At my last job in Philly, I was partially in charge of running my magazine’s Facebook page. I did a pretty good job growing the profile and the followers and posting content daily. Not long before I was laid off, we had a meeting one day with our Web coordinator. She said, “We want every pub to set up a Twitter account.”
I checked out this Twitter. I thought it was dumb. It was like Facebook on speed, a race to see how many inane 140-character statuses you could up with in a day. I didn’t care what people were saying or posting about, I didn’t understand why there were hashtags everywhere, but more than that, I thought it was a ginormous waste of time.
A year-and-a half later, I’m on Twitter more than any other social media site, writing my own inane statuses for all to see. I have fully caved in to its power.
I don’t have a job in social media, but most of you know I’m a freelance writer and can, therefore, draw the conclusion that I benefit from Twitter by being able to post my stories to a wider audience. It has been very useful in this way, and naturally, it’s also been great for connecting me with others in my field from all across the globe.
But I really love Twitter for other reasons. Namely, because it introduced me to the travel community and helps me stay in touch with my old life.
Back when I first got my work and holiday visa and was still trying to go full-time with freelance, I began to explore Twitter a little more. And I liked what I was finding. I saw a bunch of people who were travelers or who, like me, were getting ready to travel or move abroad. I started searching for people who had been to Australia or a nearby country like New Zealand and people who lived there. Some of the folks I found were The Aussie Nomad, Backpacking Matt and Heels and Wheels, just to name a few.
This Twitter travel community became invaluable because its members gave me insights and tips about my upcoming journey/life change. They gave me inspiration and knowledge in the form of blog posts, articles and travel news. They answered tweets and DMs about logistics and visas and customs. More than anything, they made me feel like I could actually do what I was about to do, because they had either already done it or were planning to.
On the keeping in touch with home front, just this afternoon, I was Tweeting with two dudes I knew in Philly about the Phillies/Giants game (congrats, Phils). We were bantering about Jayson Werth’s beard and it hit me that there I was, so far from home and my long-time friends, but still cheering on my old city’s team, still hooked into the frenetic fever of a close game, still involved at 2 p.m. in the afternoon on a Friday as the East Coast was nearing midnight.
Trust me, I know nothing beats face-to-face communication and quality time with the people you care about. But when you’re straddling two worlds, it’s nice that technology can give you a helping hand in staying connected.
Lauren Fritsky grew up at the Jersey Shore, spent nine years in Philadelphia and now lives in Sydney, Australia. She works as a writer, blogger and editor and has traveled to 40 U.S. states, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Ireland, the U.K., Italy, France, China and New Zealand. Besides writing, reading and traveling, she loves dancing, the outdoors, crime shows, cheese, chocolate, Bruce Springsteen, Prince and pot belly pigs. 
Being so far away is never easy but without Twitter (and Skype), it's much better than it used to be.
I completely understand the initial apprehension about Twitter. I love Facebook and your various Blogger and WordPress blogs, but I was determined to hold my ground about Twitter.
I caved when my coworkers all got accounts.
And you know what? It's actually a lot of fun. I still don't know too many folks who use it – most of my friends are still holding firmly against the idea – but it's a great way to post new blog entries and keep up with news. I actually get theatre gig postings to my Twitter, which just saves me a lot of time in the end.
But god, it's hard to be interesting in 140 characters…
I was the same way – completely apprehensive about Twitter. I didn't see the point. To be honest, if I wasn't a blogger, expat, traveler, I'm not sure I'd see the point of it.
As you've said though it's a great connection to a truly amazing community of people – three more of which I've met in Bangkok!
YES!! I was totally forced into Twitter and am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Every single day I think about how amazing the online travel community is. I can't imagine my year abroad without them! Now if only I'd been on during my lay-off — I think I would've dealt with it in a much more healthy way. Loved the ode!!
Congrats on the new domain, I like it! I know what you mean about twitter, I always thought it seemed stupid until I started my travel blog and jumped in. I’ve met so many great people in the travel community too, and it still amazes me how much my life has started in a new direction, directly and indirectly, from twitter. I love it!
Thanks always, Chris.
Jess, I agree–I think I know more people through the travel/blogging/journo community who use Twitter. Few of my friends back home use it.
Matt, glad you’re continuing to meet up with fellow travelers. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time.
Abby–I know I was suprised to find a lot of people talking about being laid off when I joined. That was in the midst of the “funployment” phase, so you can imagine what that generated. Whether it’s a layoff, a move abroad or the freelance lifestyle, you can definitely find likeminded people on there.
Nice post.
I hated twitter at first. It takes time to build relationships and once you have a circle of ‘friends’ and it becomes interactive, then it is great.
I recently had a week off from twitter just to let it know that I am still the boss.
Take care
Jack
I also had the same impression about twitter (even though I’m a web developer). I couldn’t warm up to the idea. But you’re absolutely right. It starts becoming more important every time for social purposes and marketing purposes. It’s a very great tool!