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ABC 8

Twitter: Social Media Tool or Marketing Tool

March 21, 2006, the day that changed the social networking forever. The first Tweet ever sent out was by Jack Dorsey, and it read: “just setting up my twttr” (Dorsey). From this day forward, social networking, news, and methods by which people communicated would forever be changed. Twitter started growing slowly but consistently; eventually, Twitter exploded and a wide range of people were now active on Twitter. By the end of the 2011, Twitter had over 100 million monthly active users and on average, 1 billion Tweets sent per week. Today, most people will use Twitter for some reason or another. Colleges, students, teens, adults, professional athletes, grandparents, movie stars, businesses, organizations, and parents are just a few of the demographics most often using Twitter. Twitter handles and usernames are seen daily by most people, showing up everywhere; ends of articles, on flyers, advertisements, Facebook, websites, presentations. Twitter is used by a wide variety of people for a wide variety of reasons. Typically, teenagers will use Twitter to keep in touch with friends and show what is happening in their life while adults use it to keep update with events and share articles with friends (Twitter).

Vince Adkins (@Vadkins) is a 19 year old college student and uses Twitter as a way to communicate and relate with friends and others. Vince’s Tweets are much more laid back and in a conversational tone. He does not use his Twitter to promote his business or work; he uses it to connect with friends, make new friends, and express himself. Vince’s biographical information includes his snapchat name and his profile picture is a professionally taken high school senior picture. Some of his Tweets are conversations with friends. Vince Tweets about five times per day and usually will Tweet about any major events that are happening such as sports, politics, and tragic events.

Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) is a 57 year old sports writer, among other jobs, who writes for the Cleveland Browns and other Cleveland sports. He has been writing about the Browns since 1894 and is a major part of all of the sports talk in Cleveland. Tony uses Twitter to voice his opinions on sport related events and to promote his work. Some of Tony’s Tweets are live Tweets from the Browns game, whereas other Tweets contain links to his articles and other pieces of his work, “#HeyTony on now on 1540 KNR2, http://espncleveland.com  & app. #Browns. And whats Peyton Manning's future”, and other Tweets like this are responses to fans on Twitter (Grossi).

The underlying purpose of Twitter, albeit not the explicit one for every account, is promotion. As an average human, simply having a profile leads to your face on a profile picture and your Twitter handle showing up when your name is searched online. At its core, Twitter is used to promote each user. Just a simple Tweet is a promotion of your own thoughts, views, or ideas that you wish to present to the world. This begs the question, “is there a correct way to use Twitter?” Both Vince and Tony, differing in age, social status, profession, promote their own ideas and thoughts on Twitter. Vince and Tony are both using Twitter as a way to communicate with others. However, due to the age and social status, Vince and Tony have different reasons for being on Twitter and this is shown through their content, social interactions, diction, tone, and context of their actions on Twitter.

The content of the Tweet, along with the timing, is a major factor is every Tweet. Will people see it, like it, hate it, and share it? All of this depends on the content. Vince’s Tweets are mostly made up of emotions, quotes, common conversation, and thoughts. This content is appealing to the people that are interested in Vince’s life; an outsider may not see Vince’s Tweets as entertaining or worthwhile, but he is not tweeting for them. On the other hand, Tony’s Tweets are full of thoughts about the National Football League and in depth information covering the Browns. Along with squeezing as much information as possible into a Tweet (one hundred and forty characters), Tony provides links to his articles, blogs, talk shows, and radio appearances. Tony uses Twitter as a method to spread the word of his work and knowledge of sports. This content appeals to fans of the NFL, to people from Cleveland, to sports broadcasting companies, and almost all Browns fans. Tony’s content is interesting to a much wider demographic than the content on Vince’s Twitter.

Vince and Tony interact with other users on Twitter, discussing various matters and topics. Vince and Tony will reply to Tweets by other users and welcome interactions with themselves. However, the social interactions that Vince is involved in are much more casual than the interactions that Tony is a part of. Vince often Tweets looking for plans for the day or night, “I NEED PLANS FOR TONYGHT AND TOMORROW HMU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”(Adkins). It is commonplace for Vince to seek responses to his Tweets by either suggesting an activity while making the Tweet a question, “COD anyone?” (Adkins). Vince is open to suggestions from all users, even those outside of his personal friends. His Twitter is public, meaning that anyone could view any of his Tweets and interactions. “Should I keep growing out my hair or get another Mohawk....? Help me out here” (Adkins). A simple topic such as a haircut could lead to a conversation with one of his followers, exactly what Vince is seeking with his Tweets. When Vince comments on another users post, it is usually a Tweet about a current event, a picture of a girl, or Tweet that he feels he could make a funny comment on.

Tony welcomes interactions similar to Vince; however, the vast majority of Tony’s Tweets have to do with sports and the athletes. Tony will often ask for interactions, similar to Vince, about a topic that he chooses, “I'm taking 5 #Browns questions right now. Good ones. Go.” (Grossi). Since Tony has over eighty thousand Twitter followers, compared to Vince’s slightly over two hundred followers, Tony will receive many responses to every one of his Tweets; some are unwarranted, “@TonyGrossi is a joke. A pathetic "journalist" who couldn't get out of Cleveland if he tried” (Swingle). Tony will gladly interact with his followers, “@LancelotSchmidt Will the McCown bros share the 0-4 'record' as Browns starter? // Wouldn't that be so Cleveland?”, but is not afraid his opinion, which is that of a commenter (Grossi). Tony will immediately point out any fallacies in responses and show why he feels he is correct.

Tone is a major aspect of Twitter; it will set up how the audience will views, read, and understand a Tweet. Vince’s tone is generally laid back, casual, and reflective. Vince, talking about an upcoming television show, Tweeted “Pretty excited for this episode of Awkward Tonyght” (Adkins). Even though Vince stated that he is “excited,” the reader can view this as a neutral Tweet due to the lack of punctuation, emoticons, and due to the lack of other Tweets that show his interest.

Tony’s tone is professional and straightforward, while at times being funny and quick witted. By keeping a serious tone, most of the time, Tony is able to Tweet out the needed information to get across his point, without having to explain himself or give a large number of detail; he is reliable.

Diction is the choice of words; On Twitter, diction plays a major role in the overall feel of the Tweets, and changes the purpose for the Tweets. In Vince’s Tweets, he chooses to say whatever is on his mind; whether it is how he is feeling emotionally, physically, his actions the previous night or in the future, or just a random thought. Sometimes, Vince Tweets without a filter, “Man I look like a fag boy on my snapchat story” (Adkins). By using the term “fag boy” in his Tweet, Vince is taking a chance at offending someone. Due to the history of Vince’s Tweets, he does not mind putting his exact thoughts on Twitter, even though they may cause other discomfort or cause anger due to inappropriate or vulgar words. Tony’s Tweets may cause anger in others, but not because of vulgar words.

Tony’s Tweets cause some of his followers discomfort and anger. He may take a stand on a topic, such as the discussion around Johnny Manziel, an officiating call, or his own judgement on the coaching staff or head office of the Browns (Grossi). However, the discomfort is caused by the content of the message and not the words used in the Tweet. Tony does a great job of keeping his Tweets professional and monitoring the content that is on his Twitter. Also, Tony knows when to lighten up and break the streak of serious Tweets, as seen during the Browns vs. Broncos game, “Peyton Manning now completing lollipops” and “Old man Whitner knifed in for 3y loss on tackle” (Grossi). These two Tweets not only keep his followers up with the game, but Tony is able to add in his thoughts and feelings about the play and the payers involved.

Many employers check Twitter along with other social media before hiring an employee. If Vince was applying for a job with a major company after college he may be judged do to his Twitter account. Since many of his Tweets contain vulgar language, sexual comments, and some of his pictures show Vince with alcohol, an employer may view this as unprofessional and, no matter how qualified Vince is for the job, turn him down due to his Tweets. Companies may not hire someone who is publicly doing illegal or inappropriate acts. On the other hand, a company looking into Tony will see someone who is dedicated to his profession and is acting in a professional manor. Tony’s Twitter acts as a portfolio for his work and an example of the work he will do if he is hired.

Overall, it is clear to see varying ways that Twitter can be used by a wide range of people. Twitter can be used to interact with friends, make friends, spread information, and to do countless other tasks. Vince uses Twitter as a valve to let himself display his thoughts, emotions, and views on all topics. He opens himself up to others and encourages interaction. Tony uses Twitter as another way to reach out to a wide range of sports fans and showcase his work by providing links to his article or his work. Vince is free with his word choice and with his content and does not conform to the regular rules of Twitter; he acts how he sees fit and does not stray away for any reason. Tony, due to his profession, must keep his Twitter account clean and welcoming to all people. He must positively promote himself and his work, while constantly delivering the information that his followers and fans want. Vince uses a more laid back, casual approach, while Tony uses his knowledge of sports to foster interactions and promote his writings. Twitter can be used for whatever purpose the user wants. The way that the user conducts themselves on Twitter is changed by their age, social status, and profession because each of these characteristics dictate what kind of information each user views on Twitter, how the user conducts himself, and how the user interacts with others.

Works Cited

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "I like her not because of how she looks like but because of how she makes me feel". 04 Nov 2015, 05:38 UTC. Tweet.

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "I literally never get invited to anything anymore". 31 Oct 2015, 05:00 UTC. Tweet.

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "I NEED PLANS FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW HMU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". 30 Oct 2015, 15:56 UTC. Tweet.

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "Man I look like a fag boy on my snapchat story". 29 Jul 2015, 01:30 UTC. Tweet.

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "Pretty excited for this episode of Awkward tonight". 05 Oct 2015, 21:30 UTC. Tweet.

Adkins, Vince (Vadkins27). "Should I keep growing out my hair or get another Mohawk....? Help me out here". 06 Oct 2015, 00:44 UTC. Tweet.

Dempsey, Jack (jack). “just setting up my twttr”21 Mar. 2006, 12:50 p.m. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "#Browns Mike Pettine wants Johnny Manziel's game inside the pocket to develop, but he doesn't commit to playing him. https://t.co/utWv9PHLQE". 06 Nov 2015, 18:17 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "#Browns will consider jumping Johnny Manziel ahead of Josh McCown at QB, based on Mike Pettine's comments." 21 Sep 2015, 19:37 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "#HeyTony on now on 1540 KNR2, https://t.co/uKc7Wfh0TB & app. #Browns. And whats Peyton Manning's future.". 20 Oct 2015, 12:02 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "@LancelotSchmidt Will the McCown bros share the 0-4 'record' as Browns starter? // Wouldn't that be so Cleveland?” 4 Oct. 2015, 7:28a.m. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "25y FG by Denver makes it 13-7 over #Browns.". 18 Oct 2015, 19:06 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "I'm taking 5 #Browns questions right now. Good ones. Go.". 04 Nov 2015, 19:12 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "Johnny Manziel, on the move again, hits Duke Johnson for 12y TD. Didn't see Barnidge open, but got the TD.". 06 Nov 2015, 02:38 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "Old man Whitner knifed in for 3y loss on tackle.". 04 Oct 2015, 20:40 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). "Peyton Manning now completing lollipops.". 18 Oct 2015, 18:12 UTC. Tweet.

Grossi, Tony (TonyGrossi). “Such horrendous NFL officiating. Throw it up to Dez Bryant and let the officials determine the game” 8 Nov 2015 8:38 p.m. Tweet.

Swingle, Ryan (PapaSwings). "@ESPNCleveland @TonyGrossi is a joke. A pathetic "journalist" who couldn't get out of Cleveland if he tried.". 06 Nov 2015, 17:44 UTC. Tweet.

Twitter. "Twitter Milestones." About Twitter. Twitter, Inc,, n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2015.