by Shawna Coronado from the Casual Gardener follow her on twitter at @ShawnaCoronado
Tired and exhausted from a tough week I climbed on my treadmill the other morning hoping for some instant energy. Soon I was warmed up and started jogging to the Queen classic “Bicycle” blaring through the earbuds. Tired still, I close my eyes for one second while jogging. And then it happened.
Before I reopened my eyes my left foot caught the side of the treadmill, snagged heartily and came to a complete stop while my right foot continued on. In an amazing Olympic treadmill feat, I somehow managed to do a complete flip in mid-air. Legs flying and arms circling I was thrown to the treads like a federation wrestler by Hulk Hogan. This was followed by a bounce and flip because the treadmill was still on. Yes, no exaggeration; a full bounce and body flip. Finally, I smacked my head and was driven off the evil contraption at full running force slamming into the water cooler behind the treadmill. Upon reflection, I am grateful this all happened at home in my sweats and ponytail instead of at Bally’s in full aerobic regalia – nothing like applause and laughter to start your morning off right.
It occurred to me that my treadmill experience is similar to Twitter. No kidding.
Here’s the scoop – Twitter works for so many of us because we work at twittering. We build friends and business associates; we learn about the world and how to improve our lives. We help each other get through life – this is what is unique and special about Twitter. It is a social delight. We twitter people are addicted, however, it only works if you keep your eyes open and pay attention.
Ignoring DM’s, comments, and social interaction on Twitter is equivalent to a full-body smack down like I experienced on the treadmill. Tweeters will unfollow you lightening fast or ignore most of your tweets. Another instant unfollow smack down is if you only try to “sell” your products or advertise on Twitter instead of carrying on a mutually beneficial conversation. Following people who are actively speaking with others in our community is a great idea as it shows they are paying attention and want to participate. Living the Twitter experience is about keeping your eyes wide open and building relationships, not falling down on the job.
So get out there in your aerobic gear and make an impression on the Twitter world – it’s simple – pay attention and build relationships!
Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com or The Blogs - www.gardeningnude.com or http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
@chrismelton
Super analogy – I love it. Your post should be a wake-up call to all the “spitters” – spam twitterers.
@ryandscott
My number one reason for unfollowing? Too many tweets. Talk my ear off and I’ll ignore you… just like I would do in real life. That said, I try to engage–I try to reply. And I haven’t received any unfollow smackdowns… yet. Now, if only Twitter had “threaded” tweets. That would be spectacular.
@lantanamusic
Thanks for you insightful tips! What a vivid picture of your treadmill smackdown, ouch. As for twitter, I am new and have been exploring all the in’s and out’s, applications, blogs, problogs which is how I found your post. I have to admit as unbelieveable resourceful and world changing Twitter is my expierience this far has been disenchanting. I have enjoyed many of the post by those I am following but really feel like I have crashed a private event and find myself unfollowing for the very reasons you mentioned. So I have come to the conclusion that my network will consist of other newbies and together we will find our way.
@greenmullet
here here. and using something like tweetdeck can really help you follow everything. from dms to retweets, etc. works for me. good post.
- gm.
@brandonacox
I see Twitter as much like a stream that you visit to dip your feet. If someone will unfollow me because I didn’t reply, they were following for the wrong reasons – I’m not going to lose sleep. That said, I do think replying and interacting is one of the points. I do like the treadmill analogy.
@Nickeyh
You are so right! I’ve heard many people saying they think Twitter is a waste of time and useless and a fad. Not so! It took me a short while to understand, but everything you say is true. If I unfollow someone it’s usually because they spam me or are just not having conversations that are beneficial to me – nothing personal. And I certainly feel the same way if someone unfollows me. I’m on twitter for the close personal networking I feel but also to learn and share business ideas. VAnetworking.com is a great resource. Follow them on twitter.com/VAnetworking!
@tumblemoose
It does amaze me sometimes how people do not really seem to respond when something is directed to them. I’m pretty forgiving and am not very apt to unfollow someone that commits a Twitter faux paux.
Blatant knuckleheadism on the other hand will get an unfollow, and if the transgression is blatant enough, they’ll get a good old fashioned “block”.
Cheers
George
@tessgiles
Great advice. And may I just say a sympathetic “Ouch”!
@vbsetup
Another great post, I really dig this blog.
This is so true. The more you practice the better you get though. That is how I got good at twitter.
@profitmc
Great post and indeed a wake up call. Thanks a lot. Will definitely take this to heart.
@MRHYPERPCS
Like your treadmill experience, the Twitter experience also runs at a very fast pace and people do tent to become distracted. Niche following will prove to be a disappointment to anyone using Twitter! If your only interest in life is one thing…you’ll never fully appreciate the experience, you’ll wonder why you waste so much of your time on it and you’ll gain nothing. Choose your passions, follow people who are also passionate about them and make commitments to them. If your relatively new to the experience, try “walking” first and when you find yourself comfortable with it…. RUN. Thanks for the analogy, it was indeed accurate, hopefully no bloggers were injured during the creation of this post. Cheers,
@shawnacoronado
Thanks for the great comments all! WOOT!
@gnosticgardener
Sounds like treadmills are murderous contraptions!
I’m interested in knowing how you manage your time on Twitter, and on all the other social networking sites. Pundits are saying the middle class is disappearing, if this is true, who will read what we have to write?
@agroguru
I find Twitter to be a passive way to engage with like minded people. At the same time you can actively engage with others. The flexibility of the communications is Twitter’s best attribute for me.
@superpowerstoo
Ummm… what’s a DM?
@lhrowley
I do respond to meaningful DMs. What does bother me, though, is people who, the second I click the “follow” button, send me a DM with something like “Thanks for the follow, look at this link http://www.socialretard.com/bonehead.” I find it harder to respond to those DMs – at least with anything nice.
Sending welcome emails with pitch links is not a great way to begin an otherwise beneficial relationship.
@thebenchs
Good post i reed it, sometime or i know some friends that only opon the user naem in twitter a dont uyse it back and that suck but i hope that one of this day the notice how importante it could turn if you practice the good comication on twitter whit other puthing atention on what other tweeter user day and on what you tweet.
@chrisdbiggs
Great article! Yes, peeps…. avoid the autoresponder message that just advertises products…. it just looks pushy!