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The 3 Stages of Twitter Acceptance
October 27th, 2008 · by @WarrenWhitlock · Filed Under: How to Twitter · Twitter Newbie
I was asked by a Facebook friend why he should bother with Twitter.
Right away, I could tell he was in Stage 1.. so I wrote back:
I’d only recommend using Twitter if networking is important to you business. If you need to meet new people, build closer relationships with your network or keep in touch with a lot of people Twitter is the tool for you.
Most people go through 3 stages getting into Twitter.
- It looks like a complete waste of time and “why would anyone want to know what people had for breakfast”
- Friends say “use Twitter” and you get an account to secure your name while you can and still think it’s a waste of time
- You get into a conversation with someone, pick up a new recruit, learn about some news and start saying “how did I live without this?”
Stage 1 is most of the world right now. I’ve seen people in stage 2 for over a year.
FYI, these same three stage occurred in other technologies. For instance, when telephones came out, most executives assigned someone to make calls (if they had a phone at all). The same thing happened with email, Facebook, etc.
If you don’t use Twitter, that’s ok too. Most of my friends are also in Stage 1. I even know a few that refuse to use a phone. No sense worrying about getting everybody to do things the same way.
As we say.. NO RULES in today’s marketing. Just give people what they want, whenever, wherever, and in whatever format they desire. We all demand that today.Technorati Tags: need twitter, twitter book, facebook twitter, social media networking
I have marketing friends who are in Stage 1 and look at me like I’m a bit crazed when I tell them how valuable Twitter is. They say “Wow, you’re really into it, aren’t you?” But I can tell they are thinking “What a waste of time, you won’t see me ever going near that thing, what can it really do for you anyway?”
One of my friends said it best, lots of people live their lives like they are in endgame. They know everthing they need to know, they don’t have the time or inclination to learn anything new, and are quite happy about it. Frankly I lived without a cell phone for years, so I understand the mentality!
Social media is here to stay, it’s just a matter of being “in” or “out” of the conversation. Eventually just about everyone figured out that a cell phone was a must have. It’s only a matter of time until people figure out that Twitter, and other social media platforms, are “must haves” too.
I kept moving up and down the stages, putting my toe in the water, deciding it was a waste of time, coming back a few days later and trying again, still not feeling that it made sense to me. Then Mary Allen told me about twhirl — and everything fell into place. That was the missing piece for me.
One of the hardest things for adults in learning new tech is that we hate feeling stupid or foolish. We don’t like giving up our comfort zones where we feel competent. The work you are doing is so important in helping people see the value (the PULL), showing them how left out they might be (the PUSH), and giving them support to get through the transition (the MIDDLE).
I spent many years helping corporations successfully implement new technology, and always got them to identify the PUSH, the PULL, and the MIDDLE, and what they needed to do to fill in those columns. Works like a charm!
Thanks for helping me become a twitterer — now I must go to Amazon and order your book
Kat Tansey
Author
Choosing to Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master
http://www.choosingtobe.com
Warren/Deb:
What a great assesment of the Twitterer’s lifecycle. I just joined and after one day went from stage 1 to 3. I held off jumping in, convincing myself that you can’t engage in all forms of social media even if they all have merit.
Count me as one of the converted. Thank you for your evangelism.
John Easton
http://www.customerflypaper.com
Warren,
You frame this just right using telephones and cell phones to set the stage. I am sure there were some very talented buggy whip manufactures that did not ever accept the fact that cars took away their market.
You are a leader for businesses to understand the leverage of people really knowing you as a person first. Bravo for your message. People should go the http://www.TwitCastRadio.com and listen to you live and recorded shows about Twitter.
Many people do not realize you help people become #1 book authors. In doing that you help many a person, like myself who wants people to see what they are doing.
Thanks for what you do,
Edward Philipp
CoFounder of http://www.TeleSeminarNation.com
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I was in stage 1 just about 6 weeks ago and moved to stage 3 with warp speed! Anyone who has an entrepreneurial mindset, and the slightest bit of understanding of Marketing should be using Twitter.
It’s the first social media site that has really clicked for me. Now not getting to stage 4–”Twitter is consuming my life and all I want to do”, is another story (just kidding)–time management is the key.
@freerangemom that phrase is so right.. “lots of people live their lives like they are in endgame.”
We’re playing a game (life) where there are an infinite number of pieces available. It still hurts to loose a piece, and there is a cost for going with one over the other.
Today, someone told me that they would “get around to doing Twitter” like it was a chore that needed doing. I think it’s more a new piece on an even bigger board.
This really cracked me up since it is so true. It took about a week until I got my first solid referral and then I was a believer. There has to be a payoff, whether you’re in sales or network marketing, or PR or retail, or just want your message to be heard or to feel like someone cares. Once there’s a payoff people are hooked!
When someone implies it’s a time waster I start rattling off the quality connections I’ve made that have led to new knowledge, personal and professional help, referrals to sales or publicity and more. And I just love being the first to know what’s going on out there! People are really missing out!
I have to admit – I was one of ‘those’ people stuck on phase one, too. Then, I started to read more about how people would put a strategy to utilizing Twitter.
Love the handbook! And, Twitter Revolution should be landing in my mailbox any day now (fingers crossed!).
Thanks, Deb! You were very much an instrumental coach to me in my career/life and I’m so glad to reconnect w/you through Twitter!
Except that I WANTED a cell phone as soon as I knew about them… I was an earlier adopter to portable cell phones too. I still remember the conversation with my partner who urged me to get the permanently installed phone in the car like he had. “Why would you want to take it out of the car??” I was right back then of course.
As for Twitter, I tried it a couple times, it faded out. I still don’t understand how it’s at all useful. All I got was a lot of online diarrhea and drivel. If I have to wade through all that to “connect” with business people, I don’t see how it’s worth it. Maybe I’m doing something wrong or just don’t know how to use the tool, but I’m at Stage 0.5 right now.
I was one of those who couldn’t initially see the point of Twitter. I wish I could remember the pivotal moment when I saw the light but it happened so fast I forget when I had my aha moment.
I have made so many interesting and valuable contacts from all over the world via Twitter and am still only getting started. It’s amazing!
The irony is that the person who invited me to use Twitter in the first place doesn’t seem to use this medium any more.
Warren: Deb
Thank you so much for a great resource.
When I discovered Twitter less than 2 months ago and found some of my favorite Marketers there…it was just no contest.
My experience has been uplifting and have connected with people I would never have known about.As to the benefits?
I am sure that will come in time as the following grows.
Marketing just got so much more fun!
Thanks Again
Robin Piggott
http://www.astraldrivingschool.ie
Twitter is an amazing way to keep up with friends, clients, and others who you share interests in. You have a great resource that many could benefit from…keep up the great work!
Here’s the good side of the huge universe of people who are in Stage 1 — more intimate connections for those of us who already appreciate how powerful Twitter is.
Twitter as you have said is a network of real networks and real social relationships.
In this case at this stage of the Birmingham Arts Fest where the schedule is only now being confirmed to artists, it is largely a matter of recruiting volunteers to work on that and the next phase of the project
—————
christina
Social Bookmarking
Is it possible to go from Stage 1 to Stage 3 in 3 days? (Hey, did I keep that under 120 characters?)
[...] Three Stages of Twitter Acceptance Posted on November 14, 2008 by Matt Alder Great article here that really sums up for me. I went through this exact same process when I first came across [...]
I am coming back into the Virtual workforce after having to close down my business to take care of my mother. Most of my connections had moved on and I was looking for a “leg up” into the Virtual workplace. I took the Class That Warren gave via the Publicity Hound’s website. I stated out at stage one. Had a really problem understanding or trying to help others understand what this whole Twitter Experience was about. I read Warren’s excellent book(if you haven’t read it stop and do it NOW) and the information contained in his book helped me to understand what the Twitter Experience could do for me.
Step 2 happened the 2 day when I got 3 followers. Step 3 happened the 3 day when I realized the knowledge base that I was following and the great networking opportunities that I was discovering daily!
Thanks Warren, Tweet On!
I don’t think I have followed the three stages but I can see how they apply. I tend to say to my friends “you should try twitter” but noone pushed it to me I could see the benefits from the amount of buzz there is online regarding twitter. Most of my friends are avid facebook users and haven’t made the transition yet.
Most of my friends are not working in marketing or web related jobs
so I will need to wait for the penny to drop but in the mean time I find twitter great for connecting and following interesting people.
I personally find twitter more efficient then logging into facebook and it definately feels the gap of the “little updates” that are important.
Warren,
Funny story: In 1988 when I went away to college, my Dad insisted I live in the ONLY dorm on campus that had computers in the rooms. We were called the “Dorm of the Future.” The ultra tech guys on the 4th floor all started using this thing called “e-mail.”
I clearly remember thinking to myself, “That is so ridculous! Just pick up the phone and call. I’ll never use that crazy tech thing.”
LOL.
Could I live without email? Probably not. Same with Twitter.
Thanks for the post and your always excellent resources.
Warmly,
@FeliciaSlattery
http://twitter.com/FeliciaSlattery
Thanks for some levity (laughing at myself over this one!).
I seem to go between 1 and 3 continually! All or nothing, but will eventually start to connect the dots. Twitter, so far, has been the easiest to grasp! Now how to I keep my (young adult) sons from using this to communicate with me? lol… great post tho!
I knew about Twitter for many years from reading articles but none of my friends are users so I didn’t pay much attention. I also didn’t want to have to post multiple times my updates.
The day I found the app that allowed for Twitter to do a status update on Facebook changed my world.
I’ve come across really good information from following tweets. I hope to also provide.
I’m looking to grow my audience on my new video blog & and my followers on Twitter through Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo etc. Very exciting.
Hope to tweet you one day. Cheers!
[...] The 3 Stages of Twitter Acceptance published on the blog run by authors of “Twitter Revolution” is an excellent information to help you locate your position and the blog itself filled with tips from Warren Whitlock & Deborah Micek. [...]
It’s a humbling learning experience. I’ve found at least one source for a good newspaper interview and have been referred to 3 new prospects via tweets people made about me.
You have to wade thru a lot of garbage at times until you find the right mix of people to follow and tweets to make.
As Gary Halbert once said, “Anything worth doing right is worth doing badly at first.”
That’s my view from stage 2.5 …
[...] The 3 Stages of Twitter Acceptance A short post, but in my humble experience this is right on. At first you really can’t see the point, but once you go full circle and get sucked in, that’s it. [...]
Getting a lot of followers on Twitter very quickly but I’m still confused. I haven’t seen increased traffic on my website or any sales. I must be missing something. It seems like I’m poking around with cane trying to feel my way around.
I like the brevity of Twitter which is a lot easier to do every day in one minute. Less complicated than other social networks.
I got on Twitter because of an invitation from my son in California. I secured my name (alicesraven)and after a few false starts, I am now well into stage 3. I first liked learning a little more about my family but progressed quickly into seeing the benefits for the community center that I work at. I am at a point where I probably need to set up a separate twitter just for the center. I have benefited in not only feeling more in touch with family but learning lots from other people’s experience and advice.
I’ve been tweeting for my company for a few weeks now (have been on Twitter myself for awhile though) and yesterday tried to explain the concept in my company’s marketing meeting. Got a lot of sceptical looks that clearly said, ‘Um… what are we paying her for, exactly?’
It’s just one of those things that late adopters will hate until they pick it up and try it for more than five minutes. I’m really getting sick of all the “news” pieces slamming it though, when it’s quite clear that any research undergone by the “journalist” in question has involved tweeting for a day (at the most) and maybe reading a page of Stephen Fry’s twitterstream. Lazy, lazy, lazy journalism.
This is great!
I’ve shared it with my Facebook business growth and networking group ( http://groups.to/IdealBusinessCommunity ) and other groups as well.
Thanks!
BizCoachJason
Love/Hate Twitter! I certainly learn a lot from links, articles, books, blogs, etc. but wish it were more interactive at times instead of the occasional ’screaming into the wind’. It’s still evolving so we will see but increased selling/commercialism is tiring.
@wald12
http://www.cdwmerchants.blogspot.com
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