I first dipped my toe into the murky pool of Twitter back in 2012. Aside from curiosity, I was hoping to provide a small “value-added” service to my editing and book design clients, most of whom were social media shy and in severe need of marketing help.
I entered slowly, with great skepticism, and with little strategy. Through the years, I’ve come to appreciate the social networking possibilities of Twitter. By design, I’ve garnered a small following that feels manageable. I hear the complaints about Twitter’s wacky algorithms, news byte culture, mindless memes, kitten and kid GIFs, and false information. I agree that these are some of the downsides of the platform.
Yes, it’s easy to see a scathing headline, and in a moment of outrage to hit the Retweet button—the equivalent of Facebook’s infamous share button. What I’ve found is that the more scathing the headline, and no matter the direction—left or right—the more likely the information is partially, if not entirely, untrue. It is particularly tempting to swipe the Retweet button when the Tweet has come from a known and trusted follower. I’m learning to second guess that powerful urge, especially where politics and world affairs come into play.
It’s important to always double check where a flaming headline came from. If it’s a bonafide news link, I may click to read more. But links from 100%FedUp, Being Liberal, Blue State, Left Action, Upworthy, American Free Press, for example, will keep me scrolling. Certain words appear to be a dead giveaway for something fishy:
- Activist
- Freedom
- Patriot
- Alt/Alternative
- Truth
- Progressive
As many flame on the left as on the right, and rarely are they worth the time to explore. When I find a news source that might be plausible, yet I’m wary about it, I may check its ranking on a site like https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/ . A good quick source to check the validity of a fantastical global rumor is Snopes, which ranks very well as a least biased website.
But for the curious mind, there are upsides to the Twitterverse. I find myself reading articles from a wider range of sources than I did when I relied only upon the sites I’d placed in my Favorites bar. It’s like being in the periodicals section of the library. I have access to:
- The Wall Street Journal
- Barrons
- Christian Science Monitor
- Washington Post
- Sacramento Bee
- Mayo Clinic
- National Geographic
- National Institutes of Health
The most unexpected benefit to my Twitterverse is the personal connections I’ve made with individuals who share my values and interests. I’ve met a host of fabulous writers and photographers who take me around the globe with them. They are kind and supportive. Yes, you could say they are only virtual friends, however when a stranger plunks down money for my just-released book, I call that a substantial relationship. I am actually in awe of how this works. Most of my Facebook contacts know me, either directly or once removed. But my Twitter followers have never looked me in the eye. I’m humbled beyond belief that these people have enough confidence in me to spend money on my words.
Happy Thanksgiving, one and all.
And of course, I must force myself to blatantly market said book. My apologies.
Hi Linda and Happy Thanksgiving to you. Never apologize for marketing your work. You work hard, and are a tremendous supporter of your Twitter friends. I’m grateful to be one of them. So enjoy whatever sales and friendships you make via Twitter and other platforms, and know that some of those relationships are indeed very meaningful.
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Thanks, Doreen. I count you as one of my first Twitter relationships, and I’ve tried to learn from you. 🙂
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Linda, Trying to contact you, ugh!!! Email me or call please, 3073994037. Laramie!!!
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I signed up for twitter years ago when I was working and it seemed like something I should do. I seldom look at it now, mostly because I see it as just one more thing – social media wise – that takes me away from living real life. I love the idea of having access to those respects news sources you listed. I may rethink twitter… but for now I think I’ll resist the urge.
Happy Thanksgiving, Linda!
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Yes, it can indeed, be one more time warp. I sometimes question that aspect. But I try to surf mainly in the morning as I’m drinking my coffee. All things in moderation. 😉 Happy day to you too, Janis.
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I signed up to Twitter once when an event was coming up in this city and found it helpful, then left it. I still like reading and writing blogs, which takes time and like the relationships that I have developed with people, but I still need time and life with people in the flesh.Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
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Twitter & FB are definitely time drains. I refuse to deal with Instagram because I simply can’t afford one more nebulous alley to quander my energy and time. However, being an introvert, the notion of virtual friends is rewarding. I have friends in the flesh, too. And they are really, good, solid friends. But they require a different kind of presence and I don’t always have the energy for what they require and deserve. It’s all a matter of balance.
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True. Balance? oh yes, that ever elusive quality.
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Happy Thanksgiving. I used to Twitter and had a small following, but…it has gone and now it keeps asking me to re-set it. Even on Face-Book I get sometimes a message or even a re-ply on something I had not even posted on FB.
I find both mysterious entities that seem to have a life on its own. As for all those news items, I rely on our Australia ABC and SBS news services that are mainly ad free. Even so, some of the items makes you stroll past unrelated additives.
I suppose, both Twitter and FB are so complicated in their make-up and I am now well beyond an age where I can grapple with all those passwords and linkages.
Give me the simplicity of toast or muesli.
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I’ll Prost to toast or muesli! Social media is a wild wacky world. Without them, I don’t know how I would sell any books at all. Especially, since I’m still awaiting my shipment. 😮
I always enjoy hearing from you Gerard.
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Go for it! Do your marketing any and all ways you can. As for me, I am also wary of emotional flaming posts on social media and have grown weary of fact-checking them. For that reason I have drawn the line at Twitter. I’m simply out of social media time.
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I get that, Alli. You are too busy creating, which is a far healthier activity.
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I do not have a Twitter account. I have enough trouble keeping up with my blog, website, store, and Facebook. I am in awe of those who can keep up! So, does this mean I can buy your book now from Amazon?
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Just added to cart … I’m excited!
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I’m excited, too! Thank you. But I’m also cringing, because my long awaited shipment just arrived. I pulled out a book and started reading only to find about 10 errors in the first 20 pages. I should have waited another month before sending it out into the world. They are small mistakes, but any mistakes drive me crazy. In the process of going through it yet again to ferret out these little gremlins and hopefully upload a cleaner file in a few days. 😦
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I’m not on FB and I do not use What’sApp or IG. I do not like to be in a too crowded place, both in the real and virtual world. I sometimes consider Twitter….maybe one day…
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Hello Robert. If you don’t like crowded spaces and noise, stay away from Twitter. It is a raucous virtual reality and one needs to perfect the skill of scrolling past the worst of the noise to find the hidden gems. I’ve found the blogosphere to be the most polite and nurturing of the virtual realities we have to choose from. It’s nice having you as part of my blogging community.
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Thanks, it’s true there is much noise around but also a few very interesting realities. Just need the time and desire to look for them. As a passionate photographer I find the same in many photographers community, most of which I do not visit on a regular base. But sometimes a surprise arrives 🙂
By the way much noise in real life as well, at least where I live !
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Noise appears to be a global “thing.” 😦
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I have to admit I haven’t taken to Twitter. Find it hard to find time – and I am not sure about the character limitations. Nevertheless, thanks for the heads up.
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I really struggled with Twitter at first. But they have doubled the character limit. I’ve found one needs to alter the goal of a Twitter post. Links & photos add context. Try thinking of the Twitter post more like a headline to draw people to your work. A great exercise in being concise!
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