April 18, 2011
The little bird that could: Twitter looks ahead to the future
In its first five years, we’ve seen what Twitter can do and how far it’s influence, or more specifically its users’ influence, can go.
So what has Twitter been good for?
Following news events and newsmakers
Twitter has given users a unique ability to read and directly communicate with those who make the news. Never before has this access been so readily available to anyone.
Trending and breaking news discussed:
Since Tweets appear in real-time, the most thought provoking and interesting Tweets “trend” and are discussed.
A voice for the people:
One person can easily be ignored. But the same message echoed by thousands, by agents of change. This can get the attention of millions of people.
So what’s next for Twitter?
Twitter as a poll gathering device
Since millions of people are chiming in simultaneously about specific topics, Twitter can be useful in gathering public opinion.
“So in Twitter posts and tweets and so on, if there’s specific factual information that’s being mentioned — they want that extracted,” Srihari says. “There’s also definitely an interest in sentiment and opinion mining.” (Taken from the High-Tech PR Blog, Lois Paul)
Filed under: Communications, Social Media
Tags: Nonprofit Marketing, Twitter
April 7, 2011
The Aging Face of Social Media
While waiting for the 6 train in Union Square, I overheard the following conversation taking place between an elderly couple standing on the platform.
“So if a text is a typed message, then it’s just another word for email?” – wife
“No. People send and receive texts using their cell phones.” – husband
“But if people have cell phones, then why don’t they just call?” – wife
“Everyone likes typing messages. That’s what Facebook and Twitter are for.” – husband
“I’ve heard about those twits.” – wife
“They’re called tweets. People use Twitter to tweet, not twit.” – husband
“ Twit, tweet, Facebook. I don’t get the point of any of it.” – wife
As I stepped onto the train wildly entertained, I started to wonder: Do older adults use social media?
Filed under: Communications, Social Media
Tags: facebook, older adults, Social Media, Twitter
February 4, 2011
Social media goes bowling
Got a product or message? Well there is no better stage to showcase it than as an ad aired during this year’s Super Bowl, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Green Bay Packers.
The audience alone should be enticing enough to get your ad or message out there. Last year’s Super Bowl drew 106 million viewers. Of course to get your ad run, you’d have to pay an average of $1 million dollars per 30 seconds of air time.
We have entered an era in advertising where running commercial spots during the “Big Game” are no longer the only method used to promote brands. Social media has joined the movement and can be quite an effective method as two of its heaviest hitters, Facebook and Twitter, take the field.
Mercedes-Benz is promoting a contest called “The World’s First Twitter-Fueled Race” as a supplement and lead up to its Super Bowl ad. The contest includes a two-day race between teams of drivers (with a celebrity coach) and they can only move forward and overcome challenges by the support of their Twitter followers. The race ends in the Dallas area, where this year’s Super Bowl is being played. The sponsor will randomly select the Twitter handle of a participant who joined the winning team. That lucky person will get to chose a grand prize consisting of three options: attend the 2011 PGA Championship, attend the 2011 US Open (Tennis) or the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City in September, 2011. Talk about incentives!
Bud Light is scheduled to run three :30 spots during the game. As a supplement, it will utilize its Facebook page to have fans use clues from the ads run on television to unlock more ads. This is an awfully unique spin, if a brand can use its ads to get consumers to search more ads, I would consider that a win for them.
What about nonprofits? Can they fit into the Social Media/Super Bowl blitz?
Absolutely! However, the objective of using social media during the Super Bowl for exposure should not be the end but simply the means. Using social media to promote your nonprofit should not just be used to get followers on Twitter or fans on FaceBook, but rather how you utilize the participation.
Filed under: Communications, Events, Internet
Tags: Pepsi Refresh, Social Media, Super Bowl, Twitter
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