Twitter Survey
I tweeted the following question yesterday;
“ Why do you use twitter. this is a serious question. I am doing an interview tomorrow and need to have some real statistics helpâ€
Here are the results from 1600 of the responses
SOME COMMENTS FROM THE SURVEY
On Boredom
nameommited@MarthaStewart Sheer boredom at my job.
nameommited@MarthaStewart get bored at work sometimes
nameommited@MarthaStewart It is a good time waster and creates the illusion of being connected with others.
nameommited@MarthaStewart boredom and well what else is there to do on the net!!!.......time waster yep thats a big one
nameommited@MarthaStewart i use this coz i was bored with my exams...
nameommited@MarthaStewart I guess fun is the main reason, but mostly it gets me through boring classes...
INTERESTING ONE
MacDonaldvickymacdonald@MarthaStewart A way to share and stay connected in an era when many people telecommute or are unemploye.Takes the place of the water cooler
On Celebrities
TRMiteTRMite@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to harass celebrities. Srsly
ennifer Sherwinfreestylecook@MarthaStewart - I use twitter because it's interesting to see that celebrities aren't much different from the rest of us
Catherine McCrorymissleyden@MarthaStewart I follow mostly celebrities (like you) that I watch on TV to see what they do in their lives. So I know they are normal
Debbie ChartrandDebbieC03@MarthaStewart The only reason I use it is because for some reason the celebrities like this better than FB
Lori Bardenldsjb@MarthaStewart use twitter for access to celebrities you didn't have in the past-makes them seem more real
On Curiosity
Julia MacPhersonjuliamacpherson@MarthaStewart I am using Twitter out of curiousity, I wanted to see what it was all about. I figured I might spread some joy too!
yo4shortyo4short@MarthaStewart I use it mainly out of curiousity and informative...really enjoy the links posted by the people I follow....
# douglasl9douglasl9@MarthaStewart Just curious to know what people are doing / gives me a feel for their personality
On News and Information
Matthew RimiMattLouis@MarthaStewart, because it was pop-culture phenomena. it has changed the way people receive/transmit news and altered how we communicate.about
Unkie BuckieHottTrends@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to keep up with trends and discover news at it happens. Great way to keep up on news
Katie WeidnerKTKWeidner@MarthaStewart I like Twitter b/c I get my news right from the source. It is quick, brief and interactive.
Linda Tarry-Schulzlindalouoliver@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to follow local stuff (Global BC, 24, Abbotsford News
Debbie Luthidluthi04@MarthaStewart business and for fun, following sports scores and local news and weather
On Social Advertising
Jennifer ChicoineEnviousMoon@MarthaStewart I use twitter to help promote my Etsy shop. I joined a few weeks ago. http://enviousmoondesigns.e...
Connieglitzyorbit@MarthaStewart i use twitter to promote the charities i am involved in.. Kern Country Sheriffs activity league and Optimists Club
Kristen HernandezWritingMyHeart@MarthaStewart I use it to maket and promote my vacation travel agency as well as my blog
Michael Woytonwoyton@MarthaStewart I use it to promote my pet blog and to see what interesting people think and do
Carol LawrenceCollegePurse@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to promote my bus. and share health and wellness info. A website for NCAA fans. Collegiate handbags
rebecca cabaneensiesmama@MarthaStewart primarily to promote my blog/find new readers, but it's also become a way to find interesting content for my blog
On Social Networking/Communication
Shellymswright13@MarthaStewart To communicate with the masses. The ordinary to the extraordinary
Swapna Raghu SanandSvara@MarthaStewart, uses:boundaryless communication, information, sharing of instant thoughts, connecting to the whole world in a click
Flaminia Festucciaflaminia85@MarthaStewart I'm a journalist, therefore the principal use is communication with other journalists all over the world.
Jody K. Devoted_Harpie@MarthaStewart It's a fun, easy way to keep up with everyone. Especially my kids while they're at school, and friends at work
Toni Walkertwalk59@MarthaStewart My daughter posts pictures of my grandson
I twitter because I enjoy reading what other people think is important to say. And then I twitter what I think or what I beleive important. We have FB and MYs. and daily say our mood and comments, sometimes I think because we want people to read what we write, think and care about. And we enjoy a glimpse into their personal lives. If nothing else to see how normal celebrities are.
Posted by: Linda Sawyers | May 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
If fun! something to do between meetings and study for school... I also wonder why this (twitter) got so popular so fast???
Posted by: lexi | May 14th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I did it out of curiosity at first - then got really tired of the mundane twits (lol) or tweets - so i started being a bit more selective in who i follow - i have found lots of green/eco sites, a post about bees, travel and news from several sources-
i have developed a cyber-friendship with 2-3
tweeters- breaks the monotony of the day-
i dont like the "marketeers" or whatever they are called - i block them right away.
i want followers who are genuinely interested in what we both are doing - not trying to sell me something.
and i LOVED the blog about your new bees- I am wanting to keep bees - probably by fall-other projects first.
mearl13 (twitter name)
Posted by: maria earl | May 14th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
WOW! I was so excited to see my name & comment. Thank you!
Posted by: Jody K. | May 14th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Wonder who read, collated and created the pie chart for Martha Stewart's 1600 Twitter replies!!!
Interesting, survey. Thanks for your hard work.
Posted by: Kathy Schnapper (ArsinoeNYC on Twitter) | May 14th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I like the ability to see what TV personalities are doing off screen. Chris Cuomo amd Sam Champion of GMA are great to follow. They post Twitpics of their leasure activities. It's awesome to see them at the gym or planting a garden. The best part of following them is that they take a few minutes and respond to individuals. It's not just posts of what they are doing. Makes them more friendly. Martha, you should do the same and you'll be amazed at how happy you can make your followers. We certainly know you can't respond to every tweet, but, try just a few that interest you.
Posted by: Tom | May 14th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I wouldn't've even known what Twitter was, Martha, if I hadn't heard about it from you. Being an avid fan of yours and daily visitor to your blog, I felt so enamored for the possibility to be able to read your own p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l comments, that I was a sure follower! (I guess that does fall under following a celebrity [said kind of sheepishly - eyes lowered]).
Your pie chart kind of parallels some of my own reasons for Twittering and wanting to continue. I have 'met' some really good people, and my eyes have been opened to manymany more things and vast amounts of information...it equally has been a learning experience. The key for me in all of this, though, is being able to afford the time to participate. I have to reiterate that I now HAVE the time to engage in this communication tool, as having been previously employed in the corporate world, such activity on company-time would've been definitely monitored AND frowned upon (with possible written documentation placed in my employee file!) Folks at work, find something else to do work-related!
Technology is ever-evolving, isn't it?!!
=^..^=
catwhisperer17
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | May 14th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I believe this to be an accurate, un-scientific survey. Not at all surprised with the results, but a little annoyed about the "bored at work" category. No wonder we can't compete in the world marketplace. We have little initiative. Bored at work? Get off Twitter and do something constructive for your job and company.
Posted by: @janeedoe | May 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Great to see where the focus is laying on by the twitter users. It confirmed my expectation about Social Networking (24 percent) and Following celebrity's (22 percent). Despite 20 percent who are interested in News / Information I am rather astonished about the small share of business driven twitteratis who never fail to mention how twitter increases their revenues. Obviously it is not a must to be present with a business platform on twitter and one can still trust on the traditional ways.
Beside this I would like to know something about the main country's of twitter users and if people from Europe build there own circle because of the various time-differences to the main country's which I suppose are the US, Canada and Australia.
Posted by: Hartmut Rast | May 14th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
My friends and myself stay super busy. It's just easier to catch up, & chit-chat this way.
Posted by: raqngirl | May 14th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I actually started Twitter because other crafters on Etsy seemed to do well from advertising on it. I've actually connected with some amazing artists that I probably wouldn't have by just browsing Etsy. I love it! And, it is interesting to see what other people are doing!
Posted by: Bobbie Bryson | May 14th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I think Martha should make an ACTUAL pie with different fillings for each of the categories.
Posted by: Jenna-Marie | May 14th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Interesting survey - sorry I missed it. I started to Twitter recently because my political views are far from a lot of those in Upstate New York - so it is like a have a network of people with my views. Plus those people that creative as I am not so much. Maybe I can learn something.
Posted by: Susan Smith | May 14th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I use twitter because it lets me see whta all of my friends and family ae doing. Its like I'm right there with them during the day. Its addicting, too!
Posted by: Sicily Yoder | May 14th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
this is a good result which at least shows that Twitter isn't just a bum (though I am now one) thing and that it is used not just to kill time but for other productive reasons as well.
crisn73 (my twitter)
Posted by: crisn | May 14th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Twitter is useful for finding cake makers who do NOT have their own websites.
Posted by: Bob Morgan | May 14th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I tweet because people can never follow my thoughts. Maybe a map will help?
Posted by: Katie | May 14th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I got on it out of curiosity. I kept hearing a lot of my morning talk show ladies were on and I thought it would be neat to check it out. Now I am on every day to see who wrote what and who posted what. I enjoy the pictures and sites that are linked on. I am also on Face book and I can see pictures of my grand babies on that.
Posted by: Mary Yoder | May 14th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
twitter helps me spread my hard won business wings as a woman in business. Keep leading us Martha tm x
Posted by: Toni-Maree Bishop | May 14th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I'm a single female, working in a male dominated industry. I live in the country. I have a great life as either a Locomotive Engneer or Freight Conductor on a Class 1 railroad, but being alone a lot of the time gets old.
Posted by: Corrina | May 14th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I answered yesterday was flirtatious&silly,now seriously, I do it to try to raise awareness on social issues that I would not normally have a voice or audiance, Stop The Sale Of Oil As A Comodity, Police Brutality, things of that nature, have I made a difference? Not Yet, But the night is still young!Besides, How many time can you shot someone before they are no longer considered arrestable?(41 so far)
Posted by: Latimore | May 14th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I attempted to keep a journal when I was 16. I learned a valuable lesson when my mom finished physically expressing her displeasure at what I had written. Never put into written word what you don't want others to read.
I can twitter. I don't allow followers, and I can put my thoughts into words without fear.
I'm a single female. I work with all guys. 500 men, 4 women. I can be in a room full of guys at times, and feel alone. Guys are great as long as the conversation is sports, cars, or the current working conditions.
Twitter allows me to clear my mind of the thoughts that run through it without any fear that someone else may read what I've written. Its nice to see what I was thinking or feeling in the past. At the time I typed it, it might have felt earth shattering, only to find out later it wasn't worth a blip on the screen, or vise a versa.
I also use twitter to help keep track of my day at work.
Posted by: CK | May 14th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Only 7% Bored At Work?!??! That shows what the economy is doing to us...no time to screw around! Can't afford to lose a job over Twitter! I think most of us have dabbled in every piece of this pie! Speaking of pie, Martha....can you help me with my crust!?!?!
Posted by: Deb Downey | May 14th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I must've missed that tweet of yours or I would've responded. I'm surprised the number isn't higher for people who say they use it for social networking. I've had a Twitter account nearly as long as it's been around solely to keep up with online friends. The only exception would be following you, Brian Andreas, and Frank Warren of Post Secret because you all inspire me!
Posted by: Kari | May 14th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I use twitter to promote my radio show Max & Friends on LA Talk Radio and to share my favorite things in life with my fellow teitter's ... And of course following Martha is so much fun.. it is like the calendar in Martha Stweart Living.. A daily Dose of Martha is good for the mind...
Posted by: Max Tucci | May 14th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
'luv to watch ur show, not olny it entertains but sooo educational as well, especialy those featured recipes to die for... my best of luck and Keep it up!
Posted by: anne salvo | May 15th, 2009 at 2:04 am
Hey Martha...
Love you show with KF SeeToh from Singapore cooking Laksa for you...
Please visit Singapore!!!
See Ya...
Posted by: Yew Wee | May 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Twitter lets us authors network and chat with others in our profession that are miles away. We can support each other, give each other creative ideas, and most of all, we can be interdependent...like Stephen Covey always says that interdependence makes the world a better place.
Posted by: Sicily Yoder | May 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Mainly because I am out of work
But also because Twitter let us know what our friends are thinking or which things are important to them.
Posted by: Wagner Pereira | May 15th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Funnily enough I signed up for Twitter because I had seen you had Martha & I didn't know much about it & now I just love it!
It feels like mini blogging without the pressure of a huge interesting blog, plus I can use it to tell people about my website & new goodies etc on offer.
Oh and finding celebs on it is great!
love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | May 15th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I signed up for Twitter to expand my my social media tools but I had a hard time figuring out how to best use it so I let it sit for awhile. As soon as you said you on Twitter I decided to follow you and finally figure out how to really use it.
Since then, I've become a Twitter evangelist. I have two accounts - one personal and one for my Internet start up business. Right now I'm using that one as a production diary to update progress of my company on its way to launching this fall. I love sending out Tweet reviews of TV shows, music, events on my personal account.
http://www.search.twitter.com is the untapped gem though. The raw, collective information that people provide when you type in a topic is amazing. This is just the beginning.
Posted by: Sonya | May 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I want to be like Martha.
Posted by: ann | May 15th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Hi Martha, I don't know how I missed this blog about Twitter on Mother's Day, but I sure did. I find Twitter easy to use when ever I want to find out what you and my other friends are doing and it only takes a few minutes to read or tweet. You are the main reason I joined Twitter and then I found my friends and it's really great to use every day. Even if I don't have time to tweet, I can scroll down and read all of your tweets. Very rewarding! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 16th, 2009 at 1:23 am
Just thought it funny when looking at Martha's twitter that it mentioned Bonsai Trees. Last week I asked my landlord if I could trim the bushes in my front yard because some of his workers had butchered them while putting in a sidewalk and they looked horrible every time I drove up. He told me no but I knew he would like them after I "bonsaied" them...and he did! they look really nice now..I had to work with what was left of them and they look awesome! I am just now learning to use twitter. Still haven't got the hang of it yet. I will use it to get my book out there. I love ya Martha!!!
Posted by: anne marie | May 20th, 2009 at 5:31 am