I’m tired of explaining to non-Twitter users why I think Twitter is the best thing since sliced bread. Now, thanks to Laura Fitton, I can just throw a book at the problem.
Laura Fitton was one of the first people I connected with on Twitter some two and a half years ago. It was through her and those I picked up and connected with in her tribe that I learned about the real power of this social network. It came as no surprise to me, then, that when the plans for a Twitter for Dummies book were announced last year, Fitton was spearheading the effort.
“The thing that’s most worthwhile is to step back and kind of forget that it’s a publishing environment,” Fitton said. “People talk about it being microblogging and, you know, OK, we’re just pushing stuff out there–we’re really having a conversation and what it amounts to is a massive, massive flow of information between all these overlapping networks of loosely connected people all over the globe. And so there is tons of news flowing in there all the time, there’s tons of consumer data, here is tons personality, friends being made, there’s relationships being struck up.”
The book came out on July 6. In grand social media tradition, the book was a joint effort, a masterpiece of crowdsourcing and putting heads together. This book combines the savvy of some of Twitter’s best and most high-powered users and distills it into a guide for anyone to understand.
AV Flox and Laura Fitton at the August Capital party
“Have folks around the office who still just don’t get it?” Fitton asks. “Give them a copy. As we’ve said many, many times, it’s not at all unusual for Twitter not to make sense to people immediately. One of the single best things anyone can do is explain a specific use of Twitter that makes sense to the person you are trying to convince. We included lots and lots of great Twitter success stories in the book for just this reason. There’s nothing at all ‘dumb’ about looking at Twitter and not immediately seeing the value.”
This little jewel is just what you need to explain your addiction—from showing n00bs around the interface to relating pointers from the pros and discussing the uses and how to develop your “Twitter voice,” this book has everything the curious need to get started.
Not sold? Check out the community that was put together to discuss the content of the book. The site is replete with tips and ideas, neatly categorized for easy browsing.
Order it now from Amazon for $14.95. Or get the Kindle edition for $3.99.
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