In October of this year, the world population was estimated to have passed 7 billion. 

That’s an astounding number.  And, it can make a person feel very insignificant. 

In a world filled with 7 billion human beings, how can one voice ever be heard above all the chatter?

On Twitter.

The social network may feel overwhelming to people first attempting to navigate it. But the truth is, there are only 100 million people on Twitter. And of that number, only approximately 60 million are active Tweeters (as per Twitter CEO, Dick Costolo). 

That means that fewer than 1% of the world population is participating in a dialogue that you may not be listening to.  And in a world where most of us are lumped in with “the 99%”, every chance to participate in an elite group is a chance to advance our future.    

Yes, there is a lot on Twitter that could be defined as junk.  But if you learn how to use it, to search for trending topics, for hashtags and specific users, you can hear about important events the moment they happen.  In certain situations you can be a part of events as they unfold.  You can push out ideas and opinions and, more importantly, you can speak with people who you otherwise would have no interaction with. 

Last week I was at a conference, and had a chance to comment as panelists were speaking.  Those comments and observations were read and responded to by panelists such as Dennis Crowley the Founder of Foursquare.  Before Twitter, I might have had opportunities to listen to insight from successful business executives at conferences, but there were no opportunities to participate in the dialogues that those business/cultural/government leaders were having. 

So, make an effort to #OccupyTwitter.  Even if at first it is as an innocent bystander.  Start slow. 

Pick 100 people to follow and read their Twitter streams. Pick a topic that interests you (work related, hobby related, or just an odd thing that you are curious about), and see what people are saying about it on Twitter.  You may pick up some new information and you may even contribute to a topic and establish yourself as a thought leader.  Before you know it you’ll be engaged in the dialogue of the 1% and urging the people you know to join in.