Robert Scoble on Twitter: "To Follow or Be Followed?"

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it. I'm a TwitterBug. Yeah, that's right. A Net Twit. Or is that Nitwit? (Don't answer that!)

Oh well, regardless, I am hooked on Twitter. Slightly obsessed even. But certainly not as addicted as some (you KNOW who you are!)

I'm putting the proverbial 'Cart-before-the-Horse' here because I'm planning a full review/critique on Twitter in the very near future. But because I know a large number of our members are 'twittering,' I thought I'd share this now....

Techno-Geek/Blogger Extraordinaire, Robert Scoble, has come to a new, revised conclusion regarding Twitter in one of his recent posts.

Basically, he states that it is far better to follow, then to be followed (On Twitter, you have members that you are 'Following' and then people who are 'Followers' of you).

For us Type "A" personalities, it's typically in our nature to take charge, to be the Leaders in a group dynamic, and develop a 'following.' We also tend to dominate the discussion, and speak more than we listen.

But as effective real estate professionals, we have learned the art/value of 'listening' to our clients, rather than dominating the conversation. When we listen, we learn.

Here's the nutshell of what the Scoblizer had to say:

"I've gone through stages with Twitter. At some point I thought it was important to get lots of followers. But lately I've been telling people that the secret to Twitter isn't how many followers you have, but how many people you are following. Here's why:

1. Getting followed just means you're popular. Yes, that's cool, but it hardly will make you interesting. Paris Hilton will have more Twitter members than I will, when she joins.
2. Getting followed a lot might mean you're using it for a publishing system. If all you have is followers what makes that different from owning a newspaper, a radio station, a TV station, or, even, a Web site? Hint: nothing.
3. If you're just trying to get followed you're probably just needing attention or you might be Jason Calacanis.

But what does following a lot of people say?

1. You're trying to learn more.
2. You're trying to meet more people.
3. You're trying to be a better listener.
4. You're communicating to the world that you'd like to be listened to (golden rule: treat people how you'd like to be treated).
5. You're trying to find out about more stuff. More events. More stories.

Now, who would you rather hang out with? A person who only talks and doesn't listen? Or a person who listens to as many people as he can? I know I'd rather hang out with someone who listens to more people."

If you haven't taken the time to put Twitter through the paces, I would strongly recommend it. Look for my detailed analysis/review on Twitter in the coming days ahead.

Find Me on Twitter:   Activerich