Twitter + Your "Far Outer Circle"

Here's what you need to know about Twitter.  If you have an inner circle of friends, and outer circle of contacts, but you don't have a "far outer circle", then the Web application may not be for you.  If you think you do have a far outer circle of contacts—keep reading.

I currently have close to 1200 people "following me" on Twitter.  Are they my friends?  Some of them are.  Are they friends in my inner circle—people I talk with daily?  Most of them aren't.  Twitter helps me engage with and stay in touch with all 3 circles, but perhaps is most effective with my "far outer circle" of contacts.

Who are they?  Well, they are the people who I may not be in regular contact through face to face, phone or even e-mail, but we can connect on Twitter and occasionally swap stories, links, jokes or whatever.  And sometimes we're not talking with each other, but "broadcasting" news or links that you are never forced to read and don't clog your in box.

Not all of us have "far outer circles" of contacts—but if you are active on multiple social networks, then it's likely that you do.  I've described a similar phenomenon as "office influentials"—something that we are seeing as being more commonplace in the work force.  People with unusually large networks who are typically active across multiple forms of social media.

Twitter isn't just for folks with large networks—anyone can use it, but the power and influence of the social application is often times related to the size and quality of the personal network.  Here's how I described Twitter nearly a year ago on BusinessWeek:

"Conversation Ecosystem

Twitter allows users to send and receive abbreviated communications or "digital shorthand" from a computer or mobile device. These are called "Tweets." The open-source nature of the application has spawned countless "mash-ups" where Twitter technology merges seamlessly with other open-source technologies such as Google (GOOG) Maps. Widgets and desktop applications such as Twitteroo and Twitterific take you outside of the browser and act as a sort of social instant messenger, sending and receiving rapid bursts of text and links.

Twitter can send and receive feeds. I now receive my news headlines from the service, getting up to speed from media sources such as CNN and The New York Times. That's why I call Twitter a conversation ecosystem—it supports multiple touch points of content and dialogue."

It's nearly a year later and what I would add to this is what I am saying here.  Twitter is especially useful for managing your "far outer circle" which ironically makes it feel more like your "inner circle".  It's not for everyone—but I like it.  You can find me on Twitter here.

Comments

[Trisha]

Twitter is just one of those things you don't realize how indispensable it really should be for an online professional - until you start using it daily.

I can't count the number of opportunities that have opened up for me because of Twitter - all thanks to my Far Outer Circle of friends... or people I would consider "untouchable" via email, i.e. too famous for me to get individual counsel.

[Connie Reece]

You are reading my mind! I was making notes on a concept earlier and thought, "Man, I wish I could do what David Armano does and make a visual of this." I was using different terms, but the concept is the same. And your BusinessWeek article was prescient.

[AK]

really helpful graphic - twitter is really interesting in how it is an entirely new level of electronic communication.

My wish is for a fast forward button to where the conversations and posts are a little more mature - more great users from around the world like my few friends in mexico - or non-existent users from central africa are posting.

Its fun enjoying the early days though - and influencing in whatever small way the new medium becomes in 1 - 2 - 5 years. Messages, ideas, and leaders which can shape the world may come from the milieu.

[Asi]

While I totally get the benefits and opportunities of the tweets, I'm holding myself not to get on board. I just cannot handle more information from people. I'm already in a constant mode of frustration from my blog buffet, facebook and other stuff on my RSS feed....oh no...this will be just too much.

nice weekend!

A.

[catepol]

Great! I used your graphic in my post to explain (sorry in Italian) relationships on Twitter.

[Jamie Coomber]

One of the best summaries on the benefits of Twitter David, and funnily enough I found it through Twitter....enough said.

[Jorged]

This article is great! I haven´t recieved professional offers yet but maybe someday.

[Kelly Rusk]

Well said for sure. Perhaps it's part of the far outer circle, or maybe a new level, but I love Twitter to connect with people I have never actually met, but know of, either through mutual friends, the industry etc.

[Gabriela (Bia)]

David,

once again you are completely right about Twitter. Your way to described it is the best I found in web, in my inner circle, outer circle and far outer.

I've joined Twitter just to test it before giving my own opinion/impressions when some friends were pro-twitter and others were completely against it.

First, I saw it as a way to chat, then to have instant news (as you do), then to update my views about news, display updates from my blog and keep track of some bloggers I usually read (which includes you).

But I had problems to find the best description and how Twitter could improve my personal and professional networking (I work in finance area) as here, in Brazil, most people think Twitter is only a teenager tool for chat.

So, thanks again for the useful help and keep up the good work.

Best
Gabriela (@gabrielabia)