Why Use Twitter?

by David Lee King on July 9, 2008

I frequently give “Cool Stuff” presentations at my library’s weekly management meetings. Tomorrow’s presentation focuses on Twitter – so I thought I’d gather some ideas on Twitter use from my fellow Twitter users. Here’s what I asked: “working on a twitter presentation for management – anyone want to share what you like about twitter?”

Within 20 minutes, I had received over 23 answers! Look at the interesting variety of answers:

  • amylibrarian - “keeping informed on technology and library issues”
  • digitalsista - “twitter is a resource on news and local grassroots activities”
  • pghgurl30 – “I like it cuz I can follow a variety of people easily, librarians, blogfriends”
  • Jill_HW – “Twitter = Instant support, feedback, solutions, etc.”
  • book_luvr – “I learn so much from all of you that I follow! I’m able to share with staff here.”
  • kenleyneufeld - “I find Twitter useful for professional networking.”
  • julian2 - “The conversation is very quick and enriched.”
  • jessewilkins – “more specifically crowdsourcing of links to resources.”
  • ehampton – “quick and easy networking!”
  • strnglibrarian – “the networking! the instant news! the connection to the outside world (from anywhere). are the first things that come to mind”
  • baldgeekinmd – “twitter can be quick and dirty, reach many easily and frustrating when it is not working right.”
  • bschu1022 – “The networking! I can get an answer to a question (in seconds!) from colleagues around the world & not just by email or phone!”
  • MyCreativeTeam – “twitter likes: follow/pitch journalists, query experts, gather blog fodder, promote blog via twitterfeed, quick friend contact”
  • sarchet62 – “I’m following as many health care providers I can find on twitter and learning learning learning helps in my work!!” and “if all you did was follow news channels the tweets are worth it”
  • bckhough – “Twitter made this year’s ALA my best ALA experience yet. It added an energy or connectedness that has been missing”
  • NikkiPilkington – “Quick and easy way to get marketing messages out to interested people”
  • coyenator – “connecting with people, cross-pollinating ideas, apps, experience, info, tools, innovations, and of course, opinions!”
  • znstrk – “quick responses when you ask a question, and interesting tweets from others.”

Themes that stand out: crowdsourcing, news, networking, sharing ideas and messages, staying connected. This quick question turned into an amazing crowdsourced answer the question “why do you use Twitter?”

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  • http://conniecrosby.blogspot.com/ Connie Crosby

    I have many uses for twitter. Not mentioned above: I have found consulting work through twitter and found someone to build my website through twitter. I use it to expand my network(s) in many ways. It is my favourite social networking tool.

    Cheers,
    Connie

  • http://conniecrosby.blogspot.com Connie Crosby

    I have many uses for twitter. Not mentioned above: I have found consulting work through twitter and found someone to build my website through twitter. I use it to expand my network(s) in many ways. It is my favourite social networking tool.

    Cheers,
    Connie

  • http://librarytrainer.com/ Lori Reed

    I use Twitter to get quick answers and to brainstorm with other library folks. Just like you put the question out why use twitter, I’ll often ask a random question like – Has anyone merged their work emails with GMail. It’s a great way to learn from the “wisdom of the crowd.” Without Twitter I wouldn’t have an easy, quick way to get answers like this.

  • http://librarytrainer.com Lori Reed

    I use Twitter to get quick answers and to brainstorm with other library folks. Just like you put the question out why use twitter, I’ll often ask a random question like – Has anyone merged their work emails with GMail. It’s a great way to learn from the “wisdom of the crowd.” Without Twitter I wouldn’t have an easy, quick way to get answers like this.

  • http://webjunction.org/ Chrystie Hill

    Because it allows me to carry my online community around with me in my purse.

  • http://webjunction.org Chrystie Hill

    Because it allows me to carry my online community around with me in my purse.

  • http://www.curiouschild.wordpress.com/ Dani Vaughn-Tucker

    I use Twitter for many of the reasons listed above, but I’ve also convinced my husband to use it so we can keep in touch while he’s away on business. There are times, like at the Ref Desk, where I simply cannot answer the cell or reply to a text, but if he tweets me I know he’s ok. And vice versa.

  • http://www.curiouschild.wordpress.com Dani Vaughn-Tucker

    I use Twitter for many of the reasons listed above, but I’ve also convinced my husband to use it so we can keep in touch while he’s away on business. There are times, like at the Ref Desk, where I simply cannot answer the cell or reply to a text, but if he tweets me I know he’s ok. And vice versa.

  • http://citegeist.com/ Cindi Trainor

    Twitter is useful at conferences to learn about sessions that conflict with one’s schedule, to find people to meet up with, or to get recommendations (or not) on local restaurants. I always learn stuff from fellow twitter users attending conferences that I cannot attend.

  • http://citegeist.com Cindi Trainor

    Twitter is useful at conferences to learn about sessions that conflict with one’s schedule, to find people to meet up with, or to get recommendations (or not) on local restaurants. I always learn stuff from fellow twitter users attending conferences that I cannot attend.

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  • http://twitter.com/andyfrancos Andy Francos

    Good stuff there – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with basic benefit of Twitter – its a help engine. If you need an answer to a question you have – what do you do? You would use a SE but you would most definitely – depending on your problem – ask your loyal followers. I blogged about Twitter Usage yesterday.

  • http://twitter.com/andyfrancos Andy Francos

    Good stuff there – I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with basic benefit of Twitter – its a help engine. If you need an answer to a question you have – what do you do? You would use a SE but you would most definitely – depending on your problem – ask your loyal followers. I blogged about Twitter Usage yesterday.

  • http://www.foco.us/twitterbadges/ Joseph

    Yup, twitter is really useful in many ways. I am using it for getting answers to my questions and promoting my sites.

  • http://www.foco.us/twitterbadges/ Joseph

    Yup, twitter is really useful in many ways. I am using it for getting answers to my questions and promoting my sites.

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  • http://www.easyrecovery.ie/ Data Recovery

    We use twitter to reach mass.

  • http://www.easyrecovery.ie/ Data Recovery

    I like to use twiter because of its powerful apps.

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