A Conversation about Twitter is a 5-part educational series that rolls through a dialogue between Twitter Tina (Twitter fan) and Tom (Twitter skeptic) in blurbs of 140 characters or less. The second part "Why should I join?" focuses on the benefits of a personal Twitter account. Feel free to contact us (Fresh Consulting) for your business use at team@freshconsulting.com

1. A Conversation about Twitter
in 140 characters or less
to tweet or not to tweet
Part Two: Why should I join?

2. There’s a lot going on in
the “twittersphere,” but I
still don’t see why I should
join
Meet Twitter Tom

3. Well, let’s talk about how
Twitter can help you!
Meet Twitter Tina

4. Yeah, but I already have my own ways
to communicate. Not sure I have the
time for another one

5. It can take time, but that’s because it
has so many unique benefits!

6. One of my friends said it’s a colossal
waste of time, but absolutely
necessary?! I don’t get it

7. Well, let me share 7 examples of how
joining the “twittersphere” can
help you, and even become
“absolutely necessary!”

8. 1) For one, it’s used for breaking
news, much like how people first
heard of the NY plane crash
in the Hudson
read more

9. Because people re-tweet (RT) others’
messages, there is a viral effect that
helps you get the real news before it
breaks
read more

10. 2) Twitter is also used for finding
jobs

11. Slow down... A job?! Really? How
does that work?

12. Well, there are multiple career and
job experts on Twitter that post new
opportunities and share great advice
read more

13. But the real power comes from
connecting with the people you want
to meet and having real conversations
with them
read more

14. Are you really suggesting that if I
follow and tweet a CEO that
that could lead to a job?

15. Absolutely! Conversations or
questions on Twitter can definitely
initiate good job leads

16. And as it is often said on Twitter, “it’s
not who you know, but who knows
you (follows you)”

17. By sharing what you know or do
best, it’s a great way to get
recognized in the job market for
what you know or do best

18. In fact, a few of the authors of this
series “A Conversation about
Twitter” first connected on Twitter!

19. But honestly, who really cares about
what you or I have to say?

20. You never know who will take
interest in your tweets...friends,
family, businesses, and even strangers.
This leads me to my next point

21. 3) Twitter can help you keep in
touch real-time with friends,
family, acquaintances, groups,
communities, companies, and more

22. Twitter’s real-time communication
exchange can help you in real-life
situations, even disastrous
circumstances

23. Yeah right! Disastrous circumstances?
Give me an example...

24. James Karl Buck’s one word tweet
helped him escape an Egyptian jail
read more

25. Wow...that is powerful...but it’s
probably just a rare occurrence for
one person

26. Maybe, but likely not. Twitter can
facilitate communication at a much
larger level as well, such as with
national protests
read more

27. But why use Twitter for personal
messaging or group messaging as
your communication medium?

28. It’s free, personal, and quick; messages
(or tweets) are transmitted over a
variety of open web channels as well
as over SMS on mobile devices
read more

29. And don’t forget how fast important
messages can spread. Re-tweeting
powers viral messages!
read more

30. Moreover, by adding a “hashtag”
#tagslooklikethis to a tweet,
messages are easy to organize and
track to keep interested parties in
sync

31. 4) It’s no wonder Twitter is used for
connecting live and
conversing at events

32. People at the same events, such as
concerts, speeches, conferences, and
presentations, can read and share
tweets about that event

33. Like what?

34. Like during the Obama inauguration
speech
read more

35. So people converse during live
events. What ever happened to
listening?

36. They are listening, but also
responding and conversing about the
message simultaneously. I think you
could call that active listening!

37. Even some churches are using Twitter
to add another level of interaction
during their sermons!
read more

38. Fascinating, but don’t you think this
can go too far sometimes?

39. Maybe, but remember its just an open
communication platform open for
everyone’s creative use

40. 5) Because its open to everyone,
tapping the “twittersphere” is great
for asking specific questions
and getting answers and
advice

41. How does that work?

42. You can tweet a question to a specific
expert or directly email a follower.
Most Tweeple are good at getting
back to you

43. OK, so you can proactively converse
with others but without initiating
how do people find you on Twitter or
come across your Tweets?

44. People search for key words or
conversations that relate to them. As
I said earlier, Twitter is a massive
search engine for conversations

45. 6) Moreover, you don’t need any
qualifications to talk to others

46. You don’t have to be someone
famous to talk to someone famous

47. Does that mean anyone can talk to
me? What if I don’t want to talk to
them?

48. There’s no obligation to respond, but
it is common Twitter etiquette to
engage with your followers!

49. How do I know I’m even talking to
the real people they say they are?

50. That’s a fair question

51. There are applications to confirm
identities, but like almost all other
online networking it can be difficult
to verify authenticity
read more

52. I’ve heard of people faking the
identities of companies and famous
people, like the Dalai Lama
read more

53. It’s unfortunate, but this shouldn’t
stop you from enjoying all the
benefits Twitter can offer

54. 7) For example, Twitter can also help
you gather feedback or creative
ideas by posting open-ended
questions

55. Let me guess, because there is so
much “mindsharing” on Twitter you
can gain dozens of different
perspectives and ideas on just about
anything

56. Yep, especially from your followers

57. I think you are starting to understand
how Twitter can help you connect
and get value from the immense
amount of information out there

58. Yeah, I guess I can see why a personal
Twitter account might be handy, but
why would my business need an
account?

59. There are lots of Twitter uses for
businesses...but lets save that topic
for next time since that’s a whole
other conversation!

60. Sure, in the mean time, what if I have
more questions for you?

61. You can reach our team on Twitter
@freshconsulting or feel free to email
us at team@freshconsulting.com
before our next discussion

62. 5 PART Twitter educational series by the team at:
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
contact us for your business use
Authors
@jeffdance
@syamaguchi
@brentdance
FreshConsulting.com | 206.801.0961