How I use Twitter
Nice Web Type on Twitter is not repackaged RSS, although I do announce each new Notes post. Nor is it a personal stream of consciousness. Instead, its simple goals have been 1) to share what I know/think/find, 2) to listen, and 3) to not be annoying.
Regarding numbers two and three, I read everyone I follow, and I only post if I have a good, on-topic reason. (The rolling articulation of what constitutes “on-topic” is a constant challenge.)
But as for number one, here’s how I balance original content, found goodness, and other things I think are worth your time.
Multi-grain, heart healthy
Notes (blog posts), Delicious bookmarks, Flickr group screenshots, and Twitter favorites are the foundation of what I share. In that order, they range from original content to curated filtration. Each of these things can be subscribed to or visited independently (here are the RSS feeds: Notes, bookmarks, screenshots, favorites).
Now try some of this
Nice Web Type’s Twitter stream is for directing traffic, and also for things that don’t happen anywhere else:
- When I write a new Note, I tell Twitter followers. (These same folks might subscribe to the RSS, but knowing immediately when I press “publish” is a bonus.)
- When I collect enough bookmarks, favorites, or screenshots to warrant a visit’s time, I tell Twitter followers to take a look.
- I have occasional exchanges with excellent folks, although Twitter is not very good at conversation.
- A couple of weeks ago I had a small idea: Phonetic Friday. I’d like to do more things like this.
- Finally, sharing in others’ efforts is something I really enjoy. Recommending folks to follow, calling direct attention to others’ ideas, and using “RT” are things I try to do every so often.
It’s easy to get carried away, especially with things that fall into that last bullet point. Using Twitter in a focused way is as much about restraint as it is about actually generating ideas.
Do you follow Nice Web Type? Do you like how I’m handling it?
