Twitter as Directors Commentary
Imagine, if you will, that your blog (podcast, videoblog) is your platform, and by this, I mean that people come by, consume what you’ve got going, interact (or don’t), and leave with an impression. It’s not much different from someone watching your movie, or buying your album. The technologies differ, but essentially, in all cases, you’re creating something that’s media to be consumed by someone else. If you’re lucky, LOTS of someone elses. These people are hoping for a great product that they can understand, that they can see a bit of themselves in, an that they can talk about later with others.
Now, consider this: Twitter is your Director’s Commentary. One of the favorite features on film DVDs are the commentaries by Directors and actors and people associated with a film. Some people LOVE these features, because you learn a whole lot more about the product than what you might have from your simple consumption. It gives color to something you’ve already experienced, or gives away even more of what the director was thinking when she made the film (quick: name three female film directors; name two). Twitter, for you, becomes your Director’s Commentary for the media you create.
No, not directly
I’m not suggesting that you blog, and then you twitter little side comments. Instead, I’m saying that you consider writing little tweets all day that give extra meaning to your blog posts and your podcasts and all the other media you create. But I am saying that what people learn from following your Twitter stream impacts how they react to the media you create.
With that in mind…
How might you approach your Twittering, if you start considering it as a way for people to understand who you are in the social media landscape? You might consider writing things that are tangentially related to the issues you podcast or blog about, for one thing. You might think about giving people some behind-the-scenes on you as a human, if your blog’s tone is normally formal and professional.
What’s Your Director’s Cut?
I’ve gone and said it. Now, look at the media you create: your photoblog, your podcast, your company’s website. Whatever you’re putting out there for me to see, give it a look-see. Now, think about your Twitter account. What’s the “voice” you could use there as your “director’s cut,” or your commentary on the other media you’re creating? How can you integrate that into your social media strategy? Does this change the way you think about Twitter?
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Comments
THIS IS THE BEST POST EVER! It provides a framework and context that gives Tweets meaning and relevance. There is often a backstory on the people closely involved or the posts you’ve read, etc. that is never mentioned. This could provide a new level of depth and meaning to the Twitterati. Good thoughts. [And for those I work with who will rag me for this post. It’s my honest opinion. I don’t brown nose anyone, anytime. It is possible for me to agree with someone more than once in a decade. ;-P]
Interesting post, Chris. It’ll take a bit to wrap my mind around the idea and to implement it. If I can successfully, my view of Twitter would definitely change.
I think you’ve hit something right on the head … I’ve been doing something similar and I think it’s a good idea to really follow through on this.
Fox did this with “Drive,” although the series didn’t last but a couple episodes:
http://blog.holtz.com/index.php/msm_live_blogging_via_twitter/
@Neenz - Mahalo back atcha. Driving twitters are very useful. I’ve had them save me time and effort.
@Scott- I’ll pay you that $20 I owe you later. But seriously, thanks. And what would brown nosing with me get you? : )
@Glenda - Go gently into that night. It’s all there.
@Preston- and with your “product” being something so useful and valuable, it’s nice to hear about you around the edges.
@Amie- For a second, I had no idea what you were doing. That’s your voice?
@Shel- No kidding. I missed that on your blog, but now I’ll check that out. Thanks for dropping by. See you at PME again this year?
You asked me to think quick, so I did. And yup, knowing who many of the gutsy gals were that broke ground before me is a huge part of my voice. I wouldn’t have been me had I not answered the way I did. (Well, maybe I would have cited Penny Marshall instead of Barbra Streisand, but I was in a Yentl kind of mood. ) Speaking up for the people who aren’t necessarily getting the recognition that they should, who are doing amazing things and aren’t being talked about nearly enough because they’re not in the old boy’s club– that’s who I am. And that’s what I do. And that’s also a huge part of what informs my business (with our mission to support living artists).
This is what I love about Twitter - it can serve so many purposes in such short little bursts! Within the 140 character limit, we can find so much to say - LOL
Thanks for a great post, Chris, and best wishes to you for a terrific day. You always come up with clever and unique takes on things!
Great post Chris, I use that technique for my “sailing blog” http://www.soulsailor.co.uk
I go off dinghy racing in the UK, Twitter on the way, Twitter about whose turned up (the competition), what the weather conditions are and then in between races I Twitter the results, maybe Twitter significant events and conversations during the nights social antics and then blog about the event when I get a chance…
Those people following my blog and Twitter (or facebook, Jaiku etc) get the mini bits of situational comment through Twitter and then the retrospective commentary and review and other media later through my blog and Flickr.
Works a treat if anyone is listening!
[…] while I was all adult all the time). As Chris Brogan has referred to it, Twitter can be used as a “director’s commentary” to other media projects. It was this and more last week when I was at Sex::Tech. Several of my […]
[…] while I was all adult all the time). As Chris Brogan has referred to it, Twitter can be used as a “director’s commentary” to other media projects. It was this and more last week when I was at Sex::Tech. Several of my […]
Sir:
Just letting you know that it makes sense to me as do all of your blogs that I’ve been keeping up with.
I’ve noticed a few changes in some of those I follow on Twitter to be more ‘informative’ rather than just simply answering “What are doing?” I for one would rather have a ‘contribution’ to those that follow me, than just…’I'm home’ even if it’s letting those in Hawaii know what the traffic is like before they head out of the office to make their commute home.
MAHALO!
NEENZ.