Following your team on Twitter
I have to admit when I first joined the world of Twitter, I was a little overwhelmed about the sheer magnitude of what was going on. It was like a constant stream of noise that I found impossible to filter.
Like many Twitter newbies, I began my quest to get as many followers as I can. I followed anyone and everyone who had something remotely interesting to stay. Before long, my twitter feed was filled with all kinds of idle chatter on topics ranging from personal finance to career enrichment.
Then came what I call my Twitter “ah ha” moment. It was the moment that I finally realized the true power of twitter and building relationships on a common topic. It was the first time is searched “#Rays”
I had already set the table for this revelation. During the Rays 2008 World Series run, I found myself constantly texting and chatting online about the team I loved. At one point, I was creating chat rooms and inviting all my Rays friends into them so we could all talk about the game together, without actually watching the game together. But the numbers just weren’t there. I was looking for a giant Rays party to watch the game with.
Once I realized there were other #Rays fans out there, I started reaching out to them. I graduated from the Twitter web interface to a Tweetdeck app on my desktop. There, I could sort my columns and I would never miss any tweet mentioning the Rays. Slowly, but surely, I began building a tribe of #Rays fans. I even created a Facebook page, so I could interact with my fellow #Rays tweeps on the other social networking site.
I’ve been “Twittering the #Rays” (as my Facebook page is called) for over a year now. I find myself really missing the interaction on Twitter if I’m not logged in while the game’s on. In fact, I practically blew out my non-smartphone cell phone trying to tweet during a game earlier in the season.
I’ve made friends with other Rays journalists, bloggers and even people who help support my blog.
If you’re just getting started, here are some tips for following your favorite team on Twitter….
- Search the hash mark for your team. I always have column open in Tweetdeck (or Hootsuite) that searches #Rays. It allows me to easily find the most recent conversations about the team.
- Use the hash tag when referencing your team. This will help others who are looking for conversation on the team follow you.
- Look for the other team. I also search the hash tags of the team the Rays are playing. I can meet fans from other teams and get some good insight into my team.
- Don’t just retweet, quote. One of my favorite features of Tweetdeck is the ability to quote someone’s post and add my own comments. You have to be very concise, because their quote takes up some of your characters.
- Reach out to the “big dogs” in your team’s Twitter feed. Every team has them. Make friends and make conversation with them.
Michael Weber is the head honcho over at RaysRev.com and the 5pm Producer at WTSP in St. Petersburg.
