Social Media is for the Birds: Tweeting in Business Communication

A recent article featured at The Source Weekly reported on the effects of Twitter – not only on how people communicate in business, but also on the people doing the communicating. Diana Adams, an Atlanta-based computer consultant, takes her phone to bed and wakes several times throughout the night to check her Twitter stream and respond to messages. 

At one point, NPR's senior strategist for social media, Andy Carvin, was spending 18 to 20 hours a day on Twitter. The profound effect that Twitter has had on its users is undeniable, but what has that effect been on the communication itself?

Paying Attention

There are two main aspects of Twitter and Tweets that set the social media platform apart. First, there is the 140 character limit. This limit is the apple of brevity and creativity’s eye, challenging users to compose their messages within that framework. 

However, many people have expressed the notion that Twitter has shortened our collective attention spans. Adams admitted she now only thinks in Tweets, “So, if someone is talking to me for more than a minute, I just stop paying attention.” The idea of ADD on the rise may just have a lot to do with the technology that is changing our behaviors.

 Second, Twitter is also set apart by both the real time participation of its users, and the constant stream of Tweets. Twitter users can dip into a never-ending stream of information and be in constant contact with followers 24 hours a day. Other social media platforms just don’t deliver the same volume or pace of interaction.

Tips for Tweets

Because of these unique aspects, Twitter can be an extremely effective tool in business communication. However, there are several things to keep in mind when Tweeting:

• Make it meaningful. Before you post that Tweet, think about what you are trying to communicate and what you hope to achieve by communicating it. Twitter users often have to sift through a lot of dross to find something worthwhile. Make sure whatever it is you are adding to the conversation enhances meaning as well.
• Be clear. Without the benefits of nonverbal communication, such as tone of voice and body language, it’s all too easy to be misunderstood. Make sure your Tweets are easy to follow that your messages send the right intent.  
• Avoid Web slang. The use of Web slang in business communication appears unprofessional, and while the 140 character limit does make it tempting to use common Web slang, such as “ur” for “you are,” for the sake of brevity, it’s best to resist that temptation.
• Use proper grammar and spelling. Because space is very limited, making a good impression within that small space is critical. Be sure to proofread any and all Tweets to avoid embarrassing errors.

How Tweet It Is

 Do you use Twitter in your business? If so, what has your experience been? How has Twitter affected your business communication? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Social Media: Helping Communities Help Each Other

Social media is known for a great many things, ranging from being a great business marketing tool to simply serving as a digital water cooler for catching up on the latest gossip. However, more and more, social media is becoming known for something else entirely – a way for real life, flesh and blood communities to come together and help one another.

Fighting Crime

Graffiti is a problem plaguing many urban areas. However, social media is making it more difficult for taggers to hide and easier for law enforcement to catch them. A recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican entitled, “Social media tip leads to graffiti suspects,” highlighted how social media can help communities fight crime and help local law enforcement. In this instance, over 30 local businesses had been tagged with graffiti before an anonymous tip led to a social networking site where evidence was found linking suspects to the graffiti.

While the use of social media outlets by local law enforcement is still relatively new, it has already been very successful. In an article on Mashable Social Media, author Lon S. Cohen outlines several ways in which law enforcement utilizes social media. One of the most effective techniques involves requests for tips and information by a particular local law enforcement agency on their Facebook fan page and Twitter feed. People with information can post it immediately, making that information instantly available to local law enforcement.

Crisis Management

Not only has social media proven its usefulness in helping fight crime, it’s also been shown to be an extremely effective tool during the course of an emergency. Michelle Lyon, Social Media Manager at MEC International, wrote about how social media brought community together after the recent riots in London. A call to action on Twitter resulted in over 80,000 volunteers almost immediately coming together to help clean up and reach out to those in need.

Twitter was used to organize the volunteer effort, letting people know exactly where they needed to go and what they needed to do to help. Even beyond the hands-on help being received by the local community, the Twitter feed was also used by local businesses as a way to offer free services to the people most affected by the riots.

Local Events

There doesn’t have to be a crime or crisis for social media to help build community. It’s extremely common for local chambers of commerce to feature updates and local events on social media platforms. Whether it’s a neighborhood farmer’s market or a local charity event, cities, large and small, are reaching out through social networking sites with great success.

Your Community

How has social media helped build your local community? Please share your stories and thoughts in the comments section below.