Monday, June 23, 2014

Finding Friends and Followers

I had the chance to add more than 1,000 followers to my Twitter account last week. It was tempting. I mean let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to believe that there are thousands of people who want to hear what you think about books and writing and more?

The only thing that held me back? The cost.

And I don’t mean the $25 charge for adding their Twitter handles to my account.

One of the things I love about Twitter – about the internet in general – is the way it allows us to connect with other people. Last week Andrew Smith favorited and retweeted one of my tweets. And yes, I had a major fangirl moment ☺ I live in a tiny town in California with a population of less than a thousand people. And yet, I shared mini conversations with people in Canada, Florida, New England – even a guy in Africa. How cool is that?

I wouldn’t have had these conversations with people I bought from a list, people who may not even know their name was on the list. We had these conversations because we share a common interest. And finding those people to connect with – people who like books and reading, writing and publishing, movies and music – that’s half the fun. Finding and making those connections. Not buying them.

I may not have as many followers as some of the people who’ve been doing it longer. But I’m content to find those people over time. So that when we do find and follow each other, we’ll share a real connection. Maybe even have a memorable conversation.

That’s worth more to me. That’s priceless.

4 comments:

Rosi said...

Hi Sherrie, I think Blogger has a problem. Lots of things repeated in this post, but then maybe that's what you intended. I'm not much of a Twitter user, but it's interesting to find out I have followers!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I always laugh at those Twitter accounts that claim to be able to get you 1000s of followers. Many of their accounts have less followers that I already have!

As you said, the number of followers is meaningless. It's the mini-conversations you have with people who share common interests.

I mean, where else but on Twitter does an exchange of two 140 character messages result in me emailing a total stranger a list of Places to Eat in Mexico City?

Sherrie Petersen said...

Rosi: Thanks for the heads up. I fixed the repeating problem :)

Dianne: That's exactly what I'm talking about! And btw, I wouldn't mind seeing your list of place to eat!

Kelly Polark said...

Crazy that you can buy followers! Doesn't seem right. And I also like the interaction of the followers who followed you on their own!

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