12 Most Unexpected Ways Twitter Changed My Life
Back in 2008, when I first signed up for Twitter, I had no idea what a wondrous, unexpected and profitable ride it would be. I was a bit baffled at first, watching all those tweets fly by… and this was back when there were few people hanging out on twitter! Haha! As time progressed, I found many incredible uses for Twitter.
Before Twitter, being able to connect with potential clients was the same ole, go to network meetings, write articles, blog and hope folks would “find you”.
While I initially viewed twitter as a great connection tool for business, it is the amazing personal relationships on Twitter that have fed my spirit. There are many, many benefits I personally receive from using Twitter. As I think back to my initial entry into the Twitter world, below are the most unexpected benefits I’ve received personally over the last few years.
1. Inspire Others
While this may sound easy, it takes thoughtful intention on a consistent basis to be able to deliver meaningful inspiration. It is more than tweeting quotes you copy & paste. Being able to add your take to them and give them out to people who you can see in their tweet they could use a lift in that moment.
How are you being inspirational in the moment?
2. Making friends
Making friends is really easy on twitter as you have the opportunity to go deeper in a conversation than in many IRL situations over a shorter time span. What this looks like is, you talk via twitter, are willing to ask the next question – which opens a door to share & discover with one another. It can be done in micro moments via twitter, then off you go having a real conversation about what matters to you – voila friend who gets you!
How are you making friends via twitter?
3. Expanded Education
With our global world online, you get to learn what is happening all over the world instantly. Practically better than beam me up Scotty! I do not have to visit to get a feel for what is happening elsewhere in the world. Immensely better that I do not have to physically visit a war torn area to know what goes on – I can send my prayers they find peaceful resolution with more detail and meaning – because I can read tweets from the people who are in the middle of it.
Do you expand your education of our world and make a difference?
4. My Favorite Help Desk
This was more widely done in the early days. If you have great connections on twitter, people will often pipe up and offer answers when you ask. I loved not having to go through piles of google searches to get a quick answer. Tweeting out a question asking for something specific – like “Who knows how to find where to _______?” – help generates incredible speed in your work day. You get answers in a tweet and keep moving forward on your project.
How could you speed up your day by asking a simple question?
5. Instant Librarian
Ever been writing and you cannot find a good word to express what you want to say? Me too, I tweet and ask for “what word works better than “gaining” and immediately my “word smiths” online tweet me back.
How cool is it to have en instant online library?
6. Generosity Grows via Twitter
What a cool way to find positivity, than to be generous and also have it given to you in return. I love how on twitter most people are incredibly kind and giving. We give to each other well wishes, prayers when those family crises strike or even when you need help letting folks know about a community event. The folks on Twitter have a community mindset and it shows in their generosity like Danny Brown, John Haydon, Trey Pennington, and Dan Newman.
Have you found your communities generosity team?
7. Courageous Conversations
Courage is something that even introverts gain while on twitter. Twitter makes it easier for people to come out of their shells. Now for those of you who might be saying well that is not authentic… a pox on your house! These conversations are authentic, because those introverts are opening up in ways that would take years for them to reach in other situations. So we are talking timing here, not ability. Giving each other permission to be more courageous in our lives benefits everyone… living in your brilliance takes a village.
How do you step out in courage with your online conversations?
8. Eye Openers
Eye openers to the world around you, twitter is like a set of glasses that allows you to see everywhere – like explorers in the ships years ago, we can explore with twitter, experience, learn new cultures, new languages and new ways of viewing the world with additional input which allows us to blossom in ways only available before if you sailed the deep blue seas.
Where do you sail and experience a new set of eyes on Twitter?
9. New Student
Being a student at heart, twitter gives us the opportunity to learn so many new things & ideas. Whether it is understanding cloud computing from the online geek or the essence of aromatherapy from the holistic healer – our worlds are expanded by the ability to reach out and learn from each others via twitter.
Who have you reached out to and learned from this week?
10. Better Citizens
In us expanding our worlds, there comes along a new responsibility. Being willing to be better citizens gives us all an opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways. We see unjustness, we can speak up and band with the one another. Banding together brings an awareness that allows for new rules, new choices and new paradigms to be born from our choice to be better citizens with one another.
How are you making a difference and being a better citizen?
11. Gain Business
One of my favorites is when folks read, listen and talk with me, they gain a level of understanding, knowing and trust in who I am. Being willing to be “real” has brought me business. Imagine a world where everyone can talk with you – not meaning there is no filter, but the ability to reach out, ask you questions, and get to know you. Then what happens is, people have a level of comfort asking you to work with them. WHY? Because they feel you understand them and are part of their team. Those are words that makes every business owner go YES! (That has been my philosophy since coming to Twitter)
How are you gaining business trust via twitter?
12. Influence Others
Influence others, we hear it said a lot and what does it mean. It means a lot of things depending on how and where you are using it. It also brings a level of responsibility along, that you think about others needs as well as your own. Do you pass along great knowledge because you love it and can help! You influence. Do you read a tweet and then take an action to resolve what ever the need was expressed-personal or business wise? You are an influence. Some of my favorite influencers include Chris Garrett, Olivier Blanchard, and Bob Burg.
How will you look for ways to influence to make our world a better place today and who are your influencers?
Featured image courtesy of Josh Semans licensed via creative commons.
Michele Price is the host of Breakthrough Business Strategies Radio and Women in Business Radio. Being a natural creator of strong, loyal, and profitable online communities, bringing the power of PR, interactive marketing, and social media to local businesses, literary talent, and speakers is how she serves in her business. Michele has been an entrepreneur for 30 years and she has used creative marketing since the 80‘s, before we had social media platforms. Michele gives emotionally powerful keynotes on community building marketing, Mobs with Megaphones (tm) online branding and Viral Velcro (tm) social media communications. Michele won her first Toastmasters speech out the gate and now focuses on delivering messages that hit home for businesses.
