The many modes of Twitter: developing and

maintaining a professional identity on Twitter

Chris Rowan(http://all-geo.org/highlyallochthonous, @Allochthonous)

(and other social networks)

What is Twitter for?

A Tweeting Taxonomy

The stereotypical ‘tweeter’: “here’s what I had for breakfast...”

- Lifecasters

+ keeps friends and family posted on what you're up to.- very few are likely to be interested in what you're up to.- wastes potential.

A Tweeting Taxonomy- Grazers

+ Personalised news feed.+ Other people do the work of finding interesting stuff.+ Totally anonymous.- Ignores the "social" bit.

Not looking for audience; consuming information from trusted sources.

A Tweeting Taxonomy- Community builders Largely known audience,

organising around a common interest.

+ Fosters links with like-minded people.+ Good resource for solving problems, finding references, etc.+ Limits potential for controversy.- Potentially limiting exposure/outreach - ‘cliquishness’.

A Tweeting Taxonomy- Promoters Advertising something that you're

doing (book, course you're teaching, departmental research).

+ Low cost, high potential impact.+ Network effects can broaden reach (if relevant).- Only effective if your audience is on the network.- Authenticity issues.

A Tweeting Taxonomy- Curators Actively seeking out interesting

information to share with others.

+ Adding real value to community.+ Can build wide audience as a trusted source.- Pressure to regularly find and share content.

A Tweeting Taxonomy- Commentators

+ High engagement and growth of audience.+ People (media) may start seeking your opinion.- More likely to draw critical attention.

Aim to drive discussions, change opinions.

Reality - you can mix styles

Grazing Curation

Commentary

-Network Effects

Common pitfalls

-Network Effects

Common pitfalls

Common pitfalls

- “Mission Creep”

- Twitter = Timesink

Summary

- There's more than one way to do it.

- Define your audience and boundaries, but be open to evolution.

- If you'd be uncomfortable defending it, don't say it!

- "You get out what you put in."