TWITTER FOR CEOS

Mary Mitchell@mary_mitch

Objectives:

● To have a better understanding of Twitter’s potential

● To learn practical tips for using Twitter in a time-efficient way

● To see how other CEOs are using Twitter● To design personal goals for using Twitter

Why?

Why me?

● I think (and read) a lot about social media● I work with new charities every month● I’ve worked in international development● I am passionate about using social media to

decrease global inequalities● I’m a huge Twitter advocate!!

Why Twitter?

● It’s the best of Web 2.0● Twitter is not a marketing platform, but a

communications medium● Global communication● Democratic potential

“Perhaps the biggest factor behind the success of post-dotcom companies has been the realisation that online users are not like TV audiences. This awareness, or at least the way it has been rationalised, can be summed up by the phrase, ‘Web 2.0’”- Hinton and Hjorth, 2013 (p.16)

‘It seems that there is no part of networked, thought, activity or life that is now not Web 2.0… Anything can become or be 2.0 as long as it demonstrates or is affiliated with a certain set of qualities. A list of typical Qualities 2.0 might look something like this: dynamic, participatory, engaged, interoperable, user-centered, open, collectively intelligent and so on. Clearly an ‘attitude’ can go a long way.’

- Munster and Murphie 2009

Why Twitter?

● It’s the best of Web 2.0● Twitter is not a marketing platform, but a

communications medium● Global reach● Democratic potential● Relationship and community building

Why should CEOs use Twitter?

● It doesn’t have to be time-consuming● 55 - 64 demographic on Twitter is the fastest growing● Media is shaping how people view aid and development ● Social media provides access to these conversations● Leading from the front● Increases trust ● Increasingly essential for networking● Real-time & genuine information gathering

Questions...

How?

1. Use Hashtags

● Hashtags start/join in conversations● No more than 2 in a tweet● Consolidate – centralise your usage around key

hashtags● Be obvious and listen to your followers/fans● Start Hashtags for events – allows others to join in● Use them to gain information & get more followers

2. Be opinionated

● Be assertive● State your organisation’s opinion● Provoke debate and discussion (but

thoughtfully, not for the sake of it)

3. Think about tone of voice

● Be yourself● Be friendly and interesting, and not overly

formal● Think of it as communication rather than

broadcast

4. Think about results

Information Community

Action

5. Speak about yourself

● It’s about you not just your cause● Don’t be afraid to mix personal with

professional● But make sure to keep a balance of you vs.

other content

6. Use images and video

But...

● Privacy● Trolls● Consistency● Reputation & Risk

- Polly Neate, CEO Women’s Aid

“I don’t believe “don’t feed the trolls” is a good way to deal with it, because that can end up silencing people. I won’t be silenced, but I don’t reply directly to trolls and I never block anyone. I tend to ignore stuff that is just accusatory or aggressive. I only respond if they are putting out false information - if someone makes a damaging factual error I’ll challenge it. But I won’t tweet the response directly to them. That way other people don’t see unchallenged wrong information but I don’t get bogged down in direct conversations with the trolls.”

Exercises

● Create a Vine video with a partner● Create a private Twitter list of people you

admire on Twitter

Tools

Lists

● Donors● Influencers● Key people for networking● News topics

Listen selectively while surrounded by noise.

Buffer & Feedly

● Don’t miss out on news● Two birds, one stone!● Ensure you have regular content

Schedule your tweets in advance to be more time-efficient.

Tweetdeck

● Follow #● Follow lists● Listen effectively

Manage all your interactions in one place.

Playtime!

Setting personal objectives

eg. My goal is to look at Tweetdeck and engage in a conversation every lunch breakMy goal is to take photos more when at events and use the hashtag to engage in conversationMy goal is to start tweeting!

Mary Mitchell @mary_mitch

For more resources go to: http://bit.ly/Twitterresources