There's nothing more fulfilling these days than casting out a random question into the twitterwebs and getting more than a few answers at once - and answers that are all correct, at that. So much so that the idea of ever needing training, extra school, or random classes seems almost unnecessary (though nothing takes the place of structured learning and degrees, I'm just trying to prove a point and make a slight joke).
I've technically been on twitter for a year now, but really active for the past 3 months. The numbers don't lie - I've gone from 10 followers to 550+, I've stopped following (most) idiotic celebrities and now follow 550+ incredible value adding REAL people. I only lost followers when I continuously live-tweeted the first few rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, because man, do I love me some basketball - especially my beloved Orange. But that's besides the point...
The only way twitter really "works" is by the contribution of its people. You are constantly creating, molding, adding to a network but the only way it's effective is if you add back into it and create a reason for your followers to need you. It doesn't matter if you're a student or a 20 year professional, you have connections and experiences that other don't, dating all the way back to childhood. Be positive and figure out how to speak clearly about your experiences in order to give perspective and advice to others.
Twitter's very much a microcosm of life and the funny thing is, it seems to take all the good theories in life and actually put them to good, workable use. Free speech. Debates. People from all walks of life collaborating on projects without second guessing or judging. The Golden Rule actually persists here: Treat others as you would like to be treated. You can't go around expecting others to give give give and you to take take take, which means there has to be a balance. I have come in contact with some truly wonderful people, who interact, share, and keep me in mind for things. However, there are some selfish people out there in twitterland, as you'd expect. Those that have sent me DM's (Direct Messages) asking for things and when I go to reply - I find out that they're not following me. 99% of the time most people correct this, but when they don't I find them to be selfish and unworthy of my time, so I unfollow. It is all trial and error. There are too many amazing people out there who are willing to create amazing connections for you not to try or to give back, and you'll know it when you meet them.
Sometimes, those that help you don't necessarily need your help with anything and are just being good people, but whatever they've taught you can easily be taught to others. We have come to know this idea from that Kevin Spacey movie a few years ago, as Pay-It-Forward. Twitter, in all its silly vocabulary, and ridiculously fast way of communicating has thousands of people who genuinely want to help. They want to provide career advice, internship information, sports knowledge, and a sense of community. Be one of those people. Try and help someone each day, with any kind of question they throw out to the twitterwebs. Ask questions, create a dialogue.
One of the things I've learned from Twitter, is not to do better, but to be better. If we all help someone who goes on to help a few people, imagine how fantastic it could all be.
I've technically been on twitter for a year now, but really active for the past 3 months. The numbers don't lie - I've gone from 10 followers to 550+, I've stopped following (most) idiotic celebrities and now follow 550+ incredible value adding REAL people. I only lost followers when I continuously live-tweeted the first few rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, because man, do I love me some basketball - especially my beloved Orange. But that's besides the point...
The only way twitter really "works" is by the contribution of its people. You are constantly creating, molding, adding to a network but the only way it's effective is if you add back into it and create a reason for your followers to need you. It doesn't matter if you're a student or a 20 year professional, you have connections and experiences that other don't, dating all the way back to childhood. Be positive and figure out how to speak clearly about your experiences in order to give perspective and advice to others.
Twitter's very much a microcosm of life and the funny thing is, it seems to take all the good theories in life and actually put them to good, workable use. Free speech. Debates. People from all walks of life collaborating on projects without second guessing or judging. The Golden Rule actually persists here: Treat others as you would like to be treated. You can't go around expecting others to give give give and you to take take take, which means there has to be a balance. I have come in contact with some truly wonderful people, who interact, share, and keep me in mind for things. However, there are some selfish people out there in twitterland, as you'd expect. Those that have sent me DM's (Direct Messages) asking for things and when I go to reply - I find out that they're not following me. 99% of the time most people correct this, but when they don't I find them to be selfish and unworthy of my time, so I unfollow. It is all trial and error. There are too many amazing people out there who are willing to create amazing connections for you not to try or to give back, and you'll know it when you meet them.
Sometimes, those that help you don't necessarily need your help with anything and are just being good people, but whatever they've taught you can easily be taught to others. We have come to know this idea from that Kevin Spacey movie a few years ago, as Pay-It-Forward. Twitter, in all its silly vocabulary, and ridiculously fast way of communicating has thousands of people who genuinely want to help. They want to provide career advice, internship information, sports knowledge, and a sense of community. Be one of those people. Try and help someone each day, with any kind of question they throw out to the twitterwebs. Ask questions, create a dialogue.
One of the things I've learned from Twitter, is not to do better, but to be better. If we all help someone who goes on to help a few people, imagine how fantastic it could all be.