A few weeks ago, our #TwitterSmarter team member Sabrina reminded the rest of us that November is National Gratitude Month. She suggested that we all take some time to reflect and show gratitude for everything in our lives. That’s when we realized we needed to talk to our community about gratitude. And that’s exactly what we did. Here’s a summary of our #TwitterSmarter community conversation.
Subject: Being grateful
Invited: You!
Format: Eight questions. All are welcome to share.
Q1: Are you thankful to have social media in your life?
Indeed, we knew the answer to that before we even started the conversation. Of course, almost everyone in our #TwitterSmarter conversation was grateful to have social media in their lives. like Pavel emphasized, it has become much easier to communicate with others.
A1: I am thankful for social media because it has made communication much easier than before. #TwitterSmarter
— Pavel Stepanov (@pavelStepanov77) November 3, 2022
Alix also mentioned that without social media, most of us would not have met. Of course, one of the best things about being active on social media is the people you get to engage with and the things you learn. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge and hear from a wide range of perspectives.
A1 I am! Because of social media, I have connected with so many incredibly talented and knowledgeable people that I otherwise would probably never have met due to geographical distance.
-Alix#TwitterSmarter https://t.co/eZwQVZmB16— Charlie & Alyx – Charlie Appel Agency (@ColfaxInsurance) November 3, 2022
Question 2: How does gratitude help build community?
crack put it nicely: When you come from a place of gratitude, everything around you becomes an opportunity and a gift. That way, you naturally look beyond what you can get out of it and consider what everyone around you can get out of it. When you are grateful for what you have, you will be much more open to sharing it with others and encouraging them to do the same. This is how communities are built.
A2 With an attitude of gratitude, you tend to view your place in the world and opportunities as a gift. This allows you to focus your efforts on those around you and not just on yourself. You can give more to your community if you are grateful for what you have #TwitterSmarter
— Chris Del Grande (@ValuedMerchants) November 3, 2022
Ron made a similar point – gratitude lifts your mood. You become nice to be around, people will see your community as a safe space. You will attract more people who want to engage with you and be part of your community.
A2: Here is the acknowledgment of the truth that puts you in a better mindset. You attract a better community that way. If you’re unhappy, bored, or unhinged, you’ll attract that kind of community.#Twittersmarter
— Ron Oltmanns (@ronoltmanns) November 3, 2022
Question 3: How do you show gratitude on Twitter?
Nick told us he shows gratitude by paying it forward. If he notices a great post, he would consciously engage with it to continue the interaction. This is a good way to signal to others that you appreciate the time and effort they put into engaging with you.
A3. I make sure to “pay it forward” with commitments. If I see someone tweeting an interesting point, I’ll go reply and try to start a conversation. Being active and engaged within your community (and positive) is a great way to show gratitude #TwitterSmarter
— Nick Martin 🦉 (@AtNickMartin) November 3, 2022
Our friends from VirtuDesk told us about their #FollowFriday list. At the end of each work week, they tweet a list of people they’re grateful to engage with. This is another good way to tell people that you appreciate their presence and time.
A3: There are many ways. One of the things we’re doing every week is posting one #FollowFriday list of all the people we are grateful to. It’s our way of saying thank you to those who have made our week meaningful on Twitter. 😊#TwitterSmarter pic.twitter.com/gb3DQVep3c
— VirtuDesk (@virtudeskcom) November 3, 2022
Question 4: What are the physical and psychological benefits of expressing gratitude?
It makes you feel good, like Madalyn said. Isn’t that why we humans do anything? At the end of the day, all we want is to feel happy, positive and appreciated. Showing gratitude does that for you.
A4: Showing gratitude makes you feel good! It can make a huge difference in your mood when you notice all the amazing things in your life, big or small. #TwitterSmarter
— Madalyn Sklar Digital Marketing Since 1996 (@MadalynSklar) November 3, 2022
Like our friends from GiveWP She added, showing gratitude reduces stress and makes you a better person overall. Making friends and maintaining relationships also become much easier when you show how grateful you are to the people around you.
A4) Being kind helps you cope with adversity, build relationships, and experience more positive emotions—all of which affect your overall health and well-being. #TwitterSmarter
— GiveWP 💚 (@GiveWP) November 3, 2022
Q5: Does Twitter make you grateful?
Kaz mentioned most of the really good things about Twitter: It serves as an instant news medium, an effective platform for meeting new people and building relationships, and a large pool of fun memes and conversations—all things for which are worth being grateful for.
A5: news speed tbh, I usually find them here first.
The connections I make with others and seeing them succeed.
Memes and jokes and fun.#Twittersmarter
— Kaz (@EternalKaz_) November 3, 2022
Sabrina told us she’s grateful that Twitter serves as a “window to the world.” Not only do we get to hear from the real people behind some of the nations we’ve only heard about in the news, but we also get to see their lives, learn their cultures and share our own.
A5: Twitter is my favorite “window to the world” social media platform, I’ve met amazing people and learned a lot – personally and professionally #TwitterSmarter
– Sabrina Cadini (@SabrinaCadini) November 3, 2022
Q6: Share some ways to spread gratitude in your social media community.
Jim suggested giving a shout out to brands and people who have had a positive impact on your life.
A6. Shout out to people or brands that have made a positive difference for you.#TwitterSmarter
— Jim Fuhs #DealcastersLive #AgencySummit (@FuhsionMktg) November 3, 2022
George it is recommended to be honest and open about what you are grateful for and why. If you’re replying to a post, instead of vaguely, “that’s great, thanks!” consider building the topic and adding value to the conversation. Tell people what was most helpful about that post. It also goes both ways – if you disagree with someone, do it politely. Everyone has the right to be in this online space and it is important to respect this.
A6. Name specifically what you are grateful for/appreciate.
Don’t be shy or sycophantic about it.
When you disagree, agree on what’s good about what they said first.
Treat people with respect for their purpose, even if they are sloppy in their execution.#TwitterSmarter— George Silverman | The MindSkills Guy (@GeorgeSilverman) November 3, 2022
AmnaHis advice was simple and straightforward: If you see a post you like, share it with others and tell them why it’s such a great post. Consciously avoid negativity and spread positivity, instead.
A6
Support others by sharing other work
Don’t spread negativity#Twittersmarter— Amna Aslam (@amnaaslam20) November 3, 2022
Question 7: How do you deal with ungrateful people on Twitter?
Most people in our conversation said the same thing Howard: They ignore ungrateful people on Twitter. They are not worth your time or effort.
#TwitterSmarter A7: I ignore them. I can’t be bothered to honor their ingratitude with a reply. https://t.co/yNCvhq1Vmo
— Howard Cheng (@LifeByStills) November 3, 2022
within also said she would go a step further to block or mute people who are persistently annoying.
a7 Usually ignore them. Sometimes I mute or block them, depending on the severity of my annoyance #TwitterSmarter
— Brenda Patton (@BrendaInDallas) November 3, 2022
Question 8: Is there such a thing as being too grateful?
It’s hard to say for sure, but there is certainly such a thing as being so nice that people think you’re fake, like Benjamin reminded us. It’s an unfortunate situation to be in, of course. If you suspect that people are distancing themselves from you when you’ve only been nice to them, it’s possible that the way you express yourself has made them uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show your gratitude. Instead, try to create some guidelines for yourself.
A8: I think so, but it can be hard to really notice. Some have already said it, but how you engage with others can be seen as inauthentic and fake. This then makes it harmful for everyone because others will pick up on it and avoid getting involved with you.#TwitterSmarter
— Benjamin Katz (@BKatz301) November 3, 2022
However, on the other hand, many of our community members also said that there is no such thing as being too grateful. It just goes to show that there are all kinds of people on Twitter, with different preferences. It’s just a matter of finding your tribe.
Well folks, that’s all from me this week. Thanks for reading and for more great insights from our community chat, take a look this moment on Twitter that Joana put together for us. If you like this review, you’ll love the real-time chat. Join us next Thursday at 1pm ET for #TwitterSmarter. We also have a post-chat on Twitter Spaces at 5pm ET. See you there!
About me, Narmadhaa:
I write all the stuff – marketing stuff to pay the bills; haiku and short stories so I feel healthy. A social media enthusiast, I hang out with the #TwitterSmarter chat crew and am always happy to take writing gigs.
Say hello: Copywriter Opinionated | LinkedIn | I tweet
