Social media has changed the way we work, think and communicate. It must also, therefore, change the way we write.
Throughout history, communication has evolved. Common vocabulary has gone from “thou” to “you” to “u”, and in some cases, to “fu!”
Once common words change spelling, meaning and even become obsolete. (Anyone remember wearing “slacks”?) New is the new old.
Soundbites have become essential to anyone wanting to make a point. If it can’t be said in nine seconds, you’re SOL!
I think it’s policy that no policy is good policy unless it can fit on a bumper sticker.
Paragraphs in old books sometimes go on for pages. Paragraphs today are usually no more than a few sentences.
Even long chapters appear too difficult for our quick-takeaway minds to absorb. Why else would Dan Brown be so popular?
We’ve been spoiled by social media. Some might use a different word. #ruined
In the internet age, we have to look beyond the 9 second soundbite and start thinking in 140 character twitterbites.
We must communicate in standalone points. Anything more than 140 characters can’t be tweeted. (120 for retweets.)
If your point is tied to larger concepts that can’t be quickly summarized, it’s difficult to get it socialized.
We have to write–and often even speak–in a way that allows our thoughts to be socialized as easily as possible.
Instead of just getting your post title tweeted by a few, isn’t it better to get your point retweeted by many?
Tweeting a post title is cool and all, but if you can make your point in a tweet, well, you made your point.
Post titles say, “This might interest you.” Twitterbites say “Here’s a good point.”
Twitterbites pass your “authority” without someone having to be read (or scan) your entire blog post.
Do twitterbites prevent clicks? No more than free SEO advice loses clients. Sounds good in theory but doesn’t pan out.
You don’t have to blog in exact twitterbites, but the more you provide, the greater opportunity for re/tweets.
The more re/tweets your twitterbite gets, the greater the exposure, and more your authority builds. #allgood
Follow me at @StoneyD, and @PolePositionMkg.
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Stoney deGeyter leads an exceptional crew of web marketers who work overtime to make him look good. He's a prolific writer on all things web marketing and has published a few ebooks, tutorials and tools that help make online marketing (look) easier. He's also a very friendly guy who loves to help others velocitize their web marketing. In his free time Stoney gets involved in community services and ministries, enjoys his friends and loves on his kids. Read Stoney's full bio.
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The impact of social media (and it’s language) on our way of communicating, the way we read (basically NOT, we scan text) is indeed putting everything upside down. I read the article with a joy, nevertheless couldn’t make anything of SOL? So out of luck?? Grtz, Mark
Great advice and I love the way you have formatted this post. It is not only possible to write a post that is easy to digest, but it is actually easy to read and pleasing to the eye. Thank you for sharing this information.
I definitely think social media is growing and becoming even larger than we once thought. I also believe every business should be engaging and interacting on the different platforms to build your business and promote your products! Twitter is definitely coming along quickly and I do believe the more “tweets” you have and the more followers, the better!
Mark, check the urban dictionary for a definition of SOL.