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Home / Featured / Network / Social Media Marketing / Twitter / The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities
Twitter. It’s all the rage with news sources, celebrities, politicians, and millions of everyday folks getting in and playing around with it. The premise was simple: in 140 characters or less, answer a simple question that your followers and anyone who visits your page can see: “What are you doing?”
Since its creation, Twitter has both stayed the same and experienced evolutionary changes. The premise hasn’t changed, but what it means to people and how they use it have changed dramatically up until now. While more uses will certainly pop up, for now, everyone can be classified as having one or more of the following Twitter personalities.
These personalities and how we present them to the world define our uses and intentions on the Twittersphere. Whether we know it or not, these snippets of life that we cram into 140 characters say more about us as Tweeple than they say about us as people. For many, the distinction between the two is very thin.
The site asks, “What are you doing?” and that’s exactly what The Purist delivers. This is the point where many new users start. Many of them continue indefinitely, following the lines of the original intent of the site to truly microblog every aspect of their life, whether exciting or mundane.
The Clever Purist will answer the question just as stated. The difference between them and The Purist is that they put a spin on their tweets to make their actions more entertaining or interesting than they really are. These users can accumulate a strong following once they are noticed as other users see them as adding value a notch above others in their stream.
Any time you can take the mundane and throw a spin into it that makes people think, smile, laugh, or a combination of the three, you’re sure to be followed and retweeted often. The funny ones employ a Seinfeld-esque style of looking at nothing and making something out of it.
There are live journalists tweeting their findings to the world. There are citizen journalists breaking the news happening in front of them. There are bloggers posting more than just their posts; they post their thoughts on other issues and websites as well.
The Journalist is the Twitter personality that is getting almost as much attention as the celebrities joining twitter. It is as a collective more than as individuals that they are turning Twitter into the place to find and share what is happening in the world as it’s happening. Hundreds of stories have been written about the Twitter army being on the scene first at major events, tweeting pictures before camera crews at local television stations can find the keys to their van.
Unlike traditional journalism, the rulebook is thrown out the window with Twitter Journalism. Time is everything - breaking news breaks fast on Twitter, opinions can go stale and must be concise, and links fall to obscurity if nobody with a lot of followers tweets or retweets it. Twitter is changing the face of journalism more than any website in history.
Twitter is a doorway through which many celebrities are able to interact with fans, foes, and everyone in between in a direct yet safe manner. Most use it to thank their fans, promote their upcoming shows, discuss visiting a Los Angeles BMW dealer, and generally establish a constant public relations facade that humanizes them carefully and in a calculated way.
Others just don’t give a damn and they tweet whatever they want to tweet because they like to tweet.
One celebrity in particular does a tremendous job of being himself. Shaquille O’Neal, @the_real_shaq, is about as real as it gets, and thankfully for his fans and followers he’s a very entertaining guy, even when he “keeps it real”.
Instead of singling out other celebrities who tend to use Twitter as a PR/Marketing tool, we’ll take a peek at what makes Shaq real. He pleads with nobody in particular (possibly even himself) “Can I plaese cheat on my diet and got to dairy Queen pls pls pls”. A few minutes later, you see this image linked through a tweet:
Classic Shaq.
There are those who enjoy what they find on Twitter more than what they have to say themselves. The Link Mogul/Retweeter uses Twitter as a resource and they’re happy to share what they find with their own followers regardless of where they find it.
They retweet what they find on Twitter and tweet what they find off of Twitter.
In many ways, this personality type includes the people who keep the streams churning. Whether they’re looking for a Boston Used Nissan or the next musical protege, they links they post are important to people. They bring interesting finds to light, whether it’s a link or simply something interesting that someone else has said.
They retweet like crazy, selflessly bringing attention to other people’s content and other users accounts, not because they have ulterior motives or selfish goals but because they find good stuff and they want others to see it as well.
Without these users, many wonderful things on Twitter would never reach more than a few people.
Find links, find interesting tweets that others make, find interesting links that others tweet, and get it out to their portion of the Twittersphere. It’s that easy.
New users who do no longer want to be The Purist often migrate to a variation of this personality.
What is happening today? What will be happening tomorrow? What articles should we read? What videos should we watch? Who should we be following? What’s the next big thing?
For better or for worse, there are trendsetters and tastemakers in just about every aspect of Web 2.0. Twitter is no exception, and to accomodate the 140 characters or less aspect, the Tastemakers on Twitter have found 3 major avenues of using their influence to make changes, send traffic, and often even make the news.
The first question that gets asked at least a few times a week of people who are following tens, even hundreds of thousands of people is “how can you possibly keep up with all of those people?”
If asked under truth the influence of Sodium Pentothal, most would simply answer, “I don’t. I can’t. I try, but it’s too much.”
Still, there are a select few who DO try to keep up with their tremendous stream of tweets.
They DO reply to every @reply sent to them, every direct message thrown at them, and still somehow find the time to answer questions and offer help to those who don’t ask them directly.
They read their stream, find interesting points of conversation, and act upon them in some way.
They are Everyman’s friend.
They keep Twitter friendly and help new users get better.
Posted on: Friday, March 20th, 2009
Posted in: Featured, Network, Social Media Marketing, Twitter
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Comments: 162 Responses
March 20th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Interesting read! I don’t know that I’m considered ‘Everyman’s Friend’, hah, but I do have that tweeting style. Tweet on! Woot!
March 20th, 2009 at 5:46 am
I might suggest one more: The Listener. This is a person who uses Twitter as a means of keeping informed, as a social and educational resource, but doesn’t do much more than listen in on what others are saying, offering few tweets or replies.
Yeah, I’m that guy.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:21 am
I’m a little bit of a self promoter, purist, and link mogul. Good post!
Meji- 365hustle.coms last blog post..6 Twitter Tools That You Aren’t Using!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:01 am
its fascinating seeing all the different types of twitterer. there are some who only follow celebs and spend all day communicating with them, some people begging for followers while writing nothing of interest that merits attention, some people who after several months have added only a handful and consequently only being followed by a few. plenty of people dont follow anyone at all. then you get celebs followed by thousands, and only a minority of them follow back. i am addicted to following people as i am just interested in people, famous or otherwise. if someone is revealed to be a fake i’ll still follow them if they amuse me. i add anyone who follows me too, but if they irritate me or try selling me stuff i have no hesitation in deleting or even blocking them. as for the above categories i think i am a combination. i retweet occasionally but i twitter more than reply or retweet. however mostly i just enjoy reading everyones twitters
michelle mckays last blog post..westderby: ive got so many dishes, ive had do do only half of them, cos theres no room to do them all at once:/ twittering has got a lot to answer for!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
[...] Caffeine has developed a list of 14 different Twitter Personalities pertaining to a person’s tweeting style and intentions with the [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 7:40 am
[...] what do you know about this Twitter thing?” Media Caffeine has now generated a list of 14 Twitter personality profiles. And Google Trend’s search data seems to support Nielsen’s assessment of [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I’m 100% purist. What do you think about P Diddy, Demi Moore or Guy Kawasaki?
I read today a few tips from them http://tinyurl.com/cnrodn
March 20th, 2009 at 8:57 am
What about my category?
Everyone’s enemy.
Jessica Gottliebs last blog post..Skiing and Living With Neither Fear Nor Helmets
March 20th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I hear that people like me with multiple personalities fit in well on twitter.
What about those who are lurkers? They only have like 3 tweets.
Bills last blog post..bhartzer: @zachkerr you have to balance it out somehow
March 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I guess I’m more like the normal person who hopes to be a celebrity when he grows up. I could be she self-promoter, except that to the extent that time permits I really do care what others say. Well, the non-trivial anyway. I ignore the clueless, and I kinda ignore the everyman’s friend too, because those guys generate a lot of traffic that has little to do with me.
The fact is, we’re all mostly into ourselves over everyone else, in our own little ways. Twitter really brings that out.
Ron Grahams last blog post..The Four Laws of Dealing with Vendors
March 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
You used a couple of my favorites, Reg (@zaibatsu) and Susan (@BuzzEdition).
I wonder what my style could be called. Nuts, hyper, goofy … I am still working on it, but will keep my tweeps guessing for now.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Very interesting assessment of the personalities on Twitter. As I read this, I believer perhaps I am suffering from multiple personality disorder! But perhaps in a good way - there are a few profiles up there I don’t mind being a part of.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
@socialpmchick
SocialPMChicks last blog post..What’s That You Tweet?
March 20th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I would say that I am a cross between ‘Everyman’s Friend’ and ‘The Self-Promoter’ though I do try to keep links to my own site to a minimum.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I am a newbie. I haven’t even figured it out yet, but see all the personalities already (except the celebs, which I don’t worry about). I would say newbie was a type, I know we do all the stupid things that can be done. I don’t get hashtags completely despite tons of research on my own, and I don’t understand groups at all. Some tweets don’t even make any sense, they are no words but lots of @ signs and hash tags. I can’t figure out if you can somehow follow a conversation - I don’t understand why some tweets seem like them should be DM’s but are public and make no sense.
I hate the fact that all sorts of “gurus” follow me to get me to their social networking sites (which I have no use for, being just a regular person and am not using Twitter to drive people anywhere, including crazy). I don’t tweet things like “I am sitting here observing my navel” either. But I have asked questions - and if these folks are supposedly following me - I have gotten zero answers. I have, however gotten answers from other regular people.
On the other hand, I have hooked up with a several way cool people, found some fascinating blogs (there is that social networking again) and it reminds me to read the blogs I follow - sometimes. Depends on the Tweeter.
All in all great article. Someone told me you can tell a lot about the Tweeter by their picture - the marketers/spammers all seem to have a studio shot. And I think that’s pretty true.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:47 am
So true!!! Good one! Im totally a Tastemaker!
@Casielees last blog post..Quote of The Day
March 20th, 2009 at 10:54 am
[...] social networking, Twitter — davidkirkpatrick @ 1:54 pm This article outlines the 14 types of Twitter personalities. A fun — and really pretty insightful — [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I can’t say I know where I fall. I tweet my blog posts sometimes, reply to people I follow, post whatever’s on my mind, though not often what I’m actually doing, and thats really about it.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I think there is more to be added to the list.
Like “Introspective Tweeter” the ones that only tweet what they’re thinking about things.
michelles last blog post..The Death of Common Sense
March 20th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I’m definitely Everyman’s Friend. Acres and acres of @replies - largely because community requires conversation. It also helps that a reply can be super short but packed with meaning.
Unless it’s just “lolz.”
March 20th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
You need the personality that I am. Only add your group of close, real life friends, use twitter to plan nightly chill sessions and have group convos any time of day.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I would add one more to the negatives list: The Chatter.
The Chatter is a twitter user who treats twitter like an IM application and insists on having hundreds of real time conversations with anyone and everyone that’s following them , or that they’re following (even occasionally @ing people who aren’t following them).
The worst is when you follow two Chatters and they have longwinded (but 140 character-limited) real time conversations for hours on end. The result is serious Feed Bloat.
Generally The Chatter is either your mom, or your aunt, or somebody else you’re obligated to follow, but who doesn’t quite grasp the concept — with often annoying results.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Yer all a bunch of narcissists, get a life, all of you.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I would be the guy who scapes this article tweets it, and enjoys the traffic spike.
March 20th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You forgot my category - Favrd whore. People whose every tweet is an attempt to get people to laugh and star their tweets so they make the Favrd leaderboard. There’s a lot of us out there - http://favrd.textism.com/
@joeschmitt
Joe Schmitts last blog post..joeschmitt: Tweet of the Day honorable mention to @lisarahmat for this: http://twitter.com/lisarahmat/statuses/1360919390
March 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I don’t fall into any of these categories. All of my Twitter posts are about how great I am. Bible quotes, fake statistics, etc
March 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
[...] See what kind of Tweet personality you are at MediaCaffeine.com. [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I’m between Clever Purist and Listener.
I actually stop following people who take over my feed. If I look at my feed and see nothing but one person, buh-bye.
I like other clever purists and tastemakers only.
Todd Lamberts last blog post..Deer Google, please slow down!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I’m between Clever Purist and Listener.
I actually stop following people who take over my feed. If I look at my feed and see nothing but one person, buh-bye.
I like other clever purists and tastemakers only.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I so like reading the MC articles but could you please consider increasing the line-height ? The articles are just fine when I iew them with my tweaked stylesheets inside my NetNewsWire but on-web the posts a real drag to read through. The small space between seperate lines makes the lines intervene each other…
kind regards
Grapplicas last blog post..The simple 10 of online collaboration
March 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I am a mix of a cournalist (citizen journalist) retweeter link mogul and a taste-tryer….90% of my tweets are simply passing on information in an attempt to encourage self-education in the biggest university in the world…the net. there is so much effin cool stuff out there, you could never find it all yourself…it’s nice to get suggestions. It is tempting to use twitter as a self-pttying platform, though i try to stay away from that. <3!
March 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I’d also add “The Bumfish”
Which is someone who bums fish, and says random, slighty odd things purely for the sake of getting attention - which generally doesn’t work, and everyone just ignores me.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
You’ve captured us all, guilty as charged, lol.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hi there
I would like to post this to my own blog- do you want me to link to this URL or do you want me to copy with a byline?
Please let me know.
Cheryl Cran
March 20th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
[...] This bookmark links to http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/ [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
I saw a similar article that was not nearly as well done as this one. However, I would add one more to both: Room must be made for philosophers . . .
Lihsas last blog post..Print Media’s Solution: Invasion of the Pod
March 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I did not see the ‘Quoter’; someone who only tweets quotes. I love the inspirational quotes from time to time, but when a tweeter does not share anything of themselves or any original thoughts ,they fail to connect in this social context.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I’m a link mogul and a friend (as much as I have time to be). I don’t have just one style, or one purpose. I read a post that you should have only one function on twitter — for instance — that one should just report news, give links to songs or videos, tell jokes, quote, put up photos, give blog links, answer other’s needs — but only do ONE of these. Then you would be “known for something,” this “expert” said, and those on twitter would know they could turn to you when they needed your particular function. I don’t find this sound advice, as I think one can have multiple functions on Twitter. If one does have multiple functions, it makes him more well rounded and I believe more valuable! I don’t have a problem with those who specialize, it’s just not for me! Yes, I try to be a friend, and have several functions, and participate in many ways. I hope to learn to be even a better friend on Twitter in the future, and bring as much value to the Twitter community as I can.
krissy knox
follow me on twitter
http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
March 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I agree that this is an incomplete list. I’m an Information Junkie and am subscribed to news, weather, national weather, hurricane updates, Red Cross disasters, environmental news, orchestras, politics, television, celebs, travel sites, 911 updates, medical information, wine, bird watchers, and a whole slew of other Twits. In between news I am a Prattler, prattling on about my daily activities or opinions. In fact, I ignore completely the “What are you doing?” question. So I characterize myself as an Information Junkie, a Prattler, and Living In My Own Little Tweet-Nest Ignoring The Rest.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I think I fit across several categories. I do find Celebs that keep it real really entertaining because it enables me to make references to Social Networking that laymen can understand in my business process. See my blogpost for my tips on Social Media (again, opinions are not Guy Kawasaki’s but general rules of thumb) and I would like to believe that I contribute something entertaining through what I Twitter.
I don’t tend to lose followers. Time will tell.
Stephenie @digitalgodess
Stephenies last blog post..Millionaire Mind: Definite Goal
March 20th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Kind of crazy with twitter and many will agree with me :). It simple but bring lots of change in this world. Blogging needs lot of word and phases, but to tweet something you need creativity of putting and essay into limited words. Kind of a summary but easy to understand :). Twitter rocks
March 21st, 2009 at 12:36 am
Good article, but there is a bit of arrogance in proclaiming what Twitter (or any social media) is “for”. That decision belongs to the user.
It reminded me of the notorious definition of “Oats” in Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary which proceeds as follows: “Oats; a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people”. As you see, Twitter is consumed as seen fit by it’s users.
Twitter’s permission based structure prevents “twits” from annoyingly “adver-tweeting” to you; you can )and should) simply choose not to “follow” them.
Well, the Scots have a witty retort to Ol’ Sam Johnson. In reply they say “yes, and England has the finest horses, and Scotland the finest men”!
I use Twitter to promote SpillSpace, a blog about the things that fascinate me (generally art, spirituality, and cool stuff). Someone who follows SpillSpace would also judge my “tweets” to provide increased value to their Twitter experience. Certainly more so than were I to chatter on pretentiously about my moment to moment thoughts and tasks (something one Russian friend delightfully calls “twaddle”); which is presumably what Twitter is “for” according the Media Caffeine author.
I recently blogged about Twitter in an article whose title parodies a Shakespeare quote “Brevity is the Soul of Twit”, take a look: http://spillspace.com/2009/brevity-is-the-soul-of-twit/
March 21st, 2009 at 5:16 am
I hadn’t thought about it before, but having read this, I now see myself as a Link Mogul/Retweeter. I like to connect with people through Twitter, but I use it mainly to find interesting things to read and to share them with others.
Janet Barclays last blog post..SPRING into Action!
March 21st, 2009 at 6:51 am
I guess I am a bit self-promoter, since I post links to my freebie post, and a retweeter, because I retweet about others’ giveaways, freebies and coupons. But also great links, and sometimes I talk and ask questions about things in my life, and reply to others questions whenever I can. Basically all what I’ve always done since I first came online in ‘98!
Catherine @frugalfreebiess last blog post..Free Kelloggs Fiber Drink Mix
March 21st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Well said. I agree.
Michael
I help people learn how to be more resilient. To learn how to with life’s adversities.
http://twitter.com/ResilientMichae
March 21st, 2009 at 8:00 am
The Link Mogul/Retweeter, that would be me. Although I am working on being a *POI followed. Or is it one of three types as Malcolm Gladwell wrote in “The Tipping Point” such as Mavens are “information specialists”, or “people we rely upon to connect us with new information.” or
Connectors are the people who “link us up with the world … people with a special gift for bringing the world together.”
or
Salesmen are “persuaders”, charismatic people with powerful negotiation skills. *person of interest
Thanks for the commentary, you get a stumbleupon vote from me and a retweet.
Doug Caldwells last blog post..
March 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
What about the parrot? They retweet the same thing over and over, hoping someone is listening.
March 21st, 2009 at 8:12 am
This just looks like a glorified chat room.
March 21st, 2009 at 8:24 am
Definitely “newbie” is a type . . I’m a newbie and I find myself trying out all of the above styles (except celebrity.)
angieces last blog post..The Human Ticker Tape
March 21st, 2009 at 8:25 am
Damn!! these are amazing amazing profiling based observations. I feel that one can never be stereotyped untill or unless they are the ’spammer’ or the ’stalker’ types or ‘clueless’ if they are starting new.
Most of my followers or myself are combination of first six, not including being a celbrity like the Real Shaq.
Moksh Junejas last blog post..Condition of some roads in Chembur, Mumbai
March 21st, 2009 at 8:41 am
It seems I am a cross between Tastemaker and Everyman’s Friend, with a side of link mogul/retweeter and just a pinch of clever purist.
~Shawn K (@thattalldude)
March 21st, 2009 at 9:01 am
Where’s the “loosers” catagory? ;-).
March 21st, 2009 at 9:02 am
i think i’m personality-less.
we all know that isn’t true but think i hit almost all of these “personalities” from time to time. maybe that means i have multiple-personalities? whoah!
jacquedaltons last blog post..jacquedalton: @guykawasaki dude that’s like the cutest picture ever of you!
March 21st, 2009 at 9:22 am
Nice article !!! but there are people like me who are more complex and fall in category like no where but a mix of these basic types!!!
March 21st, 2009 at 9:24 am
[...] | Media Caffeine Filed under: Uncategorized — marlashaivitz @ 5:24 pm Tags: Twitter The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities | Media Caffeine. I agree with the poster at the end who recommends adding ‘The Listener’ - that’s [...]
March 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am
working on becoming all 14. Thanks Great Job!
courtney bensons last blog post..11 Stupid Sales Cliches
March 21st, 2009 at 10:02 am
Great article! I think that there’s another type missing, The Student- that would be someone who searches Twitter posts to learn how to use the web, the social networking sphere in general, and of course, how to use Twitter better. Then there’s The Tutor- that’s a student who then goes and retweets what they learn, so others can learn as well… I think that’s me. I also have elements of the Newbie, the Link Mogul, and even a bit of the Self Promoter…
Again, really interesting article!!! Thanks! @sandiballoon- student, tutor, link mogul and self-promoter.
sandiballoons last blog post..Sunrise Ice Cube
March 21st, 2009 at 11:48 am
You left out The Plagiarist, the person who has no original ideas or content to contribute, but just cuts and pastes content from other people’s books and websites. Someone who won a Shorty Award and now has more than 30,000 followers does nothing than Twitter famous quotations, Hints From Heloise-type tips and other copyrighted and common domain facts. Any content he comes across is “free for the taking” to this type of Twitterer, who does not understand the concepts of originality or intellectual property. He liked our “Food Holiday Of The Day” Twitter and blog concept so much, he just copied it. Soon, A Word A Day, A Joke A Day, A Sports Fact A Day, and anything else that can fit into 140 characters will be the biggest things on Twitter.
March 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Well, I guess I’m the only one greatly unimpressed with this. This might be the silliest, most useless article yet attached to Twitter I’ve seen. Did you spend an afternoon listening to the Tastemakers and Everyman’s Friends as to Who was Whom? Because you’ve tried to sum up entire populations of people that simply can’t be summed up.
In my corner of Twitter, I can think of five types (off the top of my head) that you apparently didn’t know existed.
How about the Creative Type? Twitter is full of writers, poets, artists, songwriters, musicians, filmmakers, sculptors and THOUSANDS of other non-celebrity creative types. You know what we do? We support each other. Freelancers help find work for others. Writers share wordcount support and offer feedback to other writers. We share links that only other creative types would use. There are people that write poetry and haiku online. There is more than one writer actually creating ongoing fiction in 140-character bursts. This isn’t a case of a few dozen people; there are many thousands of us - and you didn’t so much as notice.
When I needed beta-readers for a piece I was rewriting, I put the word on Twitter. Within 15 minutes, I had a dozen offers of help - all from real writers and editors. In no way does this fit neatly into your “14 Types” package. But it was invaluable to me.
Furthermore, based on Twitter’s numbers, I’d estimate that between 5-10% of all the members of Creative Types. There are a LOT of writers on Twitter. Search for them.
What about the Political Pundit? There is a constant war of words on Twitter between the conservative right and liberal left. I guess you didn’t see ANY messages, slogans, or opinions posted while you were here. Regardless of your political stripe, there is a group or movement or #hashtag for you here. By the way, this has been wildly popular from the beginning. I guess you and the Tastemakers missed it.
And as some people suggested, there is the Listener/Lurker. There are vast numbers of people who utilize Twitter as an information-gathering resource. Have you missed the recent documentation on this? It’s been a point of FREQUENT discussion. Twitter is being utilized by some as a sort of search engine. I don’t see it, personally, but others apparently do. I have, as many have, put a question to Twitter in the past. Usually I get a correct answer in a few minutes. Listening (or lurking) is extremely common here. These people don’t fit into your neat scheme either.
There’s another I’ve noticed recently: The Confessor. This is the one who follows few, is followed by less, but updates often - usually letting us in on the real dirt in their life: “I’ve cheated on my husband again,” “I hate my girlfriend,” “I’m drunk for the fourth time this week.” They have little in the bio and ridiculous user names most of the time. This is a smaller group, but their entire focus appears to be using Twitter as a way of anonymously dropping these depressive bon mots for others to read. I would bet my domain name that this group will get bigger and bigger as others catch on.
Finally, there’s the Contrarian. This is the Twitterer who doesn’t give a damn how many followers they have, what Kevin Rose has to say, and has no intention of following Ellen DeGeneres - simply because she has 200,000+ other lemmings following her. They tend to laugh themselves sick at what the Tastemakers have to say, they want to see the credentials of the “social media network experts,” and they generally could care less what Shaq is having for breakfast.
The Contrarian comes here to do what they want to do. They also don’t like being tidily summed up by someone who clearly doesn’t know what’s going on. They say what they want, gain followers, lose followers, and entertain themselves and others of a like mind.
Yeah, I’m a Contrarian. I’m also a Creative Type and a Political Pundit. But you know what I’m not? I’m not a single, stinking one of your 14. Why don’t you come back to Twitter, take a real look around, and try again?
nickolaswriters last blog post..Seven Bands That Will Make Your Life Sound Better
March 21st, 2009 at 1:54 pm
What about the networker. Those that use twitter to find and engage with tweeps interested in the same industry to connect and well network.
March 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Good article.
–
Might I suggest two subcategories for The Self-Promoter, as follows:
The Self-Promoter Who Doesn’t Care About Any Of It. (This is pretty much what you describe as The Self-Promoter.)
The Self-Promoter Who Cares About All Of It - and not necessarily exclusively or indeed sometimes at all for self-promotional reasons.
–
So what categories am I? Journalist / Link-Mogul / Tastemaker / Self-Promoter Who Cares / and no doubt some other categories not listed above nor even yet conceived.
March 21st, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I’d love to think I’m a clever purist… But I’m probably just a purist and a blog bot.
Nicoles last blog post..This is not an act of procrastination.
March 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm
“Just Being Myself” isn’t a personality type?
Great list, though.
I do some journalism, particularly live tweeting events and meetings that fit into subject matter areas I think may be of interest to followers (local or subject-matter folks).
I do a lot of retweeting, and really appreciate people who point out interesting resources (like this one, which of course I found via Twitter).
You might add “The Philosopher.” I follow a few of those types of accounts for their insights and pithy sayings. Although I wouldn’t want a steady diet of that, it’s nice to see mixed into the stream.
There are a few I would label “The Provocateur.” Their aim seems to be to stir the pot, and they won’t quit stirring. These folks are characterized by a string of @ replies in a row, all to one person who has made the mistake of responding and then not letting go on the other end.
What about “The Passionate Hobbyist”? They tweet, discuss, and follow, all on one specific topic. It’s content more than tweet style that shapes their Twitter personality.
@BarbChamberlain
Barb Chamberlains last blog post..Ways the World Wide Web Allows Me to Procrastinate. Food for Thought, but You Should Do Something Productive Instead of Reading This.
March 21st, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I am a little bit of this and a little more of that.
March 21st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Great info. I guess I am a LinkMogul/ReTweeter @TCusack247
March 21st, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Nice list of twitter personality types. I am definitely a blend of several. I’m curious how these would or would not map to the Kiersey temperaments and personality types?
March 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
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March 21st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
ReTweeter mostly here. I follow those that post interesting links and pass them along. I don’t tweet my blog, but probably get traffic if people check my profile and wander into it. Be interesting is the key to Twitter. I follow some artists, meditators who inspire, but mostly I look for the interesting link that opens hidden corners of the internet
March 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
This would be my third post now on Twitter, but from what I’ve seen in this article my persona will likely be seen as a hybrid of “Link Mogul” and “Tastemaker”. Several years ago I began moderating message board communities and way back then the site below came to my attention. It detailed the various personalities one could expect to find on the forums and the cartoon illustrations are simply brilliant.
Flame Warriors:
http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/index.htm
March 21st, 2009 at 8:45 pm
The twitter is platform, where we can instantly know, what the other people are doing right now. Also most of the also celebrity share.
It possible only when you follow such great people.
March 21st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
[...] Account TweetPhoto | Share your photos safely on Twitter March 22, 2009Twitseeker March 22, 2009The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities | Media Caffeine March 21, 2009Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception March 21, 2009Compete [...]
March 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
great article, very helpful in better utilizing twitter…
March 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
[...] What type of Twitter Personality do you have? The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities [...]
March 21st, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Hey I didn’t see mine. What about:
1. Random Tweeter
2. For Your Personal Entertainment Tweeter
3. Smart Ass Tweeter
I’m not a clever purist…clever, yes…purist…dunno, see for yourself @MissieBee.
…and peeps who RT all the time are just annoying.
March 21st, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Whew….I think I’m your semi-normal eclectic Tweeter - a simple, a bit clever (at times), a bit clueless (more times); like playing “journo” when there’s somethin’ happening, get into the @ with those I find interesting, RT: what I think might be interesting to others…but not a real or wannabe celeb, tastemaker or stalker (yet!).. I don’t have a blog (but like reading others), and have nothing to promote (therefore, no website & no spam.)
I give me a ‘TweetB’
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:48 am
As if anyone understands Twitter, for me it’s learning about people by when, why and where they Tweet and not what they Tweet
pauls last blog post..moon: @andrewbaron As if anyone understands Twitter, for me it’s learning about people by when, why and where they Tweet and not what they Tweet
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am
There are only 3 twitter types.
1) Celebs that have a pre-existing non-twitter following and lighten up our lives with the very few diamonds of their extraodinary lives and the all to frequent waste of bandwidth with minutia about their mundane existences that not even we care about
2) Pyramid marketing schemes that sell that Twitter is the next best thing to facebook or some other social media hit of the day to “earn as much money as you want” by not contributing anything worthwhile themselves
3) People who are wasting bandwidth with minutia about our mundane existences that not even we care about and follow celebs that twitter about minutia of their mundane existences that not even they care about
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
One that I’ve noticed and was let out here is Funny Person. This person may provide some veiled insight into their life, but the point of their Tweets is to be as clever and witty as possible. The tweets are often simply observations in a unique perspective. These people often do not @ reply anyone (unless they are friends in real life).
Examples: @mkramer, @jakespice, @badbanana
Stacias last blog post..factory_worker: RT @mkramer: The Huffington Post isn’t so great for lining litter boxes. Alec Baldwin’s thoughts aren’t absorbant.
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Wow, that’s a careful breakdown of the Twitter personalities. I guess I’m half a retwitter (I don’t have much good content to offer so all I can is to feed on people’s good tweets, hah) and half an annoying @replier. I guess I have to start moving my conversations into direct messages. It’s only sometimes that I enter the Purist mode - one memorable instance when I was hospitalised and Twitter doesn’t support sending tweets to my phone, so all I could do was just to tweet about myself (and mundane hospital stuff) for two days, heh.
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
[...] the 14 Different Twitter Styles/Personalities at What is your Personality Share and [...]
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
[...] a sometimes humorous read, but one that I think is very true, Media Caffeine outlines the 14 Types of Twitter Personalities: The Clever Purist will answer the question just as stated. The difference between them and The [...]
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Great post - I remember reading the seven sources of power a few years back which looked at a similar phenomenon around group dynamics - this is along similar lines but takes a unique look at social interraction through web 2.0 and is well worth analysis if you’re using twitter the way you want to..
Neils last blog post..Happy Birthday Twitter! - 3 Years Old And Leading The Race Already
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
[...] the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet BoxWhat kind of Twitter user are you ? http://bit.ly/tmkwvHow to evaluate the impact of the IPL.. New York Times Pacific produces an article@tucj7 I agree [...]
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I think I am ‘The Clever Purist’ i said what i am doing in an interesting way, but also i just talk white myself at night xD
this could be a very interesting topic to make a ‘test’ :p
@Daniriss last blog post..Daniris: @LinaUno ponlo publico para hacerlo
March 22nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I’m still trying to figure out all the #’s tweets like #followfriday. I keep forgetting to put the #organic when I post a tweet. I’m I correct in that if someone is tracking #organic tweets that it will alert them?
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I’m pretty sure I’m a clever purist. I don’t really enjoy self-promoting my blog, but I feel it’s a must. Don’t do it often, however, and nothing else fits!
Brittanys last blog post..Update: Subscribe by Email and Tweet!
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
And another type: The Recruiter
Always open for new leads and helps others when they mention something with “job” in their tweets. The recruiter introduces you to other tweeps. Also the recruiter is checking on new tools for recruitment via twitter.
good luck and have fun out there!
gordon lokenbergs last blog post..GordonLokenberg: @enroc wat ben ik graag niet in capelle vandaag!
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:21 am
A wonderful write up,…. in a way it makes perfect sense on where I stand and all the tweeple fall into one of the many types….
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 am
This was a great read: happily tweeted the URL for more to read.
Regards,
Karl
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:29 am
Hmmm one of these days we’ll have twitter doctors specialising in tweople disorders.
Cool tweople observations!
Claudias last blog post..The Secret to Being Rich, Happy & Hot.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:10 am
Only true celebs can pull off the “purist”. Everyone else… well who really cares? Should they be on the next page? Also, I’m wondering whether there should also be a “super” member of each class, which is someone who posts along a certain personality, but does it over the top. “Super” isn’t a compliment. They’re the person who, when you check your feed, their posts pretty much block off everyone else, coz there’s just so many posts. Great way to be unfollowed IMHO
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:41 am
One more type that should get mention, the Stocktwitter. Stocktwits is the best thing about twitter IMO. Cheers
Aiki14s last blog post..aiki14: @troystocks I was away from the computer, all is well
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:26 am
I think I am the Journalist, Tastemaker, and Everyman’s Friend
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 am
I think I would have to be The Observer (a category that needs to be added)!
I watch the trends & what people are talking about and then write/link to something different.
twitter: @davidjlowe
RSS: Subcribe to David J Lowe’s twitter feed:
http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/18768067.rss
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 am
I’m still relatively new to Twitter, and suppose I’d fall into a combination of journalist/blogger, tastemaker and retweeter. Still finding my feet, though.
I use Twitter as the mortar that links together the various technical blogs I follow, as well as a ’stash site’ (using the favorite button) to links I want to explore later and maybe write about.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 am
I see some aspects of myself in a few of these (not the spammer or anything, of course) - may I suggest a Mixed-Bag category for people like me who are six-of-one and half-a-dozen of the other? Sometimes I try to be amusing, sometimes I just say what I’m up to. And sometimes (alas) am still a bit clueless, even after 300+ tweets. I’m trying not to be, though!
Lidians last blog post..Gear Fab!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
I combine quite a few of these tweeting styles I realise
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Great post. Nice thing about twitter is that you can easily unfollow the spammers. Amazing how some use it to send followers to affiliate sites.
Terrys last blog post..Are Men Too Lazy in Relationships?
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
May I suggest: “The Inspirer” - those that leave inspiring quotes or ideas
@Philanthropic (something like that-lol) leaves quotes as their entries, other than the occasional @replies.
I, too, love to put out there inspiring quotes or ideas - but also will sprinkle in some funny observation (like the tweet I did about the bird poop on my window & is there any fun way out there to clean it off).
For me, personally, I guess, I have to admit that I’m also a bit of the promoter in that every now and then I do let people know about my site where they get my empowering song about standing in your power for FREE - but isn’t that still in the spirit of giving???
Curious to get feedback. Thanks!
Lynn
PS in the world of promoting…lol..
please follow @lynnrose if so inspired
PPS in the world of inspiring:
“Follow your bliss…and bliss will follow you”
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
If I’m honest I’d say I probably fit into the self promoter (though I’m trying to change my Twitter habits on that), and the clever purist (although not always that clever) categories. A category that’s missed that I’d add would be the “headhunter” as I’m constantly on the lookout for new hires for my company and I know there’s others who use Twitter for that too.
Glenn Hiltons last blog post..glennhilton: @lisajohnson ha. ya it’s definitely not 4 everyone. Some FBers get spooked when some remote person in grade school follows them.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
[...] one of the 14 Types of Twitter Personalities are you? I am most like the Link [...]
March 24th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Excellent article, was expecting mildly entertaining fluff and got something that obviously had a lot of thought put into it.
Me? probably Self promoter/ journo / clever purist so please visit my blog - kidding (or am I?)
March 24th, 2009 at 6:20 am
[...] Media Caffeine [...]
March 24th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I don’t think I fit into any of those categories. I’ve only been in Twitter a few weeks and I’m still waiting for something interesting to happen. I would never send someone a postcard or fax to tell them that I have just eaten a hot dog or bought a pair of shoes, so why does it become any less banal if it’s on Twitter?
nicholass last blog post..Thoughts on a warm evening, just before a late dinner
March 24th, 2009 at 10:57 am
[...] Here’s a great and pretty funny article from Media Caffeine on the different Twitter personality types: http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/ [...]
March 24th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hmmm….I think I’m The Everyman’s Friend, at least for now. When I’m online - I try to be “present” which means I am attentive to what people are contributing to the community. I do read the articles and try to comment on them. As my community of followers grows, I wonder if my style will change. Well, one thing is for sure, the only constant is change.
Tween on!
Follow me @virtualpartner
March 26th, 2009 at 5:11 am
[...] divertido para la reunión es que previamente leas el post te MediaCaffeine. Entre purista que al puro estilo Facebook informa qué hace y a dónde va, pasando por un [...]
March 26th, 2009 at 6:23 am
And then, of course, there’s the Empathy aspect….you know, when you’re sick as a dog, just fell asleep, just got awakened by your youngest kids who demand you judge who should REALLY close the basement door, try to sleep once more and then realize, you can’t fall back asleep again.
What to do? Go onto Twitter and tweet your experiences - other folks will truly be able to empathize.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I guess I’m closest to the self-promoter on your list. But that still feels wrong. What I think I am is a 15th personality: philosopher. Most of my tweeting is an attempt to say something pithy and timeless. I’m trying to write epigrams. Maybe I succeed, or maybe I fail, but that’s what I’m trying to do.
I bet there are others out there, too, who ask themselves not “what am I doing today?” but rather “what insight can I contribute to the world, today?”
March 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am
[...] UPDATE: Los 14 tipos de personalidad en Twitter. [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 11:53 am
[...] Caffeine’s The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities Pass it [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
[...] there are fourteen different kinds of personality on Twitter. Which one are you? Click here to find [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
[...] 14 types of Twitter personalities [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
[...] The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities: Didn’t we have “9 Types of Twitterers” just a few months ago? (Yes) [...]
March 29th, 2009 at 8:33 am
It helps to discover that each type adds value to Twitter. It helps to know that there’s not just ONE way to twitter. So thanks for sharing. And being the Journalist/Retwitter/Blog Mogul that I am, I shall pass this along in a tweet.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
journalist?
retweeter?
maverick?
I’m not sure, but it’s a great way to scan and share information/inspiration quickly if kept in check. All things in moderation. I hear there are now twelve step programs for twitter addicts.
Canadianmoms last blog post..Canadianmom: Good to hear the cherry blossoms are in bloom in Japan. Will try to enjoy the snow till spring arrives here.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
It’s a shorthand blog. A way to share and seek inspiration.
RT “The twouble with Twitters http://tinyurl.com/cw2sxc” Funny and apt, but that’s what’s facebook is for! (-:
I must be a retweeter.
jpohls last blog post..jpohl: I should place another order with http://www.rosemaryandco.com/nMay be the best value for highest quality hand made brushes in the world.
March 30th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
[...] conversation in which the topics seem interesting. A recent article humorously encapsulates the fourteen personality types you can find at the Twitter party, and you know how you gauge your reaction to each of them. You [...]
March 31st, 2009 at 8:59 am
I think there should be another type of twitter personality here somewhere in between perhaps…
“The Hashtagger”
-couldnt even post a tweet without adding a hashtag and including it in some worldly group discussion (or for comedic effect)
Ex:
- Just lost a follower, he must have been a douchebag. lol. #lol #Irony
- Newspapers, car companies, Cir. City - Any1 consider that maybe they fail because they don’t give us what we want? #TCOT #SGP #politics
- I want eggs. Also, chicken fingers. Along with some tacos and onion rings. #randomcravings
April 5th, 2009 at 9:12 am
[...] The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 10:42 am
[...] came to mind while reading this interesting story on the different personalities of Twitters, http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/. Twitter personalities can range from purist, answering the question what you are doing, to self [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
[...] http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/ [...]
April 19th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
[...] So what do you tweet? Personally, I aim for a mix. 25% retweeting interesting URLs, 25% insights or inspirational thoughts or funny observations, 25% personal life, 25% gratuitous self-promotion and business communication or problem-solving. But that’s just me. You can find your own Twitter personality type here: The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities. [...]
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:31 am
Lance you are very creative and always adding value. If I had to define my tweeting styles I would have to say “The Journalist” tweeting about local and current events and “Everyman’s Friend” enjoying the real friendships and connections with my follower’s and giving them recognition for excellence in adding value to the community. I also agree that the Listener/Advisor should be a personality, because if someone has a question needing help and I can add value to someone’s life I reply.
Tammy Dantzler
Tammy Dantzlers last blog post..Corporate Executive Scotty Kufus Interviews Dr. Bernie Kasten our Chief Medical Officer of GeneWize Life Sciences, Inc.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:16 am
[...] Many people have many various styles of using Twitter. Look at this post for example which I love: http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/ It’s your choice who to follow - which is decisive in the way your Twitter stream is [...]
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
As someone who is relatively new to Twitter, I found this article to be pretty accurate as an over all guide. I don’t know what I am yet. I retweet (now that I figured that out) and I update like a purist, and tweet stuff that I come across which is cool or useful. Anyway, thanks for the great article, and “yes”, I tweeted it
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 am
[...] What’s your Twitter personality? Check out The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities as well as the five types of Twitter personalities you may not know [...]
May 2nd, 2009 at 5:27 am
[...] The 14 Types of Twitter Personalities (mediacaffeine.com) [...]
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
[...] The point is, @mashable, is having a rather profound impact on how we perceive, experience and use twitter. Or on the way I use, perceive and experience twitter at least-I learned about #followfriday through one of their articles, used mashable’s advice on how to manage my different social networks and through a link to mediacaffeine.com found out my twitter personality. [...]
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:23 am
The most popular bird in Iceland is the Twitter bird
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Try this Twitter Personality Profile Reading. It’s done by a real person, a Corporate Personality Profiler. He will read your Twitter feed and tell you about your personality based on it…and he’s on point!
May 21st, 2009 at 12:20 am
This is good! lol! PLLLEEEASE SHARE…What catagory do we fit in?
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I would ad the Advocate. I tweet a lot about my yard sharing site because I know it’s a very new idea, and a fantastic resource for people in this economic downturn. What I tweet about for the most part is genuinely meant to help people. I also post what I find important news about the environment, the down turn and politics. I interact with people all day and hope to support others with innovative socially important projects as I have found a lot of support from others! I also like to help newbies so that twitter isn’t overwhelmed, but people are aculturated and it stays useful!
I also throw in just stuff I find funny or entertaining. Partially because I talk about heavy stuff a lot and want people to see the whole me..and partially because I want people to laugh.
So I would add The Advocate - I care about what I tweet. I care about people’s innovative transformative projects. I care about learning from others and helping others…and I want to have some fun with it.
Liz M owner hyperlocavores last blog post..Those of you who use deer netting- where do you get 7-ft high posts?
June 1st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
When I first saw the title for this article I thought, “Oh come on now… there’s classifications for us Twitter types?” But I found the article actually quite interesting and myself naturally trying to find which classification I fall under. I’m certainly a few of them. I think the different personalities is what makes twitter such a great community and fun place to be. There’s a little bit of everything and a little bit of everyone… all just doing there own thing and just being themselves. Tweet on everyone!
MissyK
BestofAdultToys.com
June 4th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I’ve determined that Twitter is REALLY for famous/well known people: 1000’s follow them but they follow very few; mostly their pals. I totally get it – logistically it would be a nightmare for them to get millions of tweets but when I joined I didn’t understand how it works. I actually thought I’d be Tweeting with Chelsea Handler about Grey Goose, Taylor Swift about what hair products she uses & Joy Baher about “So what?”
Is there a way to ask a person (in my case old pals from college who are well known whom I’ve lost touch with who hopefully remember me). If I Tweet them do they actually GET the Tweet or am I just added to the long list of folks who follow them?
Just to be clear – this is not about stalking them LOL. We were pals in college.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Interesting post! I love “the celeb that keeps it real”. That cracked me up for some reason.
Erics last blog post..Turbo Cash Generator Review
June 11th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Not only in iceland….in Think worldwide. Good post
June 21st, 2009 at 2:42 am
It’s worth mentioning twitter fiction here, which has been missed. There are quite a few people telling stories.They are great to follow!
June 24th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
You forgot the reader: He who doesn’t tweet much but simply reads interesting tweets by other people (usually is attracted to Journalists and Retweeters). I’m one of those.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Excellent post. I liked the way you have described the twitter personalities, I don’t know honestly what group I belong to but atleast I don’t use twitter only for marketing purpose infact for me its more of a fun to be in twitter.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Might I suggest a Mentally Deficient category: a Twittererer who not only has no clue where they fit in, but actually sits around and gives it some thought while talking to themselves out loud about it.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I’m trying to fit in “The Everyman’s Friend” category (ask my friends how well I do). Great to know different types of twitter but the amazing thing is that so many personalities happen to meet up at a common platform.
July 5th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Really Interesting. Its great analysis about twitter people with some characteristics.
Thanks for posing
July 5th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
#You #4got2 #mention #the #excessive #hashtag #overusing #twitter #persona
July 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I suppose I’m a Self-Promoter - though I hate to think that of myself - because what I’m promoting is, I hope, something of value to others. My blog - which is what I promote - is entirely for the benefit of its readers (whereas my books are entirely for the benefit of the children’s charities I support).
Hope I’m not beginning to sound petulant. But I do take issue with your statement that people like me don’t care. On the contrary. My aim in life is to try to make the lives of others more rewarding. So does this make a fifteenth category? Or am I just tweeting in the dark? ;))
July 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Great post - now I can be a Twitter Type - yay and ooh, I’m a purist and proud of it. But love to convo too.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
And then there are the class of individuals that feel an overpowering need to put other individuals in what I’ve decided to call “Whack-a-Mole” classifications and then attach neat little labels to each. More uniformity in life, I guess, like checking to see “what astrological sign” a person was born under to find out what their estimated general personality or writing or thought processes might be. At least a clue to categorize people within a given subset that makes them feel more comfortable or perhaps a bit more superior with a “look what I’ve done.” Then some others ask why? I respect your article since the thoughts made some logical sense, but as individuals above have pointed out there are indeed a few categories you might have missed along the way. I am of the class who get the headlines daily from the varied assortment of twitterers I follow. I am curious about some celebs, who isn’t. Plus I find it rather fun to see how much of a thought I can squeeze into 140 characters. Yes, I would enjoy it if some of those I tweetback would answer. A few do, most don’t so I usually read, tweet, and go elsewhere as I am right now. My own tweets depend on news headlines, events in my own day, mini-rants, and my particular mood or thoughts plus delivery of information on a rare occasion. I could not figure out where I fit in your categories other than a new category under ADD Tweeters.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I suggest Twitter user #15 - the person who watches for interesting Tweets and then takes them and reposts them without giving a RT credit. I know one person who almost never posts something that originated with them and almost never gives credit, even when called out on it. It’s annoying, especially when it’s being done by someone who professes to be an “expert” about something. Do the research and find your own material or give credit where it’s due!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
You forgot a few other categories:
Role Players: These people pick a character from a show the like such as Doctor Who, Star Trek, Harry Potter, etc. They Twitter back and forth in character and do improvisational adventures. There are very strict codes of conduct so the whole thing doesn’t fall into chaos. They are not adverse to doing crossovers. It’s not who wins or loses, its all done for fun.
Educators: These can be organizations or just an individual, but the usually Tweet facts on the subject they have elected, whether it’s autism or trivia or care and feeding of pets. If it’s a cause they will usually answer questions. Some want contributions, but most are doing it to feel like they are making a difference.
Writers: I’m not talking about just promotors telling their day to day, but the creative ones who either write a story on Twitter or Tweet as one of their characters. (Actually, I’m doing both.) Sometimes they are promoting a website or book, but many just do it as a writing exercise in itself. Even as a promotion, it’s far more intersting to read than what someone ate for breakfast.
Discussion Groups: At a predetermined time, everyone will get on Twitter and Tweet back and forth. They put a hashmark and a name (like #Writechat) so everyone can see all the Tweets by doing a search, or going to Tweet Chat. They exchange ideas.
Interviews: Similar to a Discussion Group, except they are interviewing one person.
There are probably others. Twitter is limited only by the imagination of the people who Tweet. You could hardly call them “Twits”.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Wow, I never really thought about the different sytles of twitters. Barely able to get my head around all the different web 2.0 platforms these days. But I guess if you aren’t broken down and placed into a category these days then you are a nobody.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:18 am
[...] tweet about what I am having for breakfast or what I’m doing this weekend. If you a Purist. Then unfortunately I don’t follow [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I think I may be trending towards becoming “The Everyman’s Friend.” I’m closing in on the beginner’s first hurdle of following 2,000 people and hopefully getting a similar number of folks following me. Not really interested in the actual numbers, as trying to get real people to follow rather than just internet marketing hucksters. Wanna hear what people are saying rather than what they are selling.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
The Brill Fiction Writer:
I agree with @avrettos! There are some really creative authors that deserve their own place in the taxonomy.
For example, check out the tweets of ‘Squishy’ author @arjunbasu who never disappoints. I’m also a very big fan of @nickbelardes who wrote @smallplaces and is fashioning an upcoming Twitter novel entitled @bumblesquare.
Let’s not forget the amazing @paulocoelho who is well-loved and very active in social media.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:45 am
[...] are dozens of “Twitter Personality Types” including the 14 Twitter Personalities listed at Media Caffeine. For this excercise and debate, we’ll first eliminate celebrities [...]
July 18th, 2009 at 10:57 am
[...] our campaigns and blog links would get between 3k-5k clicks. “Twitterbait” posts like 14 Twitter Personality Types could get 30k or more from Twitter or related sources like popurls and [...]
July 31st, 2009 at 8:38 am
I think there is more to be
added to the list.
Like Introspective Tweeter
or some thing
September 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Well, I dont fit into any of these types. I am following less than 30people, and everyone who I am following is either famous or news, and i have less than 5 followers, but i have over 1000 tweets (either really happy or really emo or goth tweets. most emo or goth tweets are about 2012 and happy tweets are about my love), so I guess im the loner tweeter.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
[...] is reflected in a diverse range of behaviours. The blog Media Caffeine posted an interesting survey of personalities you can find. Which personality group(s) do you think you fall into, and which do [...]
September 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I think they should add emo loner tweeter.
Follows less than 30 people (more than 20 of them being singers or bands)
Followed by less than 10 people.
Most likely has a black background
And Bored Loner tweeter
Exactly like an emo loner tweeter, but with over 1,000 tweets.
They would both be me.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
mememe iIIIIII mememe I I I I LOL
what, why, how come. Do we really have to categorize everyone?
Do we like analyzing ourselves? Do we come out favorable, stupid, smart? How do others perceive us? does my twitter show my intelligence, beauty, avantgarde, idiocracy, excentricity, coolness, am I accepted? why, by who? Do I like that? Am I like that? huh, huh?
October 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
[...] http://mediacaffeine.com/network/the-14-types-of-twitter-personalities/ a few seconds ago from web [...]
November 1st, 2009 at 9:55 am
I lapsed into deep introspection from this article and realized I’ve morphed from clueless to savvy clueless to clueless quoter trying to provide a breath of solid value but failing to connect…
Now I’m mostly a lurker who obeserves and tweets on a personal level when a natural opening appears… For me, keeping it real is more my style…but not on autopilot.
It’s interesting that being a citizen of Twitterville makes you think more deeply about the role you play in a community…
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
[...] was only a matter of time before someone came up with a list of the 14 Types of Twitter Personalities, which I got really excited about because there’s nothing more annoying than the same range [...]