For those PAX in the know, twitter has become an invaluable source of staying connected with our fellowship. But you haven’t joined — why not?

Here’s what you’re missing and why you should join:

Status updates and information: no more or less.

There are no FarmVille requests, Words with Friends requests, or any other app requests for that matter. Status messages are all you see, and information sources abound.

75 days until NFL fan-demonium returns. Share your excitement for Kickoff 2012 with a RT! nfl.com/news/story/090…

— NFL (@nfl) June 22, 2012

 

Status messages are limited to 140 characters.

This is a big positive for the type-A, leadership types we are — you can read fast, and it makes you and other authors carefully construct your masterpieces. Plus links, images, videos can be linked and shared.

Simpson to skip British Open as due date nears dlvr.it/1lTHmX

— Charlotte Observer (@theobserver) June 21, 2012

 

You choose who you follow and your engagement level.

Twitter is not Facebook… relationships are one way. If you don’t know the person who just followed you, there’s no need to reciprocate (but you can). Also, there’s no obligation to ever say a word on Twitter or to respond to people. You can be 1) Jay Bilas and follow no one but tweet all the time; 2) follow everyone but never tweet, or; 3) anything in-between.

 

Make connections with people you know (or don’t).

You can learn a lot about someone by following their tweets, including things you may not know.

3 things: 1) I don’t eat McDonald’s anymore. 2) I worked there 4 yrs in H.S. 3) Kind of amazing McD’s did this video. kottke.org/12/06/behind-t…

— Jason Silverstein (@sleuth) June 20, 2012

 

Broadcasting information.

Got a group of people you want to stay in touch with? Twitter can be one-to-many, a la @f3nation.

Thinking about coming out for #F3 #Jungle this Saturday?Check out this video by @ruswil from last Saturday’s debut! vimeo.com/44454077

— F3 Nation (@F3Nation) June 21, 2012

 

1:1 or 1:many dialogue.

You can reply directly to someone (or a group) in public, or use direct messages to reach someone privately.

@dreddcnc Did you just say #goat?

— F3 Nation (@F3Nation) June 21, 2012

 

Get information and/or support straight from the source.

While twitter gets a lot of celebrities, the platform also gets a ton of subject matter experts and brands. Often you can ask a question and get a very quick reply.

My official statement re: @usantidoping‘s latest witch hunt. bit.ly/MNH6X7 #unconstitutional

— Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) June 13, 2012

 

It’s NOT another inbox.

You don’t have to keep up with it or reply to it like email. Tweets come and go. You choose whether or not to reply.

 

It’s made for mobile.

There are probably 50 or so apps for various types of phones and a very good mobile website. Plus, get SMS alerts from certain accounts if you want.

 

Become a knowledge source for your various communities.

Are you an attorney? Give pointers on why to seek counsel. Internet guru? Tell people why they should join social networks. Race director? Tell people why you or your company rocks:

Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humour bit.ly/Lr3NBN

— Spartan Race (@SpartanRace) June 22, 2012

 

It’s free.

There are no costs to join, and signing up is easy. See you in the twitter-verse. Follow us here:

Follow @f3nation