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I'm evolving in my twitter usage too. I think this can be a great tool to share useful tips on the way.
Have fun !
Michael
Cheers
Jose
Glad to see you are following some people now Tim, would hate to see you get sh!tcanned by Twitter for appearing to be spammer. As you are one of the people that I can rely on for useful tweets.
"Use the tool for its best purposes and ignore the rest."
That's what I've been struggling with because I DON'T want to be in the grip of Twitter (and it's tough not to buy into all of the hype of following, being followed etc.). The other day, I was in a Twitter induced trance and realized that I had given it over 2 hours. Not cool!
Does anyone have a favorite Twitter iPhone app?
I use the Tweetie iPhone app and like it very much so far. Both my wife and I have our accounts setup in Tweetie and it is an easy transition from one account to another. Plus, Tweetie feels pretty seamless when compared to the original Twitter.com user interface.
mine is @iamchrisgreen
I can use some of the time tracking sites that you mentioned. At times I tend to be on twitter too much. Trying to find the perfect blend of time spent on here is the key.
I also use adjix.com which gives you the option to delay your tweets. So that you can have a voice on twitter without actually being on at that moment. Good when you find more that one interesting article and don't want to post all of the at the same time.
If you have another service that does the same let me know.
Janis
I love twitter for breaking news, interesting links etc - you're tweets are perfect for that and a reason why I revisit your profile, whereas I wouldn't for others. However you come in the celeb category for most.
It's great for running polls and ideas and with tweaking can be set up as a conduit for all your information.
One of the best descriptions I saw of how to manage twitter (can't remember where) is to think of it as a river. You just dip in every now and then, but you wouldn't attempt to consume/feel all the water - all the time.
All good tips. I've also found that using 3rd party tools has greatly enhanced my ability to chunk my time accordingly (tweetlater.com) as well as to find people to follow (twellow.com), for example.
There are so many tools popping up that make the Twitter experience more useful, and while I know you 're not a big fan of a number of these, I think some with less stringent Twitter rules might find these tools handy. Here is a link to Blending The Mix's top 100 Twitter tools for those interested: http://tr.im/gLTH
A word of caution: be careful in giving out your Twitter username and password to access such sites. Twitter hasn't yet allowed full access to their API (I think) so some of these site require you to give up that info. Others, like LinkedIn and Facebook, do in similar fashion, but discard it after use. . .so. . .just be aware, that's all!
Cheers,
Doc
" If you have a small number of followers compared to the amount of people you are following" is the opposite of your previous situation.
Maybe I'm just confused...
I read that ToS, and unless I misundertood it, it seems to me that it is the other way around, you can't follow too many, compared to those who follow you.
So, not following anyone would in no way put you in danger of being banned.
"If you have a small number of followers compared to the amount of people you are following"
Also, interesting post Tim.
I agree Twitter can pull you in too much if your not careful. The upside for us is the ability (for the first time) to connect with our peeps in real time while traveling around the world. For example last month I was in Rio looking for directions to a restaurant in an obscure location in Leblon- Boom-15 seconds later 20 responses. I think your spot on with your 80/20 assessment of it.
Best,
Rob
Just remember to keep your RSS habit under control as well!
To your point about being banned for spamming. You indicate that the fine print defines spamming to include having more people as followers than the number of people you are following. Since you were following zero people, but had people following you, you wouldn't be considered a spammer by that definition.
But, I like to promote social culture as somewhat time-consuming as it can be. I think it is good you are following others now, it will give you additional perspectives.
“Seeking approval from others is a full time job with no vacations or benefits.”
I had struggled with leveraging Twitter as a networking and information gathering tool, while maintaining the principles of efficiency you set forth in 4HWW.
I recently began using http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/ which is very similar to a blog aggregator like Google Reader.
TweetDeck allows you to sort tweets into 10 columns (by keywords) so now I only read the relevant tweets for me.
Hope this helps you and your readers!
Thanks,
Brian
I met you at BizTech day in San Francisco last fall and was curious about your "no follow" approach to Twitter. Thanks for sharing how your own use of Twitter is evolving, and for these guidelines about efficiently using Twitter, especially with regard to time management.
I've just begun using Twitter as a marketing tool for my businesses, so this post comes at a good time for me!
Best regards,
Cindy
It seems that reading someone else's posts on twitter is for you some kind of burden, waste of time, boring/irrelevant activity (not to say replying). It is consistent with the vision on your book ("do not disturbe me, I surely have something better to do"), but I don't like it. Seems like you only pay attention to other people when you seek for some benefit, and ignore them elsewhere. But that is not a fair way to build strong, bidirectional relationships...
Which is fine if that's how you want Twitter to work for you. But twitter is a great place to stay in touch with people you care about; reading their tweets, replying when there's something to say so they know you are listeting... are the basics in the way I use twitter.
That means investing some of my time on it? Well, I find that building true relationships is not a waste of time.
###
From Tim:
Hi Consultor,
Thanks for the comment. It's a bit buried in the post, but I do read my friends' tweets and my @replies especially. I just do this at set times - generally after 5pm - so I don't self-interrupt all day. That said, each person can use Twitter as they see fit.
Happy tweeting,
Tim
You've also pointed out some great new tricks for me to implement. Happy Tweets...
Here's me -> twittersteer.com
Cheers,
Adam
I recently joined the world of Twitter. I was having a hard time with knowing what to do with it. I began following you, noticed how you used it, and loved how you turned some potential time killer into a useful application. Your post on it is only too timely.
I thoroughly enjoy all your posts/tips/stories/book(s). Thanks for thinking the way you think, and giving others a new perspective on things. You have definately changed the way I approach a variety of things.
- Mark (aka "incufan1" on twitter)
Thanks for the comment. It's a bit buried in the post, but I do read my friends' tweets and my @replies especially. I just do this at set times - generally after 5pm - so I don't self-interrupt all day. That said, each person can use Twitter as they see fit.
Happy tweeting,
Tim
Thanks!
thanks for the tips, hopefully i wont get consumed by social media.
Thank you for the great synopsis of Twitters' use/misuse. As a raw-newbie to blogging and all things related, I found Twitter to be more of a novel idea without value (I did however find this article through someone who tweeted..twitted...twittered???) or specific purpose and was only recently intrigued by an application called "Twitscoop" that graphs the surge of particular keywords.
I'm not certain the value of this application but maybe someone out there can figure that part out.
Like you, I felt that there had to be some stringent, self-imposed measures to limit use and avoid "addiction". Still working on the real use/value aspect but I do like to use it as a diary post. Throwing out a quote, idea, link etc... if I think it has any merit.
Thanks again.
Question:
I noticed that there are not that many @Replies in your timeline which I really like because I can get to reading your posts easily. Most people have enormous @Replies to wade through. Do you delete many of your @Replies or do you just not respond to very many of them?
Thanks in advance
I don't tend to publicly respond to @replies, as I find it just clutters things up. I get tired of seeing a million "@somebody Totally agreed! LOL...", as the comment means nothing out of context.
I often respond to @replies with a direct message of my own. Just my preference.
All the best,
Tim
On the topic of social media and how it can consume your time - you may have seen the article picked up today all over the web - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123509424821028.... When articles like this appear you know Facebook and Twitter have become what we once referred to in tech circles as 'ubiquitous applications!' What do you think - could you give them up if you were/are a Lenten observer?
Ryan
Great post and all so true.
I tended to get sucked in to twitter and then time just disappeared.
You have to understand what twitter is good for and stick with that.
Rich
Learn what it can do, decide what you want to do with it and set your boundaries in advance, (and practice the discipline it takes to honor it).
Every social media tool has it's strengths and it's drawbacks, make a conscious effort to examine what those are, otherwise it can become a time-killer instead of a powerful tool.
Live Your Dreams,
Jill
Talk soon bruddah, keep killin it!
--Z--
Very good and useful tips on Twitter. We only so much time in a day, and its just a waste of productive time, to be lost in all the noise in Twitter land.
I'm will be careful on tip #3 tho.
Will be retweeting this. Thanks.
Dean Henry
Your tweets are full of win. By the way, sort of off topic, but if I remember correctly you were asking for recommendations for the 4HWW 2.0. More case studies and models to analyze re: muse creation would be much appreciated.
Twitter is perfect for honing your word economy and value-to-attention contribution: offer a brief takeaway and quick links to more resources for those interested.
This tip is great for those trying to create email newsletter content as well.
So it kills 2 birds with one stone, I also put it in my blog sidebar so when I don't update at least there's something new to see. That's what Microblogging is about for me.
I find yours a very effective but non-personal way of using Twitter, which fits your lifestyle and ethos.
If you tweet mostly about websites or blogs you've read, ditch any interface but this: sign-in to Fleck Lite (http://fleck.com/lite), and drag its bookmarklet to your browser toolbar.
When you read something of interest, hit the bookmark -- it autosaves the URL in a short form, and opens a tweet window, where you can add your observation. If you highlight text on the page and hit the bkmk, it autoinserts that text ahead of the shortened URL.
No time lost reading other tweets. It's a one way interface: you to Twitter.
Social media is about being social; it's about listening and respect... IMHO, your tweets come across like you've got head phones on.
For me, it's hard to take your "How-to" seriously when you don't seem to participate, and only started a month ago. Saying you didn't want another inbox and that you follow others out of fear of being banned tells me you don't quite get it. And your "5 Rules" could easily be adapted for keeping your intake of [ice cream] under control.
Now, I'm not one of those who thinks you have to follow everyone who follows you, or that you have to respond to every tweet, etc., but you also wouldn't wear head phones to a party.
Some things take time and investment. The good news is that 4 hours a week should be plenty.
Peace
it is a funnysad contemporary digital slapstick tragedy
he s got a grasp on communication our zeitgeist and may be the ultimate twitterati
If everybody chose not to follow others then would Twitter not fall apart.
When open Twitter, I want to see URL...of stuff I like.
Second I am never less than comment #50 on any of these posts and I check it every morning. I do that with a great widget from Firefox called, oddly enough, Morning Coffee. I sit down and read a few news blogs on trading and market conditions. I read a few of my favorite blogs (including this one) and then I am off to start my day. Sometimes it takes me more than 45 minutes but usually not more than 1 hour.
So with me checking everyday and never being less than #50 on the comments I wonder if all these comments on here are kind of defeating the 4 Hour Work Week ideals. Are there always the same 50+ people ahead of me? And if they are why don't we all put some of the principles to practice?
I have had a really hard time doing that, and seem to spend more and more time in front of the computer. What I have learned though is to put more time in front of the computer doing productive things.
Sorry to sound bitter or maybe a little harsh. I love the blog, and kudos to those of you with top comments. With the amount of traffic I am sure that it helps your blogs and sites out a lot.
Ciao.
I turn TweetDeck off when I'm working, and on a break, I check out (as in quickly skim) just the groups of people I really need to. (work-related, close friends)
andrea_r: twitter user since 2007. ;)
I've been waiting to hear your take on how best to effectively use Twitter but keep it from owning you. Great work.
This will be an ongoing reference for me.
I found you by looking at my Facebook updates. Someone had tweeted this article. That's the great advantage of Twitter. It can bring someone like me to your site that minutes before didn't know you from Adam.
Great observations on Twitter use. I think new Twitter users feel like they are on a blind date. Everyone starts out timid, then says too much and lastly comes to the conclusion that they have to fine-tune their relationship.
I'm using it at this point as a learning tool. I tap the minds of the top people in the fields that I'm interested in. I look at links they suggest and I learn.
I don't let it eat up my time. I've learned to just glance at it on Twirl. I only follow the stream of those I've really connected with. I learned early on that it's not about numbers or who follows you, but who you follow.
I am always looking for new ways to sift information. My current project is a FriendFeed mashup: http://is.gd/kc9u
Great article on Twitter Time Management.
This article is a must for my bookmarks. I'll send a tweet or retweet ...
Cheers..
Thanks
Dr. J
Great points. I'm new to Twitter. I held off as long as I could!
I signed up about 6 weeks ago (Jan 14th), so I am a Twitter newbie. I too was concerned about Twitter consuming too much time.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas.
Your Pirate Lifestyle Guru,
Rob
I am completely alone >90% of every week, no-one to talk to, no-one to exchange opinions with, no-one to bounce ideas off of, some thoughts just keep gong round and round in one's head, and so I thought I'd try Twitter as a possible therapeutic tool for regaining some sort of way of getting back into mainstream society. To suddenly find that a few people are following you, even though it sounds minimal, is such a change from being ignored by everyone.
And "I use the blog for testing ideas/campaigns/memes, catalyzing social change, and introducing more developed concepts so I can watch and track their impact and evolution in the blogosphere." - how pompous.
Jose
Elizabeth Gilbert speaks of the Creative Genius and Greek mythology. The gods are none other than the archetypes that play through us all and lead us to our greatest creative achievement –our authentic Self. The circumstances that evoke the hero’s journey are often cataclysmic. We glimpse the majesty of our highest Self, are lured by Sirens of distraction, brave the Minotaur of our own ego, or ride the seas of circumstances out of our control. These gateways of awareness usually come through people and situations we would readily avoid. There is a saying that no one would have crossed the ocean if they could get off the boat in a storm.
It is not insignificant that the overwhelming success of Eat, Pray, Love, is in response to a book about Gilbert’s own heroic journey through loss, suffering, humility, and fulfillment through a multitude of simple acts and the courage to embrace the unexpected. The heroic journey is not about doing but about being.
Twitter and niche social networks are portals to virtual tribes. Brilliant opportunities beyond merely fast tracking life.
How exactly do you turn off DMs? I don't see an option anywhere in "Settings" or elsewhere in Twitter. Thanks!
Tim
To disable DMs:
Settings > Notices > change "@Replies" to "no @ replies"
From their support page, "No @replies: never see any @replies in your timeline, ever. In this case, you would not see a reply from anyone, regardless of follow state, including replies between Sheila and Ace, Dutch, or anyone else."
Long time lurker, first time poster. Keep up the great posts. And, I too, work best in the early AM hours.
Cheers,
Devo
Data points, Barbara
Initially I found Twitter very confusing and quickly got sick off all the "I'm having a coffee"-posts from random people I didn't know. OK, that was my own fault for following the wrong people but ever since I started monitoring who I follow and actively seeking out people that have interesting and relevant stuff to say, I have found Twitter one of the most useful tools on the internet.
I think I'm only starting to realize the full potential that lies within sites like Twitter and I'm excited to see where this will take us.
Thanks for the great post. I've had a Twitter account for over a year but barely used it, precisely because of the timesucker element.
Those are great tips. I was thinking of putting a "follow me on Twitter" box on my site, but was worried about Twitter taking over my life. I am so hesitant to add this into my life, because it seems like it could eat up a larger portion of my time.
I knew you would give us tips for being time efficient.
Thanks!
Rusty
I have no idea why people follow me.
Thanks for the tips.