Many people believe the power of Twitter lies in its users’ ability to share information in real-time.
I disagree.
I believe that Twitter’s power lies in its users’ ability to promote other users’ information, in real-time, through retweets.
For example, one user with 1,000 followers tweets about a movie which is in turn retweeted by thousands of their followers’ followers. Immediately, you can appreciate how quickly and effortlessly information travels, and how far it could go.
How does retweeting compare to our old inbox friend, forward.
Reach
Retweet: A tweet may be retweeted not only by a user’s followers, but by users in the public timeline. Because people utilize Twitter world-wide, a tweet has the ability to affect someone living on another continent and inspire them to simultaneously retweet the same message.
Email Forward: On the other hand, unless people in your email lists share email contact with people in other continents, the ability for an email forward to reach people across the world only goes as far as the contact list of those people who are forwarding your email.
Retweets win!
Going Viral
Retweet: Because Twitter only has 140 characters, it commands succinct and effective communications. This allows users to find things much quicker to share with followers. Also, clicking on a retweeted link of someone you follow has the same relevance as receiving an email forward from a friend or family member.
Email Forward: People’s inboxes are very personal! When a person receives an email forward they are more apt to open and forward it if it is from someone they know. Rememer all of the YouTube video links you pass on to your contact lists?
It’s a tie here.
Accessibility
Retweet: Unlike email accounts, “everybody” does not have a Twitter account. Twitter also does not have “500” million users like Facebook.
Email Forward: There are WAY more people that have email accounts than Twitter accounts, period. The chances of receiving a forwarded email are significantly greater than that hoping to be retweeted by someone else.
Email Forward wins!
Obviously there are lots of reasons that could make retweets or email forwards more effective than the other. Ultimately, you need to look at the demographic you’re trying to influence. Which one has greater reach in your church or community?
Today’s post was written by Andre’ Barnes. Andre is the Technology Director at Impact Church in Atlanta, GA where he oversees all of the technology resources from software to hardware. He’s also a very effective web developer and a “big ideas” guy who has a passion for furthering the Kingdom through technology. You can follow him on Twitter @drebarnes.
People sleep on email, but it’s still more widely used than social networking sites because it’s been around longer and people are more comfortable with it. Great article, André.
Interesting article!!!
More and more, I find that the minority I fall into of those who refrain from registering with social networking websites is a greater minority that I previously assumed. Social networking sites (as compared to email) don’t tend to come with the implied requisites of integrity or accountability to those receiving the communications. While I acknowledge that social networking sites are excellent for marketing and sharing ideas broadly, I think I’ll stick with Email just a little while longer!
great post andre!
i have seen the RT function as social glue within specific networks online–for example a RT from a highly respected leader from my ministry demonstrates significance and reinforces that content.
many times it’s content that has already been seen or heard of before, but once the RT’s start happening the users often take the time to click and read.