Tweeter’s Boasts Lack Real Communication

September 22, 2009 by Steve Schultz @GeniusbyOsmosis · 2 Comments
Filed under: News

As reported by the Baltimoresun.com and other news outlets, there is a study that came out reporting on the quality of tweets from Congressional tweeters. The report found that only 7% of all (they mean 100%) congressional updates were actually communicating with the outside world. They also report that 80% of these tweets were pure self-promotion -

“[L]inks to news articles and news releases, and status updates that chronicle the politician’s latest trip to the sawmill or the supermarket.”

This is a truly interesting issue. “Twitter by its nature is a very self-absorbed service,” said Jennifer Golbeck, lead researcher and assistant professor in the university’s College of Information Studies. “Politicians are very self-important people.” What is the purpose of Twitter in the realm of politics?

It’s hard to say really. From our past courses on Twitter (only available to charter members of ORS) we create a strategy and plan for building a quality following, tweeting quality tweets, and quick, easy communication. I recall discussing the issue of bailouts with a fellow tweeter months ago. After this discussion I actually lost followers and had someone comment that they would have followed me but they don’t want to follow long conversation. The purpose of Twitter is for quick, short messages. Conversation is in fact, not wanted in many cases.

What do people want on Twitter? Many news outlets report on Twitter having never actually been on Twitter and assume it should work as well as television or YouTube. Twitter will never have that degree of clear communication. That’s not it’s purpose. Tweets on Twitter are graded high if they involve shared links, pictures, videos, are “re-tweets” or replies. Based on this criteria for evaluation the one most politicians lack are re-tweets and replies. This is exactly where I think the study is pointing.

Fortunately, there is one simple solution. Politicians need to tweet what the people want. I don’t mean just say things you don’t believe because it’s what you think your audience wants to hear. I mean to give them tweets they can retweet and forward on. Give them a reply or two. You don’t need to have conversations on Twitter. Much like Senator McCaskill’s Twitter account.

“Her page is a compendium of personal replies to constituents and snippets of life that sound authentic. Here’s one from earlier this month: ‘Yes @tigeranniemac that was me at Target in the soap aisle. You shoulda said hi. Was with my daughter Lily. We’re very friendly.’”

There is no long dialogue here. It is a quick and simple reply to one of her followers. It has no political agenda. It has no innuendo. It is the type of conversation Twitter craves.

Let’s be honest, everyone on Twitter is boastful. When I land a new client I’ve tweeted about it within minutes. Then pile on the congrats from my followers. There is nothing wrong with politicians promoting themselves; they just need to realize that to be in the Twitter elite, it requires just a little bit more.

20% of tweets about brands (socialmediatoday.com)
Tweeting: More Than Just Self Expression (innovationtoronto.com)
Sen. Claire McCaskill Tweets to Show She’s Human, Not Cruella De Vil (usnews.com)

Tags: Information science, On the Web, Online Communities, Politician, Senator McCaskill, social networking, Tweeter, twitter, youtube

Sen McCaskill Takes on Matt Bai

May 13, 2009 by Steve Schultz @GeniusbyOsmosis · Leave a Comment
Filed under: News

To catch some of you up, Matt Bai wrote a piece on April 26th for the NY Times basically stating that too many politicians are wasting time for trivial things on Twitter. Senator McCaskill decided to rebuttal in a wonderfully concise way, but in 1,155 characters as opposed to the standard 140. I decided to post her response:

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The New York Times

The Chatty Classes

After reading Matt Bai’s piece last weekend (April 26), I’d like to explain why I tweet. His thesis is that Twitter is banal and superficial, and yes, it can be. But it has redeeming value in the context of my job.

First, through Twitter, I am able to post information daily on a public bulletin board about serious policy issues. These short messages are intended to drive thought and discussion rather than provide a thorough analysis of the issue.

Second, tweeting is a discipline that keeps me connected. Between hearings and votes, I think of what I want to tell the folks at home – after all, I’m in Washington to work for them.

Third, I use Twitter because no one can edit me. In a world driven by edited sound bites, and a Capitol Hill culture that parses, obfuscates and works hard at saying nothing, we shouldn’t look down our noses at a few short declarative sentences.

Finally, it’s fun. Part of the problem in Washington is that folks take themselves too seriously. As I tweet about work and even the mundane parts of my life, I’m staying connected and grounded, and I have a smile on my face.

CLAIRE MCCASKILL
United States Senator
St. Louis, Mo.

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And just for fun we’ll include a clip of the Colbert Report from back in February when politicians, specifically McCaskill, were tweeting during PBO’s speech.

The Colbert Report

Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Claire McCaskill’s Twittering

colbertnation.com