Twitter Party
I was talking to a group of CEO's at a book launch last week.
I asked them if they used Twitter and got a number of interesting replies.
One proudly claimed they used it in their company for marketing and reaching their customers.
Another said it was discouraged in his workplace as it was seen as a distraction from work.
None of them had actually used it.
One said 'I have not tried it because i know i would want to reply to every tweet'.
Another said 'Seems to me it is for youngsters and I don't get it.
' I had some similar prejudices when i first started to play with Twitter.
I thought there must be something interesting going on to attract so many people and for it to grow so fast.
I tentatively entered thinking it was some sort of short email service or chat room alternative.
At first I tweeted with these thoughts in mind.
But as I started to follow people and turn up to watch what was happening I noticed something completely different.
The best analogy I can come up with is it is a bit like turning up at a party.
You know when you go to a party you enter and walk around.
If you know some people you wander over to them.
They will be in conversations which you can overhear and join in or they are pleased to see you and they enter in to dialogue with you.
If you don't know anyone you make yourself inconspicuous, get yourself a drink and look around for someone to connect to.
You might listen in on some of the conversations around you and hope you get invited in.
There might be some famous people in the room who you can rub shoulders with but are unlikely to notice you or allow you to join in with them.
The type of communication going on at a party is exactly what is happening in the world of Twitter and tweets.
The world is now awash with Twitter goers who are connecting around the world in one big continuous party.
You can turn up by logging in and standing near Piers Morgan and Rio Ferdinand having banter.
See what the President is saying or hear a breaking news release from a top journalist or Foreign Secretary.
You might see one of your own friends tweeting and join in direct conversation with them.
You can even join the rush to follow a trending subject which is the big interest of the day.
You can throw in your contribution to the stream of consciousness unleashed by this latest trending topic.
You can stay for as long or as short as you like letting the chatter wash over you as much or as little as you like.
Just like a party you are involved in what you hear and are part of and miss out on all the things you are away from or leave behind.
Returning to the CEOs who have not tried it.
Their model of Twitter is completely wrong.
I try to imagine them not going to a party because they can't speak to everyone and be part of every conversation.
Twitter parties are a place CEOs should be and everyone else wanting to connect in one more way with those around them.
If you haven't tried it yet just go and play.
You will be surprised what you find there and will find a use for you.
I asked them if they used Twitter and got a number of interesting replies.
One proudly claimed they used it in their company for marketing and reaching their customers.
Another said it was discouraged in his workplace as it was seen as a distraction from work.
None of them had actually used it.
One said 'I have not tried it because i know i would want to reply to every tweet'.
Another said 'Seems to me it is for youngsters and I don't get it.
' I had some similar prejudices when i first started to play with Twitter.
I thought there must be something interesting going on to attract so many people and for it to grow so fast.
I tentatively entered thinking it was some sort of short email service or chat room alternative.
At first I tweeted with these thoughts in mind.
But as I started to follow people and turn up to watch what was happening I noticed something completely different.
The best analogy I can come up with is it is a bit like turning up at a party.
You know when you go to a party you enter and walk around.
If you know some people you wander over to them.
They will be in conversations which you can overhear and join in or they are pleased to see you and they enter in to dialogue with you.
If you don't know anyone you make yourself inconspicuous, get yourself a drink and look around for someone to connect to.
You might listen in on some of the conversations around you and hope you get invited in.
There might be some famous people in the room who you can rub shoulders with but are unlikely to notice you or allow you to join in with them.
The type of communication going on at a party is exactly what is happening in the world of Twitter and tweets.
The world is now awash with Twitter goers who are connecting around the world in one big continuous party.
You can turn up by logging in and standing near Piers Morgan and Rio Ferdinand having banter.
See what the President is saying or hear a breaking news release from a top journalist or Foreign Secretary.
You might see one of your own friends tweeting and join in direct conversation with them.
You can even join the rush to follow a trending subject which is the big interest of the day.
You can throw in your contribution to the stream of consciousness unleashed by this latest trending topic.
You can stay for as long or as short as you like letting the chatter wash over you as much or as little as you like.
Just like a party you are involved in what you hear and are part of and miss out on all the things you are away from or leave behind.
Returning to the CEOs who have not tried it.
Their model of Twitter is completely wrong.
I try to imagine them not going to a party because they can't speak to everyone and be part of every conversation.
Twitter parties are a place CEOs should be and everyone else wanting to connect in one more way with those around them.
If you haven't tried it yet just go and play.
You will be surprised what you find there and will find a use for you.
