Tweeting in your social media network can be a challenge, one complicated when you look to use it for more corporate marketing activities. Not only do we have the traditional 140 character limitations, but crafting that right message that is both interesting and professional is more art than science.
Folks have written at length on some of the necessary (without them you fail) and sufficient (done in large numbers you might succeed) characteristics of social media-based tweeting. Victoria Akers, in her “Mastering the Art of Good Tweet to Promote Your News” article, lays the foundations for seven necessary tweeting characteristics. John Kremer goes even farther in his eBook, Twitter Mania Manual, by discussing over 151 ways to tweet and other sufficient tweeting characteristics. All-in-all, good advice from everybody.
At some point, however, the rubber needs to meet the road and theory needs to be turned into practice. You have to take that blank white page and begin to craft words that work. Cognitively, this is the most difficult time for most people, since humans are better critics than creators.
To get over his hurdle, I suggest the time tested method of “just doing something.” Putting that first test tweet on a blank page will get the eyes, brain, and hand feedback process working. Studies have shown that right after that first brainstorm sentence, 5-9 nine others will immediate follow. Remember, it’s easier to correct than to create.
When looking at those early tweets, consider the following characteristics in your maturation process:
>> Not say what they are doing, say why.
>> Be kept simple – no fluff.
>> Be personal – use first person (I, he, she) language.
>> Use hash tags (#) – make more search friendly
>> Leave room for others to retweet – 120 characters, at max.
With this preamble as a basis for discussion, here is a real example from a current client.
Client: Large producer of whole house media (audio and video), lighting, and control systems.
Program: Increase sales of a popular whole house audio systems that streams personal content as well as cloud-base music (e.g., Rhapsody).
Social Media Component: Being one of many components, prospects will be giving a chance to tweet their discovery of this new whole house audio capability.
Goal: Create a series of tweets that can auto populate “Tweet Now” buttons presented at the end of a registration process
Candidate Tweets:
1.
Strongly recommend you checkout #theProduct; life will be great when I can listen to #music throughout the #house. <<shorten url to website>>
2.
Had it with limited ability to listen to #music throughout my #house. Considering buying #theProduct. <<shorten url to website>>
3.
Don’t know how they do it yet, but #theProduct will let me listen to #music throughout #house. Check them out. <<shorten url to website>>
4.
I want to do it throughout the house! Considering #theProduct as a way to listen to #music everywhere. <<shorten url to website>>
Shorten URL:
tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com
So, what do you think? Are they effective? How can they be improved? Would like to see your thoughts and suggestions.
Practical Aspects of Social Media: Art, Science, and Humanity 