Twitter - what is it and do I need it?

[doradoo]

Does what it says on the tin....

What is twitter? I seem to recall something about 140 characters or some such.... Is it a useful tool for me to sign up to/work out how to use/ have on the blog?

I obviously would like to increase my 'presence' and readership - is twitter one of the ways to do this - or is it another gimmick which will take up time updating/reading etc?

Oh and a follow up question.

Is it worth joining lots of 'blogger networks' etc or do you just end up cluttering the blog with badges?

Most of the visits to my blog are through twitter so a very big yes! I also use buffer so I can see how successful each tweet is if I'm linking it to my blog.
Go join! Easiest way to find out if you like it!

I have never understood twitter - it seems boring.

A very big yes to Twitter if you're a blogger! I never used to get it either, but now I do, in a big way and I'm a tad addicted!
Twitter is a GREAT way for getting traffic to your blog, and for finding people who are interested in the same kind of thing you are and likely to want to read your blog posts.
With Twitter, to get the most out of it you need to remember it's the opposite to Facebook - you WANT people you don't know to read your posts, you WANT them to interact with what you're saying.
Follow other bloggers, and engage in tweets/chat with them. That way you'll slowly but surely build up a following and readers.

I started using twitter after a suggestion on here. Its fantastic for information and discovering interesting blog posts. You do just have to jump into it though, for it to work for you. Start following people, interact and you'll gradually pick up a group of people following you back that you enjoy chatting with.
It seems strange at first posting inane things ( that might just be me) and commenting on random people's musings, but it very soon becomes addicting. Loads of MN individuals are on there. There are a few posts that give their user names and its a good way to get started. I use the same name for Bloggers MN as I do on twitter, if you want to say hello and a follow back.

You really do need it, yes, as a blogger.

MmeLindor has just published a great How-to guide- if I see her, I'll point her in your direction.

Agreed - no one ever 'gets' Twitter until they use it. Which makes its success a little unfathomable.

But successful it is, and with good reason. So, at the risk of sounding peer pressurey: try it, you might like it.

I'm a bit addicted to Twitter, trying to wean myself off a bit. It's true about not getting it till you start using it!

Twitter is really great for finding your audience - it takes a little bit of work but once you get up and running, it should boost your readership.

You can limit it to a quick peek every couple of hours while on the loo so won't take up too much time.

I have loads of tips on this page

It seems deeply boring to me- I haven't seen anything interesting.

You are following the wrong people, Exotic.

First rule of Twitter. Don't follow slebs.

Or it is just not for you. Not everyone takes to it.

I agree with not following slebs- they are very boring when it gets down to few words. I haven't found anyone else that is remotely interesting. The only use that I can see is to get news as it is breaking.

I've found Twitter essential for getting my blog out there, but it's taken me a year to find my way around and build up a relevant following. Tweeting your posts at different times of day reminds people you are there. These people won't necessarily want to sign up to your blog and clog their inbox with yet more stuff, but will want to dip in and out occasionally.

Maybe that is why I am missing the point-I don't follow blogs-I can't see the point in them.

Actually-I do dip into a few just for a laugh (they are not supposed to be funny!) I can never imagine why people mention their DCs with photos.