Blogging is broadcasting though a type of website or part of a website which is created to be updated with new content from time to time. Posts made when blogging, are usually referred to as articles. On the other hand, micro-blogging posts are not full-fledged articles, but are typically short pithy messages, made to groups of self-designated followers and these posts are referred to as tweets. According to the English dictionary, a tweet originally refers to the short, sharp, high-pitched sound made by birds. In direct speech, a tweet refers to what someone says in a cheerful or lively way. In both instances, the word tweet seems to be synonymous with a feature like, the headline, highlight, summary or subject of some writing, but not the body.
Micro-blogs can be sent from and received by a wide range of electronic devices. It has become the one-to-many version of instant messaging or text messaging, and therefore creates some unique advantages. Arizona State University journalism professor Dan Gillmor says journalists should view Twitter as a "collective intelligence system" that provides early warnings about trends, people and news. Now, news organizations and reporters adopt micro-blogging because it is fast and brief. This makes it ideal for pushing out exclusives or inside stories and breaking news.
Basically, both social networking and micro-blogging are aspects of social media. Micro-blogging creates the message while the social network connects the message to proponents. Micro-blogging requires the premise of a social network in order to effectively function. The idea is to have groups of designated followers. Just as it is important to create a network before communication starts, the network also requires effective forms of communication to help keep members engaged. This is where micor-blogging comes in. When users want to communicate to everyone on the network, they post such message at a general forum (or wall). To register on most micro-blogging sites, one only requires a few personal details in order to establish a personality behind their posts and users do not require any personal relationship in order to read the blog. Social networks like Facebook, on the other hand, require more personal information to make users findable by those seeking to make a connection and also thrives on updating these details.
One other difference between micro-blogging sites and purely social networking sites like Facebook is the demographics of users. Social networks in a bid to cause users to socialize with one another, is poised to optimize user online entertainment and so integrates many additional features and in the process, attracts a lower age demographic. Micro-blogging on the other hand attracts older, more serious demographics towards acquiring or posting pertinent information. According to Nielsen Online research, people age 35-49 make up about 42 percent of the total users and are the largest age-group on twitter – a micro-blogging site. This is an older demographic than the 25-34 age group that dominates the Facebook world.
I created my first Twitter account in August 2009. At the time, I had no use for the account. I created it because I realized that some of my mature friends in business had accounts and it might create one more avenue to connect with them. As a result, I was able to navigate through some of the features on Twitter, but I never really put it to good use.
Through this study, I now understand the power of micro-blogging. I plan to use twitter or any other relevant micro-blogging avenue to gather information and views on any media project that I work on in future. With it, I can also create common ground and use the same medium to gather and invite targeted individuals to participate. I specifically learnt one useful tip in utilizing this type of medium. Making contributions to on going – subject pertinent – conversations will effectively develop follower-ship better than starting up fresh conversations.
So far, Twitter poses a very useful tool in the area of journalism and politics. Journalists have used Twitter to acquire information on trending subject matters. For instance, the Oregonian in Portland posted links and aggregating citizen tweets about flooding and road closures during heavy storms in central Oregon in late 2007. Also, a federal judge endorsed Ron Sylvester of the Wichita Eagle’s use of Twitter to report on a trial of six suspected gang members, thereby posting instant tweets from inside a federal courtroom. (Farhi P., 2009).
From a political and organizational standpoint, subjective claims also indicate that Twitter and other social networks have been used to steer up revolutions. A classic example will be in the article titled – Iran: Downside to the “Twitter Revolution.” (Morozov, E., 2009). Other recent local and regional revolutions have also been partly attributed to the influence of the micro-blogging and social media in general.
This article has so far shown that the use of Twitter by far out-spans socializing. As a matter of fact, Twitter or micro-blogging is not really the best tool or avenue for socializing. Much of the feat that traditional media (i.e. radio, television, print) and even other electronic media has achieved, can equally be achieved on Twitter – with the added advantage of targeted communication, feedback and even trend observation. Sites like Tweetmeme.com, Tweetcloud.com and Twitscoop.com show the most popular links that people on Twitter have posted, track the hottest topics, and offer a real-time glimpse into what people are buzzing about. These are some clear advantages over a search site like Google from a journalistic standpoint.
On the new Twitter account I recently created, I addressed a broad range of current topics and suggested wise choices or great ideas regarding each topic. From my perspective, a focus on wisdom may not be the most engaging for the general public, but the aim was to target specific and influential individuals who matter. The included hash tags and links would help connect each tweet to these specific individuals in search of answers. The objective is to change perspectives and support positive thinking and not solely to generate responses and develop massive follower-ship. I nevertheless now understand how to use twitter to create the results I want.
Reference
Farhi, P. (2009, May 1). The Twitter Explosion | American Journalism Review. American Journalism Review. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=4756
Morozov, E. (n.d.). Dissent Magazine - Fall 2009 Issue - Iran: Downside to the .... Dissent Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=1962
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