by: Claudio Alegre

Let me start by saying that no one should buy into the latest technological craze or fad. Just because something it’s popular it doesn’t mean that it is valuable or even usable. I think the main factor to consider is:

Does it make enough of an impact in a particular strata of our culture to consider it disruptive?

I believe with Twitter that has been the case.

The reason Twitter is so disruptive is because of its direct relationship to the permutations of social consequences.

It’s disruptive because it rearranges and scales the way we engage and communicate, setting off a whole array of possibilities and realities that otherwise would not have been possible or even probable. Its root is much more social than it is technical.

It is not about the trends, numbers and stats, but about  its practical applications to human communication and online /offline interaction.   Yes!    Offline as well, because as Twitter has shown us, something that starts as an intangible concept online will most likely have a real and terrenal effect out here in the real world. Or else, what’s an idea beyond abstraction if not an opportunity?

One of the very notable things about Twitter is its lack of regulation, rules and etiquette at times. Does that mean that there shouldn’t be any?

No, what I believe that means is that many people still want to know exactly how to use it for their own benefit.

In my analysis of those that are being successful by not only interacting but by also monetizing, I noticed a consensus that understands that there are no rules and that says: be yourself, respect others and just converse and be human about the whole thing.

But here is the thing… Twitter is right now one of the most if not the most effective communication’s tool in the planet and will most likely continue to evolve as more and more of us expect more and more from it. The potential for marketing and commercial applications is still fetal by any stretch.

What does that do to our psyche?

It tempts it, it plays games with our minds and tempts us to be “that guy” . It tempts us in a way that no other medium or tool does.

How does it do this so effectively?

• Because we are all susceptible to greed and the instant grat factor that comes from basically live streaming our message or product to an unlimited amount of potential end users and their followers.
• Because it presents itself with a perceived shortcut to greatness and success.
• And because sometimes; consciously or unconsciously, we believe quantity trumps quality and that the number of people we reach is more valuable than the kind of people we reach.

–Would you ask someone whom you just met to come to your store or place of business to purchase something?

No right?   That would be rude and obnoxious. So then why would you DM someone for the first time and ask them to do exactly that, by pitching them your blog,  product or ultimate secret to success in the Universe.

There is nothing wrong with selling or promoting your business. Most people understand and are partially accepting  of basic economic realities. But there is a right way and a not so right way to do it.

The counter to that would be:  Hey… there is no right or wrong way to do it if its productive and adds to the bottom line!

Well then!  I guess we all get to make the choice on how to do that!

But Twitter when unselfishly used, empowers the user to so much more than just a means to make money. The positive social implications we have seen are boundless, the personal relationships and friendships forged are real and much more valuable and tangible than many $29.99 e-books on how to Tweet your way to success.

Let’s not worry so much about the numbers of followers we have and or how to increase that number.

Tweet and create content from your heart, let your brain edit it and be done with it.

Create that awesome experience for someone else, whether is video, pic or text and let the rest fall into place.

See you out there!