Being part of the 80% isn’t so bad
- 22 Comment
I talked about this in Commentz back in September, but wanted to share here.
I read this stat via Mashable which essentially reinforced the 80/20 rule on Twitter: “80 percent of users are ‘meformers,’ or ‘me now’ status updaters. The rest (20 percent) are informers who use the channels to share informational updates.”
The stat wasn’t surprising, however I was a bit miffed at the host of negative responses towards the “80″ group. The very basis of Twitter was built on the question, “What are you doing?” Y-O-U. The tool has evolved and we each use it as we see fit.
There are no official rules, no “right ways” to use Twitter or any other network. Social networks are popular, in part, because they allow us to “tell the story of me.” It could mean a subconscious validation of one’s existence (I know, a little deep) or a simple way to connect with friends and family.
Whatever the case, that 80 percent (which might include most of us) are the people we’re all trying to communicate with.
<stepping off soapbox>
22 Comments on this post
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Skye said:
Great points Sarah — I think it’s easy for people to get wrapped up in how they and/or their direct peers utilize social networks, and forget what these networks were originally designed for. I don’t understand the negative reactions to the “80″ group… the naysayers don’t have to follow anyone in the “80″ group, and have the power to just follow those who they feel are in the “20″ group if that’s what they want to do.
We’re in control of our interaction with and reaction to all social networks. Like you said, there are no official rules.
December 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm -
PR Cog said:
Great response – every leader needs someone to lead.
What’s particularly interesting IMHO is watching those in the 80% hone their skills (whatever those may be) and move into the 20% group. Tho everyone starts as an 80 percenter.
Cheers
~CogDecember 16th, 2009 at 9:39 pm -
PRsarahevans said:
Thanks for the great comments Skye and Cog!
December 16th, 2009 at 9:40 pm -
Jessica Gottlieb said:
I would like to tell you how this post makes me feel right now.
But I know 80% of y’all don’t care.
FYI you look hawt on a soapbox.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:20 pm -
Katie Bailey said:
While these statistics don’t surprise me, one thing that bothers me is it neglects to acknowledge the overlap between these two groups. Sure, the majority of Twitter users fall in the 80 group, but I can’t think of many remotely interesting users that fit in the 20 (let’s say most of the time) that don’t find themselves updating with personal insights or non-information-sharing tweets from time to time.
Frankly, I find the people who share interesting tidbits about themselves or their thoughts and feelings in addition to information to be the most interesting.
Also, I agree with you — there are no “right ways” (or wrong ways) to use Twitter. As you said, it is a constantly evolving medium, changing as individual users see fit. The stigma against the 80 percent is just silly.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:26 am -
cash back with credit said:
I would probably agree with this one…even with this stat is there still some serious money to make through twitter?
December 17th, 2009 at 1:13 pm -
Aluminum Laptop Cases said:
I don’t think being part of the 80% is a problem. A bigger problem is people’s judgment about what to post. Too many people like to post things about themselves that people simply are not interested. Like is it really necessary to tell everyone what you ate for breakfast?
December 17th, 2009 at 4:22 pm -
Rent College Books said:
Twitter started out as a meformer platform if that is a word, its just marketers that found out that there were alot of eyeballs that were focused on all of that Me to stuff.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:29 pm -
Antalya evden eve nakliyat said:
bigger problem is people’s judgment about what to post. Too many people like to post things about themselves that people simply are not interested.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am -
Link Wheels said:
I use twitter for both myself and my company.
January 1st, 2010 at 6:57 am -
facebook video said:
thanx for post
January 1st, 2010 at 7:16 am -
avril lavigne said:
Thanks to everyone for sharing.
January 1st, 2010 at 7:45 am -
malatya haber said:
thanx for post
January 1st, 2010 at 8:24 am -
youtube gir said:
thank you for entery
January 1st, 2010 at 8:52 am -
çizgi film izle said:
I use twitter for both myself and my company.
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 am -
Hair Salons said:
Good informative post. Twitter is really most popular social networking site.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:59 am -
Aluminum Laptop Cases said:
I think the longer Twitter is around, the more those stats will shift towards less personal tweets. It is just inevitable that it is eventually overrun by marketers and spammers.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:22 pm -
Jenn Belden said:
As one who falls more into the 80% category (and, no, I don’t post what I ate for breakfast) I think there is a pretty broad spectrum of people in that 80%.
Yes, people need to be selective (but I’m guessing in real life, they likely are missing that filter, anyway) but its a resource for us, too – we aren’t using it in a biz environment.
People in the 20% range need to keep in mind that those same people are reading your pr/fundraising/marketing pitches – we are part of your target audience.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:17 am -
Bidet said:
Twitter is meant for people to know what you are doing. Many people follow these celebrities just for that. To follow their lives and see what they are doing every second. I think there is nothing wrong with updating people on your daily activities.
January 24th, 2010 at 2:16 pm -
direk izle said:
I agree with you.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:37 pm -
youtube gir said:
great idea, thanks for sharing.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:45 am -
kelowna real estate said:
Frankly, I find the people who share interesting tidbits about themselves or their thoughts and feelings in addition to information to be the most interesting.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
