Twitter breaks news and shapes opinion. CEOs must decide whether to use the platform or not.
Should you jump in? Our recommendation: yes.
The social media platform has more than 330 million users, a massive audience for boosting brand awareness. A 2016 Fortune survey found that more Fortune 500 CEOs use Twitter than any other social media platform.
But Twitter also presents potentially treacherous terrain. A loosely worded or misinterpreted tweet can stir public reaction the wrong way. This may deter corporate leaders from participating.
As long as a CEO uses sound judgement about content and wording, the benefits outweigh the potential downside. Smart, savvy, timely tweets can shape issues and underscore a leader’s position as an influential thinker. That can also reflect positively on an organization.
A 2016 survey by the consultancy BrandFog, which studies social media trends, found that more than nine in 10 employees said that CEOs who participate in social media build closer ties to employees, investors and consumers. Three in four respondents said C-suite social media engagement makes a brand more trustworthy.
CEOs considering Twitter should consider these five questions:
- Who am I trying to reach and what’s my strategy? Decide what you want to accomplish. Will you use Twitter to respond to issues and inquiries and create a dialogue or are you looking to address employees?
- How do I find my audience? Use hashtags to pinpoint relevant dialogues and follow those involved. Find beat reporters covering your industry. Consider sharing your Twitter handle in your email signature and on content you create.
- What do I say? Twitter is not the platform for frequently pitching your business or product, nor for stiff, corporate speak. You are trying to engage in meaningful conversations and be relatable. Warren Buffet uses Twitter to promote Berkshire Hathaway events and to further worthy causes; HP’s Meg Whitman has addressed industry chatter, like the rumor that she would become the next Uber CEO; Cloudbreak Health’s Jamey Edwards communicates with other healthcare innovators, policy makers and industry leaders.
- How often do I post? Some of the most influential CEOs post only 50 times a year yet have amassed a significant following. Others post more to great impact. We recommend easing into the Twitter-sphere. In the beginning, skim twice a day for 15 minutes. Later on, you can increase your activity. Target relevant topics and join conversations pertinent to your industry.
- Do I have to do it all myself? Select a second in command to help you monitor conversations and track engagement. Just ensure all tweets reflect your thoughts and voice.
Twitter is interactive, not one-directional. Proper etiquette includes retweeting, commenting, thanking and engaging other users. It means responding to comments in which you are tagged and messaging directly. It also requires diplomacy when you disagree with someone else’s tweets. The best advice is to think before you tweet.
What are some of your favorite Twitter tricks? Let us know at @OWCPR.