Chris and I were talking about followers last night, and now I’m wondering if I have any. Specifically, he’s been extolling the virtues of Twitter to me (I know! I’m as shocked as you are that he of all people is on Twitter) as a useful professional tool, but I’m just not seeing it.
Admittedly, I know very little about Twitter. It seems to me to be a tool people use to let others know when they’re “heading to Target!” or “picking the kids up from school” (which has actually been a “tweet” from Lance Armstrong, who has thousands of followers, including Chris, apparently interested in his carpool habits.)
But Chris says it’s way more useful than that.
The more he talked, the more interested I became in the possibility of getting more people to read my stuff, of reaching unknown editors or agents with potential writing jobs to send my way. My hang-up was that I didn’t understand how one gets “followers” (other than your own friends who you already email and text and Facebook with...) and he rambled for a bit about networking and common interests and sharing interesting links with total strangers.
None of that really answered my question. Except then I thought about how a friend recently told me that one of her friends, whom I’ve never met, reads my blog. And how that’s not the first time I’ve been told that.
That got me wondering who really does read this thing, besides the faithful 8 or so friends and family members who regularly post comments. So I’m asking you ... if you stop by this space every once in awhile to read I’m Just Sayin’ and you’ve never commented, please come out from lurkdom for just one moment and say hello. If for no other reason than to tell me whether you think Twitter is a waste of cyberspace.
14 comments:
I read your blog, Robyn! I'm a "follower", so everytime you post something new it pops up on my dashboard. We miss you over at BBC! The boys are both gorgeous. =)
Katie
So now that's at least two people who have attempted to explain the virtues of Twitter to you....I continue to wait patiently for you to join our 100-times-more-awesome-than-Facebook community :)
I check in every morning at work!!
If you figure out Twitter, please please share. I'm totally intimidated by it. I know there's a purpose. I have an account. But I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with it now. I'm pretty sure no one wants to read: "I'm going to Starbucks" 12 times a day.
And your blog is awesome. It's tops in my RSS reader! (Although it makes me feel guilty because you know I would've been the person to splash the old guy by driving through a puddle near him ... at least now I'll think twice about it).
And to Morgan, you know the reason you don't like Facebook is because it would shove you in the locker and throw your glasses on the ground so fast you'd be begging your mom for a transfer. Stop being such an FB hater. : )
I don't twitter, but I subscribe to your blog via Google Reader RSS feed.
Hi!
Hi Robyn! My name is Terri and I live in Indiana. I think you are a very talented writer, indeed. I stumbled upon your blog a while back, a link through a friends blog and I keep coming back to it for the poignancy, grace, and humor! The maternity jeans entry I forwarded to all my friends who had been pregnant in the last year, I was laughing so hard. And I also have two adorable sons, 3 and 6 months, so I do feel I can relate well to you. Your boys are beautiful. Thank you for sharing and keepin' it real.
I read your blog. Lol I think you knew that though.
I read it every now and them, between breaths :)
I'm on Twitter. No one seems to care when I post inane going-ons, such as "I just waxed my eyebrows by myself and I didn't look like Dylan McKay from 90210 or Vanilla Ice." However, Dylan McKay or some cyber impostor started following me on Twitter after that.
Thanks everyone for saying hi. Terri, I'm glad I've given you a laugh or two. And Katie, I used to read your blog (I have it bookmarked) but you've made it private and now I can't get in. :(
Liz, I love your blog too!
I'm still reading your blog! It helps to know that Shannon and I aren't the only sleep deprived zombies/parents. :)
- Chew
Hi Robyn, This is Bryan, former IT guy at the packet. I've been a lurker for a while now after finding the link on Morgan's blog. I find your writing funny, poignant and witty. My favorite was the entry about Chris being known at the coffee shop for his morning mixture and you at DQ for yours.
Hey Robyn,
I also found your blog by way of other former Packet people. I like reading about your adventures because you provide such a great insight into the creation of a family life.
And, I still remember how you told Jeff and Fitz I did a good job handling a difficult phone call one evening during my first few weeks at the Packet. That was really cool.
As far as Twitter goes, maybe check out this post: http://www.buzzmachine.com/2009/04/29/the-twitter-flight-well-train/
I just popped in after looking up the phrase "just sayin'". lol I'm a crafty mama of a toddler though and I enjoyed reading some of your posts. The one about The Boss is heart breaking. I have already had to cancel things and it's a tough, tough thing to do. :)
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