Warning: Objects On Twitter May Be Quieter Than They Appear

Call it Twitter Goggles. Or Twittervision (damn that was already taken).

But one thing to remember when looking at the conversations that happen via Twitter -- or at least the ones that you see -- is that the conversations that you see are the ones that you've chosen to see. And not what everybody is talking about. That's part of the beauty of Twitter, but also part of the mirage.

We (especially those of us in the ad industry) often succumb to our own 'echo chamber'. We're a pretty loud bunch when we're talking to each other. But even though my Twitterstream is filled with discussion of Skittles' latest site, or chatter about the Mets, or IAB standards, it doesn't mean that everyone's is.

Let it be known that I believe in Twitter. I think it (or a derivation of it) can be mainstream soon (a la Facebook). And while the 'tweetgeist' may dictate what some journalists write about (i.e. Twitter itself), it may not be an accurate representation of what consumers are talking about.

But it goes without saying gaining experience with Twitter now will be integral to understanding how to leverage the platform not only at a time when 'everyone' is talking about it (now) but when it (or something like it) actually does reach critical mass.

Just keep everything in perspective.

Comments

[Gerard]

Good advice about keeping everything in perspective and being aware of the tech/digital echo chamber as it relates to the larger world. I think we often forget that the handful of individually powerful voices on Twitter make it seem more powerful than it actually is in the marketplace. It's also worth pointing out that Twitter adoption lags significantly with certain traditional social media early-adopter demos (i.e. teens).

[Ian Sohn]

Well said Ian. We tend to gravitate towards likeminded folks - it's natural. I know I do. So we all run the risk of suffering from NASCAR blindness (I can't use that term enough - so perfect).

Even talking about Twitter - we all feel like it's been beat to death, when the reality is that 99% of the world has never heard about it.

It never hurts to take a walk - virtual or not - in another neighborhood.

Ian Sohn
www.FlaggedForFollowUp.com

[Ian Schafer]

Thanks for the comments. I'm like the Gary Vaynerchuk of the Kool-Aid. Love the stuff, but definitely objective :)