A little bird told me that you want to know more about twitter…  tweet tweet! Everywhere you go these days, if you are connected to social networking at all, you’ll hear about Twitter.  For those who are just getting started with all this cyberlove, it can just get overwhelming.  You feel like you just figured out Facebook, and suddenly there is something newer, faster, and more confusing.
The way I like to describe Twitter is that it feels like the status messages of Facebook on crack. Â Faster and more efficient in real-time information than blogging or even Facebook, Twitter is revolutionizing the way people communicate. Â Don’t be afraid to get in on the conversation.
Setting up a Twitter account is easy, and you can start to figure out what is going on out there in cyberland almost immediately. Â Every industry has their heros, and the industry of photography is no different. Â Start to follow some of the photo greats and you’ll get insight into their lives and tips for everything from new iphones to bloglinks on great articles. How do you find these people? Â One way is to find someone you admire and look at THEIR follow list… who do they follow? Â Anyone interesting to you?
There is plenty of information out there on the most effective ways to use twitter, how it can help your business, or simply twitter-etiquette! Â Smashing Magazine suggests 8 tips to become successful with twitter as a tool for maintaining contacts, exhanging opinions, and making new connections. Â In the article it talks about following interesting people, helpful programs and applications that will make twitter even more functional, and how to make it fun!
Another great article from Twitip explains 10 “must have” twitter applications and plugins.
Twitter can be a fantastic source of information in all areas of life, a fun communication tool, and a great way to stay connected to clients and collegues. Â And of course, be sure to follow me and jules on twitter!
I’d love to know who YOU follow on twitter! Leave a comment with some suggestions below…
me again! wanted to make a few suggestions to get the ball rollin… try following @ev (evan williams, who started twitter), @the_gman (interesting social media links), and for photopeeps try @genehiga, @kevinkubota, @kennykim, @anneruthmann
Welcome aboard! I have to say I’m something of a Twitter addict now. I’m a firm believer that a Twitter account should be about *you the person*, and not just an extension of a brand. If you have a blog or company, it’s a great opportunity to see the person behind the web page – so for example my @laymansreviews is just as much about me (my likes, dislikes, musical tastes, webby bits, culinary experiments and random musings) as an extension to the RSS feed from my site. I think it’s this that is the real test of whether someone “gets” Twitter or not
I have just started following everyone who follows me… I look at every account of people who follow me just to make sure they are “real” people – there are some Twitter-spammers, and I don’t need to follow them… but I think it reinforces the idea of having a “conversation” if you follow those who follow you…
What do other people think?
what better way to start on twitter than to follow some social media experts that are involved in conversations? @chrisbrogan @PRsarahevans @chrispirillo @Scobleizer @guykawasaki
hello…my name is jake…and i’m a twitterholic
just wanted to say thanks to joy & jules for following back! you two have hit the “big time” (come on you know it) and not very many big name photogs take the time to follow back. it means a lot to a little guy like me that you may take the time to look at my work or at least read what i have to say. thank you!
THANK YOU Jake! So sweet of you to say! From one twitteraholic to another, I hear ya!
Jules, I’ve been on Twitter for just under four weeks and it is definitely addictive. At times I feel a little guilty, it’s like I’m stalking people, but maybe it’s just the Catholic in me.
Here are the people whose updates I get sent to my phone (I’m sure some of the names will look familiar): @abstanfield, @kevinkubota, @danesanders, @thebecker, @mikecolon, @joybianchibrown, @julesbianchi, @rondawson, @jessicaclaire, @altfdotcom, @chasejarvis.
I’ll be carefully watching the last two episodes of BSG to see if your theory about Starbuck’s father pans out.
Gotta follow Rainn Wilson and John Mayer. Also I just saw that Andy Dick is now out there,,,that should turn interesting!
I think the most interesting people to follow are those that post interesting links. @joybianchibrown is a great example of that. It’s like she doesn’t sleep or something. Maybe she is not really a person. Hrrm
I also tend to gravitate toward the people who send out good links about the programs I use most often.
@NAPP_News
@Lightroomers
@LayersMagazine
Here is a winner in the making:
Dana Reeves, @DanaReeves She is the marketing director for PPA (Professional Photographers of America). She is new to twitter but knows the potential for it already.
SIDE RANT: PPA is better than WPPI IMHO because they are a non profit organization with the purpose of improving photographers businesses. Where WPPI is all fluff. Yeah I know I will get some hate from that statement. : ) WPPI does have great parties though. That is something. Not really something to generate more income for your family but at least you had fun. Right? Having a fun is the most important thing about going to a conference right? Right? heh I better stop talking now…
I started a Twitter account for my dog because her name is the same as a local photographer’s and I didn’t want people to be confused when I mentioned her.
Next thing you know she has a profile and followers (mostly dogs.)
@jasmine_poodle
I know I’m saying this cuz he’s my husband. But for some random laughs you should follow @xxTheRogxx
Being new to Twitter, this is all very helpful and interesting. Thanks, Joy, for your insights. Your husband must be stoked being married to you. He’s probably a really, really great guy too, I imagine. Anyway… enough about me. For any cycling enthusiasts out there, or at least people who want to follow other extraordinary people, I have enjoyed following @lancearmstrong. He posts a lot and shows a very human side to a guy that seems super-human.
Hi, found you thru your Twitter post. I like the blog. I
Hi Joy,
Good post and some interesting names suggested. I have been on Twitter for a while but just getting round to using it properly. Anyone interested follow me at @gerrycoe