Tweeting For Shaq Comes Easier Than Free Throws
In some of the latest news surrounding the wonderful world of Twitter, details were released this week regarding Facebook’s Failed Twitter Takeover. Twitter doubters will most likely change their tune after learning that the biggest player in social media is interested in snatching up the micro-blogging site (keep in mind these same people once doubted Facebook too).
For the social media savvy, Twitter makes sense. Short blasts of info all managed in one place. Pretty straight-forward. But for those who don’t “get it,” Twitter can be mind-boggling.
A number of 360PR staff are active on Twitter, including myself. But while I’m not the most experienced of the millions of Tweeple in the Twitterverse, I do appreciate the site for what it is and the interesting/cool ways that people use it for personal communication and for business.
For example, a friend of mine forwarded me an interesting blog post a couple of days ago about a guy and his friend who saw a tweet from Shaquille O’Neal that said he was eating at a particular diner. In the Twitter equivalent of a litmus test, the two friends took a trip out to the diner to see if the Phoenix Suns’ big man was really operating the Twitter account The_Real_Shaq. And what did they learn? Shaq, or Diesel as he has come to be known in the NBA, was hanging in a booth enjoying his lunch.
Over the past week or so, Shaq has also be using Twitter as a way to connect with fans by disclosing hints about his location and tasking followers to find him for game tickets. Too bad Kevin Garnett isn’t doing the same here in Boston because I would be all over it. At the time I am posting this, Shaq has more than 234,000 followers! While Facebook may be the biggest player in social media, Shaq is undoubtedly the biggest (basketball) player on Twitter.
Lesson: Millions of people are using Twitter – and some of them happen to be celebrities who are who they say they are. Sure there are imposters out there, but some are legit. Don’t believe me? Just ask @aplusk, @johncmayer or @jimmyfallon. (Elicia posted a more detailed list in her post, “Who Are The Most Popular Twitter Users?”)
Now if only I could get my “fans” to stop creating TheRealJohnLeRoy accounts…
Great post John! I think it’s great that celebrities use Twitter – it makes them more accessible, and in our culture, no one is more interesting. Some twitterebrities should update more often, but some, like John Mayer and Perez Hilton, do a fantastic job at keeping us up-to-date on their everyday musings and activities. It will be interesting to see who joins Twitter as the service becomes more popular!
This is a great story. Aren’t most diners are pretty small in size? I’m surprised that Shaq actually fit inside the diner!
Hey, @johncmayer is following @aplusk and @mrskutcher. I wonder if they are all friends…