Six Reasons Twitter Might Not Be for You
I’m a huge fan of Twitter. I mean, really huge fan. I’ve met many friends through Twitter, love Tweetchats, and get much of my news through Twitter. Despite my love of Twitter, I sometimes tell people that they don’t have to be on Twitter. When I do, I can see them visibly relax. “I don’t have to be on Twitter?” they ask. “Well, no. Why would you think you have to be?” “Oh, whew!” they usually say. “I’ve just been hearing so much about Twitter lately.” So if you’re one of those people who feels obligated, here are some reasons that Twitter might not be the right place for you.
Your Clients Aren’t on Twitter
Have you ever asked your clients what their favorite social media platform is? How about starting with a quick survey or phone call asking a few of them? Survey Monkey has free surveys, and you could do a random sampling of a few of your clients to see what platforms they use. If your potential clients are not on Twitter, why feel obligated?
You Can’t Speak Your Mind
Twitter May Not Be for You
If you’re in banking, or the medical field, you may need to be compliant on all social media and not just on Twitter. The banking and medical fields have been slower than other businesses to adopt social media, and that may be because major financial or banking corporations have not allowed their employees to use social media because of the extra workload for their compliance departments. That does not seem to be changing very quickly. If that’s the case, you may not want to fight that battle–at least not just yet.
TMA (Too Many Acronyms)
Twitter has its own specific language and acronyms. Tweets do not give you a lot of real estate to speak your mind. Tweets are usually a headline, maybe a link, and a hashtag. That’s it. So if you really dislike that form of communication, maybe the language of Facebook or LinkedIn would be better for you.
Twitter Won’t Get You Business
I hear this prejudice all the time from people who are not on Twitter. If you really believe this, then what are you doing on Twitter?
Twitter is Just People Talking about Food
What’s Stopping You from Tweeting?
Really? Again, usually people who have never been on Twitter say this. They’re the same people who said they’d never use a phone for texting and now can’t get in touch with their own kids unless they text those kids.
You Have Nothing to Say
If you really have nothing to say (and I seriously doubt that!), and dislike being social, then Twitter might not be right for you.
What’s Stopping You?
Is there some other reason you don’t want to tweet? Leave me a comment, below! You don’t have to tweet about it, promise!
I love the mailboxes. :)
People do always say “twitter is just about food.” HA!
Thanks, Bridget! Those mailboxes were awfully sweet! Yes, I’m not sure how people got that idea about Twitter being about food. It’s like saying “People only use the phone for gossip.”
And thank you for stopping by to comment! I appreciate that. :-)
These are all excellent points, Carol! Frankly, I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to at least give it a chance. That’s just a good rule of thumb for most everything in life. Take a little risk, now and again. You might be pleasantly surprised! :)
Zoey, as much as I love Twitter, it is a commitment, and for a business owner who is trying to do it all, I can understand why they might not want to be there. There’s a time commitment involved with Twitter and sometimes it’s not the right platform. Not everyone has success with it, especially if they have deep-seated prejudices against using it or their customers aren’t there. Thanks so much for commenting, Zoey! I appreciate it.
People want all the benefits of Twitter with none of the work. Unfortunately, relationship building doesn’t work that way! It’s not a “just-add-water deal.
Thanks again for commenting!
Carol