Lots of people are joining Twitter. Most of them are either bragging on themselves or telling you what they had for dinner. Very few of them are interesting. And that’s breaking Dave Taylor’s rule.
I asked him last week for one piece of advice to folks new to the Twitter world. “Be interesting,” he told me, without missing a beat.
What’s interesting about Dave Taylor is that he doesn’t really think about how he “uses” Twitter. He’s just using it – genuinely and without much guile.
Humble Self-Promotion
Sure, Taylor does use Twitter for what you’d call “business purposes.”
Even so, you’d almost never know from his Twitter messages that he is the author of tons of books and a myriad of blogs. You also might miss that he’s a sought-after keynote speaker.
Aw’ C’mon Dad, Can’t We Get Another Puppy?
Taylor also writes a parenting blog. And yes, on Twitter he does write about his own and his family’s life – in 140 characters or less. He does so in a poignant, fluid way that almost seems stream of consciousness. He told me it’s not:
Well, actually, I suggest that I am very conscious of how I do this. I write about my kids in the abstract. I never name them. If they are in a pissy mood, I don’t explain why. I often do this because I’m a single dad with 3 kids and I get tired, stressed or frustrated. On Twitter other parents will see this and they may reassure me, tell me ‘it will pass’ or give me suggestions.
The Pied Piper of Boulder
By far the most interesting thing Taylor does on Twitter is to get real people together for real events. You heard me right. Follow him on Twitter and you’re more likely to get invited to coffee or a movie than you are to hear about how great he is.
Sometimes he invites people on the spur of the moment:
“Considering 2:20pm matinée of Max Payne at Westminister 24 theater today. Anyone want to join me?“
Sometimes he organizes larger, more planned get-togethers:
“Hey local Coloradoans: I’m thinking of hosting a dinner & movie in Denver next week to see “Slumdog Millionaire”. Who’s in??”
You have only to scan a few Twitter entries to realize how rare that is. Instead of holing up in his basement, he’s connecting people – not just virtually, but also in real life.
For all of this, Dave Taylor is fairly uninterested in the technology and the hubbub surrounding Twitter – calling it “just the tool of the moment.” And, he’s fairly grounded when it comes to the personal lines he draws:
I have always approached social networks as “social” networks. But, I keep the Company Christmas Party in mind. Sure, I have fun, but I never go beyond a certain point. You don’t want to have something that will embarrass you in the morning.
So, Dave Taylor’s advice if you’re going to your company Christmas party this year? “Be interesting.”
13 comments ↓
Michael, what a refreshing post about Twitter. Dave is a fascinating guy…
But, you and Sheryl – I can think of no more interesting people to have on Twitter! Glad I was able to play just a small part in convincing you to get on…
cheers,
Graeme
http://www.twitter.com/graemethickins
Hi Graeme,
Heck, we only report the news. But, we have to admit that Twitter is enticing, compelling and pretty addictive. However, we still think it’s mostly blather. We’re keeping an open mind, though, and folks like Dave Taylor keep us interested. So, yes, you did help to convince us – we’ll wait to see if we thank you or blame you.
Best advice I’ve been reminded of lately…
“Be Interesting.”
By default, the people who “follow” me on twitter do so ’cause at one point in time (the first time, presumably) they were interested.
What got them interested, however, I don’t always know. So, by keeping my focus on sharing something relevant, interesting and timely, I get to “keep” them following.
Oh, and the people I follow…yeah, they’re interesting!
Thanks Jason,
Makes me think of a new Twitter pastime – “The 4 Most Interesting People I Follow on Twitter.” – If they weren’t long names they might fit in the 140 characters, perhaps even with comments. Twitter your top 4 to us – and we’ll start a movement!
Thanks again.
Great detail on how Dave uses Twitter! I am learning each day following your posts and tweets. I’m especially into the search function. Searched on “Boulder” yesterday, found a professional acquaintance who had just posted his first tweet 10 hours earlier.
So far it appears the random thoughts and reports on daily activities are the gist of everyone’s Twitter use. Dave’s use to prompt actual meetings is an intriguing variation.
Michael — GREAT post…as both professional and parent I get concerned about how technology keeps us distant from true interpersonal relationships…this is a terrific example of it bringing people together in a compelling manner.
It’s especially powerful, as well, when he says Twitter is the “tool of the moment.” Great stuff…
Thanks Dan and Scott,
For your great comments.
In a world of online marketing experts talking to online marketing experts about online stuff – you are both the kind of folks who will determine whether this is just a tech industry toy, or whether its a legitimate business tool.
And, yes, Dan, “search” is the key that opens up the opportunities in the Twitter world. We’ll be writing more about that soon.
As always, Michael and Sheryl, YOU ARE INTERESTING! This is a great post about Dave Taylor and the right way to be using Twitter! It’s not about the technology, its about the personalities using the technology (oh that sounds like something Mark Sanborn would say
)
Keep trying new things and using your powers for good!
Hi Gina,
We definitely follow you because you’re interesting – and because you wear neat boots. And, for the readers of the blog who want to know what Gina is talking about – Mark Sanborn said in a keynote this morning, “Don’t ever let the power of technology get confused with the power of personality.” We have no idea what he meant!
Great post about Dave Taylor — he was one of the first Twitter-ers I chose to follow BECAUSE he as posting interesting content!
He does a great job of balancing information-sharing with being personable and humanizing the technology.
http://www.twitter.com/noraburns
I gotta say, I’m rarely at a loss for words, but.. wow. Thanks. I am humbled by your extraordinarily kind words! Thanks again.
Hi Dave and Nora -
Ain’t Twitter a hoot?! And you two know how to work it –you dogs! Thanks for the comments!
Glad to have found this. Such great content online that gets lost under the weight of all the great (and not so great content) that piles on top of it.
To Dave’s fiat to, “Be interesting,” I’d add the corollary of ‘Add value.’ It’s sometimes hard to ‘be interesting’ in 140 characters but, through the beauty of URL shorteners, you can always add value. I’m going to add value to my tweeter followers by tweeting this extremely interesting and valuable post.
Follow me on Twitter @tomjgray
Leave a Comment