While the movers and shakers on Twitter might be just "micro" bloggers…they sure know how to create a "macro" influence. Forbes Magazine compiled a list. Every country has their own top ten ranking. The top most influential tweeps within the DC Beltway according to Politico lists Barack Obama as number 4 behind Dick Gregory, Claire McCaskill and Karl Rove. You can determine your own list by tallying a user’s number of followers, their number of tweets, their number of status updates — or an algorithm thereof.
But at the end of the day, I think the quantifiable determination of one’s influence on Twitter means little without taking into account the qualitative value of one’s tweets. No two tweets are the same (well…except for retweets) and some can be a just a tweet above the rest!
So here is my subjective list of the Top 10 members of the Twitterati, based on their quantifiable numbers and a qualitative representative tweet.
I am also listing each member’s Twitter profile bio, their number of followers and a YouTube video. The specific tweet update will provide you with some insight as to why I think they are worthy of this ‘unofficial’ distinction.
1- Pete Cashmore
The hottest Twitter news, Twitter tips and Twitter help. Plus, the best social media links around! / 1,334,979 followers
Pete Cashmore
While Pete’s tweet on February 2 was a little egotistical, it does show the power of Mashable, one of the top social media blogging sites in the world, according to
2- Evan Williams
CEO of Twitter / 1,194,852 followers
Evan Williams
Evan Williams’ tweet on the other hand was full of humility when Barack Obama called him to Washington shortly after he took office, to discuss how Twitter and other social media sites could be used effectively by the federal government.
3- Guy Kawasaki
A Firehose that answers the question: What’s interesting? Co-founder of Alltop. Responses thru @guyreplies / 164,396 followers
Guy Kawasaki
I particularly like the succinctness of this tweet by Guy. No bullshit! Well maybe a little…
4- Chris Pirillo
I’ve been making things happen online since 1992 – a media-friendly
geek who produces content and catalyzes communities. Tech Expert for
CNN.com / 74,690 followers
Chris Pirillo
For all those Outlook 2007 folks who have labored with Microsoft’s worse memory-sucking, slow-churning software, I think Chris’ tweet kind of sums it up…
5- Robert Scoble(Scobleizer)
Geek and technology enthusiasm from a blogger who grew up in Silicon Valley / 94,283 followers
Robert Scoble
It’s the little things in life that makes us happy. Scoble who runs a busy ship takes time out to smell the roses and appreciate a new Twitter background
6- TEDTalks
The official feed of TEDTalks: Ideas worth spreading. For all TED News, follow @TEDNews too!/ 25,929 followers
Ted Talks
Though not just ‘one’ person, anything that is tweeted from the Ted Conferences is worth noting. This one refers TedTalks’ followers to Alain de Botton and his School of Life in London, a social enterprise dedicated to making learning and therapy relevant in today’s uptight culture.
7- Leo LaPorte
I’ve experiments to run, there is research to be done, on the people who are watching TWiT Live / 139,874 followers
Leo LaPorte
Leo’s tweet demonstrates that even someone as busy as he is able to take the time to follow the tweets of some 600 followers
8- Stephen Fry
British Actor, Writer, Lord of Dance, Prince of Swimwear & Blogger / 726,759 followers
Stephen Fry
This tweet by Stephen not only displays his whimsical British humor, but also underscores the ability one has to access Twitter no matter where your location.
9- Wil Wheaton
I’m just this guy, you know? 1,159,265 followers.
Wil Wheaton
Wil who was a child actor you might remember from his roles as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek and Gordie LaChance in movie Stand By Me. Since those early days, Wheaton has left his on-screen geek persona behind and allowed his real-life geek persona to emerge, writing for magazines, newspapers and his own blog about video games, tech, politics and culture. .
His tweet expresses the frustration that many of us feel in dealing with spambots, ‘cam girls’ and other such robotic feeds that are gaming the system.
10- Jack Dorsey
Creator, Chairman and co-founder of Twitter /1,121,741followers.
Jack Dorsey
I chose this ‘iconic’ tweet for its historic significance. This is apparently Jack’s first tweet at the launch of Twitter on March 21, 2006.
Consider following these TOP TEN members of the Twitterati (sorry ladies, I will have to devote another blog to females soon). In most instances you will not get a ‘follow back.’ as these guys have a lot of followers to consider. But these folks can certainly enhance your tweet-stream with a flow of information that is enlightening, cutting-edge and often balanced with just the right amount of humor.
Please take our poll and let me know which member of the TOP TEN you think is a tweet above the rest. And if I missed one of your favorites, I am sure our readers would appreciate learning about other exceptional members of the Twitterati.
