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If you're into campaigning or direct action this training presentation offer handy tips on understanding what Twitter is, how it works, how to build a community of followers as well as examining a case study of its use in direct action
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Twitter training for activists22nd June 2010
Overview
• 7.00-7.30 - Introduction to Twitter
• 7.30-8pm - An Anatomy of Twitter
+++ 8.00-8.15pm - SHORT BREAK +++
• 8.20-8.45pm - Building a community/movement
• 8.45-9.15pm - Using Twitter for activism
Social media: a short intro
Internet as social condition
"The Internet is actually a social condition where everyone in the network society is connected directly, without intermediation, to everyone else."
Eben Moglen, Anarchism triumphant: Free Software and the Death of Copyright
Social Media: A definition
Social media are Internet-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings. The term
often refers to activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos
and audio. This interaction depends on the "building" of shared meaning among communities, as people share
stories and experiences.
“
”
What's SocialMedia?
Ask Wikipedia
The Rise of the Social
Age of Deference
Age of Reference
Technological factors
Storage costs (car vs glass of wine)
Free/low cost
How the first leads to the second technology (inc free software movement)
Twitter’s secret history…
• Twitter started life as an idea for SMS social updating called Status
• Aim was to achieve real-time spontaneous information dispersal
• Based on Txtmob – an sms platform used for mobilising protestors at the Democrat Convention in Boston
An Anatomy of Twitter
Twitter anatomy
Following People or groups on Twitter you are following. You will be able to view all “tweets” from that individual or group.
Followers
People on Twitter who are following you. Anyone on Twitter can follow you without your permission unless you set your preferences so that you approve of each request. Followers will be able to see all “tweets” sent from your account.
Tweet A 140 character or less message
@Use the “@” symbol for sending messages to individuals. It allows for conversations to take place, and the addressee is more likely to read it. Your followers will also be able to read them.
# Hashtags
These symbols in Twitter are a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets. They help people find the conversation faster. You create a hashtag by prefixing a word with a hash symbol. For example: #eurostar Please look at the following video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGbLWQYJ6iM to get examples of #
Re-Tweet (or RT) Re-tweeting passes on a message and helps spread the word from friends and followers to a wider audience
DM Direct messages allow for private conversations over Twitter
Personalise your account
• Avatar: 73p x 73px Avatar of you/your logo/not you
• Strong bio: Limited to 140 so must be clear an concise. Heps with search. But also helps with identification: Real bio or not? Real location or not?
• Customise colours: Customise colour of text, links, sidebar and sidebar border in line organisational colours or personal fave
• Custom background: Aim for any logo in the left margin, and include additional contact information (email, URL, phone) and links to other social media accounts if appropriate
Twitter add-ons
• Twitpic
• Tweetvideo
• Bit.ly
• etc
Twitter clients
Building a community
Targeted following
“Lists aren’t just static listings of users, but rather curated Twitter streams of the latest tweets from a specified set of users.”
- mashable
Tone of voice
• The way we communicate in social media is as important, if not more important, than what we’re actually saying
• To this end, the language you should use should reflect who you are or your organisation’s personality where appropriate
• This will give you a ‘voice’ in social media and encourage engagement, trust and credibility
Engaging: a word to the wise
• Your Twitter account is your your organisation’s “human face” on the social web
• It mustn’t advertise anything or post links
• It must engage others in discussion. The more compelling the conversation, the more people will want to engage
Engagement
• Listen to your followers: respond, add value, be helpful – reactively and proactively
• Check to see if your fave journos or ‘celebrities’ use Twitter and talk to them when appropriate
• Follow relevant events, news stories, hashtags, etc and engage wider networks when and where appropriate
Using Twitter for Activism
The Great Climate Swoop
• Direct action against Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station on 17th October 2009
• Lots of Twittering from the media, from the police and Climate Camp activists
Action reporting & coordinating
News updates
Mediated
Disintermediated
On the ground insight
DIY reporting
Twitter & Media
Swoop example
Election example
The case of Elliot Madison
Just Do It! Vs the Daily Mail
• Using election #hashtags to find media outlet on Twitter
• Sending @messages to media/journalist profiles
• Most asked permission or paid up… not the Daily Mail
Just Do It! Vs the Daily Mail
• Using election #hashtags to find media outlet on Twitter
• Sending @messages to media/journalist profiles
• Most asked permission or paid up… not the Daily Mail
Twitter security
• Some things to think about…
• Are you incriminating anyone via Twitpics, Tweetvideos; linked content (e.g. YouTube, Flickr etc) or username, e.g. “With @joeblogs scaling fence”
• If you wish to remain low-key or anonymous think about your Twitter bio, e.g. Does your personal URL section link to your Facebook Page? Is your hometown listed in location, etc
• Think before you tweet – it’s very way to say the wrong thing; if it makes you stop and think then stop and think
Twitcablary
• The tool is Twitter
• If you use it you are a Twitterer
• Tweet is both a (n) and (v):
• You post tweets
• You tweet information
• Never ‘twit or ‘twat’ (viz. Cameron, D., 2009)
• GO FORTH AND TWEET!