Twitter isn\’t the only microblogging service on the Web. It\’s not even the best microblogging service on the Web.
In Twitter Power, I describe a number of sites that also let members post short notes to tell friends and followers what they\’re up to. Plurk, for example, is alive and kicking, and it looks great. It has neat icons, a clever, horizontal timeline and all sorts of add-ons and gizmos that make it look a lot of fun to play with.
But hardly anyone uses it.
That\’s because Twitter has something that\’s essential for microblogging and it\’s something that other similar sites don\’t have: critical mass.
Because Twitter is so simple to use, lots of people began using it. And because lots of people were using it, everyone benefited. Communities began to form, conversations took place and information began to be exchanged.
That\’s what Twitter is all about.
But the community that makes Twitter such a special place can also be off-putting for new members. It\’s like being the new guy at work. Everyone\’s standing around the watercooler chatting, and you\’re not sure how to join the conversation.
There are two solutions, and if you\’re new to Twitter, you should be doing both.
The first is to bring people with you. It\’s always much easier to go to a party with friends than to go alone. So tell your Facebook friends that you\’re now on Twitter and encourage your offline friends to join too. They don\’t have to be professional connections. Even your social contacts will help to keep your timeline active and give you a new way to stay in touch.
And the professional connections you\’ll be making on Twitter will see that you\’re human and friendly, just like them.
The second thing you can do is jump right in.
Post comments, ask questions and retweet. Don\’t be concerned if the person you\’re asking doesn\’t answer. People with lots of followers can\’t answer every tweet they receive (although you can be sure they read as many as they can.) And remember, you can always delete tweets later if you want.
Tweet regularly, especially about your line of business, and you should find that your followers grow and you start to build a whole new community around you. It won\’t be long before you\’re the king or queen of your watercooler.