I Am The Most Important Person on Twitter

LAF Note: This post was written by regular contributor Katie Wall.

I recently sat down with a senior level public relations professional and was shocked to hear what he had to say about social media – particularly Twitter.

“I think that Twitter for personal use is laughable,” he said. “What’s the point unless you’re announcing that there are some great parking spots out front.”

Really?twitter-in-heaven

He believes that it’s ridiculous to have a Twitter account unless you are a business.

I beg to differ.

While there are many people who update their Twitter accounts with their normal daily activities (Guilty!) such as what they are eating or where they are, I would argue that these people are the bread and butter of social media and the most important people on Twitter. They are the consumers.

The reason that so many businesses have joined Twitter is because consumers were already there. People with personal accounts are the ones who are engaging in a dialogue about your company and sharing information with networks of people you may not be able to reach otherwise. Without consumers in the social media space, a company would fail on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. After all, who do you think is following your business?

What are your thoughts? Are personal accounts valuable or laughable?

*Image copyright of http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/.

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  • What's all this talk about business vs people? Are there businesses not run by people?
  • GoKTGo
    Of course businesses are run by people! :D

    I think that in Twitter though, businesses opt for different types of voices sometimes - You have companies like Zappos who do a great job of building in their personal voice and then you have other companies that use their Twitter feed solely for customer service. Either way, they are engaging with consumers though - because they ARE people!

    :D
  • Kelly
    I know that there are people who use Twitter, but I'm not sure the Twitterers are the most diverse group. I know a ton of journalists, PR, marketing people who tweet (and all the tech people tweet too), but beyond that I know a ton of people who "don't get it" or "think it's creepy". I'm not sure if Twitter has reached the everyday consumer who doesn't work in our social-media-obsessed PR bubble.

    While I'll admit Twitter can be a great tool when used for both personal and professional purposes, I have to agree with said senior level public relations professional that Twitter is fairly pointless for personal use alone. If you're friends really the play-by-play I'm sure they'd ask, no need for you to preempt them by tweeting.
  • GoKTGo
    You're right, I definitely feel like there is an expansive bubble of communications professionals who are utilizing Twitter, but there are also a lot people who were mommy bloggers, or sports fanatics or college students who are looking to Twitter as the next communications outlet >> But I don't think that following a business or being a consumer is exclusive to any one group of consumers...

    Whether we are communications professionals or not, we still have opinions about brands and are still consumers, just like everyone else >> I know that I follow things like Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Chick-fil-a, not because I'm in PR, but because I like those brands and consume their products regularly.

    Maybe it's creepy, maybe it's overkill, but I still think it's important for the consumers to be in the space (regardless of their profession) in order for businesses to thrive :)

    Thanks so much for commenting! I'm glad you could offer a different opinion on the topic! Sometimes comments all sound the same, but you really made me think/defend my points, so I really appreciate that!!! :D
  • I obviously agree with everyone saying that for many of us it is never just personal or professional but rather a mix of both and for people like us obviously Twitter being "ridiculous" is a laughable comment.

    I can see his point a bit about those solely personal Twitter users who simply write "Eating a Chipotle". It seems silly. I mean who really cares what you have for lunch. Here's why I think they matter:

    1. They're consumers - we've hit that - and businesses would be worthless on Twitter without them
    2. They're followers - they have an interest in businesses, news, celebrity updates, etc. - and they're the ones engaged in following (and being an audience for) all the rest.
    3. They're our friends. I'll admit I check my "friends" list on Twitter just as often as I check any of the rest. And as social media has proven thus far and will continue to prove with the emergence of companies like FourSquare - most of us do are about what our contacts are doing in their personal life. You're at Chipotle? Well hell I'll meet you there cause I feel like a burrito too.

    I suppose I'm saying that Twitter to be is an online reflection of much of the offline world - would businesses in the real world thrive without individuals to support them?
  • GoKTGo
    Right on! I absolutely agree with the fact that most of us who are in the communications profession (or read this blog) have twitter accounts that blend our personal & professional lives, but, like you said, there are also those Chipotle eaters out there that want the world to know that Chipotle is their burrito-builder of choice!

    I love this >> Twitter..is an online reflection of much of the offline world >> I think that is so true! So much of the business world is a direct reflection of what consumers want and where they are - Twitter is no exception :)

    Thanks for stopping by! I love your comments! :D
  • I think personal accounts are valuable; it makes engaging with PR Pros and peers easier and demonstrates social-media savvy, a skill that agencies and organizations alike are looking for in potential candidates and are even asking about in interviews.
  • GoKTGo
    I think that's very true - it's an important skillset to have these days! And I know that it's been talked about a lot, but Twitter is a fantastic way to demonstrate & prove your personal brand
  • Exactly! If there weren't any personal accounts there'd be no reason at all for there to be any business accounts! I think most people who say things like that really don't understand the use of Twitter in terms of networking, learning, and connecting with others. It's not an "away message" like many people think.

    So really, I think education is what is needed to convince people like this otherwise. The thing is, they'll probably be resistant to learning more since they already have their own preconceived notions.

    Whatev, they're missing out! :)
  • GoKTGo
    yeah! I think one of the most valuable parts of Twitter is that it's a constant stream of learning! I think that people who aren't on there personally are missing out on the incredible opportunity to be part of a global think-tank!

    You're right - it is more than just an "away message" or even a "status" >> it's a constant dialogue & pool of great minds just waiting to strike up a conversation! :D
  • deandrad
    Personal accounts are very valuable, in my opinion. Otherwise, how would business know what people are talking about? How would Time Warner know to set up a customer service account if they didn't see that people were expressing their disdain for service via Twitter. It's a social network where people go (especially myself) to complain, applaud, observe, rant and rave and share information.
  • GoKTGo
    Exactly! There are soooo many different reasons that you can utilize Twitter for personal use, where as businesses can only really use the space to respond to or entice consumers. :)
  • If it was just businesses, then there would be no reason for a business to be there. Businesses go with the consumers are, hence businesses searching for social media strategies at such a quick rate.

    On the personal side of Twitter, I think it's of great value. I can honestly say, I've learned more about PR and Marketing being on Twitter for the last year and a half or so than I learned in four years of college.
  • GoKTGo
    I couldn't agree more! I am so thankful to be part of a space that has such an incredible group of people that are sharing ideas & teaching one another >> It's awesome! :D

    I think that it's of value to us to have businesses online, but I don't think they are *more* valuable than we are as consumers...
  • That's the thing, it's never solely just personal or professional for those of us in the 'trenches'. It's a mix of both - BUT - that personality and being a real person w/our community is what's helped us build such a strong network of likeminded people who have helped us grow professionally in our careers. I know that's the case for me and many others who show the personal side on Twitter.

    So, maybe this sr. pr pro is right - having a solely personal account on Twitter IS pointless. The rub is that there's got to be a benefit to you and in your life. And if the professional side of your life is what you're hoping to help nurture and grow by BEING personal, then that's a different story.
  • GoKTGo
    I agree that personal/professional/business Twitter accounts are all important, but I don't think you can just write off one or the other.

    While people like you and I find a great sense of community both personal and professional in the space because of our professions, there are thousands of other people who aren't in any sort of communications field that are part of Twitter and follow businesses or are fans of these companies on Facebook. And i think that if these people didn't exist, then there would be no reason for businesses to be in those spaces.

    Plus, I think that Twitter (like blogging) can be therapeutic for people who use it for personal use, even if they never engage with other people.
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