Twitter microblogging 2018 – how do you use the platform now?
@Deray promotes his book via Twitter
Twitter microblogging 2018
What’s your approach to twitter in 2018? The platform expanded to such a point, it’s hard to recommend a single approach for users. Regular users adopt one or more strategies.
- The Blue Check Proclamations
- Live Tweeting – still a thing
- Sports Tweeting
- Conversation – rarer and rarer
- Advertising via follows
The Blue Check Proclamations
Twitter claims they no longer verify users with a blue check next to their name. Those receiving the blue check still keep it. Many media and pundit types received verification. The entire mess of Russian interference in the US electoral process forced Twitter to rethink operations, verification included.
Advertising the writing
That doesn’t stop the cadre of blue-checks from interacting on the platform. Reporters use twitter as an advertisement medium. An opinion piece or news article drops on their outlet’s site, they tweet it. This is how I keep up with Jarvis DeBerry of NOLA.com
This works for me. I follow local reporters and read their stuff. Several people curate pieces from the Usual Suspects. While I subscribe to the Washington Post, this enables me to see what the New York Times offers.
Arguing with the reporters
After a reporter shares a piece, they’ll tweet “hot takes” on the subject, followed by a link to the full article. Many of the takes are silly. Pundits, that class of folks you see on talking-head shows, pick up the takes. They issue takes of their own. Thoughtful writing vanishes. Takes take over. Sometimes the pundit expresses annoyance with a reporter. The reporter pushes back. Twitter as theater.
Live Tweeting – still a thing
In 2008 and 2009, I regularly live-tweeted hurricanes approaching New Orleans. The local user base appreciated the updates. Regular updates of live events happen regularly. They span a range from hurricanes to concerts to foodie events. Users outside the US live-tweet political events. They even broadcast rebellions and tragedy to the world.
Your approach to live tweeting depends on how you use the information. A restaurant participating in a street festival, say something like yesterday’s Muffuletta Festival, here in New Orleans, can display their dishes. A band may tweet clips of their set. Direct live tweeting stimulates interest.
Sports Tweeting
Your favorite sports team takes the field or pitch. You’re at work. Sports writers update you via twitter. Twitter combines play-by-play updates with baseball-style statistics geekery.
Conversation
Actually talking to friends on Twitter. What a concept! So much one-way projectile expressions make it difficult. Keep a list of close friends. Use notifications. Make sure the conversations get to your phone or browser. Talk!
Advertising via follows
Twitter users selling goods and services follow anyone and everyone. The follow notification pops up on the potential customer’s screen. The recipient voluntary looks at the advertising, on the profile of the requester. It doesn’t matter if there’s never engagement beyond that–your product got in front of a customer.
What works?
That depends on why you’re on Twitter. Stay tuned for some use cases that might make sense for you. Come on by during open office hours if you want to talk Twitter.
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