140 characters

Of course Twitter was going to come up with a smart way to innovate AND satisfy customer demand, Twitblogs! Now, you don't have to limit yourself to 140 characters and you can add images, etc. Well, it's certainly a good thing for those of us who like using this social platform to extend our client's causes BUT I kind of liked the short, "must think concisely" older version. Nostalgia. It's getting so 5 minutes ago, isn't it?

Anyway, ok I haven't tweeted for a while, and I have my reasons (going to get back on the train today!) but my laziness aside I like the tightness of the medium BECAUSE it makes you THINK. How can I express something in a meaningful way with just a few words? Yes, we are children (or parents) of the sound bite era so we should be used to this type of short format. But I think most of us found it surprisingly fun, if not a challenge.

Our agency will certainly use this new opp for clients. I will try to get my act together and tweet more regularly. Gosh, there's always something to do, isn't there? LOL!
 

Source: nirmaltv.com

I am making a bold step and “exposing” a little bit of myself in this blog… so here goes.  For the last few months (!!) I have found myself involuntarily thinking and processing my life events in 140 characters or less: “Kelly often wonders why people on the streets of NYC act like people can’t see them when they are picking their nose in public.” “Kelly knows the day is going to be good when the trains on the morning commute are totally in sync.” “Kelly wishes she was outside enjoying the amazing September weather today.” This happens regardless of whether or not I actually post the information in my status.  My internal editor processes the content and then it goes through the “is this interesting enough for an actual update” phase.

I was secretly ashamed that I have been so overtaken by my social media (and a little worried that I might be going a little loopy) and thought I must be the only person that is doing this. The internal pressure to be clever, inventive and “create reaction” was almost overpowering. Then, breakthrough. In a casual conversation with friends the subject naturally came up and my friends admitted that they were doing the exact same thing. I at once let out a big sigh of relief and we all half joked about how Facebook, Twitter and the likes have changed the way we process our life experiences… what is too much to tell your network of 300+ friends? What is funny and are we really becoming “too social” when broadcasting all of our virtual dirty laundry?

It is undeniable the power of social media and for the hundreds of millions of users in the world it has created a platform for not only information sharing but for self-expression and promotion. I am not an anthropologist, philosopher or behavioral scholar, but it seems very clear to me (at least in my own head) that the “status update” mentality will forever change how we think and share information with our friends/followers.

Source: buildamovement.com