After all conversation is a two way process and listening is also a skill. I too find lots of new blogs/websites, useful info for the site and my own professional development, news of events etc on Twitter (as well as a few laughs).

I'd add another definition of talking to Dave's above which is building relationships with people. Tweeting to people about personal stuff they mention helps to start that process. I actually believe Twitter is a very complex process (like talking) although looks easy on the surface and rather a fascinating one.

Dave has said its just like talking, well, actually it is talking and the art of Twitter is the same as the art of conversation. Invite people to participate and acknowledge their contribution, make them feel welcome, engage with them and show some interest, draw out what is interesting from them, give them the confidence to start new conversations.

There's a lot of advice out there on what not to do to 'annoy' your fellow tweeters but very little on how to master the finer points.

Being a newbie on Twitter, I found it hugely difficult to pick up. There is an art to it and its full of tumbleweed moments when you tweet at someone and the silence is deafening.

I think once you've 'mastered it' , its a very valuable source of information, a good way to connect and to share but when you are trying to convince people of its value, especially those less confident with social media, saying 'just try it,' isn't enough.

Especially if when they get there, they feel like the new kid who's just joined the class halfway through the year…

So Twitter.