The Desilva and Phillips Future of Celebrity Media conference, and my twitter survey results
On Thursday morning, I was so pleased to be part of a panel made up of distinguished media executives and entrepreneurs who spoke at the Desilva+Phillips Future of Celebrity Media conference held at the Tribeca Film Center in New York City. The event took place before an invited audience and I found it to be an intellectual and enjoyable experience. It was fascinating to hear what these experts had to say about our present-day media and its future. I was comforted to learn that readership of printed copy isn't necessarily cannibalized by all the on-line publications. The feeling is that electronic mediums serve to whet readers' appetites for bigger printed stories, and what is being observed is a crossover audience utilizing both mediums.
Of course, we talked about Twitter and its instant gratification. David Caar of the New York Times interviewed me about my use of Twitter. We were talking about me having just surpassed 600,000 followers on Twitter. I explained that it took me 2 years to reach 600,000 subscribers with Martha Stewart Living and only a fraction of that time on Twitter. Of course, there's a price point, but by that point, I should be up to 2 million followers on Twitter. Go figure! Also, go figure that Francesca and Sharkey ( @thedailywag) on Twitter have more followers than David Caar (@caar2n) has - a point he found to be a bit embarrassing. I also showed this very interesting pie chart that my assistant, Eliad Laskin, composed from the feedback I received about why people Tweet. Everyone at the conference found it quite fascinating and I think you will too.
I tweeted the following question the other day;
“ Why do you use twitter. this is a serious question. I am doing an interview tomorrow and need to have some real statistics helpâ€
Here are the results from 1600 of the responses
SOME COMMENTS FROM THE SURVEY
On Boredom
nameommited@MarthaStewart Sheer boredom at my job.
nameommited@MarthaStewart get bored at work sometimes
nameommited@MarthaStewart It is a good time waster and creates the illusion of being connected with others.
nameommited@MarthaStewart boredom and well what else is there to do on the net!!!.......time waster yep thats a big one
nameommited@MarthaStewart i use this coz i was bored with my exams...
nameommited@MarthaStewart I guess fun is the main reason, but mostly it gets me through boring classes...
INTERESTING ONE
MacDonaldvickymacdonald@MarthaStewart A way to share and stay connected in an era when many people telecommute or are unemploye.Takes the place of the water cooler
On Celebrities
TRMiteTRMite@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to harass celebrities. Srsly
ennifer Sherwinfreestylecook@MarthaStewart - I use twitter because it's interesting to see that celebrities aren't much different from the rest of us
Catherine McCrorymissleyden@MarthaStewart I follow mostly celebrities (like you) that I watch on TV to see what they do in their lives. So I know they are normal
Debbie ChartrandDebbieC03@MarthaStewart The only reason I use it is because for some reason the celebrities like this better than FB
Lori Bardenldsjb@MarthaStewart use twitter for access to celebrities you didn't have in the past-makes them seem more real
On Curiosity
Julia MacPhersonjuliamacpherson@MarthaStewart I am using Twitter out of curiousity, I wanted to see what it was all about. I figured I might spread some joy too!
yo4shortyo4short@MarthaStewart I use it mainly out of curiousity and informative...really enjoy the links posted by the people I follow....
# douglasl9douglasl9@MarthaStewart Just curious to know what people are doing / gives me a feel for their personality
On News and Information
Matthew RimiMattLouis@MarthaStewart, because it was pop-culture phenomena. it has changed the way people receive/transmit news and altered how we communicate.about
Unkie BuckieHottTrends@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to keep up with trends and discover news at it happens. Great way to keep up on news
Katie WeidnerKTKWeidner@MarthaStewart I like Twitter b/c I get my news right from the source. It is quick, brief and interactive.
Linda Tarry-Schulzlindalouoliver@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to follow local stuff (Global BC, 24, Abbotsford News
Debbie Luthidluthi04@MarthaStewart business and for fun, following sports scores and local news and weather
On Social Advertising
Jennifer ChicoineEnviousMoon@MarthaStewart I use twitter to help promote my Etsy shop. I joined a few weeks ago. http://enviousmoondesigns.e...
Connieglitzyorbit@MarthaStewart i use twitter to promote the charities i am involved in.. Kern Country Sheriffs activity league and Optimists Club
Kristen HernandezWritingMyHeart@MarthaStewart I use it to maket and promote my vacation travel agency as well as my blog
Michael Woytonwoyton@MarthaStewart I use it to promote my pet blog and to see what interesting people think and do
Carol LawrenceCollegePurse@MarthaStewart I use Twitter to promote my bus. and share health and wellness info. A website for NCAA fans. Collegiate handbags
rebecca cabaneensiesmama@MarthaStewart primarily to promote my blog/find new readers, but it's also become a way to find interesting content for my blog
On Social Networking/Communication
Shellymswright13@MarthaStewart To communicate with the masses. The ordinary to the extraordinary
Swapna Raghu SanandSvara@MarthaStewart, uses:boundaryless communication, information, sharing of instant thoughts, connecting to the whole world in a click
Flaminia Festucciaflaminia85@MarthaStewart I'm a journalist, therefore the principal use is communication with other journalists all over the world.
Jody K. Devoted_Harpie@MarthaStewart It's a fun, easy way to keep up with everyone. Especially my kids while they're at school, and friends at work
Toni Walkertwalk59@MarthaStewart My daughter posts pictures of my grandson
(...re-posted from yesterday, May 14th...)
I wouldn't've even known what Twitter was, Martha, if I hadn't heard about it from you. Being an avid fan of yours and daily visitor to your blog, I felt so enamored for the possibility to be able to read your own p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l comments, that I was a sure follower! (I guess that does fall under following a celebrity [said kind of sheepishly - eyes lowered]).
Your pie chart kind of parallels some of my own reasons for Twittering and wanting to continue. I have 'met' some really good people, and my eyes have been opened to manymany more things and vast amounts of information...it equally has been a learning experience as well as downright fun. The key for me in all of this, though, is being able to afford the time to participate. I have to reiterate that I now HAVE the time to engage in this communication tool, as having been previously employed in the corporate world, such activity on company time would've been definitely monitored AND frowned upon (with possible written documentation placed in my employee file!) Folks at work, find something else to do...work-related, that is...!
Technology is ever-evolving, isn't it?!!
=^..^=
catwhisperer17
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | May 15th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Wow, I wasn't aware of all the possibilities...I have an account but no texting available so I haven't really tried it out yet. It's facinating though!
I am needing a brilliant home/life/family quote to put around my new fireplace design...any ideas? I am giving away an Etsy G/C to the winner. best!
http://www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
Posted by: kerry macLeod | May 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Hi Martha, Like Cindy Bricker, I would never have known about Twitter until you brought it to our attention. Thank you! I find it much better than either My Space or Face Book {don't follow them any more}. Like you, I don't have a lot of time and Twitter is much easier to use. I read a Google Alert about your trip to Detroit today and it was a really positive report about your speech and book signing. It sounded like all of you had a great time. Have a great weekend and hug F&S for me. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 16th, 2009 at 12:58 am
I have drawn the line in regard to new technology. I won't twitter and no one can make me do it. Ha ha!! You pay money for the privilege of yacking about your life and listening to others yack about theirs creating an illusion that you have friends, family and connections. I won't buy in to it at all. Blogging, e-mailing and texting on my cell is enough. And enough is enough. I still like the old-fashioned face to face "how are you", looking into someone's eyes and face and feeling real human connections. Call me old-fashioned but it's so real.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | May 16th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Once again Martha I didnt read it...but I love you so much (:
Posted by: LOVE ECHO | May 16th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Yes Martha I would know nothing about Twitter without you being on it and as a result some of your best fans and believers. I am like Jan I have little interest (time) for Facebook and My Space. If there is not a carrot out there for me to follow then I do not respond to the whip either. So you and your followers are the carrot.
I am very much like Cindy---find the "free on your time" time. Not much to share. The dogs and cats think I need to step up and share more with them. I am sure commenting on Twitter about cleaning cat boxes is not anyone's thrill of the moment.
Posted by: Margie | May 17th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I am new to Twitter but I have been following Martha for last couple of weeks and I must say it is a delight! I have always been a big fan of Martha so I love hearing about all the places she visits and about her different meetings. I am a nurse practitioner so I work with sick people all day and it is a nice little treat to take my mind off the work for just a second when I get that "Martha" update to my Blackberry. Thanks Martha and keep them coming. I am still new but is there a way that I can comment on one of your post on Twitter? I am still learning....
Candace
Houston, Texas
Posted by: Candace Littles | May 27th, 2009 at 6:41 pm