Are you on Twitter?
Yeah?
Me too.
It’s great, isn’t it?
People connecting. Sharing information.
Snappy conversations; shuffling back and forth…
…Yeah, I love Twitter.
So, um, how many tweeps following you?
Really? That many? Well, good for you.
Remember how if felt to get your first 50 (or 100 or 300)? Remember keeping an eye on that tweep count and wanting it—willing it—to go higher?
It’s exciting—isn’t it?—watching the count grow. I mean, more followers is always a good thing.
Did you ever set a target, figuring you’d be happy with that targeted amount of followers?
And if you managed to achieve that tweep count, were you happy?
Or did you, almost right away, aim higher?
And, where’s your count at right now? Is that enough? Or do you still want more?
Yeah, me too. I want more tweeps following me too. Don’t know why, really. Maybe it makes me look more influential,. Respected. Important.
Or something.
Have you ever compared your count to those of friends or colleagues?
When you discovered you’ve got more followers than your peers, did you feel smug (even a little)?
How long did that feeling last?
A long time?
Or only until you found out that others had more tweeps than you?
How did you feel about that? Were you envious? Discouraged? Angry?
Did you think, “What? But they’re complete dorks. How did they achieve that?” (Because, deep inside, you know you’re the one who deserves more followers).
Did you try explaining away their success? Did you begin making excuses?
“They’ve got no life, always on Twitter like that.”
“Well look at the number that they’re following, they’re just trading tweeps. Now, how rewarding is that?”
And then, all of a sudden, Twitter’s no fun anymore. It’s too much work. It’s all about getting (and maintaining) a huge following.
That’s no fun. None at all.
That’ s why I decided to stop this nonsense of wanting more and more followers.
No, that’s not for me.
I’ve decided to accept whatever twitter count I’ve got and to use it to make friends, develop relationships, share ideas, update the latest news.
You know; I decided to use Twtiter for something more meaningful than just tracking a tweep count.
Maybe you should try it. I bet you’ll enjoy Twitter more too.
Oh and, by the way, try reading this post again. This time replace “followers” and “count” and “tweeps” with another word.
“Money.”
