Twitter Explained (Or, what’s the big deal anyway?)

Overview How it works Why it matters What it means for journalism Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

How it works

Why it matters

What it means for journalism

Part I: How Twitter works, in plain English Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

The Twitter terminology Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

@ RT (or via) # D … and lots of shortened URLs Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

@

RT (or via)

#

D

… and lots of shortened URLs

Twitter Tools Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org Image via CC on Flickr

Twitter Search Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Part II: Twitter as social media , and why that matters Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

The social Web (or Web 2.0 ) Dynamic vs. static Participatory vs. passive Platforms vs. content Rich user interfaces Web is the platform for applications Power of network effects Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Dynamic vs. static

Participatory vs. passive

Platforms vs. content

Rich user interfaces

Web is the platform for applications

Power of network effects

Implications Now, it’s all about open — open-source, open standards, open to everyone. No gates. Web publishers create platforms and let users create content From one-way to multi-way communication From sealed-off information silos to empty warehouses to be filled Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Now, it’s all about open — open-source, open standards, open to everyone. No gates.

Web publishers create platforms and let users create content

From one-way to multi-way communication

From sealed-off information silos to empty warehouses to be filled

Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Twitter in society Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org Clay Shirky on Twitter and social media in the 2008 China earthquake

Part III: Twitter and journalism Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Key uses by journalists Self-promotion Breaking news Seek out sources and story tips Discuss/debate with everyday folks Connect with other journalists To provide a human face to the news org Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Self-promotion

Breaking news

Seek out sources and story tips

Discuss/debate with everyday folks

Connect with other journalists

To provide a human face to the news org

Getting plugged in “ Collective intelligence system” Pulse of the community A listening device and organizing tool Look at our Statesman Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

“ Collective intelligence system”

Pulse of the community

A listening device and organizing tool

Look at our Statesman

“ I learned over time by asking what my followers want to see . Right now, we’re at a point in journalism where people are having conversations on social media. If we’re not there, we become irrelevant.” — Robert Quigley, @statesman Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

“ I learned over time by asking what my followers want to see . Right now, we’re at a point in journalism where people are having conversations on social media. If we’re not there, we become irrelevant.”

— Robert Quigley, @statesman

In sum Twitter is quirky, organic—know why It’s social media, but not Facebook Journalists can broadcast , converse and listen Mindcasting vs. lifecasting vs. newscasting It may fail, but participation is here to stay Seth C. Lewis • sethlewis.org

Twitter is quirky, organic—know why

It’s social media, but not Facebook

Journalists can broadcast , converse and listen

Mindcasting vs. lifecasting vs. newscasting

It may fail, but participation is here to stay