Tag: Twitter

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Twitter’s new profile… and why it may not matter.

Twitter

Twitter is rolling out a new look for account profiles:
(More info here)

Why it may matter:

  • The new look is designed to appeal to new users, and strengthen engagement. Prepare for new followers who are less familiar with Twitter syntax and etiquette. (Translation… your mom will be here soon!)
  • Content discovery is addressed. Your most engaging tweets, as well as “pinned” tweets can help you make sure your best content isn’t lost in the Twitter fire hose.
  • Photos and Video take a front seat. They look great, and the user is able to filter by those post types, specifically

Why it probably won’t matter much

  • This is currently a desktop experience. That’s only 25% of Twitter’s usage.
  • Content is still consumed in the newsfeed. I would venture to guess that similar content filtering and discovery will make its way to the newsfeed soon… but let’s face it… few of your followers are visiting your profile.

What you should do about it

  • When it becomes available… use the new profile to put your best face out there. Whether you are an individual or a brand, it’s worth making it look good.
  • If your Twitter strategy is taking a back seat, it’d be worth keeping an eye on your numbers in the coming months. This may start drawing some new users.
  • Continue to prioritize the news feed. While it’ll be nice to make this look good.. your highest priority should still be making sure your content looks its absolute best in the users newsfeed.

 

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The Pass/#FAIL System of Social Media

Maybe the rawness of this issue comes from that fact that I was never really an active participant in my school’s honor roll. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve had a lifelong inability to be perfect at everything I do. But I wonder, sometimes, if as a consumer, I need to give a little grace to the brands I interact with.

While not quoted directly from my Tweet Stream, I have, on occasion seen tweets like…

I have two conditioners and no body lotions: #hotelFAIL!

Or…

Flight delayed 10 minutes so while they get more coffee. #FAIL

Now, I understand how:

Hotel lost my reservation

or:

Airline just lost it’s left wing at 30,000 feet… At least we have in flight wifi

might be grounds for and #epicfail hash tag. But I wonder if, on occasion, we could consider giving a brand a C+ on occasion.

Question:

I know Comcast (@comcastcares) had somewhat of a pioneering role in how they interact with their SM buzz, but I also know that my friends are far more likely to publicly complain about Comcast, because it has a history of getting results.

Could a brand’s increased interaction with social media buzz, potentially hurt the buzz they are receiving?

 

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Meet Your Church’s New Director of Social Media

I’d like to introduce you to Chris.

She manages social media interaction at your church.

Chris saw an exasperated mother’s posts on her Facebook feed, and offered to watch the kids last Friday night.

Chris uses her WordPress blog to keep a public journal of what she’s finding in her daily… ok semi-weekly… Bible reading.

Chris’ tweets got the word out about a new family that needs help unloading their moving van.

Chris live-blogged last week’s sermon on her iPad.

Here’s the thing… Chris isn’t on staff at the church. She isn’t even in an official volunteer role. She doesn’t have an account on your website CMS, and she doesn’t know the login for your church Twitter account. But, whether she knows it or not, she is leading your church’s social media interaction.

So while your office staff debates whether you should establish a Facebook page, or a group; As you pour over each carefully crafted 140 character sermon nugget; As you stand in the digital pulpit and preach to the virtual masses; don’t forget about Chris and what REAL ministry is.