We’re coming to the end of the year and I know that for many of us Twitter was one of our most used and important online tools.
I started using it in earnest about 12 months ago and have learned so much (I’ll write a post on it in the coming week) but thought I’d open up the question to readers
- What did you learn about Twitter in 2008?
- What discoveries did you make?
- What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
- What mistakes did you learn?
- Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
I’m looking forward to your answers!
@joespake
I am an avid twitter user, and my biggest discovery of 2008 is that large numbers of tweets are manageable with a number of different apps. My favorite is TweetDeck. Also there are a seemingly infite number of other apps out there for Twitter that make it a lot more useful. Just think, the folks who were laughing at us tweeters 12 months ago are now trying to catch up.
@jessenewhart
I learned that twitter was the fastest, most cost effective way to connect w/ a like minded audience.
@techAU
I’ve learnt a lot of things this year, probably the most important being the shear number of possible uses for what on the surface appears to be such a simple service.
Here’s how I use twitter:
- Beaking news / discovery !
- A historical reference of events
- An engaged and helpful community is a great resource to ask questions.
- A mechanism for site promotion, when new blog entries and podcasts are released
- Ability to directly contact CEO’s and top level staff and companies.
I also learnt that the ability to have twitter update your facebook friends is not a good idea when a majority of your friends are not tech enthusiasts.
@davejohnston
I learned to actually use Twitter in 2008, after spending much of 2007 ridiculing it to my employees who kept talking about it. “Oh that’s that dumb thing that lets you tell everyone you’re eating a sandwich. Sounds valuable.”
A year and 2,300 tweets later – and numerous friends and two new work projects – I’m using the service every day and look forward to growing it more in 2009. It’s much more valuable for productivity than “big” social networking sites like FB, because it’s all about actually communicating, not trading spam gifts and bragging how hot your new girlfriend is.
Use it.
@TraciKnoppe
Everything. I didn’t join Twitter until May 2008 and didn’t really start using it in earnest until July 2008. I guess you can say I’m a quick study.
I’ve discovered I love TweetDeck to organize and sort my tweets; and that I need to keep my settings at about 44% to avoid the dreaded ‘rate limit exceed’ notice.
My initial mistakes were following anyone and everyone. I quickly learned that not all tweets are created equal and there are some conversations I’d just as soon not follow. I prefer quality over quantity and to focus in on others with similar interests. Thankfully I do have a pretty wide variety of interests.
I guess the most innovative use of Twitter I’ve seen was during the elections and during times of urgent news. I’ve found I can get news faster through Twitter than even email or TV.
@shefaly
I joined Twitter in June 2008. Having sent SMS messages for a good 12+ years was great practice for Twitter. I explained Twitter 101 to several on LinkedIn.
But sadly when the Mumbai incidents happened, amid all the uncertainty, I wrote an abstraction, a conceptual post on the properties of Twitter that make it amenable to use in emergencies.
http://tinyurl.com/5cxu93
I found the post co-opted into Journalism classes in UMass in the US etc and cited all over the place. I do so wish it did not have to be such a terrible context though.
So learnt much, used much, discussed much. All in 6 months or less.
@brentnau
Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way? @shoemoney had a contest when the U.S. stock market was on a roller coaster ride. He asked that you reply to him with your closest guess to the closing numbers. He did this several days in a row.
@LStacey
I only really started using Twitter in 2008. Had seen it before but (as geeky as I might be) didn’t see any point in it.
Now I totally see the point… Couldn’t explain it to my Mother… But it works for me.
The beauty of Twitter is in its simplicity. Because of that, it has changed from being a microblogging web app to a platform and protocol with endless possibilities.
I see a new innovative use of Twitter almost every day. It will be interesting to see what happens when it eventually makes the mainstream.
@resawu
My favorite case of seeing Twitter being used in an innovative way: Tweetsgiving — really happy to see people using it for the greater good instead of being too “me me me” — which it often becomes.
I also learned not to Tweet too often, too personally, or too impersonally… there’s a certain balance I’m still figuring out. I think it’s different for someone who isn’t *yet* a professional because most professionals on Twitter are using it more for networking/community-building/link-sharing purposes, whereas college students are bigger fans of the personal and fun updates. I can’t lean too far one way or the other, or I lose people’s interest.
@ribeezie
Twitter allowed me to connect with more people easily (both on-line and off-line). I got to know fellow bloggers a little bit better and I also found plenty of opportunities to meet off-line via local tweetups (which was probably the best part. There’s nothing quite like taking on-line connections and turning them into off-line connections).
Often times, I sat back and observed the conversation from a distance. Much like sitting at the cafe watching people converse amongst themselves. I observed some people being really quite helpful (@ChrisBrogan for example) and I observed others doing nothing more than engaging in blatant self-promotion (que in the “unfollow” option).
I’ve learned that when you’re the helpful type, people are prone to listening to your messages a lot more (sounds obvious right? And yet so many people just blast information out there without thinking of being helpful first).
Anyway, these are just a few of my observations…
@lezzymom
I learned many things about Twitter in 2008. But some of the things that impressed me most was the instant action and information that could be obtained during tragedies like the hurricanes and the Mumbai terrorist attack. The information about shelters and how to find loved ones was impressive. I also find that many news stories break on Twitter before the main stream media reports it.
I love the social connection Twitter provides and the different niche people can focus on and learn about.
It has been a twitterific 2008.
@Matt_Siltala
I have been a member of Twitter for almost 2 years now, yet I didn’t really discover the power of it until a few months back. It has become a tremendous marketing tool used for sharing content, driving consistent traffic, spreading the word, generating buzz, helping with promotions, building your brand and connecting with some amazing people that you normally would not have the opportunity to ever meet! 2008 was a good year for me and Twitter, and I have high hopes for an even better year between us in 2009!
@WebVixn
I am learning to communicate laconically.
@WebVixn
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify this in my own head! Great question/topic.
I’m so thankful to be tweeting as WebVixn these days. As a webmaster or (old school?) Internet Marketing Manager, or even as an independent developer/programmer, life can be very isolating. Wayyyy back in my (mid 1990’s) corporate Webmaster experience, I was always the only one in the company who did ANYTHING online. (i.e. – There was nobody to collaborate with at work.) Even in the early “oughties” doing Internet Marketing for the ski industry, peers were rare, and the marketing was competitive, so communication and support was scarce. I guess I got used to being alone in my work.
Twitter has taught me that I’m not even close to being alone. My connections to great creative and technical professionals are growing by leaps and bounds. It’s hard to impress upon you what a relief it is to find “followers” with so many things in common who are genuinely eager to help and who actively appreciate my input and ideas.
Tweeting has also been a great way to get information. Sometimes a human being can return more poignant and higher quality information than the Google algorithm – believe it or not… It’s not the answer all the time, but it saves a brain-squeeze or two when research bogs down in the search engines.
Oh, and Twitter has been teaching me to communicate effectively and laconically. (see cheeky comment in previous post)
@MattLevenhagen
I learned a lot because I didn’t use Twitter until this year..
I learned I did not have to be afraid of tracking 1000s of Tweets a day. That I could easily manage Tweets using TweetDeck and could better follow groups I was interested in. I learned it’s an awesome way to stay in touch with IM friends I’ve made over the years outside our usual circles. I learned it’s a great way to get help when you need it.. network with like-minded people.
I’m meeting and networking with people I could never have before without a medium like this; leading to extra sales and opportunities. Twitter is more relaxed, informal, controlled and friendly than other environments online which makes it easier to open conversations with others.
I learned a lot more, but most importantly I learned that Twitter rocks!
@mcmedia
I only learned about Twitter recently and I immediately realized how addictive it. I was also surprised by how candid and generous that most Twitter users seem to be.
I discovered that the people who have the best success on Twitter are those that are generous with information (Chris Brogan) or entertaining (GaryVee) or to the point (Perry Belcher) or encouraging (Danny Brown) or inspiring (Guy Kawasaki)
I met someone via Twitter that helped me get my blog up and running. I have also attended several conference calls and live chats about Twitter and Blogging. It has become my go to resource.
I was warned before typing my first tweet … or is it Twit ; ) to learn the guidelines and “etiquette” … I took my time before jumping in to make sure I had an understanding of the culture doing my best to avoid making any embarrassing mistakes.
I am continually learning new things and meeting people I might not otherwise come in contact with from all over the world . I think of Twitter as the road map to blogs like this one that have become my university of social networking.
@themogulmom
I learned:
-that Twitter is sometimes even better than Google-like your own personal search engine.
-that the people on Twitter are a mighty interesting & helpful bunch.
-how to put an Add This button on my blog (thanks @Tojosan!)
-how to “grab screens”! (thanks @Link4Justice & @seanpower!)
-about some great wines! (thanks @mmwine!)
-that there are a lot of mom entrepreneurs out there that I can help.
-that Twitter is the BEST thing ever. Hee.
Heather Allard
http://www.TheMogulMom.blogspot.com
@wizard1974uk
What did you learn about Twitter in 2008?
It can be addictive,you have to drag yourself away, otherwise you will never get anything done during the day.
What discoveries did you make?
The amount of companies that are actually using Twitter, some household names I was surprised to see.
The world is a smaller place when you use twitter. I discovered people that literally live just down the road from me.
What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
Using tweetdeck so I could keep up with new tweets, @replies and Direct Messages
Twitterfeed – by plugging my own blog feed into Twitterfeed I could broadcast that I had posted a new entry
Tweetlater – scheduled tweets, I did briefly use it to auto follow people, but my email notifications were coming in quicker than me auto following, if that makes any sense.
What mistakes did you learn?
The proper use of the re-tweet, I was using at as a reply within tweetdeck, unfortunately it appeared that I was putting words in people’s mouths.
Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
I don’t think this is really an innovation, but the speed the Mumbai attacks were being covered, far quicker than the official news outlets.
@ryangraves
Learned how to turn twitter relationships into real ones offline. That’s how you get real value from your twitter/social network.
@TheGirlPie
I groked it right away, and found all of the same great things that @TheMogulMom and @Wizard1974UK have found, including addictive. If newcomers could find Twitter on TweetDeck — the best app out there for users — they’d see its fun, purpose and potential easily.
Discovery: that I’d rather tweet a shout out than email; I’d like others to see what I’m complimenting/supporting in someone else. So I find I’m irritated if someone isn’t on twitter; seems bloggers should have their link right there. I ask everyone and am STUNNED at people who think they’re up on Social Media and aren’t on twitter (and all those who don’t know?! Seems it’s been around forever!)
Mistake: I learned quickly not to tweet too often in long fits, but to drop in, chat, catch -up, and get back to work.
I think I’m one of the few not pushing a blog or a business or an agenda, I’m just butting in and offering help, support, a chuckle, some matchmaking… and I don’t auto-follow or bother with numbers; I actually read tweets to determine who to follow, and then I really do (thanks, TweetDeck!)
I’m loving the tools I’ve discovered — one charts when my favorites are most active so I can be around then — and the smart/funnies I love; and I’ve enjoyed discovering blogs and resources tweeted by those I read and trust.
I’m grateful that it’s making me practice brevity (although you can’t tell here ~ !)
And TheBoyPie is grateful for the peace and quiet my tweeting affords him; I can get out my chattiness on you guys instead of him ~ HA!
@Usarzewicz
Well, I learned about the existance of twitter
. It helped me discover some great websites, and some nice people, but still I’m trying to learn how to use if more effective than just a way to post “damn, Monday again…” 
@phaoloo
The only significant I learn that twitter give more helpful information than Google.
@mjray
* What did you learn about Twitter in 2008?
That it’s slowly becoming isolated as openmicroblogging takes off.
* What discoveries did you make?
That certain nationally-important groups are starting to use Twitter, just as it stops being cool.
* What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
I used it to send back postcard-like messages from holiday. That was new for me this year.
* What mistakes did you learn?
Make sure your automated or semi-automated tweets aren’t too frequent.
* Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
Not sure I’ve seen much innovative yet. Things like “value of this profile” and “tweeters you should know” are cute but boring. There’s space for more innovation still.
@PetervanVeen
What did you learn about Twitter in 2008?
It’s an easy and informal tool to communicate with others.
What discoveries did you make?
How to communicate (in plain english I hope) with other people.
What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
For now only with Twhirl. Next month I’ll have a phone with internetconnection, so I have to found out how I can use the mobiel variants. Anyone a suggestion?
What mistakes did you learn?
First twittering with a nickname. Now I’ve changed everything to my real name
Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
Nothing not mentioned here before.
@hendrylee
What did I learn about Twitter in 2008?
A lot, but one of the most significant lesson is that flow is critical if someone is going to use micro blogging consistently throughout the day, every day. Imagine having to copy a URL, go to URL shortening service, generate short URL, copy the short URL, open Twitter, paste the URL, and add the content before someone can hit the update button.
Discoveries: I discover that twittosphere is an entirely different world, just like the blogosphere, and the messages in there are worth listening to. If people monitor the blogosphere but not twittosphere, they are missing part of the conversations.
New ways to use Twitter: Using Twitter for research opens up many new possibilities for any online business owner, especially bloggers because they are now able to not only communicate directly with the audience, but also look for what people were talking about in the past.
Innovative uses: The most innovative use of Twitter this year, in my opinion, ar Zappos (by holding contest) and David Murray (found a job through Twitter even before the job was announced).
@thebluths
I simply learned that Twitter is the ultimate tool for driving traffic to your blog or website
@hectorhenr17
Here my answers
- What did i learn about Twitter in 2008?
that i wans on it because i wore scare to inscribe my self to a new toy 2.0 that might be would function.
- What discoveries did you make?
That i wans that only Colombian guy in twitter and rapidly see the community growing.
- What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
That i cant promote my webs by mean of it reach to more people.
- What mistakes did you learn?
That I have to update frequently and don’t like my account whit out update, mistake lest followers.
- Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
I love how some user have the back ground.
i don’t know what else to answer. Hope you enjoy it.
@direstrait94
First of all I learned a new word for me – groked (thanks @GirlPie).
What Did You Learn About Twitter In 2008
Twitter itself. I had heard of it for a while but was too “busy” to get involved. About 3 months ago I was re-introduced to it by HubSpot as an inbound marketing tool. Since then,
I learned how to distill my thoughts. 140 characters is pretty restrictive.
What discoveries did you make?
I have come to realize how viral its use has been and how ingenious it is. I judge technology on on many DIFFERENT ways it can be used. If you hook into some of the debates of how to use Twitter, you come to realize that it is very robust and serves many diverse purposes.
What new ways did you discover to use Twitter?
Still learning. But as it is teaching me how to build a community. How to research on trends.
Where did you see Twitter used in an innovative way?
I was amazed to see NFL tickets being brokered using Twitter.
@jeneanw
I’ve heard about twitter, but have only recently began twittering myself – like last week. After revamping my blog and coming off of a blogging hiatus, I have found that Twitter, my blog, and Facebook can all be updated at once!!! I LOVE it. My next step is really building a community of twitting friends that I can network with.
@irunabiz
I learned that it existed, and everything you posted on twitip so far. I haven’t used it enough to figure out what mistakes I made yet. (maybe that my mistake)
@alisabow
What did I learn about Twitter in the past year? Considering I started using it in Aug of this year, practically everything. Some highlights:
* Twitter is more addictive than email or Facebook, especially once you get to know some of your followers and followees. I force myself to turn off my computer at night so I can spend time with my real life companions known as my husband and daughter, but I sometimes get the shakes when I do so.
* I really don’t care if someone just drank coffee, but I do like to know about the various happenings in my virtual friends days, especially if they are having a bad day. Most people would not email their entire inbox to say, “Having the worst day of my life,” but they will tweet it. I like to follow up to such folks with support: the sun will come out tomorrow!
* There are many good souls in the world. I’ve watched many of them work through good deeds through Twitter (and online in general)
* I cannot DM someone back who is not following me, but people who are not following me do not seem to know this because they keep sending DMs to me anyway. I’ve decided to respond to these with an @message.
* When Twitter says you only get 140 characters, it means it.
* RT is the same thing as an email forward, only better.
* If I thought I was having a hard time keeping up with Internet abbreviations before Twitter, it only got more confusing after it. IMHO. Thank God for the Urban Dictionary, but someone should really write a Twitter dictionary.
Darren: you don’t have to publish this part because it’s somewhat self serving, but I do a good job of making fun of what I don’t know about Twitter here: Everything I learned about Twitter I learned from being a screw up http://www.savorthesuccess.com/member/alisa-bowman/blog/315
I started severals day ago so it is not big amout of information but some quite good link I have founded because of using Twitter.