What is it, what you can do with it, and why you should care

Mary Spiro ~ Science Writer/Media Relations DirectorJohns Hopkins University Engineering in Oncology Center

April 7, 2010First Annual NCI Physical Sciences – Oncology Centers (PS-

OCs) Network Investigators’ Meeting

Twitter is like a….Tavern/Office water cooler

Swiftly flowing riverSnapshot in time

1.2 Billion Tweets per month73.5 million users

What should you post?Press releases

AnnouncementsNews clippings

Photos (Twitpic)Requests for Information

PublicationsAnything! (but use discretion)

What makes a good Tweet?< 140 characters

TimelyActive verbs

Actionable linksPhotos

Engaging or ProvocativeMakes reader want to find out more

Consistent “voice”

Who should you follow?

Who will follow YOU?GOOD FOLLOWERSOther PS-OcsUniversities/Govt/InstitutesScience Writers/JournalistsScientists and Engineers*Science Bloggers *Interested citizens (patients, amateur scientists, general public)

BAD FOLLOWERSSocial Marketing GurusPorn sitesSpammers of all kinds!DO NOT AUTO FOLLOW

What can you do with Twitter

BrandingFeedback

Direct Traffic to sitesNetwork/Make friends

Keep up on newsHire People

Live Coverage of EventsGather data

Give Twitter a shot! You won’t fail (whale).