@content_muse Aha thanks for the RT! For the record, I don’t see you doing said offensive acts #OutstandingTwitterCitizen
Anthony Pensabene has mysteriously disappeared. Upon last contact, reliable sources report him uttering the last word, “Twitter.” The enigmatic ordeal has left me mulling over his notes and prior life, musing his insights to myself over and over.
He’s no Charles Foster Kane. But like the protagonist of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, he is (was?) a proprietor of media, social media in Anthony’s case.
In the film, reporters pursue in unwinding the tale of Kane’s death. Perhaps if I share with you some of Anthony’s thoughts, and you stay on the trail of my words, we may not uncover the missing muse; but, in the least, you’ll gain insight on becoming a better “twitizen,” and learn more about Anthony’s last word- Twitter.
Yellow Journalism
Eerily, Anthony’s notebook mentions yellow journalism, also an application of Kane. Applied to traditional news, it’s pejorative, referring to sensationalistic intentions and stories. Anthony uses the term differently in regard to Twitter, noting the importance of engineering eye-catching titles, increasing the likelihood of reads and re-tweets. The introduction of a post as reflected in a tweet DOES matters. Make it appropriately sensational.
@content_muse @LinkFishMedia see, that was a much better attention-grabber than what I did! Nice one.
As I understand, Anthony is somewhat of a word-slinger. Perhaps his muse speaks to him. Perhaps he uses free-online-poetic tools, such as Rhymer. The purpose of thinking yellow journalism is purely to entice readers, infusing creativity, not bait. Do not attempt to trick but intrigue. There is a difference!
Crafting creative tweets is good marketing practice. For instance, find a gem within the content and feature that in a tweet. “How can I express the ‘like-a-bossness’ of this post in 140 characters or less?” That’s the question. The tweet is a reflection on both the tweeter and the to-be-read content. Make tweeriffic impressions.
Resources:
Are Your Title Irresistibly Click-Worthy and Viral?
Sweet Titled Tweets Fit the Wit in Twitter
Xanadu
Kane’s house, Xanadu, ultimately became his reclusive cave, where he spent his closing days in solitaire. According to research, Anthony is also reclusive, spending hours writing in isolation with his Shakespeare doll action figure. Distracting himself from distraction is one of Anthony’s Twitter insights.
Establish a Gmail or other mail account solely for Twitter. That way one’s smart phone and regular laptop mail system are not inundated throughout the day, causing pitter-patters of intrigue due to incoming attention. Engage Twitter directly when desired; but, ensure you’re not enticed otherwise.
Lauren Hall-Stigerts @lstigerts
@hugoguzman I do it every month and wish more would, too. How can you listen with so much noise?
Additionally, start toying with Gmail, using it to extract information. One can use the search options to see all people-specific interactions. Also, dates and times are more easily discovered this way in retrospect. Want to do more in-depth Twitter search diving? Use advanced Twitter operators (resource below).
Resources:
Advanced Twitter Search Operators
If You’re Not Using Twitter as a Learning Tool, You’re Doing It Wrong
Rosebud
The persisting mystery of Citizen Kane centered upon Kane’s last word, “Rosebud.” Viewers do not realize until the end it was the name of his childhood sled, the time in his life he was truly happy. It was his “favorite” memory.
Anthony’s notes also discuss the notion of ‘favorites,’ specifically Twitter favorites. It’s understood he began ‘favoriting’ incoming complimentary tweets of others, using them to engineer his version of ‘real testimonials,’ placing them in a designated section of his blog. This method can be replicated for both personal and brand testimonials.
The required “in case you missed it” tweet…
When should one share a tweet? Does it matter? Perhaps it’s more about the number of times rather than time slots? It’s up for debate.
However, one strategy focuses on leveraging the shares of others. Favorite a number of shares. That way, rather than retweeting one’s own content, one can use the favorited shares of others to reintroduce content. It enforces sentiments of branding as well as evades the need to re-tweet one’s own posts. (It (marketing wise) looks and feels (intrinsically wise) better when others toot our Twitter horn, doesn’t it?)
Resources:
Peer Opinions Transcend Testimonials
The Fallacy of Timing Blog Posts & Social Media Updates
Past Relations
In the film, a reporter intrigued by Kane’s death and final words investigates Kane’s past, visiting the man’s past relations.
Anthony’s notes often discuss peer relations, empathy, and character. People interactions are important to him.
Expressing appreciation and thanking others for paying attention to one’s work is integral in using Twitter as a social tool. Use tools to realize who tweeted one’s online properties to later reach out, thank them, and build better relations.
Building better relations on Twitter can result in positive SEO. The notion of procuring online ‘tweeps’ is a reality, often improves industry engagement, augments learning opportunities, and makes for a better all-around community.
Sometimes, a simple, “How have you been lately?” greatly improves relations and opens doors to future opportunities to engage fellow citizens.
Turndog Millionaire @turndog_million
Moreover, use direct messages (DMs) when possible. That way one can be more personal and won’t disturb stream readers with one-on-one conversation. In many cases, using DM is a humbler approach. It expresses interest outside of the social circus of the mass-viewed stream. Taking it a step further, one can set reminders or choose one person a day to pay with a friendly hello.
Moreover, ‘Follower Friday’ or #FF is a sentiment engaged by a number of Twitter citizens. Take a look at how this gentleman gives ‘shouts’ to those he wants others to follow.
Follow @DadStreet because of his awesome toe fungus #ff
It’s both humorous and unique. What could you come up with?
Resources:
The Underappreciated Art of Empathy
Personal Eccentricity
Kane can be categorized as a eccentric personality. One who is himself for better or worse. Anthony could be characterized as…a character. Though owning a bow tie or two, he can also be informal.
Business matters are assumed to stay professional. However, any realist will direct one’s attention to the matter of how the real world works. People like people who act genuine, who act as themselves. Being one’s self is more aligned with informalities, isn’t it? For instance tweeting at Dr. Pete about “formal SEO” may not elicit a response; yet, tweeting informal thoughts, waxing upon sock pockets, just may speak more directly to the heart of the man, making for a tangible connection.
Anthony Pensabene @content_muse
@dr_pete I invested in a camcorder, cardboard box and sock puppets..but my insights are not applicable to all..
@content_muse Seriously, you have no idea how much more fun that sounds to me than satellite TV. I have a Muppet, actually.
It’s not an invitation to channel ridiculous informalities; it’s an invitation to shed the stringent, character-confining sentiments of ‘business formalities.’
People make connections for all kinds of reasons, often professional yes, but for personal reasons as well. How many conversations were sparked and relations forged by Alessio’s SEO music post? Quite a lot. Like-minded people appreciate and gravitate toward one another. Don’t be afraid to be a bit informal, and a bit more like one’s self in real life.
Resources:
How I Got the Attention of One of the Top SEO Bloggers with Diet Coke
Being Nice Isn’t a Marketing Tactic. Or Is It?
Conclusion
Hopefully readers have some more Twitter tidbits to toggle through, and some inspiration to become better ‘twitizens.’
The whereabouts of our “Citizen Twitter,” Anthony Pensabene, remains an enigma in this tale. Not to worry, Anthony’s just the ‘face man.’ He’s been using my thoughts for some time now. Perhaps I’ll desert this case, as well as this post…and blaze new trails of inspiration…bwahahahaha.
This case was speareheaded by one often hidden in Anthony’s Twitter profile. The one that shakes the creative out of Anthony’s fingers. Please direct all accolades accordingly. Thanks for having me on the show Mitch and White Fire crew!
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