As we watch the race between Kutcher and CNN to get the first millionth Twitter follower the blogosphere continues to gush all over themselves at this earth shattering moment in history.

Post after post goes on about how the numbers aren’t important while at the same time giving out bullet lists of things to do to get more followers. Others spend an endless time analyzing the effect this inanity is having which other than increasing page views doesn`t mean squat.  Whether through bribery or appearing on some used up celeb show the talk is all about the follower counts but nary a word about who you follow.

So while everyone else is obsessing over that million mark I thought I would share a few thoughts and fallacies about Twitter with you.

Some fallacies

Twitter isn’t about how many people you have following you. Even though some would suggest that not having a proportionate number of followers to the number of people you follow I would say screw ‘em. Just because you have decided that it is more important to be following, and learning from people instead of conniving people to follow you doesn’t mean you are a spammer or some Twitter reject.

Following the rich, the famous, the Twitterati or other such wannabe Twitter headliners isn’t going to get them to notice you let alone reply to your plaintive tweets for attention. You are nothing more than a hooker’s notch above the headboard and fodder for their grabbing of the spotlight.

Companies in general are on Twitter because they have been told they have to be. Chances are they couldn’t give a shit what you have to say or if you are having problems with their products or services (Yes @feedburner I’m point at you). In all the time I have been on Twitter very few companies even have a glimmer of what the purpose of the service is let alone use it properly.

Some ways to really use Twitter

Have some fucking fun – life is serious enough and kicks us all in the collective nuts whenever it feels like it. So don’t take your time spent participating on Twitter too seriously – enjoy the time talking with those you follow; and are good enough to follow you back. Use services like MrTweet to help hunt out people who you think you would like to follow. Here’s a hint – chances are than the majority of the people you end up following aren’t famous and that is a good thing.

It isn’t about how many people you have following you considering that much of the time these days their either a bot of some sort or some SEO or Social Media wannabe guru looking to entice you to follow them. Twitter is about the people you follow and always find something interesting in their messages.

If there comes a point when you don’t find them interesting don’t be afraid to un-follow them. The world isn’t going to come crashing down, people aren’t going to run through the halls of Twitterdom proclaiming you as a loser. Remember this is your Twitter experience and it is something that is meant to mean something to you. It isn’t about being just another number in someone’s glorified hunt for passing fame.

If there is one thing you should do when it comes to following people it is to make sure you follow the Twitter streams of services and product you use on a daily basis. If these companies or people really understand the whole reason behind social media and tools like Twitter then you won’t face endless spam but in fact have a front row seat in their world. Companies that get how this all works will be listening for ways they can help rather than just blathering inanities at you.

There you have it

Twitter can be a lot of fun and sometimes it can be a life saver or at the very least a jump to the front of the line at the help desk. Don`t let others ruin it for you by making you think that you have to do all kinds of bullshit to get more followers.

It all boils down to one thing – have fun.