I like Twitter. I joined Twitter in early 2007, quit using it after a few weeks, and then wrote about getting interested again. I'm glad to see the recognition it's getting from traditional media today. I'm glad to see the conversations that arise as a result. I'm thrilled at the way Twitter and other social media pushes on a lot of assumptions about doing business. These are all good things.
There is, however, one thing that irks me about Twitter. Actually, it's more like I'm irked by something that's happened as a result of Twitter. It's the decline of well developed ideas on blogs because social media energy is being spent on Twitter rather than on blogs.
I've heard a lot of conversations from casual bloggers to A-list bloggers talk about how they blog less because they have Twitter now. On more than one occasion I've heard them say they feel like Twitter replaces their urge to create good content. I get that. I can see how that happened. I also don't think this is a good thing.
Why Twitter Won't Replace Blogs (Even If It Kills Them)
One of the things I like about blogs is the opportunity for someone to flesh out an entire idea. I think this benefits both the blogger and the reader. The blogger learns a lot about what he/she thinks as they write the post and the reader gets the benefit of gaining someone's perspective. For the blogger, the very acts of the writing and thinking processes and taking the time to bring a complete idea to fruition is like mental exercise. It's hard at first but you get better at it the more you do it.
Twitter doesn't do that. It doesn't give a writer the space to really flesh out an idea. It doesn't force you to think too much. You don't have to be clear. It doesn't give a reader anything for them to grasp onto beyond a single thought that likely requires more explanation. Twitter wasn't meant to do that. On Twitter you're a faint voice among thousands when you try to use it as a user-generated content platform. Twitter is excellent at conversation, personal engagement, and cultural trends, but it stinks at well-developed ideas. Unfortunately some good bloggers are choosing to allow Twitter to replace their blogging. Please don't do this if you're a blogger. You'll regret it.
The Benefits of Blogging on the Blogger
I personally can attest to the individual benefits of blogging on my own professional thinking and development. I fully believe I'm able to articulate many of the things I get paid to talk about today because of blogging. I can't imagine what I might be lacking without blogging. Seth Godin and Tom Peters seem to agree.
The bottom line is this: Don't drop Twitter or blogging. Just recognize where each is strong and weak. In the same way a blog doesn't connect you like Twitter does, Twitter doen't allow you the benefits of blogging. Blogging is a great marketing tool because it allows people to recognize whether you know what you're talking about or not. They interview you without you ever knowing it. They make decisions about whether to hire you, use your product, visit your restaurant, or request your services. Twitter almost never works like that. You need both. Just be sure you understand their roles, strengths, and functions.