This document discusses strategies for improving the Twitter presence of Global Voices accounts. It analyzes the inconsistency across some existing Global Voices Twitter profiles and provides recommendations. These include making profile names, bios, and graphics more consistent to improve visibility and professionalism. It also suggests defining goals, agreeing on a common approach, assigning resources, and gradually engaging with followers to build credibility over time.

1. Where we are and can be with our Twitter accounts – few ideas to kick off discussion

2. Quick stats on few accounts: profile name updates following followers bio content globalvoices 15,185 116 3,731 ... amplifying, curating and aggregating the global conversation online feeds links from the site gvopt 50 14 54 Os artigos do Global Voices Online, em língua portuguesa feeds links from the site GVinfrench 781 0 79 "Le Monde Parle. Ecoutez-vous ?" Revue de blogs du monde entier feeds links from the site GVmalagasy 559 28 31 GVO amin'ny teny malagasy feeds links from the site gvozh 3,074 7 391 Global Voices Online Chinese translation project. feeds links from the site GlobalVoicesPol 7 10 25 Polska wersja Global Voices - głównie z wiadomościami ze strony;) feeds links from the site, conversational globalvoicesnl 66 22 38 Global Voices biedt een platform aan nieuws uit de hele wereld dat door andere media vaak worden genegeerd en zet zich in voor vrijheid van meningsuiting feeds links from the site GVitaliano 242 0 25 Global Voices Online in italiano feeds links from the site GVinarabic 11 47 35 الأصوات العالمية على الإنترنت تريد تضخيم وتجميع المحادثة العالمية على الإنترنت - مع التركيز على البلدان والجاليات التي تتجاهلها وسائل الاعلام الأخرى feeds links from the site, conversational

3. Quick points – top line analysis: Profile names are inconsistent, Twitter ratio (Twitter Follower-Friend Ratio) are inconsistent and not always impressive, Bio texts are inconsistent, Content is mainly based on links feed, Backgrounds are inconsistent. All this shows lack of consistent strategy. In our case it’s a fact, but can be improved by few simple solutions – if we decide to go down that root.

4. Profile names could be more consistent Using the same naming convention increases our visibility (find two regional accounts and you can guess the profile of a third one). It also helps to find our profiles within community (newcomers). It impresses followers, looks more professional. Internally – having guidelines never hurts!;)

5. Twitter ratio describes approach to Twitter usage: No followers, plenty followed – new user, not human No followed, plenty followers – not interested in others content or networking Few followed, plenty followers – Twitter celebrity Few followers, plenty followed – spammer More followed than followers – interested in others content More followers than followed – good content creator Balanced – good networker What is our statement? ‘ A ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that you are seeking knowledge (and Twitter Friends), but not getting much Twitter Love in return. Check your pulse, you might be a bot. A ratio of around 1.0 means you are respected among your peers. Many people think that a ratio of around 1.0 is the best - you're listening and being listened to. A ratio of 2.0 or above shows that you are a popular person and people want to hear what you have to say. You might be a thought leader in your community. A TFF Ratio 10 or higher indicates that you're either a Rock Star in your field or you are an elitist and you cannot be bothered by Twitter's mindless chatter. You like to hear yourself talk. Luckily others like to hear you talk, too. You may be an ass.’ http://twitterratio.com/

6. Twitter –bio section: Tells Twitterati who talks to them, Tells Twitterati how we talk to them (language, content) Tells Twitterati why we are here If we feed info from our site, we should disclaim it here. What do we say and how? Do we all (all regions) do it the same way?

7. Our content: Needs to give what followers want Needs to be interesting Should be interactive (RT, DM, @) Can relate to meme’s (#followfriday) Can be informative (site down, sorry!) Can be fun (#gvbook09) What do we want to give out followers? What type of content strengthens our Twitter presence? What is doable?

8. Graphics, background: Speaks for itself Is additional space for promotion (side bar with info, our profiles, photos) Sends strong message it is consistent What do we want to use it for? Integrity (logo, one background) or regional variety (photos of regional team, logos etc)?

9. Questions to ask: Why do we use Twitter now? What do we want to achieve with Twitter globally and what regionally? How much time do we have for Twitter? How far do we want to go with consistency vs. originality of regional profiles (backgrounds, naming, bio)?

10. Do we want to position ourselves like this?

11. Or like this?

12. If we want a perfect Twitter presence for global and regional Global Voices...

13. We need strategy. How? Simple: Stage 1 – define our goals and possibilities (resources) Stage 2 – agree on common approach (common does not mean global, just consistent) Stage 3 – assign resources Stage 4 – enhance out presence (all points made earlier + next slide)

14. Building Twitter presence: Define yourself (bio, design, name) Join conversation (start following others) Introduce yourself (start feeding content – be it feeds, be it organic info) Gradually start engaging (RT, @, DM) Once you have a core tribe (approx. 50% of followed follow you, 25% talk to you) and you have quite a few updates you can go for a push – start following larger amount of people

15. Building Twitter credibility: It’s nice to follow back those who follow you, but only if you are really interested in them. It’s not nice to shout, @ all the time without moving private to DM etc. (Twitter ethics) It’s not a sin to unfollow someone. It’s OK to not respond if you have nothing to say. It’s nice to engage in conversation, meme’s and provide quality content. It’s not a bad to RT content of ‘competitors’ - Twitter is about collaboration. Using tools like Splitweet.com is ok for non-commercial projects. The most important: it’s a must to be genuine .