Why Do I use Twitter

I am still a novice to Twitter, having joined in Aug 2009. Twitter was first mentioned to me by a friend of mine about 3 years back and though I created an id at that time, it just did not appeal to me and the end result was deleting my account. At that time I thought it was a waste of time and I surely was not interested in knowing each person’s activities during the day or what time a person woke up or whether he had tied his shoe laces or which restaurant he was having food. After the demise of my twitter id, I did set up a Facebook id as well (which still exists) but I rarely use Facebook, since I don’t find it appealing & engaging

I decided to join Twitter again in Aug 2009 after having read so much about it in various blogs, and press. Now comes the most important question. Why have I decided to stick on with it and why am I so addicted to it?

I. Source of Information – Knowledge is Power and twitter is surely one source for that. All one needs to do is to follow the various media sources (MSNBC, Times of India, NYT, CNN etc.). Also depending on your area of interest, one can follow people who tweet about topics of your interest.  Many a time information on iPhone, news on earthquakes, financial news is available much quicker on Twitter than through other forms of media. Once can learn about Personality Development, Health & Fitness, Recipes, political arena in a country, blogging, twitter, new applications and pros and cons of these new applications …

Some of the sources of such informative tweets are from @Flipbooks, @2morrowknight @imadnaffa @v_shakthi @adamconsulting .. These are only some of them, There are many other sources of information that  I follow.  I am still learning and it never stops.

II. Sharing  A) Information -By Sharing information we enrich ourselves. No better way than Twitter by way of the RT (Retweet Function). The RT function is also a way to acknowledge & give credit to the person who originally tweeted this information.

B) Gratitude -RT function is also my way of acknowledging and thanking the person who originally put that information on Twitter. It also resonates my feelings or thoughts that is contained in the message.

III. Charity – One can contribute to charities, organize charities and raise funds through Twitter ( one of the most recent Global Charity events being Twestival) .

Charity Lists is another way to get in touch with a charity or support a charity.

IV. Support a Cause – For me it has been to fight against Violence on Women, and Child Abuse, as well as Support Human Rights. Twitter gives me a platform to get in touch with people who work to support these causes and organizations which work towards these causes.

V. Meeting of Minds/Ideas/people  – Many a relationship can be formed on Twitter – one of a friend ( I have met some wonderful friends through twitter), a business relationship and also one of source of inspiration from the tweets that a person may post.

VI. Break the Ice – Many a time a tweet on a person’s timeline may be the best form to start a conversation. I have done this many a time and it is in fact one of the best ways to get followers. Twitter also allows you to judge a person just like in daily life when you meet somebody face to face. You can judge from the tweets that a person posts, from the profile picture.  I find that many a time you can have an engaging conversation with some people on Twitter.

VII. Inspirational – I love reading quotes because it motivates me, puts a lot of perspective to my thoughts at the time . I follow a lot of people who quote through their tweets. I RT a quote which I believe in or reflects my thoughts at the time I RT. Many of these quotes are also gentle reminders to myself.. e.g of a smile, of kindness, of action speaks louder than words etc…, in the day-to-day chores of life.

Finally, I joined Twitter first and there after started blogging. As you can see my blog was started a week back. Simple reason I have a full-time job and social media as much as it is useful is not a form that is allowed on my job for valid reasons.  I Found the use of Twitter to be easier and quicker and yet the ability to reach out to many people.

To me Twitter was an easier way to start a blog and it is through Twitter and the various blogs, links of which are available through the profile page, that encouraged me to start a blog. Twitter is addicitive and I sure have found it useful.