Twitter is being used in more ways the one. It started off as just a fun website for quick and easy social interactions, but it has morphed into a tool of sorts. The tool that twitter has morphed into isn't just used by one profession but for many others including journalist, marketers, and grass roots organizations trying to get a firm following by staying informed and connected.
Twitter has given the ability for journalists to get the inside scoop before anyone else has even begun to notice.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/16/boston-marathon-explosions-reveal-twitter
An article written in the the guardian shows a good example of how twitter can be used to help aid journalists in getting the latest and greatest news, but not without a few drawbacks. As mentioned in the article twitter started off as not only a good warning sign that something was going to happen, but it also was a good way to get info about said happening. Unfortunately as time has gone on and more and more users have discovered twitter it has allowed non journalistic forces to influence the environment that was once full of decent information. Now when an event or newsworthy story happens on twitter it's basically all down hill after the first tweet is sent. Quickly an event gets mis reported an accusations start to fly and any real news about said event is quickly lost to people giving their opinions on what happened rather than just sticking to the facts. It does not mean however that twitter isn't used at all by journalists or newsrooms. Basically it's a great way for others to find out that an event has happened and then after the initial report of an incident they should continue to investigate it through a more reliable and professional way.
Another way in which twitter isn't just used as a social media website is the way marketing and advertising use twitters website. Communication is thought of as a two way street between customers and the companies they decide to give their business to. Now companies can interact with their customers which gives them a direct link to the consumer. Consumers may feel like they have a say in what is happening with their favorite brand or company and this makes them feel empowered and loyal to that brand or company. The great thing about this relationship with its consumers is now a company can here exactly what it's consumers think for free. This gives a company access to valuable information for free while also building a better relationship with its consumers.
Bernie Sanders campaign has been using twitter to try and bolster its appearance to voters. Most media coverage has been directed at the other big candidates so some events by Sanders have not been aired. Thanks to twitter though live tweeting has helped Sanders stay connected to voters without heavy reliance on traditional media.
The Black Lives matter hashtag has caused a frenzy of support to realize racial inequality that is still in existence. After a few incidents of the police over stepping their bounds the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has become away to raise awareness for a cause so that African Americans are treated equal to others. It gives others a chance to have a glimpse of what it is like to be a minority in a country where everyone is supposedly treated equal.
Another movement that is getting little media coverage is the democracy spring movement. Using the hash tag #DemocracySpring organizers of the event have formed a protest to try and get congress to pass a new set of laws that would regulate how political candidates receive money and to bring about election reform. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested already but more eep showing up after following the movement on twitter.
Twitter has become the tool for those who need coverage to survive and gain momentum. Many events in the past would have benefited hugely from the use of a website that allows interaction with millions of users.
Our class was told to pick a few things to follow on twitter, and to send out several tweets our selves. Ellen Degeneres, UNYTS, and Second city where the three that I choose to follow. Ellen Degeneres was a choice because normally I would never choose such a person to follow, but the account was mostly full of nonsense things for her show and to let others know about special events for her show. Second City is an improv group out of Chicago. Most of the tweets from them where about up and coming projects or just videos of sketches they had recently done. Lastly UNYTS is a transplant organization from New York that keeps any donation for local use. They promoted events through picture an such, and they also tweeted at events.
UNYTS, came to mind because I have donated blood to UNYTS on many occasions before and have always had an enjoyable experience with them. Second City I followed because their was a time when I wanted to do improv comedy and I now Second City is a very prestigious place where many Saturday Night Live alumni came from.
In doing my own tweets I struggled to keep the word count down and also informing at the same time. Once I met with the professor I got a little boost and was directed in a clearer path then before. Twitter is an amazing tool and if used properly can have a huge impact on audiences that would otherwise not have none about an organizations goals. Facebook does allow more room and space to try and get a message across it is also falling out of popularity with its users. Many Facebook users are no longer active because it has grown full of ads and other things that many don't care for.
Twitter is seemingly taking over but with it comes problems as well. Groups that a filled with hate or wish to do harm to others also inhabit Twitter. They try to spread negative messages and mis inform other users. Its a word of caution that for as great as twitter can be it can also lead to damaging things as well.
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