Since I started blogging in November 2007, I’ve been debating whether I should create a Twitter account. This micro-blogging service appears simple enough, yet it completely intimidates me. What if my 140-character statements are borin
g? What if no one follows me? What if I look like a complete stalker?
To overcome my fears, I’ve been doing a lot of research. Luckily, there are a lot of great posts out there to help newbies start “tweeting”–I’m not sure how I feel about all this avian terminology!– but I still feel lost in this new endeavor of mine.
I created my account tonight, but I can’t even figure out how to start following people (edit: figured it out!). I feel like a Twitter failure, but I’m not giving up yet.
As a PR student, I’m interested to see how this tool can be used to build relationships, initiate conversations, and spark new ideas. Even if I don’t find myself completely taken with it, I’ll at least have an understanding about Twitter’s pros and cons, which can only be beneficial in our social media-obsessed economy.
For those thinking about joining Twitter, here are some great resources to read before signing up:
- Guide to Twitter for PR Students by Dr. Karen Russell
- The Big Juicy Twitter Guide by Caroline Middlebrook
- Newbie’s Guide to Twitter by Rafe Needleman
- How Can PR Practitioners Use Twitter by Ben Matthews
- Examples of Twitter Providing Business Benefit by Paull Young
I’ll keep you updated on the Great Twitter Experiment, and if you’re interested, feel free to follow me: http://twitter.com/megmroberts.
