Comments on: Talking about Twitter

By: My daily toolbox « Amy Sample Ward’s Version of NPTech

My daily toolbox « Amy Sample Ward’s Version of NPTech — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:32:59 +0000

[…] About « Talking about Twitter […]

By: kanter1

kanter1 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:08:21 +0000

I think it also works as a way to get fast input from people too – not just to tell people what you are doing – but get people’s thoughts .. great post!

By: amysampleward

amysampleward — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:32:08 +0000

Marina- Thanks for the additional examples! You add a great point that I completely agree with but obviously failed to include: the conversation and communication in Twitter is not and should not be one sided. It shouldn’t be shouting out at the Twitter-verse, as it were, but communicating WITH the community.

Drew- Glad you are investigating the value add for yourself – keep us updated on lessons you learn or insights you have!

Sue- You bring up a great example, that the conversations you have on Twitter can be a much faster connection to answers, information, and news. I know that I personally have had experiences with breaking news and new releases of reports that I was only exposed to thanks to Twitter.

By: Marina Martin

Marina Martin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:59:35 +0000

I think Twitter is an excellent tool for any non-profit to use to get the word out about important issues, find new volunteers, encourage participation in various action items, etc.

However, I think it’s critically important to remember that Twitter should be used as a communication tool and not simply as a megaphone.

I realize that staff and volunteers are already stretched thin, but even a small level of interaction is what builds community. Answer questions from the community; get to know your staff and volunteers on a more personal level (with the secondary benefit of learning about skills or connections that may be of benefit to the non-profit); live-tweet events like Breast Cancer walks; find ways for the Twitter community to interact for a good cause; etc.

By: drewbernard

drewbernard — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:16:03 +0000

Amy, I agree with you completely

“I think that many people in nonprofits using Twitter are truly building a community of people interested in their work or that can share insight in their work.”

I have have had a twitter account for months, but haven’t until recently really found value in it… The value I find is precisely as you have describe. I often have 5 to 10 new tabs to review after going through my twitters. Interesting use case with CCN, also..

By: Sue Waters

Sue Waters — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:24:48 +0000

I totally agree you, Amy “They are using the tool as another facet of information gathering, listening, dispensing information, and having a conversation”. I interact with a wide range of groups in twitter from educators, web designers, web programmers and non-profit and for the majority it’s not about building identity its about collaborating and helping one another, to gain knowledge at a considerably faster rate than we could independently.

Shame the article from the New Times doesn’t have comments so we could share our tips on effective use of twitter etc.