I'm not a technophobe. Yes, I have an old-fashioned cell phone without a keyboard - because I don't text. I don't text because I'd rather actually have a conversation. And use proper grammar rather than half spelled words and phrases. But I admit it took me a while to realize you could use Twitter on the computer. I thought it was just a phone thing, which was why it was limited to 140 characters. Once that got cleared up, I thought about using it. Then I remembered how hard it is to come up with items for my Facebook status, and promptly erased said thought.
But at my June RWA chapter meeting, it became apparent Twitter was bigger than my phobia/laziness. The fabulous Eliza Knight gave an amazing presentation on social media and promotion. She detailed, step by step, how Twitter can help exponentially grow a writer's presence. How tweeting about something like buying a new PC vs. a Mac can attract the attention of people who aren't labeled as romance readers, but still do love to read. How hash tags (#) can let every single person who follows the Bachelorette's ongoing drama suddenly be aware of your presence.
Then I went to RWA. It was ALL about the tweets. Everyone is doing it, and suddenly I felt like the one person in the room who still used cassettes in a CD world. So I took the plunge. I'm on Twitter. @christi_barth is my handle, and I hope you'll all follow me. I promise to be fun, funny, informative..wait, that is a lot of pressure. I promise to TRY to be all those things. Meanwhile, how many of you are on Twitter, and how is it going for you?
Good post, Christi. I haven't done it yet, but I probably will. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Christi, and while I still don't fully get Twitter, I am on it. I don't post very often, not often enough, probably.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder why people need to know when I'm going to bed, or what I'm eating or listening to.
But the networking opportunities are tremendous. I've learned about blog contests that I never would have through twitter. And picked up a couple of beta reading partners along the way, so that's a good thing.
I didn't get the twitter craze at first either. Then my son gave me a crash course. It's fun once you get the hang of it. Of course, some people share TMI (too much info). I'll see ya there!
ReplyDeleteYay! You've converted to the Dark Side! Twitter is fun once you figure out the #'s you like/you can use ... but following conversations is actually kinda hard. You'll get used to it, tho, promise. :)
ReplyDeleteNot for me. I'm stubbornly going to be old fashioned in my old fashioned world. I absolutely detest those symbols in Facebook stats. Bugs me to death.
ReplyDelete