After months of use, I still have not figured out how to use Twitter efficiently. I just recently scaled back to following approximately 50-55 because I just can't keep up. It amazes me when I see users following 500+.

After months of use, I still have not figured out how to use Twitter efficiently. I just recently scaled back to following approximately 50-55 because I just can't keep up. It amazes me when I see users following 500+.

After months of use, I still have not figured out how to use Twitter efficiently. I just recently scaled back to following approximately 50-55 because I just can't keep up. It amazes me when I see users following 500+.

Users that are following 500+ use tools to filter, they don't even try to “keep up” with everything and everyone.

This post was meant to be more about the attitude rather than the tools, but try using Tweetdeck to filter out the people you really want to pay attention to, and use Twitter Search to pull out the conversations or points of interest you really want to note.

Users that are following 500+ use tools to filter, they don't even try to “keep up” with everything and everyone.

This post was meant to be more about the attitude rather than the tools, but try using Tweetdeck to filter out the people you really want to pay attention to, and use Twitter Search to pull out the conversations or points of interest you really want to note.

Users that are following 500+ use tools to filter, they don't even try to “keep up” with everything and everyone.

This post was meant to be more about the attitude rather than the tools, but try using Tweetdeck to filter out the people you really want to pay attention to, and use Twitter Search to pull out the conversations or points of interest you really want to note.

I think, in response to the WHY, my reason for Twitter is this – the more superficial connections I make, the greater the chances that those will turn into something more. Twitter, like Facebook or blogging in general, is a chance to make connections you might not otherwise do. Seen as a very schizophrenic conversation, Twitter is an fascinating place to spend some time – but it requires (a) intentionality and (b) engagement. Just watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything.

Furthermore, if you're creating deeper content elsewhere, like a blog, Twitter is a great means to find new readers, connect to a new audience.

Think of Twitter like a the halls of your highschool. Sure there are hundreds of people you “follow” but you make eye contact with only the ones you want to – as Taylor put it, it's an assymetric follow. I love that concept, even if I don't yet fully grasp it. Web 2.0 has had its hands full dragging me into this kicking and screaming, but it's finally registering. More or less. But if you don't engage it, it's simply noise.

David duChemin
PixelatedImage.com/blog

I think, in response to the WHY, my reason for Twitter is this – the more superficial connections I make, the greater the chances that those will turn into something more. Twitter, like Facebook or blogging in general, is a chance to make connections you might not otherwise do. Seen as a very schizophrenic conversation, Twitter is an fascinating place to spend some time – but it requires (a) intentionality and (b) engagement. Just watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything.

Furthermore, if you're creating deeper content elsewhere, like a blog, Twitter is a great means to find new readers, connect to a new audience.

Think of Twitter like a the halls of your highschool. Sure there are hundreds of people you “follow” but you make eye contact with only the ones you want to – as Taylor put it, it's an assymetric follow. I love that concept, even if I don't yet fully grasp it. Web 2.0 has had its hands full dragging me into this kicking and screaming, but it's finally registering. More or less. But if you don't engage it, it's simply noise.

David duChemin
PixelatedImage.com/blog

I think, in response to the WHY, my reason for Twitter is this – the more superficial connections I make, the greater the chances that those will turn into something more. Twitter, like Facebook or blogging in general, is a chance to make connections you might not otherwise do. Seen as a very schizophrenic conversation, Twitter is an fascinating place to spend some time – but it requires (a) intentionality and (b) engagement. Just watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything.

Furthermore, if you're creating deeper content elsewhere, like a blog, Twitter is a great means to find new readers, connect to a new audience.

Think of Twitter like a the halls of your highschool. Sure there are hundreds of people you “follow” but you make eye contact with only the ones you want to – as Taylor put it, it's an asymetric follow. I love that concept, even if I don't yet fully grasp it. Web 2.0 has had its hands full dragging me into this kicking and screaming, but it's finally registering. More or less. But if you don't engage it, it's simply noise.

David duChemin
PixelatedImage.com/blog

nice article!

as a photographer, i feel like i've had some success using twitter to cross-pollinate from flickr, posterous, and tumblr

http://twitter.com/jessewright

nice article!

as a photographer, i feel like i've had some success using twitter to cross-pollinate from flickr, posterous, and tumblr

http://twitter.com/jessewright

nice article!

as a photographer, i feel like i've had some success using twitter to cross-pollinate from flickr, posterous, and tumblr

http://twitter.com/jessewright

Great post. I think one of the greatest things about twitter for photographers is the quick responses from other photographers when using hash tags (#photog, #photography, etc, ) always great to get input and get some good conversation happening, even from people that don't follow you.

Interesting link on the topic: http://digital-photography-school.com/twitter-u…

My twitter: http://twitter.com/MarkLobo

Great post. I think one of the greatest things about twitter for photographers is the quick responses from other photographers when using hash tags (#photog, #photography, etc, ) always great to get input and get some good conversation happening, even from people that don't follow you.

Interesting link on the topic: http://digital-photography-school.com/twitter-u…

My twitter: http://twitter.com/MarkLobo

Great post. I think one of the greatest things about twitter for photographers is the quick responses from other photographers when using hash tags (#photog, #photography, etc, ) always great to get input and get some good conversation happening, even from people that don't follow you.

Interesting link on the topic: http://digital-photography-school.com/twitter-u…

My twitter: http://twitter.com/MarkLobo

Good point; perhaps in a proper follow-up post with tactical details I could address hashtags.

There is actually a pretty huge conversation around the “geek web” about Twitter and it's future, touching on conversations, hashtags, metadata, realtime, platforms, API, chat, search, presence, etc.

I stayed away from that because, well, most photographers first need to understand the basic tools and the community expectations, but there is far, far more to dig into for the ones that are willing.

Good point; perhaps in a proper follow-up post with tactical details I could address hashtags.

There is actually a pretty huge conversation around the “geek web” about Twitter and it's future, touching on conversations, hashtags, metadata, realtime, platforms, API, chat, search, presence, etc.

I stayed away from that because, well, most photographers first need to understand the basic tools and the community expectations, but there is far, far more to dig into for the ones that are willing.

Good point; perhaps in a proper follow-up post with tactical details I could address hashtags.

There is actually a pretty huge conversation around the “geek web” about Twitter and it's future, touching on conversations, hashtags, metadata, realtime, platforms, API, chat, search, presence, etc.

I stayed away from that because, well, most photographers first need to understand the basic tools and the community expectations, but there is far, far more to dig into for the ones that are willing.

twitter.com/plug1

twitter.com/plug1

twitter.com/plug1

I've been on Twitter a while. I try to have a good mix of photography-related stuff, interesting links and conversations with friends.

http://twitter.com/RoninVision

I've been on Twitter a while. I try to have a good mix of photography-related stuff, interesting links and conversations with friends.

http://twitter.com/RoninVision

I've been on Twitter a while. I try to have a good mix of photography-related stuff, interesting links and conversations with friends.

http://twitter.com/RoninVision

I originally started to Tweet thinking it was “just another channel to broadcast” my web content from PixSylated. Of late, I've come to use it heavily via direct Tweets as a way to connect with friends. The 140 character limit saves a ton of time as it imposes the need to be concise… which I've not been here. @Syl_Arena.

I originally started to Tweet thinking it was “just another channel to broadcast” my web content from PixSylated. Of late, I've come to use it heavily via direct Tweets as a way to connect with friends. The 140 character limit saves a ton of time as it imposes the need to be concise… which I've not been here. @Syl_Arena.

I originally started to Tweet thinking it was “just another channel to broadcast” my web content from PixSylated. Of late, I've come to use it heavily via direct Tweets as a way to connect with friends. The 140 character limit saves a ton of time as it imposes the need to be concise… which I've not been here. @Syl_Arena.

Interesting; I play with both methods, but with separate Twitter accounts; @tdavidson is me, and @taylordavidson is an automated feed of posts and comments. I just started testing the auto feed, making it clear to people that it's just a feed, to see how people choose to consume content. I believe it's important to partition the activity and give people a choice in how they want to find and track people and information.

The real fun of Twitter is indeed on the backchannel through DMs…

Interesting; I play with both methods, but with separate Twitter accounts; @tdavidson is me, and @taylordavidson is an automated feed of posts and comments. I just started testing the auto feed, making it clear to people that it's just a feed, to see how people choose to consume content. I believe it's important to partition the activity and give people a choice in how they want to find and track people and information.

The real fun of Twitter is indeed on the backchannel through DMs…

Interesting; I play with both methods, but with separate Twitter accounts; @tdavidson is me, and @taylordavidson is an automated feed of posts and comments. I just started testing the auto feed, making it clear to people that it's just a feed, to see how people choose to consume content. I believe it's important to partition the activity and give people a choice in how they want to find and track people and information.

The real fun of Twitter is indeed on the backchannel through DMs…

What are the biggest things you have learned by “cross-pollinating”?

What are the biggest things you have learned by “cross-pollinating”?

What are the biggest things you have learned by “cross-pollinating”?

How do you mix Twitter with other online and offline promotional and conversational tools?

How do you mix Twitter with other online and offline promotional and conversational tools?

How do you mix Twitter with other online and offline promotional and conversational tools?

The asymmetric follow is one of the keys to Twitter; there is a ton of conversation, explanation and thought-provoking articles of its implications scattered throughout the web.

But yes, Twitter is like anything else: “watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything”; at the end of the day, it's more about the person behind the tool than the tool itself.

The asymmetric follow is one of the keys to Twitter; there is a ton of conversation, explanation and thought-provoking articles of its implications scattered throughout the web.

But yes, Twitter is like anything else: “watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything”; at the end of the day, it's more about the person behind the tool than the tool itself.

The asymmetric follow is one of the keys to Twitter; there is a ton of conversation, explanation and thought-provoking articles of its implications scattered throughout the web.

But yes, Twitter is like anything else: “watching the tweets roll by isn't going to do anything”; at the end of the day, it's more about the person behind the tool than the tool itself.

Wow. Thanks Taylor for the shout out in this post. Very much appreciated.

Also great information in this post that applies to many business minded freelancers on twitter and not just photographers.

Wow. Thanks Taylor for the shout out in this post. Very much appreciated.

Also great information in this post that applies to many business minded freelancers on twitter and not just photographers.

Wow. Thanks Taylor for the shout out in this post. Very much appreciated.

Also great information in this post that applies to many business minded freelancers on twitter and not just photographers.

Thanks, appreciate it; and yes, I think the same theories and practicalities apply to all people that have to “create” their way in the world…

Thanks, appreciate it; and yes, I think the same theories and practicalities apply to all people that have to “create” their way in the world…

Thanks, appreciate it; and yes, I think the same theories and practicalities apply to all people that have to “create” their way in the world…

I find twitter is a great way to share knowledge, and help people find some of the interesting things I see. And they help me find interesting stuff too, so there's the whole community thing in a nutshell. The value of aggregation – both of 'my' content and of other interesting people's content – is immense.

I find twitter is a great way to share knowledge, and help people find some of the interesting things I see. And they help me find interesting stuff too, so there's the whole community thing in a nutshell. The value of aggregation – both of 'my' content and of other interesting people's content – is immense.

I find twitter is a great way to share knowledge, and help people find some of the interesting things I see. And they help me find interesting stuff too, so there's the whole community thing in a nutshell. The value of aggregation – both of 'my' content and of other interesting people's content – is immense.

I use twitter for my photography business to meet and connect with peers (http://twitter.com/kerrygarrison) and for people to follow news, articles, and podcasts from cameradojo.com (http://twitter.com/cameradojo)

I use twitter for my photography business to meet and connect with peers (http://twitter.com/kerrygarrison) and for people to follow news, articles, and podcasts from cameradojo.com (http://twitter.com/cameradojo)

I use twitter for my photography business to meet and connect with peers (http://twitter.com/kerrygarrison) and for people to follow news, articles, and podcasts from cameradojo.com (http://twitter.com/cameradojo)

[...] Why should photographers use Twitter? [...]

my twitter handle is Spryphotos, I'll follow first if yiou follow later…

my twitter handle is Spryphotos, I'll follow first if yiou follow later…

my twitter handle is Spryphotos, I'll follow first if yiou follow later…

I would say it's a great way to share information, but we're still figuring out how to use it to share knowledge :)

It's an interesting aggregation of people creating and sharing a wide mix of information; we're still learning how to filter it all and make sense of it. Part of me wonders if it is a fundamental part of human communication to fill up the all available space / time / attention with noise :)

I would say it's a great way to share information, but we're still figuring out how to use it to share knowledge :)

It's an interesting aggregation of people creating and sharing a wide mix of information; we're still learning how to filter it all and make sense of it. Part of me wonders if it is a fundamental part of human communication to fill up the all available space / time / attention with noise :)

I would say it's a great way to share information, but we're still figuring out how to use it to share knowledge :)

It's an interesting aggregation of people creating and sharing a wide mix of information; we're still learning how to filter it all and make sense of it. Part of me wonders if it is a fundamental part of human communication to fill up the all available space / time / attention with noise :)

What's the single biggest thing you've learned from being on twitter and using two separate twitter “presences”?

What's the single biggest thing you've learned from being on twitter and using two separate twitter “presences”?

What's the single biggest thing you've learned from being on twitter and using two separate twitter “presences”?

The account for my show is different from my personal presence. I post different things to each one and its been working out quite well. Show fans can stick with the show tweets and others follow both.

The account for my show is different from my personal presence. I post different things to each one and its been working out quite well. Show fans can stick with the show tweets and others follow both.

The account for my show is different from my personal presence. I post different things to each one and its been working out quite well. Show fans can stick with the show tweets and others follow both.

Great article Taylor. I am a BIG fan of twitter and for me it is not about quantity, but more about the quality of the people I am engaged with. I have found/shared lots of valuable resources on twitter in the short time I have been using it. It has been a great resource. I believe I will be able to grow into generating business from it as well. Super niche photographers, or those with a specific focus will have a better chance at succeeding with new business in my opinion. I love it.

http://www.twitter.com/chrisgramly

-Chris

Great article Taylor. I am a BIG fan of twitter and for me it is not about quantity, but more about the quality of the people I am engaged with. I have found/shared lots of valuable resources on twitter in the short time I have been using it. It has been a great resource. I believe I will be able to grow into generating business from it as well. Super niche photographers, or those with a specific focus will have a better chance at succeeding with new business in my opinion. I love it.

http://www.twitter.com/chrisgramly

-Chris

I couldn't agree more. I think people can tell if you are truly there to take or if you are a giver / taker. This is my observation so far. As a Stock Photographer for some time now I love sharing info with new and old players and I have found great links to many interesting sites from helpful people on twitter and it's only been a week. The best part is like you said, it is what you want to make it. I think some of us are still trying to figure it out but communicating with fellow photographers has always paid off big for me. Personally and professionally the more you give the more you get. Thanks for the post, great read.

I couldn't agree more. I think people can tell if you are truly there to take or if you are a giver / taker. This is my observation so far. As a Stock Photographer for some time now I love sharing info with new and old players and I have found great links to many interesting sites from helpful people on twitter and it's only been a week. The best part is like you said, it is what you want to make it. I think some of us are still trying to figure it out but communicating with fellow photographers has always paid off big for me. Personally and professionally the more you give the more you get. Thanks for the post, great read.

Great post. We are working on getting out there. GregSims on twitter.

Great post. We are working on getting out there. GregSims on twitter.

Thanks! And yes, we're working on it; perhaps we need better ways to find each other and learn about social media :)

Thanks! And yes, we're working on it; perhaps we need better ways to find each other and learn about social media :)

Thanks; I will point out, though, that Twitter offers an interesting opportunity to develop quantity and quality, broadcast and engagement, simply because the platform really facilitates lurking and conversations. Just by being ourselves we can connect with people in different ways: we can “scale” our knowledge, our passion, our “selves” and connect with people in the way they want to connect with us.

But at the end of the day that has to come from our personal decision on how we want to grow our businesses and how we want to fit social media (frankly, all online and offline marketing) into our lives.

Thanks; I will point out, though, that Twitter offers an interesting opportunity to develop quantity and quality, broadcast and engagement, simply because the platform really facilitates lurking and conversations. Just by being ourselves we can connect with people in different ways: we can “scale” our knowledge, our passion, our “selves” and connect with people in the way they want to connect with us.

But at the end of the day that has to come from our personal decision on how we want to grow our businesses and how we want to fit social media (frankly, all online and offline marketing) into our lives.

The interesting thing is that not all photographers like giving away their secrets, or like spending time “educating their competition”. I believe giving is more more powerful than taking; perhaps I'm naive, but I also have a very wide definition of “revenue” that includes a lot more than money. Looking forward to learning from you in the future…

The interesting thing is that not all photographers like giving away their secrets, or like spending time “educating their competition”. I believe giving is more more powerful than taking; perhaps I'm naive, but I also have a very wide definition of “revenue” that includes a lot more than money. Looking forward to learning from you in the future…

[...] Why should photographers use Twitter? [...]

Give this guy a look:

http://twitter.com/the_mighty_jim

Definitely :)

[...] Why should photographers use Twitter? [...]

[...] Thus, even though he may rather be a novelist than a Twitterist, that doesn’t mean other artists can’t use the medium effectively. [...]

Good post, Twitter can definitely be a challenge to use “effectively” if you're still sort of feeling it out and not entirely sure yet what you want to accomplish with it. Personally, I want to meet other photographers, see what they're doing and bounce/share ideas, and maybe even encounter some local models wanting to shoot (yes there are better methods of finding models, but this can be yet another means)

To be honest, though, I think you threw it all away at the end. You spend the entire post telling us that there are no rules (or an infinite number of rules), find out what YOU want to use Twitter for and work towards that, etc. Then you do a complete turn-around and say if what you want from Twitter is to market your material and use it as a marketing channel, don't use Twitter. How can you tell people that after you've spent all that effort saying we can use Twitter for what WE want? I agree with you that I don't want to follow those kinds of people, but maybe some do or may otherwise find it useful.

Great post!

Thanks, and like you, I enjoy meeting photographers through the web and communication tools like Twitter. Most of all, I like getting a peek into their personal lives and interests besides photography.

Perhaps I was a little harsh with “If that’s all you want to do, then don’t use Twitter.” What I meant was that if that's the entirety of how someone wants to use Twitter, then I won't follow you, which is what I said with “Go ahead, but I won’t follow you.” Just my personal choice on how to use Twitter, my personal rule.

Fact is, Twitter can be effective medium for marketing: but I think (note, I think) that most people don't want to follow people that are only trying to push their work through Twitter by using it as another marketing channel. And if that's the case, then using Twitter purely as a “direct marketing channel” would not an effective use of time. But time will tell, and I'm open to being wrong.

I think the best point made here is “that's the wrong question”. You really have to first consider what it is that you want to say, and then what is the best way to say that. Maybe it's Twitter, maybe it's not.

I've found it to be a great way to connect with people, I love to see what other photographers are up to, whether it's their professional work or personal. So I'm using twitter a lot to just connect with other photogs, see fresh work and interesting links. But also, I wanted to use it as another way to connect with potential clients.

I remember looking for a wedding photographer when I was getting married, and feeling like I was looking at a sea of total strangers. All of their photos were great, the prices were comparable, so how do you pick someone? I think social media in general (and the blog, moreso than anything else) is a great way for people to get a feel for your personality.

@MooreClick

Have you found it a successful way to “connect with potential clients?”

Referrals is still the most powerful driver of sales in wedding photography, and connecting with people online is an effective way to amplify one's offline marketing efforts (and to help “great work” spread wider, broader and deeper).

I just started to twitter-we shall see where this leads.

great to hear, and please share your thoughts on twitter once you've had the time and the chance to see where it leads!

great to hear, and please share your thoughts on twitter once you’ve had the time and the chance to see where it leads!

Hi,
Interesting article.
This is my twitter : @frankdoorhof

Greetings,
Frank

Hi,rnInteresting article.rnThis is my twitter : @frankdoorhofrnrnGreetings,rnFrank

[...] Why should photographers use Twitter? [...]

[...] Why should photographers use Twitter? At the end of the day, the key is that you have to first identify your goals, figure out the tools, learn about the community and then create a plan for your actions and behavior to accomplish your goals. [...]