Twitter Follower of the Week: @bibbyharty

We here at West Islip Patch are always focused on improving our social media efforts.  Its become an increasingly efficient and valuable form of communication between our editors and our users.

This weekly segment will highlight one Twitter follower that shares a great understanding of the limitless networking tool.  Oh, and they must follow @WestIslipPatch. 

Name: Ryan Harty

Twitter handle: @bibbyharty

Location: West Islip/Virginia

Started using Twitter: April 2009.

Ryan's occupation: "I just graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Communication. I am currently living in Virginia and taking graduate classes at GMU while searching for a job. I also freelance and blog online part-time for extra cash. Notice the slogan under my display name says, "potential employers, inquire within". So any employers out there that can help a social media, savvy college graduate with a job, tweet at me, please!"

West Islip Patch: What do you enjoy most about Twitter?  What are the greatest benefits? 

Ryan Harty: You control your timeline. Unlike Facebook, with Twitter you can control your main news feed by reading only tweets from the people YOU follow. With Facebook, people become friends and everything is displayed on the news feed. With Twitter, I choose not to follow the annoying tweeters that "@" their friends over 100x a day.

Also, the connection between celebrities, athletes, and entertainers. Unlike Facebook with photo albums, the "poke" button, Facebook chatting, wall posts, and games; Twitter is a basic connection, back and forth between two people. When an athlete or celebrity responds to your tweet, it just makes it more special because you know they get hundreds of messages a day.

WIP: What do you generally tweet about?

RH: My tweets are generally random. I try to post as many interesting articles, facts, funny quotes, and pictures as I can to keep my followers entertained.

WIP: Who is your favorite person to follow, besides me?

RH: Kevin Durant, professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City, @KDTrey5. Durant connects with all his followers constantly and even has a music monday give-a-way where he plays trivia with his followers who have the chance to win prizes. For more mature audiences. @BestWorstAdvice has crude humor that always gives me a good laugh. Twitter is full of quirky, entertaining, random Tweeters. @OBlifeguards, which gives Long Islanders news & reports from the Ocean Beach Lifeguards, always post great pictures from the beach and updates you about the weather. Also @TacoBellTruck is another great one. And everyone's favorite, Tosh.0. Your tweets can even make it on the show!

And remember, follow us on Twitter @WestIslipPatch and like us on Facebook. If you'd like to learn more about social media, email anthonyv@patch.com and I'd be more than willing to get you started.