It’s the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.So, I’ll be bold and just say it: As much as we all love Twitter, is it possible that maybe we love it a little too much?
I have to say, when I first heard about Twitter, I didn’t get it. Couldn’t understand the fascination. But when I finally plunged into the Twitter Universe a couple of months ago, it sucked me into its vortex and I’ve had trouble finding my way out.
But anything, no matter how good and fun, can be unhealthy when taken to extremes.
So I recently evaluated my purposes for being on Twitter and made a plan to help me set and stick to reasonable limits. Below is what I came up with:
Reasons I Twitter:
1. To connect and interact with blog readers in a more personal and interactive way than is possible via blog comments and email. I had found that Twitter has really helped me to turn “acquaintances” into friends.
2. To find new blogs. Since I follow mostly moms, it’s like having a great list of blogs that are just waiting to be discovered! I’ve found some awesome ones that I probably would never have stumbled on otherwise.
3. To drive traffic to my blog and gain new readers. I’d like to say that this is always my #3 priority, but, honestly, sometimes it’s #1, sometimes #2. I’m trying to keep it at #3 because I truly want my social networking to be mostly about encouraging others. But as a writer trying to build her platform (audience), getting known is important to getting my message out.
Keeping my purposes in mind has helped me to be more deliberate and productive with my time on Twitter.
My Plan for Twitter Sanity:
• After getting kids to school and morning devotions: 45 minutes (30 minutes blogging & 15 minutes Twitter time)
• Lunchtime: 15 minutes of Twitter
• While kids are doing homework (if they don’t need my help): 15 minutes of Twitter
• Evening: 30 minutes of Twitter and visiting blogs
I’m even setting a timer. When the buzzer goes off, I’m done. Where I’m at with raising kids, this is about all the time I can spend and still do my freelance writing and all the things I need to do to care for my family.
I’m not saying this is the plan for you, or that you need a plan. You'll have to decide what's right for you. But I’m a structure girl. If I don’t have a plan, I flounder -- and Twitter. Far too much.
Okay, now on to Tweet Me Tuesday (within reasonable limits, of course!)
• Tweet this post! Then visit Kristen at Hands, House, Heart Full. She is my co-host in this Blog Hop!
• Link up a post you’d like Tweeted using Linky Tools below. It can either be your most recent post or an older, favorite post you'd like to share with a new audience.
• Follow me and Kristen on Twitter! (if you’re not already)
• Visit the links below and Tweet as many posts as you'd like (linked below).
• Follow as many of these bloggers as you’d like on Twitter. (You can follow their blogs, too.)
• When you Tweet a blogger’s post, leave a comment telling them you tweeted it as part of Tweet Me Tuesday.
If you tweet at us/about us/for Tweet Me Tuesday please use the hashtag #TMT. It makes it easier for us to find your tweets! Not sure about hashtags? See Kristen's post from a couple weeks ago.
Finally, please remember that Tweet Me Tuesday is about Linky Love! Please don't just leave you link and fly off! Visit as many of the others listed as you can. The more you interact with others, the more benefit to everyone.
Alright -- get to tweeting!
I used to be that way about Twitter. But I kind of fell out of love with it. Too time consuming. I'm finding that connecting with my blog readers through a FB fan page is a better fit for me. I tweet now and again, but not with the regularity I once did.
ReplyDeleteI have to honestly say I'm still in "don't really get it" stage with Twitter.. *scratching head*.. which is prob a good thing b/c I already spend enough time on the ole' pc! :)
ReplyDeleteTwitter is ridiculously addicting! Im on it more than Facebook I think- and that is a whole other addiction!
ReplyDeleteI think I need an intervention. lol
Hi Melinda, I'm with you here. AlthoughTwitter isn't as addicting to me as facebook, to be honest. But I do like it.
ReplyDeleteI love your timer idea and I need to do that. I find that I am being pro-active in spending time talking to my clients on the phone and in person to be sure I don't just get sucked into doing everything via computer. The timer trick would be good too! Thanks!
I fully agree with the addictive nature of Twitter and setting boundaries is a wise step to take. I do find though what time of day is best to tweet about a new post if I want to draw new readers. It has surprised me that early evening (Eastern time) is a key time so will often try to tweet at least once then too.
ReplyDeleteTweeted this as part of tween me Tuesday!
Very wise to set limits. I like Twitter for connecting with other people in my niche, and for finding relevant information for my readers. I used to write about it (every Twitter Tuesday or Micro Monday :) ). Then I switched formats to having the 5 most recent show up in the right column, thanks to Twitter Tools. It doesn't show the @ so I can have fun with those but for my regular tweets, it forces me to be very selective in what I write about since I want it to be more relevant to my readers. That, alone, probably helps me conserve time too :) That, and several grandkiddies and a senior mom who all need plenty of time from me too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for Tweet Me Tuesday - have a blessed week!
I think many of us go through that "What's the big deal" stage...only to be "sucked in". I think it's an awesome idea to set a timer (I try to remember to set one on my phone) and having a routine definitely helps...unless of course your routine gets interrupted lol. (Which has been happening to me for the last few Tuesdays, including today!). Awesome ideas Melinda!!
ReplyDeleteTweeting it out for Tweet Me Tuesday!!
Now I feel kinda lucky that I still haven't figured twitter out completely! Your schedule reminds me of what I try to do with myself with blogging.
ReplyDeleteI'm OK with Twitter. Not too much of a fan because I HATE talking to myself.
ReplyDelete