The Bold Existence of Twitter

Those of you who adore Twitter as much as I do might have witnessed the launch of the platform’s new “Tweet It Into Existence Campaign,” made novelly visible by the introduction of “Twitter Spaces” to the realm of social audio. It’s no secret that Twitter operates as an equalizer between small accounts and influencers. Does that mean that a tweet to Britney Spears celebrating her recent freedom will garner you a response from the pop princess herself? Not necessarily. But it’s certainly not out of the question.

My history with Twitter began in 2011 as a bright-eyed, bushy-maned freshman at Northwestern University in Chicago. We were required, as budding journalists, to create an account. But it was only when I created my first business, AK Kerani, an entity larger than myself, that I truly recognized Twitter as an optimal environment for manifestation.

I’m definitely not the only person who feels this way, as seen on Tuesday, January 18 2022, in a Twitter Space designed to promote the #TweetItIntoExistence Campaign. Celebrities and brand influencers alike united in this space for an hour long talk about how tweeting your dreams out into the world has resulted in palpable success. The takeaways were powerful enough to boost any go-getter into action.

Amongst my favorite speakers on this space was Paulana Lamonier, Founder of Black People Will Swim. Paulana stressed the importance of “building a brand to support you,” and detailed how a tweet to sportswear giant Adidas took her company to the next level. Pamonier and BPWS’s mission to teach Black people and people of color to swim is a direct response to the fact that six Black people die every day because they do not know how to swim. I had not yet engaged with Lamonier’s Twitter Channel before this event two days ago, but after hearing her talk for a few short minutes, I am undoubtedly a lifelong follower: When you have a safe space and you let that space be your sound board, people will pour into you,” said Lamonier.

This pandemic-shaken world can be a hard time to dream when oppressed, even more than usual, by the limits of our daily living. But as our global community develops more and more unforeseen needs, we need innovators now more than ever to serve and to shine. “If there’s something in the world that you think matters and you really feel that you’re the one to contribute it, then take your shot,” said Media Mogul Ernest Owens. “Twitter is an opportunity incubator for dreamers.”

I myself intend to launch and host my own Twitter Spaces to give data-driven professionals a chance to network and brainstorm ideas across industries. Updates on this will come as I create them, but in the meantime I would love to hear what YOU plan to tweet into existence this year. Maybe you have yet to start a Twitter account, or maybe you’ve been on Twitter for a while, but want to explore some of the niche communities the platform has to offer.

Just like any space - virtual or otherwise - Twitter is what you make of it. But what I can say with absolute confidence is that your success in any room grows parallel to how much you genuinely love being there. So instead of thinking of “networking” as a straight pathway to profit, identify your dreams and let them lead you to the right communities, connections and relationships - ones that will inspire your dreams to fruition and be the foundation for many future dreams to flourish.