Feb
08
2015

Some Twitter Tips for Political and Public Bodies

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Between now and May, the use of social media to distribute political messages is going to explode. Some posts will be official and formal, some will express personal views, and most will be frivolous.

Here are some tips for those thinking of posting to and reading the Twitter:

1. Expect engagement

If you don’t want to discuss your point, don’t bother posting it. People soon realise when treat Twitter as a poster, and they can get increasingly frustrated. And blunt.

2. Read what you write before you tweet it

If it’s full of mistakes, poorly formatted, or simply doesn’t make sense, your message will be lost as the grammar police jump in. Don’t blame them, they’re just upholding #standards.

 

3. A meme is just a picture with words on it

Don’t confuse it with real facts or policies. Make sure you include real content or a link to some evidence.

ukip-swallows

This clearly isn’t a real UKIP policy. Not yet, anyway.

4. Don’t confuse disagreement with trolling…

Some trolls will typically provide an irrational and uncontrollable tirade of abuse for the tiniest of reasons, or for no reason at all. Others will argue or dismiss what you say, they may even be rude. You don’t have to like it, you can simply acknowledge it or ignore it. They are simply exercising their democratic right, and well all love democracy, don’t we?

 

5. … and develop a thick skin, there’s no more room on the #OutrageBus

If you’re the kind of person who is easily offended and feels the need to tell everyone about it, then the Internet might not be for you.

outrage

http://thylacosmilus.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/ding-ding-ding-all-aboard-outrage-bus.html

6. If you modify or reuse a tweet, always credit the original author

Tweet theft is a (virtual) crime!

 

7. Finally, if you post something silly enough, ridicule can turn to enterprise

http://www.tshirtstudio.com/marketplace/fob/twitter-police-scotland

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