Within certain circles that we all find ourselves in, Twitter is, in a single word, GREAT! It’s where we find the great tips that help us in our careers and everyday lives. It’s where we find new products and companies and even our news. On the flipside, it is where we go to share all of our own tips and news. Its serves as an outlet to publicize all the great things our companies do. Yes, we were fine without it, but now that it’s here I’d rather not see it go. For all these reasons and more we make a conscious decision to use the micro blogging site regularly. However, the use of Twitter relative to that of Facebook is significantly less.
Why is that?
You should check out Facebook vs. Twitter Demographics, a blog post on Digital Buzz . Among other really interesting and useful things, it gives the simple figures of Facebook and Twitter use. In 2010 Facebook had 500 million users and Twitter only 106 million users. Sure a 106 million is a lot but the difference of 394 million is pretty significant too. So again, “Why?”In my own experience, I’ve found groups of people who just can’t get enough from there Twitter feed. On the other hand I also know folks who just don’t get Twitter. And I’m not just talking about people like my parents who can barely navigate their email never mind a living, breathing, social media outlet. I’m talking Facebook addicts that simply can’t comprehend hash tags or @mentions.
I’ve also had friends, as I’m sure you have had, who simply view Twitter as a striped down Facebook offering nothing more that status update.
“How am I suppose to CREEP if there is only one picture on a person’s profile?”
We all know that it is so much more that a watered down Facebook. Its simpler format that relies heavily on links is part of what makes Twitter so great. (Dan Gillmor wrote a while back in his blog about proper blogging and link usage as compared to what I’d call link pollution. Check it out!)
This simple format however does give rise to two different types of twitter users. The Status Updaters and the Micro Bloggers. As you can probably tell, I’m more a fan of the true Micro Bloggers who post links and comments about things I’m actually interested in, compared to the Status Updaters who’s tweets resemble something like:
“I had some killer muffins for breakfast!”
“Shoot! I got muffin crumbs in my keyboard.”
“The boss got mad at me for eating over my keyboard.”
“New policy at work: No muffins :(”
I think the concept of Twitter as a micro blogging outlet is the important aspect that seems to be lost in translation. I’m not saying that status updates on Twitter are all bad, but I do believe that there is a time and place for them. Without them Twitter would lose its personal aspect that we all appreciate.
Your Turn
What are the best things about Twitter for you?
Why do you think there is such a large divide in Twitter and Facebook use?
Should the gap be closed or is the Twitter culture better because of its smaller size?
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