I learned that Twitter is a fickle bitch.
I learned that it's this whole other subculture....governed by its own set of rules, with its own highly-favored majority rule. It's akin to high school..very cliquish....where you strive to look cool, and say cool things, and be accepted and favorited {read: RT- retweeted} by The Cool Kids.
But what i also learned... is an examination into human nature and sociological frameworks....as to what the people want, what DRIVES them, what makes them want to follow and RT you. But first, let me back it up and lay the groundwork for you on my twitter history real quick, so as to better understand what the scope of the last week has done for me in my TwitterLife...
I got on twitter in March 2009, and being the OCD perfectionist that i am...i researched and studied and methodically searched out inspirational thinkers, entrepreneurs, writers, artist, trailblazers, celebrities, athletes, bloggers...pretty much a who's who, by all accounts. Over these past 3 years, I've slowly worked at gaining a following, but hadn't really put overt time and effort into the endeavor until March of this year, March 10th-ish to be exact. So 7 weeks exactly. That I've been tweeting and RTing daily...and I've definitely learned a lot. But never have i learned so much as i have in the past week, with my experiences with the Twitterverse
Past 10 days, actually. This all started for me on 4/22...a Sunday, and i tweeted a #sideboobsunday picture to Doug Benson. And, he RT it! He has over 400k followers, and he RT *MY* sideboobsunday picture {2 weeks in a row, actually}. From there, it all took off so fast....bunches of new followers, tons of replies and messages, my twitter was seeing more action than it had ever, EVER seen in the whole 3 years and 2 months I've had it. And, boy...was it addicting. I'm gonna be honest with you people...it's exciting. When you get RT'd or get lots of new followers and you can see that number steadily rise. It feels really good. BUT, this was all actually bittersweet to me as well because i had worked for 3+ years to develop a solid following, to demonstrate authenticity in who i was, and what i tweeted...then here i am... exploiting my body and my assets, to increase my following? How twisted and degrading. I have so much more to offer than just a pretty face, or a hot body. I don't often let people witness the true depth, but i don't EVER conduct myself in a less-than-ladylike manner, more so than that.
So it was an emotionally complex scenario and turn of events for me. That last week in April was emotionally draining, to say the least. But, it was all worth it, and i learned a lot....and to me, that's what really matters. That you get the LESSON out of a situation. That you learn what you're SUPPOSED to learn, and experience whatever it is that you're destined to experience. And that you grow from it, ultimately.
What i learned on twitter, the nitty-gritty....down and dirty:
~ there are basically 2 groups of people on twitter...legitimate business-people/people who market themselves or their product, and funny/raunchy/inappropriate people who have the wit, balls, and nonchalant attitude to say what we're all really thinking,. but could never really say out loud. Peculiar part about my situation....i started out on twitter diligently working towards become the former, but over the last few weeks, i more so want to be part of the latter. {Twisted, i know}.
~ RT versus favoriting: Everyone who tweets appreciates getting stars, or 'favorited', by people...because when you put long, hard brain-power and calculation into crafting the perfect tweet, it's so nice to get that validation or theoretical thumbs-up by some virtual stranger who just GETS what you're saying. But the real compliment is the RT, {retweet}. People want their tweets retweeted, because it provides their words/art/jokes/ESSENCE to a new realm of potential followers, and it networks their name even more through the Twitterverse. Now, i understand more than anyone, how hard it is to come up with twitter gold! It's exhausting to think of entertaining, witty, funny things to say. There's always the fight within yourself, like....is that funny? Will people like it? Will they get it/relate to it? In my research it said that the best tweeters are people who come up with a healthy dose of original content. Not quotes from famous individuals, or RT's from other brilliant minds {although that is a necessity}, so I've tried really hard lately to come up with my own stuff, and be original/authentic to myself....and while it's working, it's extremely exhausting as well. It can take over your mind, if you let it. All of Social Media in general, can be described by that statement.
~ What the people want: I learned a harsh and eye-opening lesson over these past 2 weeks. Before i started hardcore tweeting at the beginning of March, i had 435ish followers. In the past 9 days, since my first SideBoobSunday picture, I've gained over 100 followers. I just hit 550 followers tonight. Now, that's 435 i built up over the course of 3 years, and 100 + that i added over the course of 9 days, by exploiting my assets alone. Now, that is not to say that i'm PROUD of having gotten tons of new followers based on pictures of my sideboob/cleavage/body etc. I would never normally degrade myself in that manner. But, i was conducting my own little sociology experiment, if you will. I wanted to test some shit out, see what got the people coming back, and what intrigued them to come in the first place. Its really a psychological mindfuck in a sense...everyone wants more followers, and we all strive for social validation from people, in increased followings and favorites. AND, it becomes addicting and exhilarating when you do get it. I feel like a little kid sitting on the floor clapping like, "yay, i made a good tweet!". Although, at this point, my most well-liked and RT'ed tweets are pictures of my boobs, which...isn't worth much bragging rights, at ALLLL yo. But, even if i hook people with my assets, ill retain them with the powers of my sexy brain.
~ the hard part is finding your voice. Being authentic to you. It's difficult with Social Media, because all you have to peddle & capitalize on is...you.
Is, whatever it is YOU have to offer. Which, better be more than just a pretty face because....good looks fade, honey BooBoo. Luckily for me, i have substance as well as a decent outer package, so i can exploit and manipulate all my various aspects as need be, accordingly :) The point was for me...i started out retweeting and starring stuff pertinent to my Social Media endeavors and the career i hope to craft out of my writing abilities. Now though, i'm more on a selfish, i-want-attention;like-what-i-have-to-say-and-follow-me kick, at the moment. I often ponder and hypothesize to myself..."where do you draw the line? What do you make your voice?" I struggle with this constantly, but i think that's the double-edged sword part of Social Networking. But, i must say I've met some highly entertaining and intelligent people, & I've enjoyed the vast majority of hours I've spent interacting with other tweeters & social media freaks/misfits on Twitter.
And as far as establishing my voice.... I've decided to just be me. To tweet what i want to tweet, to say some inspiring/touching/moving stuff, while also keeping it real, and being witty/clever a/b situations i experience in my own personal life. After all, it is MY twitter...and if people don't like it, they can get the hell out of the kitchen and off my followers list :) Because i'm here to do me, and have fun with it.
And that's just what the eff i'm going to do. Unapologetically :)
