Twittering
So - do you Tweet?
The verb "to tweet" may not be in the dictionary quite yet. But it's becoming so widespread its entry must surely be a matter of time.
It means to post a message to your virtual friends, via the website.
People can choose to receive your messages - or you can invite them to follow you. And you decide whose messages you want to receive in return.
The message can be about whatever you want. The only rule is - it can't be any longer than 140 characters.
If you don't Tweet, I can hear you rolling your eyes. You're thinking, "What is the point?"
Fans say - you can tell many people what you're doing or thinking in one simple message. You can ask for information, or handy tips, from your circle of friends. You can set up impromptu meetings, or let people know you're in the area for coffee or a pint.
There's nothing unique about this. Facebook and other social network sites let you tell your friends what you're doing with their status updates.
Blogs let you express your thoughts at length - and let other people react to them.
But who says forms of communications have to be unique?
We don't stop sending Christmas cards because we have email. We didn't stop letter writing when we got the phone.
And there is one point of difference with Twitter. It's immediate. It's direct. And at just 140 characters, it enforces a certain brevity of communication.
So much for the social chit-chat.
As we discussed on the programme last week, it's also developing a business dimension.
The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, and other news organisations, use it to alert followers to breaking or developing stories.
Companies like Starbucks use it to pass on information, or answer their customers' questions or observations.
And that will annoy some out there. Some social networkers think Facebook has become too corporate, with its adverts and its icons of support for commercial products.
Twitter, they thought, was above that.
But companies with things to say will always find ways of using the most modern forms of communications.
So why do we use Twitter on Working Lunch?
My colleague Zoe looks after the programme's own Tweets - you can sign up to them at . She uses them to tell you what we're doing, and ask you what you think we should be doing.
But I also send out my own Tweets - which you can subscribe to at . (Bafflingly, hundreds of people have already done so.)
In fact, I sent out a few messages from the studio in an idle moment during yesterday's programme.
Some of you thought it must be an imposter; let me assure you, no-one else would want to pretend to be me ...
I'll try to send some more today.
Some of you will be amused. Some will be informed. Some of you will think it's just drivel.
That's great. This isn't about me blethering on. It's also about your response - whatever that may be.
And it also about the nature of innovation. New ideas take root and develop when people try them out, test their limits, and see how they work for them. That's what progress is about - answering that question, "what happens if? ..."
Comment number 1.
At 14th Jan 2009, imgiseverything wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 14th Jan 2009, RobWinton wrote:Glad you managed to get the post up.
I'm quite excited about the fact that Working Lunch is so Social Media savvy - it has made me see the programme in a whole new light.
Another aspect of twitter that is often overlooked by those who don't know it, is the conversational aspect. By the fact that it is short and direct, and usually between 'friends' rather than broadcast to the entire world each time, it is more personal.
I use all sorts of social media platforms, and each gives you a different insight into the personality of the individual or brand (except, aren't we all micro-brands?). Facebook is a CV and list of interests. Blogging is one's soapbox. Twitter communicates "this is what is interesting to me" - but it is also "chat" and as such gives you a more personal, mundane (in a good way), and intimate view.
The importance to businesses and brands is that it can help to foster a very different relationship with customers, one that is much more interactive and long-term.
Thank you for using it to allow us to "get personal" with you and your guests, it feels empowering in a way many news programmes are not.
RobWinton (aka @thirstforwine)
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Comment number 3.
At 14th Jan 2009, mere0208 wrote:Declan - enjoyed your column in the magazine about the changes in the City. In tough times it is good to remind people of some of the traditions that made the City the insitution that it has become. One that epitomises principled, prosperous London is the Bowler Hat, and we're trying to bring it back for one day to raise morale and money for world orphans.
www.bowlerhatday.com
Deborah Meadon is onboard, and if you want to get involved drop me a line at [Personal details removed by Moderator]
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Comment number 4.
At 14th Jan 2009, trobert_c wrote:I am glad working lunch (and you Declan) added this as I hadnt heard of twitter much before, and I enjoy it for news and other stuff.
Ive only been on it since Monday but I know I prefer this to facebook, as you do get a lot of adverts.
Thomas Cunningham (aka trobertc)
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Comment number 5.
At 14th Jan 2009, the1beard wrote:COR twitter.
Da daa daaa da dad da da
News alert now this is serious news
TV journalist trips up inexperienced minister.
She says she sees the green shoots ah NO oo ooooooo
I cannot believe the pathetic nature of schoolboy journalism, which seems to pervade the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.
PATHETIC
MIND YOU
She’s got a load more publicity that she otherwise would have.
I also don’t see all this lack of lending that is constantly reported here on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ever 10 seconds of the day!
There IS money being lent just as Baroness Vadera said!
The Economy is not DEAD well not yet.
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Comment number 6.
At 14th Jan 2009, monsieurledan wrote:Great post!
My hope is that Twitter can replace text messaging. I would prefer being able to give others a name rather than a string of numbers.
We will know when twitter has really taken off once professionals that operate outside the tech industry start putting their Twitter username on their business cards, just as so many inside the industry already are doing. On blog posts it is becoming increasingly common to refer to people by their Twitter account: you'll read such phrases as "... as raised by @declancurry ..."
I completely agree with RobWinton about the importance and usefulness of Twitter for brand building. Businesses have the chance to go beyond the basics and have some fun with their brand. This was illustrated recently by CompareTheMarkets.com and their animated personality Aleksandr Orlov the meerkat ( who you can follow on Twitter and connect with on Facebook.
Social media is just ripening as a tool for business, and will surely prove mutually beneficial for both industry and consumers.
@mled
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Comment number 7.
At 15th Jan 2009, RapidBI wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 8.
At 15th Jan 2009, RapidBI wrote:Hi Declan
Yes I do use twitter and I follow you -
Unfortunately you are not following me so won't know the oriental businessman reply I put in response to your request!!
and the link to the reply was stopped by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ system... ho hum
Oriental successful businessman - the owner of a restaurant chain called Hare & Tortoise (one in Upper Richmond Road, Putney) others in central london If you need contact details / introduction please contact me
Mike
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Comment number 9.
At 22nd Jan 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Declan:
As of now, I am following Working Lunch on Twitter....
Thanks..
~Dennis Junior~
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Comment number 10.
At 22nd Jan 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Declan:
I also, following you on Twitter...
~Dennis Junior~
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Comment number 11.
At 26th Jan 2009, mesmerizing commenter wrote:so is there any point in looking here on the bbc blog or posting comments...clearly Declan doesnt?!
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