@todayshow, are you listening?

The below snapshot of my favorite Tweets captures the conversation around the Today Show, particularly their efforts of late to actively join the Twitter conversation.  Let me preface my post  by saying, I have used Twitter to get the word out and incite conversation about a particular topic or news category.  I struggled with @onecontest, a twitter account I managed for a former client.  It was very time consuming and if you have to think too hard about what "message" to post, it just doesn't seem worth it.

Those behind @todayshow-- follow a few simple rules and we will play. 

1. Only follow people once. If you want to get someones attention to follow you, @ them, responding to something they have posted, even if it's just a link. Make it relevant and they will follow.

2. Even when you are as big as the Today Show, start out with small targeted friendships and test the water. Learn and continue to grow your network organically and through gradually following others over time. You will have a much more engaged and loyal audience this way. Also, you want to keep the following-to-follower ratio as equal as you can.  Following 1935 tweeters, when only 215  are actually following you back, raises a red flag reading "spitter" (reference: @cspenn).

3. Do NOT post 2 or more in a row (unless you are broadcasting a national emergency). I love the fresh news and links in my Twitter stream and I am sure others do too, but don't shoot them like spitballs at us.   

We're a family, if you want to join, come sit at the table.


 

Comments

[Amanda Mooney]

"We're a family, if you want to join, come sit at the table. "

Great tips and insight on our Twitter community.

[Joe Cascio]

Great post, J.R. Maybe you can get the ear of someone at NBC involved in this through NewMediaJim.
I would only add to your list, "Be a person, not a Thing." You should either have a single person assigned to make the Tweets, or let various people post but identify themselves. This is what RocketBoom does. Whoever does the posting should start with a small group of friends and talk to them. Be personable, make friends, talk about your kids, your cats, or your sports teams. Bitch about your spouse. Be human. We Twitterers don't like corporations, we like people.

[Amanda Gravel]

I like the list and Amanda's addition. It's worrisome when people forget that they're people. It's even worse when marketers forget that WE are people.

[Jack Hodgson]

Right on Julia. Exactly right.

[Jim Long]

I DM'd @Todayshow saying i'd be happy to help them with their endeavor, but never heard back from them. I don't even know who's behind the effort.

The only point where i differ from Amanda Mooney is "*&%$! about your spouse" She-who-must-be-obeyed reads mine. That woudln't be good for anybody. ;-)

[Doug Haslam]

Jim, you are not included among the NBC hate. It's you and Heroes I'm sticking with

[Amanda Mooney]

Hi Jack Hodgson and Amanda G. - I posted the first comment; Joe C. made the comment I believe you are both referring to.

[Amanda Mooney]

Hi Jack Hodgson and Amanda G. - I posted the first comment; Joe C. made the comment I believe you are both referring to.

[Amanda Mooney]

Hi Jack Hodgson and Amanda G. - I posted the first comment; Joe C. made the comment I believe you are both referring to.

[Amanda Mooney]

Hi Jack Hodgson and Amanda G. - I posted the first comment; Joe C. made the comment I believe you are both referring to.

[Mark Drapeau]

Julia, this is the best thing I've read about Twitter branding in a long time, thanks. I twit-spit it out as such (ha ha). You know I work with the gov't and I have been thinking and writing about gov't branding (http://mashable.com/2008/09/03/government-brand/). No doubt that your analysis of Today Show, Best Buy, etc. also applies to different gov't entities trying to use the online tools - some are 'organic' and some are 'forced' --- see the mashable article for an analysis of gov't twitter usage!!