Best Web Tool 2009: Twitter
December 23, 2009 by Kimberly · Leave a Comment
December 23 Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn’t live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.
I must admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. I only joined Twitter because I had promised Maria Bailey from BSM Media that I’d start using it in 2009. At first, it was a little awkward using this microblogging tool. I would ask more experienced users what I was supposed to tweet (write) about. Now, it comes much more naturally. At first, I tried to limit my tweets to around three or so a day. The more work contacts and friends that I have made on it, has changed my view. I try not to go “too crazy” with my amount of tweets, but it depends on the day. I still also try to be aware of what I write, because twitter is a business tool as well as a social one.
Overall, there is a lot to like about Twitter. The instant connection is what I like the most. Business-wise, I have connected with several new companies and people. Most of my consulting projects this year came from connections that I made on Twitter. On the personal side, I use Twitter as an instant source of advice, input and support. It is especially helpful when my husband is not at home. When Michael was really sick, I received immediate input and support from my Twitter friends. When I received great work news, my Twitter friends were there to send their “Congrats.”
As with most good things, Twitter has a negative side also. There is (practically) always some drama or another going on. I have seen people write the most evil things about one another that I know that they would not say face to face. The great thing though is that you get to choose whether or not you get involved with the drama. If you do decide that it’s worth it to get involved, you get to pick and choose when the 140 character back and forth interaction loses value. (You can always “unfollow” and “block” especially bothersome people.)
Overall, I have had a really great experience with Twitter. I have met some wonderful, supportive people and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. So far, I have only felt it necessary to “block” one person. That was more of a precautionary thing than anything else. (There was a guy who was only following women named a variation of Kim – Kim, Kimberly, etc. That was a little too weird for my liking!)
What about you? What was your favorite web tool for 2009?
