in who I follow. I blog on Technology and Productivity (separately) as well as have interests in Macs and Information Security. So my Following list is made up of Productivity folks, Ubuntu/Linux folks, Mac folks, Blogging/Social Media types, Information Security folks, Alabama (USA) folks and real life friends. If you don’t fall into those categories, then I will probably not follow you.
I use twitter for support with linux as I am a relatively new user to linux. The Ubuntu community is AMAZING and there are a number of great Ubuntu folks on Twitter.
I use twitter for product recommendations. You can get faster and more realistic feedback about a product than scanning all of the review sites through Google.
I use twitter to find out when some of my favorite bloggers post to their site. I also use it to notify my followers of new posts to my 2 blogs. I do still use Google Reader to read all of my feeds, but if I see a singular post (like this one) but don’t want to go through my whole RSS list, I can click on the link for a short break and then get back to work quickly.
And of course, I use twitter to stay in touch with friends spread out through the country (and world). I just learned last night that a friend just got a new job in Houston, TX and is moving from Alabama in the next month.
I agree with you, Darren, that you really need to know how you want to use twitter. When you have expectations for your use then it becomes a pretty productive tool in your arsenal.
Miguel Wickert (Pineiro)
June 6th, 2008 12:39 am
wow, solid points Darren. The title of your post pulled me in. Using twitter along with others platforms is apart of the challenge for me. I’m always thinking of creative ways to make the best use of time and resources.
Once you nail down your goals, develop a plan or small steps that will lead you toward your goals or in proper direction. I’m not trying to be selfish but realistic. It is important to ask yourself this question everyday.
I find that my productivity increases, as well as my focus. If a social media site is wasting your time and your commitment is lacking with regard to making the proper use of it so that you might offer value to your readers and so on, maybe you should drop it!
It’s time to regain your focus! DON”T WASTE TIME!
Used Cell Phones
June 6th, 2008 12:44 am
I agree, you just have to know how and when to use twitter. It’s ok to tweet 10 times in one day, but it’s also ok to not tweet at all over a weekend. What did your grandma say “all things are good in moderation?”
It’s easy to gather a following of people using twitter, it’s good advertising, and an easy way to quickly message groups of people you’re close to or friends as well.
I think it’s like anything else. Many can use it responsibly, and some just get sucked into the vortex without being aware of how much time they are wasting. Everyone needs their own personal governor.
Jamie Harrop
June 6th, 2008 12:46 am
Finally, somebody with a presence speaks out against the Twitter critics.
I generally find that those who criticise Twitter are the ones who would also say “I don’t get it”. A little education on the concept and they suddenly love it. :-)
Thanks Darren. You made my day with this post.
PS. That title really caught me off guard. I’m not accustomed to controversial titles from you. It made a nice change though.
Rebellious Arab Girl
June 6th, 2008 12:52 am
I used to think that way. That Twitter was a waste of time that I actually went weeks without using it. I didn’t see the potential of it right away. However, the blog integration and talking about it every now and then is great! A lot more people start following me and asking me questions. Some find my site through it and want to know more about me. It’s like a mini mini chatting tool.
Also, it is great to ask other experts some questions. I don’t want to email sometimes, and it is easier to just send out a blurb to someone. Share the knowledge. I like to see how top bloggers write to other people some times. The advice they give to others. It helps. It really does. I just think people need to start use it to benefit their blog existence. If they want to keep it alive that is.
Michele
June 6th, 2008 12:56 am
That was my initial reaction too. I couldn’t believe the title I was reading! I had to read it twice. ;-)
I see what you’re saying. For me, though, I think I’d really fall into some Twitter ditch and never get any writing done! Since I”m a freelance writer, that’d be awful.
Focus? It would be hard to do with all the buzzing around on Twitter….
*smiles*
Michele
Sue @ TameBay
June 6th, 2008 12:57 am
I rebel against the thought that everything I do needs to have a measurable ROI. Twitter is fun. Is it aiding my business? Not particularly, not yet. It might do one day, but there again it might not. But in the meantime, I’ll have gotten to know some people better, and they’re interesting people, so I’m happy.
If people would stop taking social media tools and trying to turn them into business tools, we probably wouldn’t need to twitter-bash nearly so much in the first place.
I’m sure I remember that “wasting time” used to be called “having fun” :-D
Jennae Petersen
June 6th, 2008 1:00 am
I didn’t see the potential of Twitter at first and didn’t use it for a a long time after signing up. But once I started following other bloggers and members in my niche, I started to see the potential not only to provide updates about new content on my blog, but to give readers a personal connection with me that they probably would not get otherwise. I put a
“Follow me on Twitter” button in my sidebar last week, and my following has increased, so I’m going to keep using it and see where it takes me.
Teli Adlam
June 6th, 2008 1:00 am
Like others, the title took me by surprise, but it was definitely a worthwhile read.
My personal Twitter feed is just that–a personal micro-blog. It’s where I update on what I’m doing in relation to live in general, my activities, moods, and my business. To that end, it’s a release and not a waste of time.
Then again, I do have more focused Twitter accounts which help to bolster my blogging productivity (those short tweets can help people warm up their writing chops) and network with other like-minded individuals.
And more than anything, the people I’ve recommend use Twitter have always come back with something similar to the above–i.e. it helps them get inspired for the day and discover new things to write about.
Definitely depends on how one uses it.
~ Teli
supermom_in_ny
June 6th, 2008 1:01 am
I totally agree.
Most teens spend hours on msypace and accomplish…nothing. Tila Tequila and Soulja Boy used their myspace network to market themsleves and their products. Look at where they are now. The Jonas Brothers did the same. My daughter was added by them when they were an unknown group. They sent out bulletins about concerts in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). I took her to the concerts, she met them and now …they are HUGE STARS!
Youtube has it’s own “celebrities” like Chiris Crocker and William Sledd. They all used it to launch themselves into the public’s eye.
Every form of communication can be a waste of time, but it can also be used by a visionary to achieve a purpose.
Great post!
Ann
June 6th, 2008 1:04 am
I appreciate you framing this issue in the context of all networking and communication opportunities.
In the “old days” events like conferences and service clubs were the traditional ways of networking – and those things took a lot of time and money. A business person had to think long and hard about taking several days away to attend a conference. I know I always debated with myself about the return on investment.
I know I don’t fully understand or appreciate Twitter. I put my toe in occasionally, but I haven’t jumped in yet.
Paul Baranda
June 6th, 2008 1:05 am
I used to think Twitter was a waste of time. Then i started using it to hear all the important news and information that people like Matt Cutts or Danny Sullivan and of course Darren would twit about. I’ve “met” and have interacted with persons I probably would have never had a chance to speak to if it weren’t for Twitter. It’s a great networking and marketing tool and it’s also a wonderful tool to get up to the minutes cutting edge news.. LIVE! And when people twit their new posts on their blog its like an RSS feed.. i loVE IT!
Paul
LisaN
June 6th, 2008 1:05 am
Great post. I’ve learned so much via Twitter; it’s amazing.
Jonathan Fields
June 6th, 2008 1:07 am
It’s all about how and why you use it. For me, it’s more of a virtual watercooler.
BUT it’s also given me access to mainstream and online media connections that have led to being quoted and linked to in a number of blogs (including PB).
It also led to an exchange that found me quoted in last weeks Business Week cover story on blogging. Was that worth the effort? You bet!
Twitter is just a tool, you get out of if what you put into it.
Blindhog
June 6th, 2008 1:14 am
I have found twitter to be a great way to networking tool …. provided you don’t enter the space with spam about your site. I also find it entertaining.
banji - LessonInLife
June 6th, 2008 1:16 am
Read this in twitter and my first impression is that you’re quitting twitter. Nicely done
I actually have given up convincing twitter basher. Just like drug, you can use twitter to your benefit or you can may eventually damage yourself even more. If you don’t know how to handle drugs, just stay away from using them
mark @ mytropicalescape
June 6th, 2008 1:19 am
Nice! The title got me over here from twitter. :)
Great write-up and thanks for answering my tweeted question about entrepreneurship.
MH
follow me on twitter – http://twitter.com/mark_hayward
JoLynn Braley
June 6th, 2008 1:24 am
You presented a good case because it’s true that Anything can be a waste of time, if that’s how you treat it!
Karen Putz / DeafMom
June 6th, 2008 1:24 am
For me, Twitter opens up the world of conversation for me. As a deaf person, I don’t have access to verbal conversations easily. So Twitter allows me to peek and see what people are talking about.
I first started to use Twitter when the Steak ‘n Shake fiasco happened in January and I credit Twitter for helping me get the word out and making the issue go viral.
Melody Watson
June 6th, 2008 1:26 am
Brilliant title, Darren.
Since you’re the guy I credit with having helped me use Twitter for great results, I had to see what you’d written here. Your “9 ways…” post actually helped me discover some of the ways I could effectively use it to generate site traffic. Not long after reading that piece, I used Twitter to get almost exactly the same number of hits to my website as I got from YOUR site by posting a photo of me with your new book! Thought that was pretty magnificent. (So thanks x2!)
Since then, LOTS of ebb and flow. Which further reinforces the idea that I can use it effectively, or not: my choice… Thanks for another reminder!
Phil Baumann
June 6th, 2008 1:28 am
A hammer is great for hitting nails. Not so good for making a strawberry shortcake (although that would make for good YouTube).
My goals for Twitter are (as of now):
-Getting quick blips of useful real-time info;
-Posting non-spammy and useful promotional alerts;
-Grow my network;
-Consciousness expansion;
-Hear news that’s better and quicker than CNN, BBC or Fox;
-Take some pleasure in the unexpected poetry that happens;
-Track key words (I use this rarely since Twitter still has scalability issues)
-Keep up-to-date with Problogger of course
Not all inclusive and it’s evolving, but I do seek out to use it intelligently, not fashionably. And Twitter CAN be a remarkable tool for hitting the nail. Can it make Strawberry Shortcake? Who knows, could be a startup in the making there.
Lara Kulpa
June 6th, 2008 1:28 am
I really delayed my adoption of Twitter. I mean, SEVERELY, purposely, delayed it.
At first glance, I thought, “This is like opening up an IM to the whole world.” And to some extent, it can be that way still. However I’m really glad I finally got into it.
I’ve had mini-conversations with people I never thought I would. People I’ve admired in my industry for many years, who actually respond to me, joke with me, and are taking the time to get to know me. It’s really amazing how it opens things up like that.
Similarly, I’ve learned that I actually do have a couple fans out there. People who can’t wait to send me a comment on something I’ve said, or make a joke with me about something. That feeling is pretty darn cool. I mean, we all know that the John Chows and Darren Rowses of the world have fans. But little ol’ me? Dang!
That being said, Twitter can be a huge productivity block. I’ve been known to send out a message announcing that I’m going to be shutting down all forms of outside communication, and then literally being so worn out that I’ve shut down Twhirl, my email, Skype, and even turned off the ringer on the phone.
It’s a time management thing. It’s really nice to check it out when you’re needing a break – I think of it like going to the “office kitchen” for a cup of coffee and catching up on the latest gossip or news. But then when it’s time to get back to work, it’s time to crack down and get back to work. End of story.
Leonwestbrook
June 6th, 2008 1:29 am
A lot of vloggers on YouTube are starting to use twitter like crazy, but I really wished that they’d go beyond the bubble of the “YouTube” community and follow other people.
I have found a lot of great networking contacts of people who run other blogs and its only going get better.
Twitter isn’t really a waste of time for me. You can get a lot out of it in so little time.
Oh if you want you can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/leonwestbrook ;)
Blogging Resources
June 6th, 2008 1:33 am
Well in my opinion Twitter works for only those who are already famous and people following them Twitter was still in Beta testing
it works for Darren coz every one know who he is and people are all ways curious to know what that freak is upto now and they click on any link he post in his update
Igor The Troll
June 6th, 2008 1:39 am
Darren, great post! Everything is just a tool, and the rewards you gain will depend on how well you use it.
Gerrit Eicker
June 6th, 2008 1:40 am
Twitter brought me back to blogging. Micro-blogging, of course. That’s why I do not wonder that talks about twitter remind you “of how people used to talk about Blogging”: Tweeting is blogging. And tweeting is writing.
Smile! Gerrit
Wir sprechen Online.
Tyler Ingram
June 6th, 2008 1:48 am
I like twitter as an idea and use it daily. To me it reminds me a lot like the IRC. People log in and chat to other people in the same ‘channel’.
Twitter is a good way to promote sites of interest as well.
I just wish Twitter had better resources so it wouldnt crap out on a daily basis. Nothing is more annoying when you can’t send a tweet to a twit ;)
But then there is the new Plurk service that is similar to Twitter and Pounce and the other ones.
SpaceAgeSage
June 6th, 2008 2:06 am
Technology and the Internet offer tools and information that can be dialed down to more individual preferences. That’s why niches work, yes? … we want what works for us to be at our fingertips. Same is true with communication technology. We are simply moving way beyond the one-size-fits-all communication option. Twitter and other social media need to fit your needs, your way, be they business or social or educational, to be beneficial.
Green & Clean Mom
June 6th, 2008 2:11 am
First off, your title on twitter is what got me to click over and read your article. An example of how twitter is indeed useful. When I track my statistics I find more and more traffic coming from twitter. People who follow me must give a damn about what I’m writing about or what I’m doing or why do they follow? I don’t follow anyone unless I care about what they type. That to me is a waste of time, having a million people you’re following. There’s no way to keep up with that.
I could spend all sorts of time moving from Plurk, twitter, friend feed or just stay put, so I don’t waste time. It’s too much to try every new thing that comes out. Let thing run their course and then when they prove to be successful, it might be worth the switch. OR let people like you research and use it and take their advise! LOL!
Mhairi
June 6th, 2008 2:13 am
Twitter can be a valuable tool if used right. We use it to attract traffic to our blog, to spread awareness of what we do and to grow our network. However, lately Twitter has been down a lot and we’ve thus been exploring Pownce and Plurk as alternatives. Since microblogging is already part of our strategy we want to use one that is reliable and omnipresent.
Roger
June 6th, 2008 2:21 am
Great post, Darren, thanks.
You’re right of course, anything can be a waste of time if not used appropriately.
And it’s probably that preconception that inhibits new adopters of Twitter more than most.
And it’s that impression that some people have when they first try it which causes them to leave.
But like any tool, which is what Twitter is, you need to learn how to use it before becoming effective.
Twitter’s simplicity works against it in this regard. Many people think because it is so simple, that there’s nothing to it–that there is no learning curve. Wrong!
Chaos theory teaches us huge complexity can emerge from the simplest initial conditions (as I have mentioned in several blog posts and comments). That is what has happened, is happening and does happen with Twitter.
Users need to get their heads around this complexity and navigate their way through it to realize what a profoundly important tool Twitter has become.
Travis Seitler
June 6th, 2008 2:26 am
I agree with Sue@TameBay: the implication that something needs a (finanacial) ROI or it’s a waste? The person who really lives that is the real waste of time.
I would say that the key isn’t the way you use it, but rather how well the way you use it correlates with what you’re looking to get out of it. Because if you’re looking at Twitter as a “virtual watercooler” but all you ever do there is try to drum up page views on your blog, then it’s just as much a waste of time–for you.
Summer Fey Foovay
June 6th, 2008 2:32 am
Like everything else in the universe – it is what you make of it.
I joined Twitter because a friend was on there who now lives far away. It was my way of staying close to her. I started following a few folks who looked interesting. Now I’m doing some artwork for them (which is what I do for $$) In other words – with minimal effort, I used Twitter to make a contact which is making me $ I am always on the look out for opportunity whether I’m on Twitter or strolling around town window shopping.
David Hinchliffe
June 6th, 2008 2:56 am
It’s easy to get caught up in the chatter: There is a lot of noise, but there is also a lot of signal.
I use it to try and connect with like minded people, ask questions and help out others who need advice.
Most people prefer email though, so I don’t waste too much time on it.
Dave from Welcome Back Rosenthal
June 6th, 2008 3:06 am
My bed, my car, my refrigerator, my shoes, my COMPUTER! Are you seeing a pattern? All that stuff has a very obvious and practical use. WHY do I need to sit around and hold twitter up and “work out how you want it to benefit” me?
You compare twitter to the way people saw blogging being a solution to many things years ago. Wrong. Right off the bat people expressed themselves, sold stuff, kept a journal; so it was a solution to many things. YOU were one of the guys that figured out how to make money from it, and people have benefited from that too. When somebody does that with twitter I’ll do more than the daily update I slap on there now.
Most real people have real stuff to do everyday and I don’t see twitter having a true value to MOST people. Some people-like a certain popular blogger with a built in fan base-can get on twitter and further maximize their “brand.” But a regular guy? Yeah right. At this point twitter isn’t even making money from twitter. Let’s review in a year.
Miguel Cangueiro
June 6th, 2008 3:08 am
I think Twitter is good until certain point. Bloggers should center most of their attention on blogging, if you start using Twitter a lot you may become a good Twitter user but not a very good blogger
Tresvanty
June 6th, 2008 3:14 am
I tried it for a week and it IS a waste.
BawldGuy Talking
June 6th, 2008 3:16 am
I’ve invited my blog readers to follow me. Also, since my business is national in nature, following and being followed by those in my business has already yielded gold — both literally and in ideas.
Now all we have to do is get twitter to be reliable. My understanding is their newest capital injection will result in exactly that.
Twitterfund
June 6th, 2008 3:42 am
OK so it’s not perfect. It’s grown from a sweet child to an errant teenager – just needs a bit of support and TLC to get there.
With all this talk of capital injections, can I (shamelessly plug) http://www.twitterfund.com – let’s see if real fans can raise some real money to get it working better.
Elizabeth Ashe
June 6th, 2008 3:53 am
Great post, it is all in the way that you use anytime that you have to make it worth your while.
The Tech Juice
June 6th, 2008 4:07 am
I think Twitter is good for marketing, and for making sure the advertisements of your latest posts get out. Other than that, I also enjoy seeing things that people I follow post and having casual suggestive conversations.
Another great use is getting answers to quick questions. If you have a ton of followers, you ask a question, you get answers.
I only have a small amount of followers on my Twitter account, but those few that get my updates cannot be ignored.
Twitter can be a waste of time, if you use it wrong.
Great post and I agree with you wholeheartedly Darren.
Cheers,
The Tech Juice
Tom Stine | Living from Consciousness
June 6th, 2008 4:13 am
I use Twitter for my own purposes, and not really to communicate with others. It just makes a handy way to leave short notes for myself of ideas I have. I use my iPhone to text my twitter account whenever I have a “pithy” little comment or two on some spiritual idea that I’m pondering. It is funny that people have started following me. I wonder if they like my pithy little comments? Oh, well, it makes a fun way to generate ideas for blogging.
Linda
June 6th, 2008 4:19 am
Twitter is another way to get the word out there. I also find it valuable for meeting and staying in touch with people I like.
ourmonmouth
June 6th, 2008 4:30 am
Darren – I have found twitter to be a great networking tool. In the short time that I have been active on twitter I have not only made some valuable local contacts and expanded my business network, but twitter has also been a “decent” web traffic referral.
Noise and spam is a waste of time in any forum. Quality content will reap benefits even if it is 140 characters or less. :)
Disclaimer – If Twitter does not get its technology up to par quickly and eliminate outages than it will become a waste of time.
Rajaie AlKorani
June 6th, 2008 4:56 am
I’ve never really tried it out, but judging by what people have using it for, I’d say that a lot can be accomplished from it.
Sandy Naidu
June 6th, 2008 5:58 am
I signed up, posted a few tweets and then forgot about it…I have to get back to it soon…But this time around, I need to approach it with a positive frame of mind…Hopefully that will inspire me to write interesting and result oriented tweets…
Monica
June 6th, 2008 7:58 am
Of course it’s a waste of time, that’s the fun thing about it. How else do you think us SAHM survive the day?? Telephones are so yesterday. As for productivity – overrated. Give me my Twitter, I love it.
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)
June 6th, 2008 10:08 am
Great title – of course it made me click cause I am like, “But I follow Darren and he is a prolific tweeter!”
Fabulous point too btw – any form of communication needs to be used effectively or else it can become a waste of time.
I also agree that it isn’t for everyone – just like blogging isn’t a cure all!
For me, twitter is meeting my goals of building and deepening online relationships and helping me keep in touch with people even when I don’t have time to get to their blogs. Plus I love that it “hooks” me and I follow links and hop over to people’s posts.
INconstantIN
June 6th, 2008 10:13 am
I perfectly agree upon that. There were several examples when I got posts ideas from those I follow on Twitter. It always depends on the way you manage to use the opportunities it hides.
Sachendra Yadav
June 6th, 2008 3:39 pm
I felt the same way but then I couldnt understand its popularity so I did some digging around and realized the key lies in using what it has to offer to your advantage
I’ve compiled a list of how Twitter is-used/can-be-used to give value to the user:
http://sachendra.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/why-we-tweet-what-value-does-twitter-bring-on-personal-and-business-front/
And how Twitter tools can be used to improve the twittering experience:
http://sachendra.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/improve-your-twitter-experience-with-these-tools/
Natural Baby Products
June 6th, 2008 4:28 pm
I still think it’s a waste of time, but I signed up anyway. But who knows, maybe I’ll get it some day. Thanks for the tip…
ulla
June 6th, 2008 5:53 pm
Darren,
I actully like the title of the post! I am using twitter and I find it useful for me. I am following about 20 people who focus either on writing, blogging in general or taking photos and writing. With twitter I very quickly get informations about new postings or new photos at Flickr, and I use it for informing about my new posts. twitter ist just a tool – and you can use tools for useful things and just to play around.
Michael
June 6th, 2008 5:58 pm
I completely agree with you, Twitter is of a waste of time, but isn’t TV, Radio, and the Internet. I’m glad that you realize that Twitter can be incredibly useful as well, just like TV, Radio, and the Internet.
I just wish more people would realize this, Twitter is a great tool for communication, when the telephone was invented people thought it was dumb and just like that Twitter is thought to be dumb by many, they’ll learn, eventually.
Elit Alice
June 6th, 2008 6:37 pm
id love to use twitter as other bloggers do, i did register, but i just have nothing to say! i simply cant force myself to wash my personal life together with my blog. i dont feel comfortable with it, i want my personal life for myself, no matter how big part m blog is playing in it.
so all i could twitter about is useless stuff liek hoho the blog is updated!
so as much as i understand how useful it could be to make connections with others, its never gonna work for me, and probably one of the reasons why im never gonna be out of the b-list category is my lack of personal addition. but oh well. i couldnt do any other way. im happy as it is. :)
Lee Odden
June 6th, 2008 8:31 pm
We’ve run a “Twitter Waste of Time or Great Tool?” survey and of the 200 plus responses so far, it’s pretty close with 58% voting that Twitter is a great tool and 42% voting it a waste of time. See the live poll here: http://tinyurl.com/576cpd
blog4net
June 6th, 2008 8:50 pm
twitter is still young and many people are really getting crazy with it because till now there was no medium which was letting them express what they are doing at a point of time in such short sentences. The servers are jamming at times. Let another year pass, majority of the crazy people will slow down or go off twittering.
That’s when the real power of twitter comes out thanks to those who have been using it responsibly and the way it should be right from the beginning.
people are so crazy that i dont think even this article will change them.. people are crazy to get followers, to follow and to post so many twitters.. etc..
Kelvin Kao
June 6th, 2008 9:56 pm
Twitter can be a waste of time, just like watching baseball can be a waste of time (to some people). BUT, I love baseball and I love Twitter. If something makes me happy, it’s not entirely a waste of time. True, I might not be productive in that time but who’s to say that something is either productive or then it’s a waste of time?
Darren Daz Cox
June 6th, 2008 10:43 pm
I like the way I am presented with a random selection of choices at any given moment on twitter.
I can add a link or follow a link from someone who I trust to give good links, ask or answer a question, or simply chat.
It’s free so what’s the beef with this?
Squeaky
June 6th, 2008 11:11 pm
I have used Twitter for a few months now and I just don’t get it. Seems like you have to have a lot of friends in order for it to work for ya. For me being a directory and blog owner, just doesn’t work for me, but maybe I am missing something.
Jack
June 6th, 2008 11:26 pm
Here is another great article I read about how Twitter and other forms of microblogging can benefit your business:
http://www.metaspring.com/blog/marketing/5-ways-business-embrace-microblogging/
It truly all depends on the way you use it.
Dan
June 7th, 2008 12:44 am
Twitter isn’t a waste of time.. Its a tool:
You can use it to control your Mac, send mass txt messages to large groups of people quickly and easily, and many other features.
http://www.maciverse.com/control-your-mac-with-twitter.html
Reginald
June 7th, 2008 5:18 am
Thanks for the article.
I have the very same impression about twitter and other social networking sites.
Hence, I appreciate you providing the extra related twitter articles at the bottom of this one.
By the time I have read all these articles, my perceptions of twitter and other social networking sites will not be so negative.
Thanks for the information.
Syed Balkhi
June 7th, 2008 5:43 am
I agree with you Darren. Twitter is only a waste of time if you consider it to be a waste of time. I joined twitter and I am enjoying every bit of it.
Dee Stewart
June 7th, 2008 7:29 am
Twitter is a great tool. I use it at my blog to promote new books that have come in, book deals, time sensitive discounts, and casting calls.
Last week I used Twitter to promote an online writer’s conference i was teaching with a host of published authors and editors. Some of our registrants came to us via Twitter.
This Monday I will be using it as the second installment of Christian Fiction Blog’s Book Promotion Experiment. We tried in January with an author’s book. She said she received some traffic to her site and a few book sales, which is a great, if Twitter can translate into product sales. That’s a free form of marketing. We will try it again this Monday as a part of a blog tour. Two published authors and myself will chat about the book. This weekend we will invite our mailing list to join Twitter and participate.
I also use Twitter to alert my clients(I am also a publicist) fanbase to their whereabouts. They can stay intouch via their cellphone. I am liking it more.
My only drawback is that its popularity is hurting their servers. Lately Twitter has been unreliable. I’ve been playing around with Yahoo Messenger to drive my Twits there when the site is down so that we can chat. I hope we don’t have to do that on Monday.
In short, I think if you’re creative and can move people from one destination to the next they will follow you on Twitter and elsewhere.
My Twitter username is deegospel
Donna
June 7th, 2008 12:49 pm
As per the link to my website, I just published an article on, 5 Good Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Personal Use. The power behind Twitter is in the apps and the creative or focused use behind it. Not to mention I have one problogger feed on mine. :-)
Chris Hough
June 7th, 2008 7:26 pm
I disagree. Twitter has helped me to keep an online blog like no platform has allowed me to do in the past. It is simple, quick and effective. I think Twitter is a powerful client and for those of us who can’t spend hours crafting a well written blog post, its a great tool.
Michael Henreckson
June 8th, 2008 9:16 am
Darren, you’re right on the money when you say that Twitter can be misused and it can also be used in a good way. Just like almost everything else in the world. I’d like to find something that doesn’t have a potentially negative use. Pretty close to impossible in my opinion.
zayıflama
June 9th, 2008 7:22 pm
I’ve invited my blog readers to follow me. Also, since my business is national in nature, following and being followed by those in my business has already yielded gold — both literally and in ideas.
Now all we have to do is get twitter to be reliable. My understanding is their newest capital injection will result in exactly that.
GettyCash
June 9th, 2008 8:25 pm
Some people think it is waste of time but some people found that Twitter is a useful tool for them.
ADSL Başvuru
June 13th, 2008 4:38 am
I didn’t see the potential of Twitter at first and didn’t use it for a a long time after signing up. But once I started following other bloggers and members in my niche, I started to see the potential not only to provide updates about new content on my blog, but to give readers a personal connection with me that they probably would not get otherwise. I put a
“Follow me on Twitter” button in my sidebar last week, and my following has increased, so I’m going to keep using it and see where it takes me.
Ian Cowley
June 20th, 2008 7:54 pm
There are many useful ways to use Twitter for business. Here’s great 18 ways to use it: http://tinyurl.com/62gvxt
Franz
November 17th, 2008 10:15 am
There’s an actual voting-site about this:
http://isusingtwitternothingmorethanawasteoftime.com
Simon T Small
November 22nd, 2008 1:32 pm
When any new technology is introduced everyone freaks out. Yea, sure we might get a little distracted by it, but we’ll all grow up and move on.
If you’re going to procrastinate and not do what you should be doing you’ll find a way to do it.
Twitter isn’t a waste of time, its a way to waste time, just like, SMS, email, facebook, talking to friends, eating a pie, going for a walk…
zayıflama
December 13th, 2008 4:56 am
Thanks Darren. You made my day with this post.
Kevin Montgomery
April 2nd, 2009 8:55 pm
Darren,
Great post, and great comments. I sent some to my journalist sister.
I initially signed up for twitter and didn’t use it that much other than to send out tweets to fans/friends about upcoming shows. But now i use it for various things……including linking to my site.
After reading Darren’s blogs i’ve adopted a more mature way of twittering……at least me thinks.
Basically, if people want to “waste” time on twitter, then they should do it with gusto, and if they want to use it to educate themselves……they should do that.
It is like any great thing……….it can be used for good, or evil!!
Kevin
Tanya Ryno
April 16th, 2009 12:29 pm
The problem with Twitter is that it REALLY can be a waste of time because (for the most part) it’s a one way street. Unfortunately most people aren’t using it for work or for research, communications, etc. Truth is most people are using Twitter to follow people that aren’t following them.
florentino
April 18th, 2009 10:06 am
I feel TWITTER and BLOGGING and ALL of the Internet
time consuming. Im really only taking a moment to type this. Im 52 we NEVER had this stuff with technology in my fun young years in the 70’s and 80’s. Its was exciting just to to hear about the first PAGER. We had more social skills, we called people on a phone and sent cards and handwritten letters. Sad how technology has that bad edge. Doctors say that people are more overweight than ever I blame it on all this constant need to have to only be in touch by internet. Remember walking to see Johnny down the street, or a group riding bikes to the beach, time was better spent on things that meant something. We SIT and blog, we SIT and Twitter. People are more into this stuff than spending time getting healthy or having a good life. Why do you need to tell people what your doing all day long. Maybe im old fashioned but i could care less if i use a cell phone or even use the computer…..well im off to write a letter and see how my heirloom tomatoes are growing……
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