Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked

RT @jaybaer (from http://bit.ly/hC3rT): @ev @biz Make it easier for people who arent geeks to love twitter. Thanks. Please RT

Couldn't agree more about Twitter and the fact their web site is one of the worst ways to use the service. If they ever DO figure out how to make money, they should break off some for TweetDeck, Tweetie and Twitterific. Then again, 2 of those three have found ways to monetize that Twitter hasn't.
[rq=35447,0,blog][/rq]Adam Carolla Find a Partner, Talk Less

Every customer experience starts with a person and a need they'd give something of value to have solved. Behind the curtain of the excellent points made in this conversation is Twitter's choice of who to target and what to solve. Is it Web 2.0-savvy self learners in search of a community of same? The experience might be just fine. If they want masses who want to share their lives, the experience fails in all the ways Jason deftly points out.
[rq=33856,0,blog][/rq]How to find your companys bag of missing profit

Great post. Im relatively new to Twitter. The first days were weird because I kept hearing about all the Twitter action but once I signed up, the first thing I wanted to know was where all of that action was. Its up to the user to find it and Twitter did not do much to help me figure that out. I have since found my way around but I still feel it is an organic process as Twitter grows.

It seems the terminology is exclusive to experienced users. Trends, hash tags, RT, and @replies all take some getting used to. I even think the term micro-blogging is confusing because Twitter is nothing like the traditional blogging we have come to understand.

To me, Twitter also operates in a manner that seems opposite from most forums, boards, and other social media but how do you articulate that precisely? Its weird but once you figure it out, its fun. You just have to stick with it long enough to make some connections. However, I can see why new users give up.

So, yes, it wouldnt hurt Twitter to offer a little more for the new users that sign up and ask, Now what?

Every customer experience starts with a person and a need they'd give something of value to have solved. Behind the curtain of the excellent points made in this conversation is Twitter's choice of who to target and what to solve. Is it Web 2.0-savvy self learners in search of a community of same? The experience might be just fine. If they want masses who want to share their lives, the experience fails in all the ways Jason deftly points out.
[rq=33856,0,blog][/rq]How to find your companys bag of missing profit

Great post. Im relatively new to Twitter. The first days were weird because I kept hearing about all the Twitter action but once I signed up, the first thing I wanted to know was where all of that action was. Its up to the user to find it and Twitter did not do much to help me figure that out. I have since found my way around but I still feel it is an organic process as Twitter grows.

It seems the terminology is exclusive to experienced users. Trends, hash tags, RT, and @replies all take some getting used to. I even think the term micro-blogging is confusing because Twitter is nothing like the traditional blogging we have come to understand.

To me, Twitter also operates in a manner that seems opposite from most forums, boards, and other social media but how do you articulate that precisely? Its weird but once you figure it out, its fun. You just have to stick with it long enough to make some connections. However, I can see why new users give up.

So, yes, it wouldnt hurt Twitter to offer a little more for the new users that sign up and ask, Now what?

Amen.
[rq=18721,0,blog][/rq]your companys looming social media disaster

Amen.
[rq=18721,0,blog][/rq]your companys looming social media disaster

Twitter - endast för sociala medier-datanördar? http://bit.ly/obwkm #svpt

Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked http://www.convinceandconvert.com/usability-and-ease-of-use/why-twitter-needs-its-bottom-spanked/

Why on earth would anyone think that geeks love Twitter?

I know HOW to use Twitter, I just haven't found a good reason WHY to use Twitter.

The only useful experience I've had on Twitter has been when following a thread of tweets duing a live web cast. The entire time the thought going through my head was how much better and easier this would be if they had set up an IRC chat room instead of using Twitter.

I'm also not sure why people think that anyone has trouble figuring out how to use Twitter. There just isn't enough to it to confuse anyone. I think my biggest issue was not knowing Twitter etiquette and whether to put the #tag at the end or the beginning of the 140 characters. I've also been disappointed that you cannot prevent a user from following you without blocking them entirely, but this is explained in the help documentation.

I don't think the question is how, its why. Personally I pretty much use Twitter when its either the best or only option available. Its never been the best option, but there have been occasions when its been the only one. I'm sure this will cease to be the case when the fad fades and Twitter passes into obscurity as so many other internet fads have done.

Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked - http://bit.ly/9DwQPc via @jaybaer

Correction: Sorry, nice rant from @jaybaer. Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked - http://bit.ly/3qsMA

Nice rant from @jaybear - Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked - http://bit.ly/3qsMA

I joined Twitter earlier this summer to see what the noise was all about. Actually, there was a group of us who took the plunge simultaneously and I'm the only one still giving it a whirl; I find it therapeutic when the Red Sox are getting spanked by the Yankees. I am not sure what a Tweet Deck is and am not sure how people communicate directly. Somebody explained to me what RT means and how hash-tagging works but your point is Twitter should be doing this up front and I agree.

I joined Twitter earlier this summer to see what the noise was all about. Actually, there was a group of us who took the plunge simultaneously and I'm the only one still giving it a whirl; I find it therapeutic when the Red Sox are getting spanked by the Yankees. I am not sure what a Tweet Deck is and am not sure how people communicate directly. Somebody explained to me what RT means and how hash-tagging works but your point is Twitter should be doing this up front and I agree.

Jason, I see what you mean but as one of those early adopters, I also get the point of those web devs. Evan & the gang didn't start Twitter to make $$, they were just programming nerds who wanted to do something cool with their time. So I'm not sure they really care about building a huge user base by catering to mid-late adopters.

Also, twitter is very simple and there's not much to learn. For those that are curious all you need to do is google "how to use twitter" and you'll find what you need.

Jason, I see what you mean but as one of those early adopters, I also get the point of those web devs. Evan & the gang didn't start Twitter to make $$, they were just programming nerds who wanted to do something cool with their time. So I'm not sure they really care about building a huge user base by catering to mid-late adopters.

Also, twitter is very simple and there's not much to learn. For those that are curious all you need to do is google "how to use twitter" and you'll find what you need.

RT @tweetmeme Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting - Convince & Co... http://bit.ly/EDuAH

[twitter] Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked | Social Media Marketing | Social Media Consulting - Convince & Convert http://bit.ly/vMNuO

Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked http://bit.ly/18QgXX (via feedly)

"I see Twitter being in real danger of becoming MySpace and SecondLife. Do you?"

Gotta say, that first line caught my attention. For a second I thought your post was going to unveil that Twitter actually had a business model in place and they were in danger of pulling in some revenue.

Twitter is, essentially a startup. For now I'll be happy if the 29 employees just focus on keeping the thing up and running and the Fail Whale at bay instead of holding the hands of new users.

Besides, how much easier does it have to get?

There's Lee LeFever's video that explains the service in plain english (can't miss it - look for the big red button that says 'watch a video' on www.twitter.com). There's a how-to video on http://help.twitter.com/portal which is easily reached from ... well... any page on twitter. Right at the bottom the link that says 'help'.

Never mind that every pundit, expert, guru, maven and consultant from here to timbuktu has writ at least one blog post about twitter making NOT finding info about the service a veritable impossibility. http://tinyurl.com/q9lwqe

But even still.... it's an open text field. With the words 'What are you doing?' above it and a button that says 'update' below it. How much easier does it have to get?
[rq=70667,0,blog][/rq]Twitter Updates for 2009-06-25

"I see Twitter being in real danger of becoming MySpace and SecondLife. Do you?"

Gotta say, that first line caught my attention. For a second I thought your post was going to unveil that Twitter actually had a business model in place and they were in danger of pulling in some revenue.

Twitter is, essentially a startup. For now I'll be happy if the 29 employees just focus on keeping the thing up and running and the Fail Whale at bay instead of holding the hands of new users.

Besides, how much easier does it have to get?

There's Lee LeFever's video that explains the service in plain english (can't miss it - look for the big red button that says 'watch a video' on www.twitter.com). There's a how-to video on http://help.twitter.com/portal which is easily reached from ... well... any page on twitter. Right at the bottom the link that says 'help'.

Never mind that every pundit, expert, guru, maven and consultant from here to timbuktu has writ at least one blog post about twitter making NOT finding info about the service a veritable impossibility. http://tinyurl.com/q9lwqe

But even still.... it's an open text field. With the words 'What are you doing?' above it and a button that says 'update' below it. How much easier does it have to get?
[rq=70667,0,blog][/rq]Twitter Updates for 2009-06-25

I totally agree! Why Twitter Needs Its Bottom Spanked by @JayBaer http://bit.ly/obwkm

RT @jaybaer (from http://bit.ly/hC3rT): @ev @biz Make it easier for people who aren’t geeks to love twitter. Thanks. Please RT

In Case U Missed This Last Wk, @jaybaer Makes a Strong Case 4 Twitter Getting Its Bottom Spanked http://bit.ly/obwkm

RT @ChiNewsBench: Spanking Twitter http://bit.ly/C7N4V

You are soooo right on this. While they're at it, maybe they can explain why the hell I'd wanna tweet in the first place. I signed up because I heard it was the next big thing, but really haven't figured out why it's all the rage. Maybe I will eventually, but why not have a tour that tells me all the cool things I can do with it? How hard is that?

You are soooo right on this. While they're at it, maybe they can explain why the hell I'd wanna tweet in the first place. I signed up because I heard it was the next big thing, but really haven't figured out why it's all the rage. Maybe I will eventually, but why not have a tour that tells me all the cool things I can do with it? How hard is that?

The 1st time I used Twitter, I immediately dismissed it for the very reason you pointed out - there was nothing to show me how or why I should be and could be using Twitter. Only after coming across a blog post that explained a step-by-step guide, did I give it a 2nd try.

Twitter should pay bloggers like this for helping re-direct lost interest.
[rq=35524,0,blog][/rq]The Ford Lincoln MKS vs. the Garage Door

The 1st time I used Twitter, I immediately dismissed it for the very reason you pointed out - there was nothing to show me how or why I should be and could be using Twitter. Only after coming across a blog post that explained a step-by-step guide, did I give it a 2nd try.

Twitter should pay bloggers like this for helping re-direct lost interest.
[rq=35524,0,blog][/rq]The Ford Lincoln MKS vs. the Garage Door

Couldn't agree more about Twitter and the fact their web site is one of the worst ways to use the service. If they ever DO figure out how to make money, they should break off some for TweetDeck, Tweetie and Twitterific. Then again, 2 of those three have found ways to monetize that Twitter hasn't.
[rq=35447,0,blog][/rq]Adam Carolla – Find a Partner, Talk Less

Every customer experience starts with a person and a need they'd give something of value to have solved. Behind the curtain of the excellent points made in this conversation is Twitter's choice of who to target and what to solve. Is it Web 2.0-savvy self learners in search of a community of same? The experience might be just fine. If they want masses who want to share their lives, the experience fails in all the ways Jason deftly points out.
[rq=33856,0,blog][/rq]How to find your company’s bag of missing profit

Great post. I’m relatively new to Twitter. The first days were weird because I kept hearing about all the Twitter action but once I signed up, the first thing I wanted to know was where all of that action was. It’s up to the user to find it and Twitter did not do much to help me figure that out. I have since found my way around but I still feel it is an organic process as Twitter grows.

It seems the terminology is exclusive to experienced users. Trends, hash tags, RT, and @replies all take some getting used to. I even think the term micro-blogging is confusing because Twitter is nothing like the traditional blogging we have come to understand.

To me, Twitter also operates in a manner that seems opposite from most forums, boards, and other social media but how do you articulate that precisely? It’s weird but once you figure it out, it’s fun. You just have to stick with it long enough to make some connections. However, I can see why new users give up.

So, yes, it wouldn’t hurt Twitter to offer a little more for the new users that sign up and ask, “Now what?”

I could not agree more! I consider myself pretty technically savvy (most days). After joining and trying it for a few days, I went looking for an easy FAQ on the site and couldn't find much. If it's there, it needs to be more obvious. Stuff like RTs, hashtags and how to reply directly to someone are simple once you know, but on day 1 they are kind of a mystery.

Every customer experience starts with a person and a need they'd give something of value to have solved. Behind the curtain of the excellent points made in this conversation is Twitter's choice of who to target and what to solve. Is it Web 2.0-savvy self learners in search of a community of same? The experience might be just fine. If they want masses who want to share their lives, the experience fails in all the ways Jason deftly points out.
[rq=33856,0,blog][/rq]How to find your company’s bag of missing profit

Great post. I’m relatively new to Twitter. The first days were weird because I kept hearing about all the Twitter action but once I signed up, the first thing I wanted to know was where all of that action was. It’s up to the user to find it and Twitter did not do much to help me figure that out. I have since found my way around but I still feel it is an organic process as Twitter grows.

It seems the terminology is exclusive to experienced users. Trends, hash tags, RT, and @replies all take some getting used to. I even think the term micro-blogging is confusing because Twitter is nothing like the traditional blogging we have come to understand.

To me, Twitter also operates in a manner that seems opposite from most forums, boards, and other social media but how do you articulate that precisely? It’s weird but once you figure it out, it’s fun. You just have to stick with it long enough to make some connections. However, I can see why new users give up.

So, yes, it wouldn’t hurt Twitter to offer a little more for the new users that sign up and ask, “Now what?”

I could not agree more! I consider myself pretty technically savvy (most days). After joining and trying it for a few days, I went looking for an easy FAQ on the site and couldn't find much. If it's there, it needs to be more obvious. Stuff like RTs, hashtags and how to reply directly to someone are simple once you know, but on day 1 they are kind of a mystery.

Very insightful Jay. Your post closely correlates to the high churn (~60%) of Twitter users. There is definitely more educated needed than is provided.

I also think there is something to be said about the psychology / self-consciousness many new users feel and the expectation of saying something interesting. In other words, utilizing Twitter with an emphasis on sharing information versus the self-promotion aspect.

As always, good stuff!

Kelly

Great post Jason. FYI - there is a link to a video from CommonCraft on the Twitter home page that does help educate new users about why people use twitter. Still need a simple overview of the basics of how to use twitter though.

I'm seriously disappointed with Twitter and how they took an awesome service in Summize and ruined it. They've always had an "we're better than our users" mindset and it's completely apparent in all aspects of the service.
[rq=22181,0,blog][/rq]Bing and Find the Perfect Desktop Wallpaper

Twitter is a lot like Pig Latin - you sound really impressive talking to people that havn't used it before, but once they figure out those first few key steps (RT, DM, Hash tags etc) they are experts too. I do agree that it can be a gong show getting up to speed.

Cardinal Rule #1: Don't teach your community/customers/users to go elsewhere to engage with you. It makes ZERO sense.

What's funny is that the problem of experience lies not only with new users but early adopters as well. They've seemingly focused their attention towards the mainstream users - the Oprahs and Ashtons of Twitter. They haven't done much to keep their core users happy, but yet have focused time to punch out inane features like 'Verified account' links for celebrity profiles.

It's evident that customer experience isn't on their to-do list but wouldn't it make sense for them to create an environment that appeals more and more to core users, those users who would ultimately be willing to pay for the service (given new feature sets), and help Twitter monetize?
[rq=22123,0,blog][/rq]#CmtyChat Kickoff

But I don't WANT my mom using Twitter. That would be the End Timez.
[rq=19646,0,blog][/rq]Trivia and other Portland things.

Great post Jay, in particular the description of Twitter as "the most widely adopted flawed technology since silicone boobs" had my entire office in delighted hysterics.

All I can say is, Amen Brutha, preach it! That and why do I have an ugly potato head avatar assigned to me!? WHich I cannot change?
[rq=19578,0,blog][/rq]10 Tips for Twitter Unmarketing