Use Twitter To Keep Your Audience Engaged!

I believe that the majority of people today underestimate the power of new media distribution channels, especially social media, and how they can be successful tools in marketing products and services. These media channels allow businesses to target their audience in a fun, easy going and casual but engaging type of atmosphere. More businesses should take advantage of this innovative opportunity in order to better market themselves and connect with their consumers on a more personal level.

Using Social Media to successfully market an event or organization can be tricky. Its imperative you understand that every “friend” “like” and “follow” are simply clicks of a mouse for most online users. Just because someone follows you, doesn’t mean they automatically became a fan or loyal consumer of your online presence/brand. If you want real attention you need to fight for it; ensure your audience that you want to be heard; there are many effective ways to use social media in order to do this successfully. I believe that Twitter is an extremely effective tool that’s perfect for keeping your audience continuously engaged on a platform that never sleeps, which is why I choose Twitter as my focus during this week’s discussion post.

Twitter can be used in many ways to promote an organization or some of its sponsors or partners. The following techniques will be used on Twitter to help the audience to develop a deeper emotional connection with the organization or sponsored event. Keeping an emotional tone that the audience can relate to will only further their interest in the objective.

Photos/Videos - Having photographs/video enables you to add a visual element that opens up many more emotions then just words themselves. In this age of multimedia and mass communication it’s obvious that visual communication efforts can be more powerful then verbal communication. Showing success, excited fans and local communities can make a strong emotional impact. Visual elements, like photos, aren’t restricted by language barriers and other things that could be results of misunderstands and miscommunications. You are able to communicate with different cultures to deliver the same message without the use of words. Photographs are able to communicate by evoking emotions, you want to evoke curiosity with these visual elements… make people want to see the events, be there to witness the outcome, to be part of something bigger. These types of photos are authentic, these photos are honest, the delivery is clear the audience knows what to expect.

Contests - Online contests could be posted on websites or accessible though the appropriate Twitter account. (i.e. Sharing a photo, updating your status, liking a fan page, following a twitter account, attending a particular game and/or event)

Events/Promotions - Any events; press conference, media day, community event, promotion, contest or giveaway associated with the organization or event will be announced via Twitter. Encouragement to share the information will also help to reach a larger audience.

Message Points – Key message points associated with an organizations event or sponsorship can easily be delivered to an audience via Twitter. These can be “selling points” for sponsored events. These persuasive messages should drive media and consumers to action.

Communication – Interacting with and developing organic communication with an organizations key audience.

Live Results – Post final results and outcomes of games and particular events to keep the online audience well informed.