Twittermania!
It wasn’t until this semester that I realized the huge impact and importance of social media in public relations. Obviously I knew what Facebook was (after all, I am a college student), but I just recently became acquainted with Twitter through one of my teachers.
Twitter is a social networking site that allows users to send and read other peoples’ updates. The website asks users the questions, “What are you doing?” and the user then responds to that question in 140 characters or less in what is called a “tweet.” It is similar to the idea of a Facebook status update.
I was a little unsure of Twitter at first, as I didn’t really understand the point of it. Why would anyone care what I was doing right now, and how could this site possibly help me at all?
After navigating through Twitter and “following” several Auburn alums on it, I realize why my teacher wanted us to start using it. It is a great outlet for making connections in the professional world. Many PR practitioners actively use Twitter, and some of the most widely-known bloggers and journalists use Twitter as well. It has over 2 million registered users right now, and it only launched in 2006.
Even large media outlets have begun using Twitter. A few weeks ago, I was sitting doing homework with CNN on in the background when I heard them say the word Twitter. I immediately tuned in to the TV and discovered that Rick Sanchez, one of their anchors, was accepting viewer questions via Twitter. That really showed me the impact of social media and how much the mainstream media is embracing sites like Twitter.
I recently noticed that the Today Show even has a Twitter account. I immediately began following their updates when I saw this since I love the Today Show. One of their updates was asking for families that are cutting back on holiday spending for an upcoming story. I thought it was pretty cool that someone like me could provide an outlet like the Today Show with story leads just by using a site like Twitter.
Twitter is also pretty useful for journalists since it only allows you 140 characters to say what you want to say. If you are following a journalist on Twitter, you could pitch them a story they might find interested in this amount of space.
Twitter is a great tool for college students in PR since it allows them to make contact with many PR professionals. I have even heard stories of students landing internships at agencies because of Twitter.
The only downside to Twitter is something I read about called “brandjacking.” This is when a user makes up an account pretending to be a company, which could potentially be very harmful. Although Twitter is a fun site, it’s important to make sure you are monitoring your brand or name if you’re a professional.
Seeing the advantages of using a site like Twitter has gotten me even more excited about the field of PR. It’s a great way to make connections and learn about PR, and I will definitely be using it as I begin my career.