Five Reasons Why You Should Use Twitter

In addition to the very good reasons laid out by CopyBlogger recently, I have a few more to add. I recently started Tweeting (why is it not called Twittering?) and although I started out instantly overwhelmed, it soon found it’s way into my daily work routine, and I post several times a day when I find a site that I like, or want to share my latest piece of writing.

I like the sense of community that is often lacking when working in the isolation of a home office, and while critics are saying that the internet is making us move more towards virtual lives with no human interaction, I like to think that applications such as Twitter (and Facebook) are helping us to maintain and make connections with people around the world.

But aside from that, here are a few reasons why I have found Twitter to be valuable, professionally:

1. Stay in the moment.
   Perhaps I am alone in this, but I often find myself lost in planning, drafting and scheduling, and by the time I come up for air I am shocked to see the date on the calendar.  On top of that I am constantly being pulled in different direction by the projects I am juggling.  A surprising side effect of Twitter has been that it forces me to stayfocused on the moment, asking myself 'What am I doing now?'  If I can't answer that question in 140 characters or less,  I am probably splitting my focus in too many directions.
2. Learn from others
   There is undoubtedly a voyeuristic aspect to Twitter.  Being allowed glimpses into the daily lives of others has somewhat of an illicit thrill (bound to be washed away as we get accustomed to living our livespublicly , online) but these keyholes into the working day of peers or people we admire can be extremely useful.  If you have ever wondered how people have achieved success in a niche you want to dominate, Twitter can at least offer you a chance to peer into their surfing habits.
3. Find sources and contacts
   This has to be my favorite thing about Twitter.  While out of date websites and blogs can clutter up search results, and browsing through forums and directories can be time consuming,  doing a search for people on Twitter will turn up results that show you people who are active online, as well as give you an idea of their background, and a very easy way to get in touch.
4. Find your voice
   As a freelance writer I doubt I am alone on having to write in various styles and tones each day.  Each newspaper, magazine, blog, and client requires a different approach.  The busier I get the more I feel my own voice getting lost; drowned out by the demands of my job.  By having to distill my updates to just a sentence or two, Twitter forces me to really get in touch with my core voice.
5. Keep up to date
   Twitter is a great way to keep your finger on the throbbing pulse of the internet.  Sign up to follow a variety of people and organizations whose information you find interesting and useful, and you will get a steady stream of 'micro headlines', coming through as they happen.  Being the first to hear about things is always a boon to a writer.