Twitter’s Limitation for Artists?

Are there any negatives to using Twitter? All we read and hear about these days is the Twitter phenomenon. And other than the naysayers who think Twitter is the ultimate in narcissistic adoration, does anyone who uses it not like it?

I think one clue into this is the low level of people who Twit after a month. A very small percentage of Twitter users continue sending Tweets for an extended period of time.

And now we are starting to see a few more voices of disapproval for the service. Kanye recently went off on Twitter saying “Everything that Twitter offers I need less of.”

And even more recently, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails said he will be scaling back his Tweets. Reznor had been a heavy user of Twitter, but complained that the service did not allow him to navigate through the clutter. Each time he would send a Tweet, many users would Tweet back with negative comments. To reach the true fans and respond to their Tweets became too time consuming.

So now, Reznor is going to concentrate his Twitter efforts on just having it be a place for announcements. Just a one-way announcement device.

I still think that John Mayer is the model citizen when it comes to Twitter. He Tweets about hilarious things and will Retweet to fans all the time. I’m sure he doesn’t read every Tweet that comes back his way, but just the fact that he Retweets so often is quite extraordinary.

If Mayer spends 30 – 60 minutes a day on Twitter, I think that is one of the best and easiest ways he can stay connected to his fans. Other than touring of course.

Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com
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