Twitter: Who I Follow & Why I Tweet
I don't remember why I created a Twitter account back in March of this year, but I certainly can't imagine my life without it now.
Are you one of those people who are online (via cell or computer) during most waking hours? Do you ever wonder what some of your friends and family are up to, or where they are, but don't feel like calling or emailing to find out? If so, I highly recommend that you either sign up for a free Twitter account or find out which of your loved ones and buddies already use the service so you can follow them.
I casually refer to Twitter as 'cyber-stalking with permission,' but in reality it is a quick social networking message system. When you have an account, you have up to 140 characters to answer the question, "What are you doing?" in real-time, as often as you like. Some people offer very specific and personal details, while others are purposefully mysterious or controversial. You also have the option to reply to someone's update, often resulting in a tweetversation.
So why do I use Twitter? Several reasons...
- It is a shorter, easier & more frequent method of sharing w/o blogging
- Post links to new entries from this blog & my LOST blog
- Networking
- Idea sharing/brainstorming
- Live event updates (i.e. Comic-Con)
- Discover new blogs & sites, as well as fellow LOST & film/TV fans
Here are just a few favorites from the hundreds I follow:
Whitney Matheson: USA Today columnist (Pop Candy)
Greg Grunberg & Brea Grant: Heroes actors
J.R. Orci: writer/producer, Fringe
Jesse Alexander: writer/producer, Alias/Lost/Heroes
Mo Ryan: Chicago Tribune columnist (The Watcher)
TheODI, DocArzt & DarkUFO & Ryan from The Transmission: Lost scoop
DuckyDoesTV, GiveMeMyRemote, Ramblings of a TV Whore, theTVaddict: TV bloggers
SlashFilm, FirstShowing, Cinematical, AintItCool: movie news, interviews
Brill, Hanh, Rick, Andy, Sarah, Ryan, Korbi: Zap2It TV team
You have the option to link Twitter to your Facebook status updates, but I'm not a fan of that particular option for my page (I update far less on Facebook). On my iPhone, I use the free application Twitteriffic to catch up and post new updates on the go.
If you're interested in following me, feel free to bookmark my Twitter profile: http://twitter.com/jopinionated. If you already have an account or create a new one, make sure to click 'follow' under my LOST icon (and I will follow you in return).
When in doubt, exercise caution before drunk-tweeting or sharing specific work and life details via Twitter. Before I post anything, I keep in mind that my mom follows me; it can be a tad disconcerting to receive calls from her with a specific question about or statement regarding something I forgot that I had posted on Twitter...but it is one of the many ways for her to keep in touch and involved from across the country.
So...do you tweet, and if so - who do you enjoy following on Twitter?
Posted by JOpinionated at 12/3/2008 8:25 PM 
Categories: LOST, Personal, Social Networks, Blog-related
Categories: LOST, Personal, Social Networks, Blog-related
I WAY overshare in my tweets and on my blog and in real life. You know? I should work on that.
I heart twitter. Although, sometimes it overwhelms me with all the information and people and I sometimes give my best ideas in short bits and then don't have anything to blog about. LAME.
Reply to this
Love Twitter! My favorite people to follow are my irl buds - we tease and encourage each other on twitter. I have also met a couple of moms I would probably be good friends with in irl. Most of my tweets are just chatting with others that happen to be on at the same time as me. I tried a gno once and it was over the top for me.
Do you use Tweetdeck? I have found it helpful as I follow more and more tweeples.
Reply to this
hey jo, i really appreciate how you broke that down. i was thinking of letting my twitter account peter out. but you've highlighted a lot of opportunities and i especially like the turn of phrase, "cyber-stalking with permission". and i do like getting glimpses of what my friends are doing via facebook updates. i guess i had tried following boring or uber-inside-joke twitter accounts before. p.s., my dad's on facebook...
my answer to all that was the HAIKU-ONLY TWITTER RULE. http://www.twitter.com/craftyard
i think i'll pick up my entries again and check out who you've recommended to cyber-stalk.
Reply to this
Great article. "Cyber-stalking with permission" is a great way of putting it! After reading the article, I feel honored that you would follow little ol me...I'm so boring!
Reply to this