Twitter sure has been busy lately. First, Twitter lists . Now they've recently rolled out their new Retweet function to a beta group of users, making it easier to regurgitate others' tweets. The feature was rolled out to me today, but after testing it out I've started questioning, Does the new feature enhance or diminish the quality of the retweet?
Explanation of Retweet Features:
The following is Twitter's example of a retweet. Retweets appear in a user's timeline as the original tweet with a note below indicating the user (the person you're following) who retweeted it:
Here's an example of a retweet that appeared in my timeline. Note that I am not following @Charwebmktg , but the tweet appeared because @SESConf , who I am following, retweeted it. See also Twitter's explanation bubble:
On your Twitter sidebar, you'll notice a new option under your Favorites called "Retweets." Clicking this will show you three different tabbed options: Retweets by others, Retweets by you and Your tweets, retweeted.
You'll also notice that when you're on the page of a user you're following, you have the option of turning on/off the ability to see that user's retweets. The feature is on when the arrowed icon appears highlighted in green. To turn it off, click the icon so it isn't highlighted:
Reactions from the Twitterati:
One of my personal gripes about the new Retweet feature is the inability to add a personal touch to the tweet I'm re-posting. When a user presses the Retweet button, the tweet is re-posted verbatim, with no opportunity to disagree or add any personal flavor. After voicing my opinion on Twitter, I noticed that I'm not the only one who feels this way .
Among other issues, users are also concerned about the
seeming invasion
of their Twitter stream from users they aren't following, since retweets appear with the avatar of the user who originally posted it, not the user you're following who retweeted it.
So What Does This Mean for Marketing?
Perhaps the biggest implication of the new Retweet function from a marketing perspective is the increased importance of creating quality, unique tweets that others will want to retweet. Because retweets are associated with the original user, that user who originated the tweet will have more widespread reach and visibility via the Twitter timelines of others who may not be following them.
What is your opinion of the new feature? Will it change the way people tweet? Because most of the credit is given to the tweet's originator, does it take away from the power of the recommendation?
Webinar: Twitter for Marketing and PR
|
Want to learn more about using Twitter for Marketing and PR? Download the free webinar for tips and tricks to drive inbound marketing using Twitter. |
Inbound Marketing Blog Feed
Sam Mallikarjunan 2:13 PM on November 19, 2009
Yeah, I got this beta invite too. I have NO idea why it's valuable to me. Also, will third party apps (like tweetdeck, cotweet, etc.) start showing the non-followed retweets in the stream in those apps? Or is this something uniquely native to the web interface?
Sean Arenas 2:31 PM on November 19, 2009
I got the invite also. I agree that it is bad you can't comment on the re-tweet. On the other hand, it keeps people from editing the re-tweet, so you know that what you're seeing is the complete, unmodified original tweet.
A nice feature would be to allow a comment while also not allowing a change to the original tweet. If original tweet is 80 characters, your name is 10 characters, twitter can calculate how many remaining characters you have to add a comment to it, and can allow a box with that many characters to add a comment. You still can't modify the person's tweet (so RT integrity is maximum) and still get to comment (if the original tweeter gave you space to comment).
Bronson 2:45 PM on November 19, 2009
Although I have often wished for a RT button when using the website, the new list and button arrivals are beginning to clutter things....
...or maybe it's just me thinking back to the good old days, already!
ken karnack 2:50 PM on November 19, 2009
HAs anyone received any business from twitter? If so how are you doing it>?
TOM 3:06 PM on November 19, 2009
This cleared up something for me...
I have reviewed Followers and have, at times, liked something they used but not someone I wish to follow and have used the ReTweet feature (but it didn't appear in the timeline) and now I know it only works if you are Following that person ( I have also ReTweeted first and THEN followed ) so...this was helpful to let me know I must be following or "RT" the "old school" way!
Thanks for the review
Arthur Charles Van Wyk 3:20 PM on November 19, 2009
I think the retweet challenge can be circumvented by using a desktop app.
Adobe Air has been a blessing in this area.
Desktop apps allow you to add your own bits to the retweet.. even change the wording to keep the 140-character limit without losing the gist of what's being tweeted.
This was never really a challenge.
Marcia Waldman 4:51 PM on November 19, 2009
I, too, was invited to test the Beta feature. From a usability standpoint, I find it much easier to click on the "Retweet" button and have the tweet field populated with the information being retweeted. From what I saw, it was very common to misuse the Retweet feature. Having designed many software programs and websites myself, I do believe it is easier to click the Retweet button. However, I, too, would like the ability to add a comment stating whether or not I agree/disagree or like/dislike what I am retweeting. In some cases, a simple RT without comment, leaves too much to the imagination.
Will Elliott 4:55 PM on November 19, 2009
For marketers this means they can use all 140 characters to convey their message. Before this new functionality the best practice to encourage retweeting was to use as few characters as possible so others could easily add the "RT @XXXXXX" When you're already limited to 140 characters that can become quite a challenge.
Personally I like being able to add my own "2 cents" but this new function hasn't seemed to keep anyone I'm following from retweeting. In fact, it feels like they've increased over the past few weeks since this started rolling out.
John McTigue 6:52 PM on November 19, 2009
I'm in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp. I use Tweetdeck for all Twitter functions, so I really don't care what's happening on the Twitter site. I like the way it's been working and it makes sense to me. Are you listening, Twitter? I doubt it.
Miltski 7:16 PM on November 19, 2009
Twitter is again making a move towards a better online lifestyle. I always love twitter since it showed me the real cash. This will again knock the internet biz.
Sean Arenas 7:24 PM on November 19, 2009
After using it today, I have some things positive to say about it:
1) You know anyone who RTs you using this feature can't change your Tweet, you are accurately represented
2) You can easily track how often people have RTd you
3) You can easily see how many times a Tweet has been RTd before you RT it
4) Tweets you want RTd can be full length; people do not have to shorten them to RT them (previously, to RT a full length tweet, you have to shorten it by the length of your twitter name, the name of the person you RT, and the text "RT ")
Sure, there are drawbacks, but people don't "have" to use it, and people who do will soon notice these and other benefits!
Aaron Holck 9:24 AM on November 20, 2009
I just got added to this beta. I have been asked by a few people lately what its for and this article helps explain it. Breezing through the comments I do like that it keeps the originator's message intact.
I will need to play with it and see what it can do.
Anyone have any thoughts on the new list feature mentioned? I see that i am listed several times since it came out which seems like a bonus. But how are people using it?
Pamela Seiple 9:29 AM on November 20, 2009
Aaron,
We actually wrote a blog article and produced a free webinar about how to use Twitter lists. You can find them at http://bit.ly/4DV4Yo (blog post) & http://bit.ly/2FJ1FD (archived webinar).
Hope it helps!
Julia Stewart 9:11 AM on November 24, 2009
I like the new RT button because it makes retweeting fast and easy. I don't like it because I can't add a comment. I don't think it will impact the number of RTs that much, because the pros balance the cons, but I'm sure Hubspot will have some data about that before long!
susanna 4:46 PM on November 24, 2009
I have used it a few times but twitter the way the website is doesn't quite work for me. I have found hootsuite to be the perfect 'twool'.Since hootsuite does not have twitters retweet feature I don't have the timeline issue and I can still add my own comments which I find tremendously important.
Danusia 10:09 AM on November 26, 2009
@susanna I agree with you 100% I generally prefer to add my own comments when I RT not just RT verbatim. So useful at times, but not always - as with most improvements that get made...