Why I Embraced Twitter...
As you may know, I recently became a fan of Twitter (follow me at Twitter.com/mattlewis01).
I was not an early adapter.
My Twitter skepticism was a result of not understanding how it would add anything to my life. I also assumed that some of the folks who were raving about hit were merely technophiles obsessed with technology (whether or not it added any benefit to their lives).
And I feared it would actually add problems -- not solve them (after all, I'm already inundated with emails -- and I have several blogs to keep up with).
Why, I asked, would I want to add one more thing to the list?
Eventually, my friends and colleagues persuaded me.
During a lunch that Ed Morrissey put together at the RNC convention this year, Bill Beutler and Soren Dayton answered a lot of my questions and concerns. I was also impressed with the way Marc Ambinder used Twitter at the convention.
Following are the reasons I'm now a fan. Perhaps you've had the same concerns as me, and these things will persuade you to sign-up for Twitter:
- You will not become inundated, unless you want to. You may choose to follow hundreds of people, but you can choose a select few people whose Tweats go to your phone or PDA. Personally, I only have news outlets go to my Blackberry. I can check out opinion online, but breaking news is another story.
- No need to drag your laptop everywhere with you -- you can blog with your phone. Just embed Twitter into your blog post. You can do so at: www.Twitter.com/badges
- If you write for a group blog (like I do at Townhall.com), you might want to avoid posting narciposts such as, "I'll be on MSNBC at Noon." Twitter, however, is a perfect venue for this sort of update because, after all, anyone who gets your Tweat has already opted-in and decided to follow you.
- Since Twitter only allows for a 140 character limit, it is perfect for driving traffic to your blog.
... Again, I realize I am late to the Twitter game, and many folks will find this post painfully behind the times. However, I write it for others out there who have struggled to decide whether or not this technology is worth embracing.
I was not an early adapter.
My Twitter skepticism was a result of not understanding how it would add anything to my life. I also assumed that some of the folks who were raving about hit were merely technophiles obsessed with technology (whether or not it added any benefit to their lives).
And I feared it would actually add problems -- not solve them (after all, I'm already inundated with emails -- and I have several blogs to keep up with).
Why, I asked, would I want to add one more thing to the list?
Eventually, my friends and colleagues persuaded me.
During a lunch that Ed Morrissey put together at the RNC convention this year, Bill Beutler and Soren Dayton answered a lot of my questions and concerns. I was also impressed with the way Marc Ambinder used Twitter at the convention.
Following are the reasons I'm now a fan. Perhaps you've had the same concerns as me, and these things will persuade you to sign-up for Twitter:
- You will not become inundated, unless you want to. You may choose to follow hundreds of people, but you can choose a select few people whose Tweats go to your phone or PDA. Personally, I only have news outlets go to my Blackberry. I can check out opinion online, but breaking news is another story.
- No need to drag your laptop everywhere with you -- you can blog with your phone. Just embed Twitter into your blog post. You can do so at: www.Twitter.com/badges
- If you write for a group blog (like I do at Townhall.com), you might want to avoid posting narciposts such as, "I'll be on MSNBC at Noon." Twitter, however, is a perfect venue for this sort of update because, after all, anyone who gets your Tweat has already opted-in and decided to follow you.
- Since Twitter only allows for a 140 character limit, it is perfect for driving traffic to your blog.
... Again, I realize I am late to the Twitter game, and many folks will find this post painfully behind the times. However, I write it for others out there who have struggled to decide whether or not this technology is worth embracing.
posted by Matt Lewis at 8:03 AM
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