Many people will tell you how to build a big Twitter network. My new Twitter friend, Owen Greaves, got 1,000 followers in 10 days. He’s now up to 1,400 in 14 days. He wrote the best post I’ve seen on how to build a quality network quickly.
Instead, I will offer complementary advice.
I will spend the next semester telling every student (and non-student) who will listen that they need to be on Twitter. I won’t extol the benefits today. But for a person working in the communications industry today, it is vital.
If you’re one of those people new to Twitter, please understand that the quality of your network is far more important than the size.
Here are a list of people from whom you can learn immediately.
Plunk around for more than 5 minutes, and you’ll find the obvious ones, such as @chrisbrogan, @scobleizer, and @guykawasaki. You’ll find those on your own.
Instead I offer you 5 opinion leaders who are approachable, cool, and fun. They’re smart and friendly, which is an excellent combination.
@PressReleasePR — Danny Brown may live in Toronto, but he’s one of the coolest guys and sharpest minds in social media today. His blog, Social Media PR, is intellectually stimulating and uplifting. A must read. If there were a Twitter expansion draft, he’d be the first protected player on my team.
@jasonfalls — The first thing that Jason taught me is that Kentucky is finally wired for the Internet. Then, a comment I left on his blog probably landed him in the hospital. Seriously, though. I left a comment on his Social Media Explorer blog, and he reached out to say that we should flush it out into a post. Very cool. And he may be even more irreverent than I am, which is always a plus.
@thebrandbuilder — Seriously? When did the South get so many smart people? From South Carolina comes The Brand Builder, Olivier Blanchard, who is a forward thinking brand strategist. He has great ideas about brand identity, and I think he’s so smart, I’ve arranged a conference call. Saying a lot given that I’m allergic to the phone.
@Jimconnolly — Jim Connolly has almost 15,000 followers, which puts him at true rockstar status and should make his ineligible for this list. But his Jim’s Marketing Blog is a must read, and he has been part of several conversations with me. Not many rockstars are so willing to share their advice. (Read Jim’s network-building advice here).
@NickLongo — This guy helped revolutionize the Internet at a time when I thought it was just a toy. He founded CoffeeCup software, and he’s as cool as can be. We’ve traded meaningful information and bantered about parenting, Texas, and black eyed peas (the food, not the band). Read his bio to be astounded.
Honorable Mentions
Funniest on Twitter
@TheBloggess — She’s not rated G, but she’s hilarious. Funniest person I’ve met on Twitter. It’s a travesty that she’s not a full-time humor columnist.
Best of Texas
@sarah_crisman — Sarah’s been helpful and funny. A very cool person from whom I hope to learn a lot. You need to know her.
Best People with Whom to Trade New Year’s Eve Quips
@nanpalmero — His epic “yellow unibrow” and “@wifebradley3″ comments won’t soon be forgotten. He’s also a tech pimp, and if you ever Tweet about a hardware problem, rest assured he knows people.
@Adrigonzo — She chased off dozens of New Year’s Eve followers with my favorite word, and she rocked a New Year’s Eve bash wearing two hoodies. Enough said. And she lives in the Bay Area, and I don’t. Sigh.
All of these people will add value to your network and your life. Follow them today.
Your Suggestions from Comments
@ajinnashville
@ambercadabra
@bethharte
@bookgal
@chrisTheAuthor
@dana_willhoit
@dmullen
@glenndavid
@kellyecrane
@KrisColvin
@LizzHarmon
@PRsarahEvans
@scottmeis
@shannonpaul
@sonnygill
@smashadv (added May 26, 2010)
@THE_REAL_SHAQ
@thespotter
@timlaubacher
More Suggestions from you!
@afhill
@awolk
@bmorrissey
@halvorson
@laniAR
@leeaase
@leighhouse
@mackcollier
@scotthepburn
@tbrunelle
I'm a cognitive scientist and communication scholar who manages a psychophysiology lab at Texas Tech. I teach courses about the cognitive processing of media messages and research methods.
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You missed @LizzHarmon, @bookgal, and @dana_willhoit.
Hit the button too quick. Thanks for the article, though. Some people on here I didn’t know and will follow. Already following you and happy to be doing so.
Thanks for the kind words, Chris. And thanks for the additions. I will make sure that I am following them and add them if I’m not!
Since this is on topic, thought I would mention “75 Top Blog Posts on using Twitter for Marketing / Social Media”: http://www.spotlightideas.co.uk/?p=1088
Eamon,
Thanks for adding to the conversation. I will check out the post!
Sam
@THE_REAL_SHAQ
Obviously!
Nice list of people and while it turns out I already follow most of them – thoughts leaders can be quite different depending on the market you are in or the interests you go after. Twitter is just like any other social network – what is right for one group of people – is not for others.
but for me – this list works! thanks for sharing!
Alex,
Thanks for the comment. And you’re absolutely right for the bulk of people to follow. But I’ve found that on Twitter, I will follow really smart people even if they’re outside of my area.
I’m following artists and mommy bloggers just because they make me thing.
Sam
i try only to folow those with an impressing bio en something that appeals to me or something concerning design and stuff and for some strange reason i get 3followers a day… not a lot, but i’ve only been here 2 weeks
Bonjour Glenn (or is it David)?
My stepfather is from Belgium, so I am especially glad to have you in my network now.
You must be getting traffic because you add value to those readers!
Sam
Also @PRsarahEvans and #journchat. (http://journchat.info/).
Thanks, Chris.
I just added Sarah, and you are right about #journchat. But the volume of conversation on #journchat can be overwhelming. It almost needs separate hash tags for sub-streams.
Happy New Year!
Sam
Dude. Is this why I got 100 new followers last night? Your powers are strong. And yes, I’m a total travesty.
I may have read that wrong but I think it’s probably what you meant to write.
Jenny,
The credit is all to @Jimconnolly. He gave a shout out on Twitter and drove more traffic than I’ve ever had in an entire day (when I didn’t accidentally write about naked pictures pervs on the Internet were looking for).
Sam
Great post, Sam… did not know about a few of your honorable mentions so will be sure to check them out.
Now let’s f****** rock out with our hoodies on!
Adrienne
Hi Sam,
When I first started using Twitter I had no idea about how to get followers, didn’t know about BOTS and didn’t know anything about the community. I wanted to find out how active and responsive the Twitter community was compared to Facebook and LinkedIn.
The 1st 1,000 followers I pursued, the last 400 were organic and came on there own. Which means if you follow they will come. I think you’re on the money with your top 5 but I think you would have a tougher time trying to do a top 10.
There other’s that could qualify for the top 5 but this is your list not mine
Thanks for the pingback and talk to you soon.
Hi Sam,
Again, you humble me by including me on such a great list of people (although are you implying that Toronto isn’t famed for anyone decent?)
There are some great new names that you’ve made me aware of, and you’re right – network size is great for coming across new views that you’d miss otherwise, but the real value is (as always) the quality. That can’t be stated enough.
I’m glad to be able to offer views that you find interesting, and hope to build on the great friendship I see developing.
* PS – Did I use the word “great” just a little too much?
Danny,
No such thing as saying “great” too often. That’s why you’re one of the most positive guys on Twitter.
2009 is going to rock.
Just designed a project while on a bike ride that I cannot wait to tell you about.
Sam
Sam,
I couldn’t agree with you more about @NickLongo. He’s as engaging as he is smart, and for all his far-flung popularity (and appropriately so), he’s one TwitterStar who’ll actually respond to tweets from common riff-raff like your truly.
But I’m shocked that no one has mentioned the lovely and talented @KrisColvin! Kristi is UE Consultant/Software Designer based in Kansas City and is working on an exciting soon-to-be introduced app called ‘Twitterface’ that a lot of folks are looking forward to greatly. She’s also one of the foremost Twitter watchdogs I’ve witnessed in action, coming to the aid of those whose accounts and/or identities have been hacked — and she gets results. She’s a joy to interact with and an extremely savvy and bright lady! She’s a GOTSTA follow!
Oh and BTW, just to let you know…we got them new-fangled intreenet masheens down here in Tennessee now too. Greatest thang since indoor plummin’ dontchathink?
Great list. I wholeheartedly agree on Danny, Jason and Olivier. Didn’t know about the others, so thanks for sharing them.
If you’re looking for great marketing types to follow, I’d add @ambercadabra, @bethharte and @kellyecrane to the list. If you’re looking for folks who concentrate on social media, I’d point you to @shannonpaul, @sonnygill and @scottmeis.
I could go on and on about other great people to follow, but I’ll leave it there for now.
Thanks again!
AJ — Hilarious. @KrisColvin deserves the follow just for being from my hometown on Kansas City. I’ve been following for a few days. I’m following a fairly large contingent from the Volunteer State, so I’m gld to hear from you.
David — Some new names here for me, and I’ll check them out. @ambercadabra is awesome, and she’d easily make any 10 must follows. Another super smart blogger/social media type is @ConversationAge.
I should have gone for 10!
Sam, David Mullen (@dmullen) was too shy to list himself…so I am going to do it for him.
Danny, Jason and Olivier are all the best even if they are from different countries…Okay, okay, Kentucky is in the States. (Had to give Jason a hard time, what can I say?!)
And learned about some folks I didn’t know, but am looking forward to doing so.
Glad to have found your blog…your writing is quite entertaining! Must be all that cognitive processing of mediated messages…
Happy New Year!
Thanks for the recommendations. I’m now following those I didn’t already know about. And Beth Harte was absolutely correct to add you to the list.
excellent post, especially this quote “quality of your network is far more important than the size” and lucky me, already follow most of those you recommend!
My must-reads are @mackcollier, @leighhouse, @scotthepburn, @awolk, @bmorrissey, @afhill, @halvorson, @tbrunelle and far too many more to name. (Always feel bad for the people I omit.)
I can no longer keep up with all of you. Should rename post “build a great Twitter network in one small post!”
Thanks for all the feedback, Tweeps. Made my day.
And I feel bad, too.
Great list of folks here that I follow and some that I will be from now on.
I’d recommend @laniAR – she is the new media director at AgentGenius and is the epitome of a connector. She loves talking to people and connecting and helping them w/other like-minded folks. Definite gem.
And thanks to @davidmullen for pointing me here!
First, I love that your comment feature includes a Twitter id field. Great idea. Ditto to Sonny’s remarks, this is an incredibly valuable connection post, thank you.
I’ll throw one more in the mix Lee Aase (@leeaase), heads up PR/social media at Mayo Clinic and is the “Chancellor” of SMUG – social media university global. Really great guy that takes a practical approach to getting folks going with social media.
Cheers to @dmullen as well for getting me here.
Sonny and Scott — Thanks so much for these! I’ve added them, and I hope the readers will, too.
I follow lots of people in Austin, Texas. Cool to be following someone in Austin, Minn.!
Thanks for the mad props … and for putting me in the hospital and stuff. Heh.
Greatly appreciate the listing and hope to do justice to you and your students. I’d offer suggestions, too, but a lot of the top of mind folks have been covered already. Looking forward to collaborating … whenever I find that email again.
You really should add @barefoot_exec. She is so REAL and full of helpful inspiring messages to help you grow your business. She is helping other work at home moms grow their businesses and allow them to take care of their kids and work at home as well. I have a 3 month old baby and 3 year old and run my own business out of my house. She is such great inspiration to me!
I have started a new blog on Twitter applications that you might want to take a look at: http://mytwitapps.com
I’m hurt. I’m not on this list?
Kidding….I’m just feeling needy tonight.
The Daily Blonde’s last blog post..I Am A Social Media Addict
I had to leave some good people out … or the sequel would be no good!
Check this twitter bot : @getsong it helps you relax and enjoy your favourite artists’ videos.
A little shocked I’m not on here. What, with all of my keen communications insight and all. Oh well, I’m an acquired taste.
Jim Mitchem´s last blog ..Demystifying Social Media
In fairness, Jim, the post is a bit dated at 16 months old. Twitter was barely learning to walk then.
But I’ve been following you for a long time. Others should, too!