Dear Mr. Skeptical Non-Twitter User,
I get this all the time: (skeptically) “What is Twitter?”
This is how I answer: “It’s a collective stream of consciousness that you can listen to and contribute to.”
Most of the time, Mr. (or Ms.) Skeptical non-Twitter users goes on to say this: “I don’t want to hear about some guy who’s in line at a coffee shop. And I definitely don’t want to hear about the color and consistency his kid’s poop! I don’t see the VALUE!!”
To them I say something like this: “How totally ignorant can you be? I mean, a simple effort of educating oneself (where are you life-long learners?) reveals all kinds of value. What you so shortsightedly believe is that twitter is nothing more than full-tilt lifecasting, which I agree is stupid, a huge waste of time and an un-followable offense unless you’re a celebrity of some standing. What I’m talking about is mindcasting which is incredibly valuable, virtually priceless in fact.”
Let’s break it down
Collective Stream:
I dove into this in a previous blog post, but basically the internet has become a giant think tank. Why anyone would pay a think tank for work these days is beyond me. The stream of consciousness is collective thinking and sharing at its best. The opportunity to garner tons of personal and professional value from simply listening to the right folks and the right time is electronic gold.
Listening:
My 3rd grade teacher always said, “You have two ears and one mouth, use them in proportion.” I’m going to adapt that and say, you have two eyeballs and one mouse, use them in proportion. (Yes, I know you type with your (2) hands, but not everybody has just one hand. Cut me some slack) I’m the first one to admit that there are a TON of people smarter than me on the internet adding, contributing and sharing everyday. I’m smart enough to know that if I listen to them, learn from them and adapt what they share to my own bag of tricks, then one day I will be one of those people. Maybe not in this lifetime, but definitely the next one.
Contributing:
Now I am the first to admit that I have done my share of lifecasting:
- Redsyn: Finished with the MTB ride. Missing: one lung. If seen, please DM @redsyn.
- Couldn’t help myself on this one – Redsyn: Just reported: Phil Michelson has contacted Tiger’s wife for tips on how to beat him. (insert rim shot here.)
But it’s really seasoning in the stew:
- Redsyn: For all you visual chart junkies This is pretty badass: http://bit.ly/ZwT7z via 6 tweets new @rloren.
- Redsyn: Why Design Thinking Is the Next Competitive Advantage http://bit.ly/7ieZPD
- Redsyn: Hey Business Leaders: ACT LIKE AN ARTIST! http://bit.ly/5waXED Yes, this means you.
What I’m really doing is contributing to the consciousness. What I’m really doing is being authentic. For the sake of my business (I’m a real person at Uboon2) and for my personal brand (I’m a real person behind the curtain). Like you, I am and we are tired of the BS, the close to the vest corporate way of doing things. We submit that rats and cockroaches like the dark. Therefore they are afraid of flipping the lightswitch of Social Media on. It shows just how hideous hiding really is. We’re also tired of the screaming lies companies and marketers continue to pump out. We’ve all stopped listening. Authenticity is the new differentiator. It’s the new value proposition.
Twitter is a great opportunity to be authentic, to build a brand (your own and your company’s) and to interact in a way that is becoming increasingly attractive (from a revenue standpoint) to potential marketers and consumers alike.
So Mr. Skeptical non-Twitter user, do you understand what Twitter is now?
