Excessive Twittering is Ego-Blogging
June 16th, 2008 | Categories: blogs, chat, content, marketing, networks, off topic, social media, web issuesEveryone likes hearing their own voice. But not everyone has something important to say. In fact, it is highly unlikely that everything anyone says is overly compelling. For this reason, I believe that excessive Twittering is a form of ego-blogging.
Doesn’t it seem like some people Twitter just for the sake of Twittering? It drives me nuts. If you’re Twittering 20+ times a day, I doubt the material or content you are sharing is consistently fascinating. My take is that you should only Twitter if you have something important to say - something of major values to others (especially if it includes a link).
Think of it this way: there’s much higher likelihood that your followers will become desensitized to your Tweets, comments, and links if you continually spew out mediocre material. In addition, they will likely skip over your important Tweets, assuming they’re the same quality as the rest. On the other hand, Tweeting important, pertinent content on a sporadic basis will have your followers begging for more. This will ensure that they don’t block or delete you from their list. Furthermore, it may encourage them to share your name with others.
Excessive Twittering reminds me of Facebook apps. They both seemed cool at first - but now they’re just plain annoying. Send a Tweet when you come across something important or you have something significant to share. I don’t need to hear from you every time you scratch your bum.
Tags: blogging, content, ego, engagement, followers, tweets, twitter
June 17th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Thanks for this post. I know many people who would benefit from this advice. Perhaps a not-so-subtle “look at the interesting article I found” would suffice
June 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
You hit it exactly right.
There are some people on my list that I almost don’t read their tweets anymore because they are so frequent. I see their icon and just skip over it. It’s tough though because most of these excessive twitterstars do have some interesting news or something to share every 20 or so tweets that I just don’t want to miss. I think these people know that and twitter on anyways.
It’s an interesting social phenomena that I’m still getting used to.
June 19th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I tend to use Twitter in spurts. During the day I realize it’s there and get an idea for something that may not be a post in the future and I tweet it. And then the next. And the next. Sometimes I get feedback, input, and answers. At other times I just use it as a mass random forum where I pick up things to talk about.
It’s definitely a new animal and hard to tell what is going to happen there. I follow a few people and stop following if they have nothing worthwhile to say, but for the most part I just think people should use it however they feel. The results will be seen in your followers.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
i think it’s naive to say that one should only “Send a Tweet when you come across something important or you have something significant to share”.
Tweet’ing can also used as a form of mass communication that could save me time. For example, if i was running late, i could “TWEET” to let everyone know that i am going to be late by 45 minutes for (fill in the blank here on any activity…for dinner/movie)… so that they know to expect me. This way, i don’t have to inform/call all 20 people involved.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I agree with Jorge, tweeting is communication. It’s semi-instant messaging when you don’t have that persons IM. I realize that wasn’t necessarily its intention, and perhaps we shouldn’t use it like that, but a lot of tweeters do.
For the important stuff, we have Tumblr. That’s where you put the profound stuff, the quotes that matter, the videos that everyone needs to see. Twitter is for communication, not just preparing for a future reincarnation as Einstein.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 am
[…] Other people’s thoughts on Twitter’s Ego Massage […]
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 pm
But what if I like my excessive ego. Jesus didn’t care what his followers thought of him. Why should I?