What’s happening? This simple question answered by so many, has led Twitter to the top when it comes to social media networks. If you are unfamiliar with Twitter this CommonCraft video, Twitter in Plain English, will help clear things up. Twitter was created to allow its users to stay updated with the lives of their friends and families. Answering the ultimate question with simple statements such as “off to the gym” or “cooking home-made spaghetti” allows your friends and family members to know the small things you do throughout your day; information they wouldn’t know about otherwise. Twitter allows for its members to respond to one-another by using the @ symbol. It also allows for its members to retweet and ad links or photos. These mechanics create two-way communication or a conversation between users. Because of this, many companies and corporations have joined the Twitter community. They use the network to keep their followers updated on the company. In the video, Twitter Can Work For Just About Anyone, Shel Holtz, a social media expert, explains how any company can use Twitter to its advantage.
So, museums have jumped onto the bandwagon. All the museums I have mentioned in previous posts all are active members on Twitter. They use the network to inform their constituents such as employees and visitors, on upcoming events, upcoming exhibits, closings, etc. Not only is Twitter used by museums to communicate their messages to their audiences but it is also used as a sort of advertising platform. Posts can draw visitors to a museum when they read that an interesting exhibit is coming to town. However, Twitter must be used in a creative way. It is a large environment to delve into, so museums must do so in an effective way. In Nina Simon’s Blog, Museum 2.0, she writes about how museums can improve the way they use Twitter.
I agree Twitter is all over the the place! I think that every industry is using twitter in some way to connect and create a dialogue. I think its cool how museums are using Twitter to advertise and draw people to see their exhibits. These are great ways to create a fan base as well. I am currently exploring how sports teams and athletes use twitter and it very similar to how museums are using it. I also think it makes more people want to read because the posts are short. Twitter is definitely the up and coming social media technology.
Twitter seems to be an asset for most industries. It makes sense that museums have created Twitter accounts, because there is always something new happening, especially in the art world, and art lovers like to know what new interesting projects artists are up to. And museums change exhibits all the time, so I can see how Twitter would be useful, especially to announce new exhibits and what exciting things are going on at a museum.
I had no idea that museums were using Twitter at all! Just like you said, it is a great way for them to get their names out there and really reach everyone and anyone. I don’t usually see museum promotions on TV or online and would probably have more of a chance of seeing them on Twitter. The museum websites I have seen are not updated very often and do not provide information on special closings. With Twitter, museums can tell potential visitors what is going on that day and tell them hour by hour about any updates such as the number of visitors that day or if they are closed due to inclement weather.
At first, I think that many people thought that Twitter was useless. But as businesses have realized more and more the control that the consumer has, and the importance of two-way communications, Twitter has leaped into popularity. I agree that Twitter can be useful for just about everyone, and especially organizations and corporations. The trick with Twitter is that you have to use creativeness, which is where some companies fail. You need to post something that is intersting or will benefit the consumer for Twitter to be an effective tool for communication. If no one follows your company, then what is the point? The possibilities of Twitter is endless, and it is just up to the companies out there to benefit from it.