Microblogging Is Easy, Or Is It?

I’ve recently been trying to use Twitter on a more frequent basis. I wasn’t exactly scared to use it, or attempting some lame high-school rebellion against the social media explosion. I would just stare at that box of 140 characters and think, “who really cares what I’m doing?” Especially if all I’m doing is coding CSS or designing a new logo. My tweets would consist of, “I just selected the pen tool again!” and, “I’m typing hex color codes!” Eventually I came to realize that people actually do care about that stuff. Some people find what I do to be interesting, which I still have trouble wrapping my head around. So why not share it.

Even after coming to this conclusion, I still have difficulty. I’m told that tweeting eventually becomes second nature — like brushing your teeth. I’m not there yet. It’s a struggle every time. I usually end up repeating similar things, and the last thing I want to do is be one of those guys on Facebook or Twitter that says “TGIF” every single Friday and, “I can’t wait until Friday” every Monday.

So, how do you write something original on a consistent basis without offending relatives, friends or turning away potential clients? I don’t know, I’m asking… Twitter walks the fine line between what’s really on your mind and what you can actually say. Like many people, my personal identity is mixed with my business. All it takes is one jab at a controversial subject to turn people away, or if you’re lucky, attract people. But it’s a risky card to play — exposing your opinions to the world in a professional setting. And yes, if you use Twitter for your business, it is a major professional marketing tool. Muku Studios is a small design studio that exposes our faces and personalities to the public. How much of that personality can be exposed before it becomes a hindrance instead of an asset to your business? Maybe that’s what stumps me every time I stare at those 140 characters left. Can I really write what’s on my mind? I have a sarcastic and ironic sense of humor that doesn’t always come across positively in written format.

My wife, Jana is a Twitter master compared to me. She can tweet, retweet and reply all day long without tip toeing in the morally gray or professionally irrelevant. I’ve been trying to take tips from her, but I’m not sure her path is the right one for me.

That being said, I’ve got no answers or tips to make it any easier at the moment. Just do it, as Nike would say. Hopefully with perseverance, I’ll find my niche. We can’t all be Ashton Kutcher.

If you would like to read Jana’s tweets follow JanaMorgan. If you like to watch me struggle with tweeting follow MukuStudios.