Our ‘community’ is a strong one. We use Twitter differently than the Americans do. It’s more of a sharing/chat platform. We discuss the news, network, give advice, go out for drinks almost weekly, companies are being created, sometimes it feels like a hippie commune, people are genuinly willing to help and listen (at least my followers). My phone didn’t work, I posted it on Twitter and six people offer me a phone. When I have a bad day or feel sick I get a lot of replies, well wishes and advice. That means a lot to me. Maybe it wasn’t the way they intended the use of Twitter, but I love it.

Workwise I get all my jobs as a filmmaker through Twitter, not just because I follow the right (and therefor useful) people on Twitter but also because the lines of communication have become shorter. It’s easy, fast and they know me.

I made a lot of really good friends this past yearnot just in Holland but all over the world. Likeminded people I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for Twitter. I finally met a group of people who are passionate about the internet, social networking, gadgets all the things my ‘IRL’ friends never got about me. It was like coming home. (and I don’t care if I sound like a sentimental girl, cause that’s what I am)
So for me it has worked and it’s still working.

But I agree, you have to have the time to work on your network and sometimes the discussions aren’t about anything, and are some people just egocentric attention seekers, but that is also the joy of Twitter, you can use it whichever way you like it. You just have to remember that the world is listening. But then again, why bother if somebody has problems with the way you tweet, they shouldn’t follow you.