05 December 2009

How to Twitter, part XX

But I’m still not going to use Twitter.

14 comments:

Bill said...

I'm not above a bit of self-promotion. I write my 'blog because I enjoy writing, I have things to say, and I'm arrogant enough to think they are worth reading.

I also like Twitter. I signed up mainly for self-promotion but became interested in the unintended effects of the form. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about Twitter, but I like it because it gets straight to the point and doesn't do anything else. I'm not a follower whore. If people follow me, I'm very happy, but I'm not bothered if they don't. I've made contact ('met' is too strong a word) with some very interesting people through Twitter.

On both Twitter and Blogger, I have wondered if I should follow all the people who are nice enough to follow me. Some people have reciprocated, but I have never thought that just because I find someone interesting, then they should find me interesting as well. Likewise if someone enjoys my writing, that doesn't necessarily mean their work speaks to me. It's nothing personal.

I'm in two minds about the 'social networking' side of Blogger. I started 'blogging because I wanted to have complete control and ownership of my writing and how it is presented, and none of that was possible on Myspace/Facebook/Bebo/Hotornot, et al.... In any other form or site, there is the expectation to be 'social' where my main reason for 'blogging is to have someone to post what's on my mind, not necessarily to make friends - although I have made some friends through this site.

I agree that any comment is nice to have, even if it is just 'lol.'

Just so you know, I always enjoy your posts even when I don't comment. I prefer to only comment when I do have something substantial to say but it doesn't mean I'm not enjoying everything else.
I'd be happy to link to you if you like, not that it would make much difference I think. If you want to link to me, that's entirely your choice.

Shit, I'm wordy today.

Lady Love said...

I am a pain in the ass and I want people to know it before they fall in love with me online, that's why I have twitter. :P
I only follow Brazilian writers, some archeology lovers, historians, all these lovely people, my people. I don't know how people find me and why they follow me. My twitter is like a toilet vase. I only use it to pee my tears, throw up my anger and shit my frustrations.

Lady Love said...

Same for blogger, facebook, message boards, myspace. I have nothing to add.

Mia said...

Michelle, I think people follow you because they can tell you have the soul of a poet. If English was your native language you'd be dangerous.

Bill, I'm just as guilty as anybody of reading much more than I comment. Sometimes there's nothing to add. Sometimes the post already has a million comments and I don't see the point in 1 more. Sometimes I just don't want to comment.

Jo said...

This series was bang-on. I loved when you said people start to pander. I read so many blogs that do just that. They publish really bad poems they have written, and 95 people log on and swoon over them. It makes me laugh. There is one blog in particular that is like that -- self-aggrandizing and rather boring. Your blog is brilliant.

Miranda said...

Like usual I agree with Jo. And I too like to read more then comment most of the time. I had to add this comment though just to prove myself wrong. I'm on the twitter and I mostly talk to my sister on it. Which is funny because we live in the same city and could probably call and it would be easier then writing 140 characters to each other. Good series!

Sasha said...

All the lovely ladies love me on the Twitter.

Mia said...

That reminds me. I need to start posting my poetry from high school.

I talk to my sisters via this new device they call a telephone. It's really convenient and requires very little typing. We also talk in person but that's because we're technologically impaired.

Lady Love said...

Only English speakers can be dangerous? ;)

Lady Love said...

I don't believe in bad poetry. I believe in "bad" readers. Poetry is the art of the self...ish. People write about themselves for themselves, it's their view of the world, their soul in words. You will love it or hate it. People waste their time reading "bad" poetry because they want. Go read SHAKESPEARE and let others live and feel confident about themselves. We only reach perfection when we make mistakes. Live and let live. ;)

I prefer to call a telephone too but people are so used to online chat...
I called my friend one of these days and she said "Hey, talk to you online". I prefer to hear a human than the sound of my fingers typing. Internet is all about voyeurism and exhibitionism and people enjoy it.

Mia said...

Michelle, you're using a secondary language. I assume that the lyricism we see from you in English is amplified in your native language.

Kylez..aka...Mrs.P! said...

I am a bandit for reading blogs and not commenting! I follow so many these days that I just tend to log on to the ones I really like once a week and read all the previous posts in one big go which stops me from commenting coz with my slow computer its a pain in the ass.
I love reading your posts, even if I don't comment to tell you.
I tried to get into twitter but really just have it set up with the feed from my blog coz I am so lazy, plus I can never fit what I wanna say into 140 characters!

Mia said...

I can't keep up with blogs since most of them are more prolific than mine. I'll usually read several posts per visit so sometimes if I do leave a comment it's several days or weeks after the fact.

HAPPY IN NEVADA said...

To me, I think twittering is for the 'bird-brains' of the world who simply think what they have to say, is worth reading and who can't retire from the high-tech world of communication, and live their lives as they choose with resolve and no need for accolades or commentary from anyone else.

Like you, I will NEVER TWITTER!