August 3rd, 2007

Twitter Is Now An Extension Of My Blogging

by Scott Karp

It didn’t take long, but I’m now posting things to Twitter that are very much an extension of what I post on this blog. There may have been a few instances where I posted a link or a thought to Twitter that might have previously been a blog post, but I’m not sure.

I’m definitely using Twitter for Publishing 2.0-type observations that are too short for a blog post. I’ve never used Del.icio.us for link blogging because I’ve always preferred to create fully fleshed out blog posts that tie together different items I might bookmark. But Twitter is proving to be a great outlet for these short items of interest. And the great thing about Twitter vs. Del.icio.us is that Twitter sometimes talks back.

For example:

scottkarp Advertisers pulling ads from Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yooku3

chrisod @scottkarp much ado about nothing? does anybody really think a banner ad implies endorsement of content? Thought we were over this years ago

scottkarp @chrisod Facebook can tell the advertisers their concerns are passe, but it won’t get revenue back – display ads on Facebook = stupid

OR

scottkarp House bill requires bloggers to make $$$$ to qualify for journalist shield law: http://tinyurl.com/yrkgas

Both of these examples may yield a blog post when I have time, but I’ll share it on Twitter first, and maybe Twitter only if I end up not finding time to write a blog post.

Of course, I’m also sharing the mundane facts about my day that definitely would have no place on this blog, but that’s part of the strange and wonderful Twitter mix.

If you have any interest in following me on Twitter and or discovering what Twitter is all about, you don’t have to actually post to Twitter yourself — or you can make your posts invite only if you want to experiment.

But I highly recommend that you try it — set up a Twitter account and add a bunch of people, maybe bloggers you follow who, like me, are also posting to Twitter. Then install Twitterrific or a similar real-time app (for you poor Windows users) to watch the flow.

But I recommend you try posting too — you won’t have the full experience unless you contribute as well as follow.

Topics: Blogging | Twitter

  • Thanks Scott, nice brief. I think I'll end up doing the same for Openads.

    Have you considered adding a badge to your blog showing your most recent twitts*? Perhaps you're keen to keep your blog 'clean' and to avoid confusing your existing audience.

    cheers, Oliver

    * Okay, okay... it's not a real word but it seems pretty funny to me.

  • Can there can be a meaningful use for Twitter?

    Only time will tell!

    Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

    Brian Humphrey
    Firefighter/Specialist
    Public Service Officer
    Los Angeles Fire Department

    LAFD Blog: http://lafd.org/blog

  • Scott,

    While I have been following you on Twitter since last week's post, only today did I turn on notifications...and I received 4 text messages as a result. While I enjoy your writings, and appreciate your ideas, receiving text messages for random thoughts that come to mind for you is not the most ideal use for Twitter, I don't think. I think there are more constructive ways to utilize it.

    For instance, being in automotive online retail, I am brainstorming ways for dealers to utilize the service. Imagine a car dealer with Twitter, posting tid bits about specials and promotions that might be of interest to shoppers. You visit a dealer site b\c you are shopping for a car, you follow his Twitter, and every day or so you get a text message about something relevant to your interest. That, to me, would be a constructive use for this service.

    And as teddlesruss pointed out, Twitter can be used as your press release.

    Something to keep in mind.

    -Ryan

  • I agree. I have also found it useful for raising money for worthy causes - like this one
    http://cambodiabloggingsummit....

  • You forget one other thing Twitter does for web.publications - publicity...

    Using a web application that essentially checks ALL your publications online and posting as much of the title and body as can fit in the 140 character limit means that when you post something new to one of those publication then within a timeframe that you set, ALL your friends and anyone watching the public timeline (if you unprotect your messages) knows about your latest.

    If Twitter is a publication itself, then that feature is your Press Releases.

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