Twitter culture vs. Facebook culture

Tanya Smith on Mon, 5th Jan 2009 9:08 pm 



I think you are so right. I couldn’t quite figure it out myself, but now that makes sense. Twitter seems to be a much friendlier community although I actually “know” more people on Facebook – isn’t that interesting?

Thanks for confirming what I’m feeling. My husband is also wondering what the heck I’m doing with Twitter! I’ll share what you did & see if I get the same reaction!

Tia Singh aka @TiaSparkles on Mon, 5th Jan 2009 9:09 pm 



Greta post Iyabo!

I’ve always used facebook for friends and family ..until recently. Since I started on twitter 3 months ago I have cross pollinated my networks a bit.

Meeting you for instance, was easy on twitter, we connected, tweeted and then decided to deepen our connection on facebook where we can now type more than 140 char, write on walls, send longer messages etc.

So as I see it, twitter is great for learning and interacting with like minded people and talking a little about what we do. And facebook takes it a step further and really lets us into each other’s lives, sharing photos, notes and so much more. Make sense?

I can’t do without either!

Tia Singh aka @TiaSparkles on Mon, 5th Jan 2009 9:11 pm 



Oops .. great post sorry for typo .. and why is my face looking so angry!? LOL

Christopher on Mon, 5th Jan 2009 9:54 pm 



And the ironic thing is that Twitter communication is shorter than Facebook…I like both, but Twitter is more immediately gratifying.

Christopher’s last blog post.."Love" by John Lennon

Judy on Mon, 5th Jan 2009 10:08 pm 



Hi Iyabo!
I have a similar experience! I started out w/ FB about a year ago. It was very business oriented. I kinda gave up on it about mid summer.

I became active w/ Twitter in October and fell immediately in love. BUT then, it seems like I had a BUNCH of friends sign up for FB.

So, now i’m doing both. I prefer the level of relationships I’ve developed on Twitter. And, right now, FB is more familiar to people.

Count me in for both, and for the same reasons you mentioned.
w/ love,
Judy

Judy’s last blog post..Your Inner Diva is a Law of Attraction Magnet!

Karen Shackles on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 2:22 am 



I am new to both, but it seems much easier to find and connect with interesting people on Twitter. Most of my follows are from reading @ tweets that catch my attention, I look up the person’s profile, and decide I’d like to hear more of what they have to say. I got on FB first just to connect with friends who are on it. But now, from Twitter, I’m adding Tweeple to my FB friends. So FB is getting to be an interesting mixture. I just added the Twitter application to my FB account, so my tweets show up on FB as a “What are you doing now” entry. I’m still working on figuring out the whole “monetizing social networking” thing, but mainly I enjoy the interaction and education from all the diverse links posted on Twitter. In fact, now that I think about it, that’s how I ended up here!

Karen Shackles’s last blog post..Generational Fragmentation

Karen Shackles on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 2:30 am 



Wow, how cool is that? You automatically hooked up a link to my blog. How do you do that? I’d like that for people who comment on my blog. And thank you, that’s really a nice feature!

Karen Shackles’s last blog post..Generational Fragmentation

Melissa in Mel's World on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 10:21 am 



I absolutely LOVE this post! I have to agree with you completely! I’ve been on Twitter now for about 6 months and it has totally consumed me…not in a bad way and certainly not in an out of control way (well…maybe it did the first month, if I’m being honest…ha!), but in a knock your socks off sort of way!

Truly Facebook has it’s own tribe, it’s own culture, and it’s own heartbeat, it is something I use, something I spent a lot of time with, on, and studying when I first got involved in FB (about 8 months ago) but I haven’t seen the fast paced, knock your socks off, connect, interface, dream, chat, energize, bless, collaborate, or information sharing that I have had (and been a part of) on Twitter.

My husband was EXACTLY the same way about my Twitter time. He would look at me and laughingly say, hey, tell your twitter peeps hello from me, or haha, make sure to add a semi-colon D at the end (he knows I am all about the BIG SMILE). BUT, he didn’t realize that I had connected with Pastors, Authors, Networkers, Dreamers, Builders, and just simply some of the most amazing people from ALL OVER THE PLANET through these 140 characters.

Now when he says something I’ll say, well such and such (one of his favs) said that I should think of this or look at that, and he’s like, WHAT…you talk to ____ on twitter. To which I say, uh yep…Twitter is about COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, and some serious CHEMISTRY (and not in the weird way).

I have been blessed because of it and am so thankful for it!

Thanks for a great and insightful post!

Joy on the Journey,
Melissa in Mel’s World

Melissa in Mel’s World’s last blog post..Speak to My Soul – First Things First

admin on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 11:17 am 



I am so excited about all your comments and most appreciative as well.

We must understand this phenomena for what it is and utilize it in other areas of our lives.

I have been blogging for months and this is the first post that has generated this type of interest, especially in terms of comments.

Tanya responded because this post put languaging around something she was experiencing but was somewhat unaware of.

Tia and Judy confirmed that they have had similar experiences as I have.

Karen realizes that it was the same thing for her and
Melissa added even more colors and textures to the post itself with her wonderful descriptions – community, collaboration and chemistry.

It seems to me that we are all hungry for authentic connections and we are finding it. That is what cultural identity is about. Fitting in, finding your own place of belonging where you are happy, and free, and open. A place where you can easily give and receive love!

I love it.

Thanks for all your wonderful comments. I will be writing more along these lines as I see that it has tapped into somethin.

DeeDee on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 11:52 am 



Love this post.

And I agree – they are different cultures.

For me, FB is currently the people that I really know – family and friends. Recently, even have connect (re-connected) with people from HighSchool days. Fun Fun.

Still learning about Twitter. And now have set up TweetDeck. I really like it – but also still learning.

One thing is for sure – I can certainly spend a ton of time here LOL

My husband calls you all my imaginary friends. Haven’t been able to get him here yet. Still working on getting him to blog. I guess it really is one step at a time huh?

Sweet Blessings,
DeeDee

DeeDee’s last blog post..TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD) ~~~~~The Beginning~~~~~

admin on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 12:06 pm 



Christopher, you hit on something when you said, Twitter is more gratifying.

Ellie Walsh - Living the Law of Attraction on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 12:44 pm 



Actually I am new to both FB & Twitter. I created accounts in both awhile back but never really used them! Recently I have played a bit with FB – but honestly I haven’t taken much time to figure it out!

I signed up with Twitter in April but didn’t start to use it till the Dec 6th. Now I have been twittering since – I agree with you – I like the community in Twitter – great group of folks – great conversations going on! People sharing their wisdom, knowledge and humor.

Look – I met you in Twitterland!

Eventually I will take some time and learn more about FB but for now – Twitter is my main choice!

Thanks!

Ellie Walsh – Living the Law of Attraction’s last blog post..Law of Attraction New Year Carnival #46

Marianna on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 1:16 pm 



You bring up some excellent points, Iyabo.

I was invited to Twitter by @coffee_offline and my first thought was, “What am I going to say and how?” I was willing to give it a shot & wait & see.

Now, it’s one of my favourite social networking sites!

The other point I wish to expand upon is that sometimes we need to be comfortable with our uncomfortableness. That is to say, that human nature being what it is – we can sometimes act too quickly to write something off because we “don’t feel right”. New ventures, experiences & people will bring up stuff for us – sit tight & give it a chance.

By opening the door, one may just be pleasantly surprised!

Marianna’s last blog post..Are You Right? – Part 2

Judy cullins on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 1:32 pm 



Hi Iyabo, Thanks for a a real look at FB and Twitter. I’m on both and am now building visibility on faceboo with 2 things. a fan club and business book writers group on FAcebook.
It’s slow, but did get one client for bookcoaching.
With twitter, I write helpful copy in between my updates that give links to one of my 300 articles (that’s my fav mkg) and to free teleseminars and reports at my site. Heavy hiter that has a lot of fun with this!

For free art tel on Jan 22 see http://www.bookcoaching.com/article-marketing-seminar.php

Teresa Angelica Rose on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 1:46 pm 



I’m in the very beginning stages of learning how to use Twitter, and hope to master it soon I love Facebook, and after seeing these messages, look forward to using both
Any suggestions?

God Bless You for a Miracle Day!!!
Teresa Marie Katherine Angelica Rose
http://www.IAmAtPeaceWithDestiny.com
Follow Your Bliss!!!

admin on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 1:50 pm 



Dee Dee you just said what Marianna said in a different way. You got out of your comfort zone. Thanks for weighing in.

But you know what is the interesting thing. After I wrote this post, I got a new client off of Facebook. My first.

So what is the lesson learned here? Let us use this as an opportunity to collectively and consciously set our intention.

My intention with all my social networking is to learn, connect authentically, personally and professionally and have a blast while doing it.

What’s yours?

admin on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 2:06 pm 



Yes, Ellie, it has been so cool getting to know you on Twitter. But do you see how our friendship deepened? It deepened because you tried to subscribe to this blog and there was an issue. You stayed at it and helped me through it.

That is what happens on Twitter. However, I have not had that happen on Facebook.

Judy and Teresa, let us keep at it and align our intentions so that we are in alignment with our goals.

Thanks for your comments.

Iyabo

Claudine on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 2:39 pm 



I agree that Twitter and Facebook have different cultures. I utilize Twitter exactly how you said – to share information and learn information. People are genuinely nice on Twitter and I would unfollow someone in a heartbeat if they tweeted a hard sell.

As a college career services professional, I use Faceboook to stay connected with my students. (I also have a seperate account to stay in touch with my family and high school and college friends.) My college students love that they can write on my wall or IM me if I am online to schedule their next appointment or just run an idea by me. I like it because I can keep them up-to-date on events sponsored by my office.

Either way, both Twitter and Facebook are great methods of reaching out to people that, 10 years ago, we would have never connected with!

Claudine Renee

admin on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 3:02 pm 



That is the beauty of Social Networking Claudine. I grew up in Nigeria and recently about five of my old school mates from the 70’s recently found.

thanks for your input. We are connecting in great ways. Good to meet you.

Iyabo

Good Vibe Coach on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 4:15 pm 



Facebook never grabbed me, but Twitter is irresistible! At least it has been to me. Something about the immediate and necessarily succinct communication that appeals.

Don’t you just love how those skeptical hubbies eventually come around? lol

Great post, Iyabo!

Jeannette

Good Vibe Coach’s last blog post..The Folly of Working Toward Goals

Kelly Wissink on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 8:32 pm 



As one who uses both Facebook and Twitter as my main social media sources, I have to say that I am “addicted” to Twitter. Getting to know someone in a “personal” way and yet sharing who I am and what I do with no pressure to “sell” has me smiling and excited to see my @replies and to experience the latest tweet “buzz”.

What truly blew me away was the support that everyone shared during the recent phishing attacks on Twitter. When trouble comes, true family sticks together and that is exactly what happened!

Thought provoking post, Iyabo! Thank you!

Christopher on Tue, 6th Jan 2009 9:00 pm 



Twitter is more immediately gratifying like I said, but at the same time, there is something magical about being connected to friends of mine from fifteen years ago again on Facebook… Best friends that I’ve lost touch with over the years, but now we are plugged in and via the news feed, it’s like we are on the phone with each other every day, updating everyone with the latest in our lives.

Christopher’s last blog post..Gardening Helps Man Put Life Back Together

Coach Jim on Thu, 8th Jan 2009 5:35 pm 



I have a dissenting opinion. I love working in both worlds, but I find the constant streaming of Twitter to be overwhelming, at times. If I’m out of office for a day, I return to find 30 pages of tweets. Too much, too much. So I’ve had to learn to let go of reading them all, and just skate across the pages doing a random walk. I enjoy getting to know many people… but paradoxically find myself sometimes thinking, when I see someone putting out 30 and 50 and 90 tweets: “I don’t want to know you THAT well!” Of course, I’m a Baby Boomer. I have never been good at holding 307 simultaneous conversations, like my kids do. I’m more into holding deeper conversations with a smaller number of people… and so for now, Facebook is my fave of the two.
My two cents!

Sherryayn on Fri, 9th Jan 2009 12:27 pm 



What a great post! I completely agree. Twitter is a culture and a community where ideas, success, frustrations are all shared. There is a great amount of support from fellows. It’s a great deal different from Facebook.

I do not like a sales pitch on twitter and will unfollow if that’s all I receive in someone’s updates. But for those that shout out a new blog post or are excited about a product being completed and ready for launch, I am more than happy to take a look and spread the word. I want to help and support them in this fashion!

Thanks again for sharing!–sherryayn

Sherryayn’s last blog post..sherryayn: Why does WP 2.7 look like the free online version of WP? Is it supposed to or did simple scripts slip me one?

admin on Fri, 9th Jan 2009 3:17 pm 



Coach Jim, I love what you said. This is my point. We gravitate towards what feels good for us culturally. So you like networking with a few to have a deeper conversation. Not very broad, so you use Facebook. That is not an opinion, it is your expression of Facebooks’ resonance with your personal values. It is a fact for you. Thanks for your non dissenting opinion.

Jeanette, only you can understand about the hubbies coming around.

Christopher, Facebook has me connected with people from High school in Africa. It is so scary. And I think you bring up an excellent point. Social networking is not all about business. The relationship building component is what it is all about, whether it is business or personal.

Kelly, I was also blown away with all the support I got from twitter at that time. It was like being at a party and all the lights go out – we are all in the same boat. It creates an immediate feeling of intimacy. No more airs. Just the problem at hand.

Sherryyayn, I love how you actually filter stuff out systematically. It is great.

Thank you for all your great comments. I have a follow up post coming out on this soon.

Iyabo

Social Media Etiquette Roundup: Understanding Cultural Norms « Community Organizer 2.0 on Mon, 12th Jan 2009 3:27 pm 

[...] A personal coach’s experience of the two cultures: Twitter vs. Facebook culture [...]

KMcGill on Mon, 2nd Feb 2009 9:14 pm 



Has anyone thought about comparing the age demographic of the average Facebook user with that of Twitter users? Facebook is likely preferred by college students and recent college grads. The age aspect could certainly explain the reason there is so much advertising on Facebook. College students and recent grads are usually on their own and so are starting to make decisions about things to buy. Also, college students still need to make connections with people to help them further their careers, which is why the opportunity to do more than just write a 140 word post about themselves is appealing, but may not be so important to those preferring Twitter.

Twitter users seem to be in their 30s or older, and less attached to the “connection” aspect of Facebook, possibly because they already have a career and are already “connected.” People with more life experience would be more attached to the “following” aspect of Twitter as a way to help them in other areas of their life by sharing problems and solutions. The social interaction on Facebook and Twitter are different because of who the users are.

I think the argument Lyabo made about of different cultures of Twitter and Facebook appealing to different people is correct. However, I think that considering the demographics of who prefers which site could help explain that difference and could be another thing to consider when thinking about which site’s culture you prefer.

Deb on Mon, 9th Feb 2009 12:30 pm 



Interesting perspective. I agree that they have different cultures. I think it depends what you use them for. I use Twitter to stay up-to-date with issues and thoughts about social media, and to get news updates. I use Facebook to connect on a more emotional level. It’s probably because I actually know most of my Facebook friends and have never met most Twitter friends, so I find a deeper connection on Facebook.

Deb’s last blog post..A great day in the worst month

Social Media Etiquette Roundup: Understanding Cultural Norms | Community Organizer 2.0 on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 10:56 am 

[...] A personal coach’s experience of the two cultures: Twitter vs. Facebook culture [...]

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