What Does Twitter Mean To You?

written by John Chow on November 18, 2008

Today’s Twitter Question of the Day ask what does Twitter mean to you? I know that there are many people out there who still don’t understand what Twitter is and how it’s changing the face of social media. I have to admit that when I first discovered Twitter my thought was, “I don’t get it.” At first, Twitter seemed like one big chat room but as I started using it more, I started to see the true power of those 140 characters.

If you still haven’t signed up for Twitter yet, I recommend you do so and add me to your follow list. There’s really no need to fully understand it. Just start using it and you’ll soon get it.

What better way to show the power of Twitter than by asking my Twitter followers what Twitter means to them. I sent out the tweet asking that question during lunch at Vogue Chinese restaurant. These are the answers that came in in just a few hours.

@bgolat (Brian Golatka) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter to me is a public version of instant messaging.

@JomagHeredia (Jomag Heredia) says:
@johnchowdotcom Twiter is like a BIG scream so a lot of people will hear you, or the next 2.0 tool to network with related ones.

@fabfarm (fabfarm) says:
@JohnChowDotCom When the isolation of living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere gets to me, I can always ‘talk’ on Twitter.

@ellajoe (Ellajoe) says:
@JohnChowDotCom something to do at work

@msleisure (Susan Hill) says:
@johnchowdotcom. I am often shocked at who knows who and how. If u follow lots of people, interesting relationships and jv’s emerge.

@valeriatimeless (Valeria) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is an exercise in writing. Makes your copy fast-paced, and your idea quite clear by cutting everything occasional.

@ugm (ugm) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter means meaningful relationships with donors in a new, fresh arena, & live-from-the-field storytelling about our work

@Scorpiono (Scorpiono) says:
@JohnChowDotCom A way to get in touch with the "big guys" in the industry

@DirectAgents (DirectAgents) says:
@JohnChowDotCom- not sure yet, trying to make it all make sense.

@akmalwardak (Akmal Wardak) says:
@johnchowdotcom I really use twitter to construct a strong base for my upcoming blog. moreover, i keep up with kool guys like you JOHN!

@Karilyn (Karilyn Kempton ) says:
@JohnChowDotCom It is alternately useful, painful, interesting and infuriating, but always a great way to give everyone a voice.

@Geek_News (Geek_News) says:
@JohnChowDotCom I’m new to Twitter so I’m still trying to understand its full usefulness. But I like the ability to have live interaction

@nachase (nachase) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter was the method that took me to BlogWorld Expo where I met you at the ML dinner. The ‘Power of the Tweet’ is amazing

@drigotti (Dave Rigotti) says:
@JohnChowDotCom means that I can communicate with a broad range of people quickly – great when I don’t have enough time to blog.

@d3marketers (SAMMY) says:
@JohnChowDotCom It’s all about socializing and sharing of thoughts and novel ideas on the net with like-minded people

@antnzdotcom (Anthony) says:
@JohnChowDotCom A way for us to be connected to the whole world without moving an inch from our bed.

@bobangus (bobangus) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is short form blogging. I share thoughts, comments and links with a community that I follow and that follows me.

@kompostela4u (kompostela4u) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Something new, nonstopping, messy and promising:)

@ChipperDave (ChipperDave) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is my ticket to expanding my social universe.

@chrisjacobson (Chris Jacobson) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter to me means keeping up with the current trends. If I didn’t use Twitter, I’d feel out of the loop and rejected.

@AndyBeard (Andy Beard) says:
@JohnChowDotCom With Twitter I can maintain visibility and engage my core community while I am a little to busy on my startup to blog

@leetorrens (Lee Torrens) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter means faster access to the same information I was getting before AND access to information I WASN’T getting before

@GillianShaw (Gillian Shaw) says:
@JohnChowDotCom I agree with those who call Twitter the new email. Great conversation, a quick way to keep up, living and learning online.

@supergreenme (supergreenme) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Just starting out on Twitter! Have heard great things. Will use it to promote http://www.supergreenme.com/

@deege (deege) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is a tool I use to communicate with readers and other bloggers.

@starz0911 (Ramona) says:
@JohnChowDotCom My answer is too long to contact you, only 1000 allowed. Not sure where on your blog you want me to post.

@michaelkwan (Michael Kwan) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is my virtual office water cooler. Working from home, Twitter gives me a sense of having co-worker camaraderie.

@TylerIngram (Tyler Ingram) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter gives me over 300 people I can ask a question to. Easy to plan events with as well. Also great source of local news!

@tstrump (TStrump) says:
@JohnChowDotCom to me, Twitter means hearing from a diverse set of interesting people that I would normally never get to meet.

@bydls (Christine bydls.com) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter means: quick, friendly, helpful conversations with people I may never meet, but would want to.

@Talkofthatown (Josten) says:
@JohnChowDotCom another way of communicating effectively with no strings attached

@Miss604 (Rebecca Bollwitt) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is a mini feed, a mini events planner, for information/link sharing, and a quick way to find a coffee date

@jsondy (jsondy) says:
@JohnChowDotCom For me Twitter is a connection to community and like-minded individuals.

@netchick (Tanya) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is my connection to my community… Its how I know what all my friends are, and broadcast my latest crap, too

@monicahamburg (monicahamburg) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is a pulse – a way to keep in contact with (& feel connected to) my friends & peers. & sometimes I learn stuff too

@Zombie_Plan (James Clark) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter means learning interesting things about people

@ayakobing (Ayako Bingham) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter means networking, marketing and venting..

@FeedTheBull (FeedTheBull) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is a conversational piece, allowing me to connect with other like-minded individuals in near real time

@FeedingTheCrave (Eric Tan) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter means to socialize on the go!

@claudgrrl (claudgrrl) says:
@JohnChowDotCom It means I can instantly get info from the ppl I enjoy following; lets me know what u had 4 lunch; makes me write short sent

@mpastrana (Mauricio Pastrana) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter = 0.6($regular_productivity)

@MichaelYurechko (Michael Yurechko) says:
@JohnChowDotCom in addition, it’s also where I get most of my news. RSS is dead, I follow bloggers who tweet their new posts/articles.

@MichaelYurechko (Michael Yurechko) says:
@JohnChowDotCom Twitter is my place to view everything my friends are up to around the world. As well as a place to make fun of @michaelkwan

@jojospaghettio (Joe Spaghettio) says:
@johnchowdotcom twitter? Is a way to keep in touch with friends and family srorre.com joe.Spaghettio.com

@shanegibson (Shane Gibson) says:
@JohnChowDotCom It’s a way for independent entrepreneurs to "Connect" and be part of a community. doing your own thing is lonely at times!

@tjonsek (Tawnya Jonsek) says:
@JohnChowDotCom twitter is my place to stay current w/ events, trends & get a bit of humor in the mix.

@hummingbird604 (Raul) says:
@JohnChowDotCom For me, Twitter is a great tool to keep in touch with my friends, make new friends, and learn more about social media.

Tagged as: Harry

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{ 51 comments }

Zak Show November 18, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Hmmm, that’s great, Twitter for me as a way to express myself and to publish short news: http://www.twitter.com/zakshow

Ryan McLean November 18, 2008 at 4:29 pm

Twitter for me at the moment is a waste of time…but soon I will jump on the bandwagon and it will be well worth the investment

Affiliate Confession November 19, 2008 at 6:38 am

Teitter is awesome…it helps me to find out what my favorite bloggers and internet marketers are writing about.

How to make money November 21, 2008 at 11:46 am: Ever since I learned of its main concept, I can’t help but think of it as crap!

Ben Pei November 21, 2008 at 10:18 pm

Well I guess its good to start building up your list of followers first?

David Leonhardt November 18, 2008 at 4:12 pm

I missed the question of the day, so I’ll add my comment from @amabaie here. Twitter means staying on top of the massive overflow of information. Let it all come at me in one place.

Sam November 18, 2008 at 4:21 pm

I think twitter has that: “I don’t get it” effect for most people. It took me probably close to a month before i ‘got’ it and finally, my peeps r startin to get it too

Ryan McLean November 18, 2008 at 4:27 pm

All of these twitter posts are starting to annoy me a lot as a blog reader. If I wanted to read twitter replies I would go on twitter

Ben Pei November 21, 2008 at 10:21 pm: Lol opinion differs.. some people find it a convenience..

Robin Majumdar November 18, 2008 at 4:35 pm

Nice tactic, John, to leverage your Twitter presence by having these Twitter questions of the day. I think that Twitter adoption (at the moment) is still for early adopters and we have yet to see totally twubiquity from the masses.

Smart of you to get in (relatively) early.

What is Twitter? Simple. A simple microblogging platform – initially for mobile usage, now getting saturated by hypergrowth (see: daily Twitter outages) and use on any device including desktops, laptops in addition to smartphones.

Study Babes November 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm

what % of your traffic comes from twitter?

Study Babes November 18, 2008 at 9:44 pm

john answer me please lol

John Chow November 18, 2008 at 11:02 pm: I don’t know. I never looked it up. LOL I would imagine a fair bit come from Twitter. After all, I have nearly 3,000 followers.

Case Stevens November 18, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Missed that question, so I’ll chime in here.

Twitter is an easy and super fast way to get in touch with people when you need them most. Of course, that also goes for the other way around for people who need me. Thus we help each other solving problems or exchanging important info.

Plus it’s a way to grow my network by offering a profit boosting resource to people who follow me and see if they get back to me about that.

Josten November 18, 2008 at 4:53 pm

good to see me in there

Steven-Sanders November 18, 2008 at 4:56 pm

I like the user that said it is like a big scream! It’s so true.

eGruve.com November 18, 2008 at 4:58 pm

works well for me so far, check it out
http://www.twitter.com/eGruve

A. Dawn November 18, 2008 at 5:00 pm

I think I am one of those few who still hasn’t started using Twitter.
Cheers,
A Dawn Journal
http://www.adawnjournal.com

Hay November 18, 2008 at 5:23 pm

Unfortunately, I’m in the ‘haven’t got a clue’ crowd, but I did just sign up.

Jordan Pearce November 18, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Twitter shows that there are real people behind all the code.

And I wasn’t paying attention, what did you have for lunch today.

http://twitter.com/jpearce01

Seo Creations November 18, 2008 at 5:34 pm

I am not a big fan of twitter as upto it’s waste of time

John Chow November 18, 2008 at 5:37 pm: Anything can be a big waste of time if you let it.
Tyler Ingram November 19, 2008 at 6:46 am: It’s only a waste of time if you don’t know how to use it properly or know how it can benefit you
ZK@Internet Marketing Blog November 19, 2008 at 9:07 am: your missing traffic and exposure here
Li Weng November 21, 2008 at 3:26 am: Why would it a waste of time when there’s clearly money in it?

Make money online November 18, 2008 at 5:40 pm

twitter is a mystery for me. !!!

ZK@Internet Marketing Blog November 19, 2008 at 9:08 am: its one of the most simple applications I ve used

Club Blogger November 18, 2008 at 5:57 pm

I am on twitter and I understand the concept. But twitter works better for the people who has the time to constantly stay logged on some how and write and respond to comments of the followers. I visit often but I know not as much as I should.

Li Weng November 21, 2008 at 3:27 am: Now there’s Tweetlater you can schedule your tweets. Bad thing about that is you can’t comment back in real time, but it’s still better than nothing!

Whateverebay November 18, 2008 at 6:04 pm

I like it, it leave no room for rambling. Twitter = Get to the Point

David hobson November 18, 2008 at 7:23 pm

Im really getting into Twitter at the moment and find it a good way of gaining traffic

MMOP November 18, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I have just recently started using twitter out of curiosity. It definately has it’s good points but on the other hand where will it all end. I think after a while people will get sick of all these social networking gadgets. I wonder how many ppl post messages to twitter while on the toilet

joe gelb November 18, 2008 at 9:26 pm

what is more powerful twitter or the comments section on john chow dot com?!

ZK@Internet Marketing Blog November 19, 2008 at 9:11 am

thats a tough one to answer

ZK@Internet Marketing Blog November 19, 2008 at 9:16 am: Or I shld say not a tough one to answer John rocks

TYCP Entertainment Magazine November 19, 2008 at 12:23 am

Twitter has been a great marketing tool for me.

Dave November 19, 2008 at 3:09 am

I’m new to it, seems to me like global IM’ing with real-time status updates

BusinessX November 19, 2008 at 8:48 am

Put me in the don’t get it crowd. I don’t have a “following.” I as a person am not my brand. I have over 700 people in my address book and when Twitter searched it for those with Twitter accounts, it found only one. Of course, most of my contacts are over 30 and not heavily into tech.

Ray November 19, 2008 at 8:58 am

To me Twitter is a quick shot of what fellow traders are thinking for the day.

ZK@Internet Marketing Blog November 19, 2008 at 9:06 am

twitter is addictive and a good resource to stay updated

Önder November 19, 2008 at 12:35 pm

twitter=my little blog.

Ben Pei November 21, 2008 at 10:24 pm: Yup yup.. a mini blog indeed..

A Maui Blog November 19, 2008 at 2:32 pm

easy way to “talk story” online

Chris (Amateur Traveler) November 19, 2008 at 2:50 pm

It has replaced RSS feeds as the main way I get updated on information.

ssroslan November 19, 2008 at 10:55 pm

for me Twitter is micro-domain names apart form micro-blogging. Grab opportunities get your own twitter account for your names, business, or campaign.

shun2u November 20, 2008 at 6:09 am