A Twitter of the people, by the people, for the people…
Alas, politics is a much-altered game to that played by Abraham Lincoln.
Some rules remain. The road to party rule still relies on a manifesto that is relevant (of the people), borne out of meaningful contact with voters (by the people) and that will make a difference (for the people).
Others have changed. PR is now as powerful as policy on the campaign trail and political careers live or die by the effectiveness of communications strategies.
In an aim to stay relevant and to connect with individuals who have the potential to influence others, politicians have turned to Twitter.
Barack Obama has revealed that Twitter will feature as a significant part of his 2012 re-election campaign. He’ll even personally send some of the tweets, signing off with his initials “-BO” to distinguish them from those of his Obama for America Staff team.
No newcomer to social media, Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign is credited with being the first campaign to truly leverage the power of the web. Facebook, YouTube, blogs and discussion boards were cornerstones of the Obama campaign and using perceived modern mediums didn’t hurt Obama’s public perception as the young, in-touch candidate that would guide America into a brave new world, technologically if nowhere else.
But, using Twitter as an online soap box comes with a stark health warning for politicians. Twitter’s proposition is viral communication. Done right, and your message is disseminated again and again to like-minded individuals and constructive debate ensues. Done wrong, and there’s nowhere to hide your mistakes.
For more on ‘How Not to Use Twitter in Politics’ see Forbes’ article on Ed Miliband’s recent casualty of a Twitter campaign at forbes.com
Politicians should proceed with caution when it comes to social media. But proceed they must as another Lincoln soundbite resonates: “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
Liquid Graphic, doing right for its clients on Twitter.
