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Twitter wit
Ever wondered what Harry Potter would say if he had Tweetdeck? Ponder no longer - we've found the answer. Twitterature is a new book that digests famous works of fiction from Chaucer to Dan Brown into a series of highbrow tweets. 140 characters or less of course.
Less literary criticism than a sly dig at an author's inelegant denouements, or the characters you love to hate, Twitterature can be hilarious. It might even make you ROFL.
In a typical tweet, Hamlet (@Oedipus Gothplex) asks, "WTF IS POLONIUS DOING BEHIND THE CURTAIN?"
Harry (@NotoriousHP) is more reflective. Commenting on his time at Hogwarts he says: "OMG Hogwarts OMG I have two friends OMG magic OMG the Slytherins are Nazis OMG there is an EVIL WIZARD out to get me."
The book was penned by two University of Chicago students, and you can follow further forays into Twitterature on the authors' Twitter account. We can't link to it here as there are some rather unsavoury tweets about Twilight, and we wouldn't want to upset a certain Robert Patterson loving tictocer.
Alternatively, it might make the ideal Secret Santa gift. Hint hint!
By Jo Kerr
Published: 3 December 2009
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Lance's impromptu Twitter ride in Glasgow
Well Lance Armstrong certainly knows how to cause a stir! Late last night the seven-times Tour de France winner twittered "Hey Glasgow, Scotland! I'm coming your way tomorrow. Who wants to go for a bike ride?". The response to the impromptu bike ride was instantaneous, mainly from myself and Colin! At 10pm last night I found myself out in the dark oiling my chain and testing the brakes. I also had to take off the child seat :)
On the flight to Glasgow from America Lance twittered again telling us all to meet in Paisley at noon. This scuppered any plans we had of meeting the legend but several hundred people did brave the rain and media to meet and ride with the man himself.
To add to my woes it turns out he headed out towards the village I live in. So I texted my wife to tell her he was passing, hoping for some sympathy. However, her reply of "I could feel his presence" was only to be expected.
The power of twitter still amazes me!By Alan Masterson
Published: 18 August 2009
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Sore feet and social media
Today's event, in conjunction with the Marketing Industry Network, about using social media for business was a huge success, I've been watching the comments and feedback on Twitter (using the hashtag #usnfb). Take a look at what people thought, and I'll write a proper report tomorrow. Huge thanks to all the speakers (Guy Stephens from Carphone Warehouse, Kyle Macrae from Blether Media, Heather Gorringe from Wiggly Wigglers and Craig McGill) and the delegates - you made it an extremely enlightening and enjoyable event!
By Kate Wooding
Published: 1 July 2009
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tictocers to follow on twitter
The strength of our family is derived from it's fabric of exceptionally talented individuals. Most of which can be found on the micro-blogging service of the moment, twitter.
To save you the trouble of tracking them down yourself I've collated this handy list of tweeting staffers and roughly segmented it into 3 broad groups.
They're there right now sharing and discussing resources and topics related to their particular specialisms.
Development
@paratiger
@subblue
@nelstrom
@og2t
@cframe
and @riggbot who'll be joining our ranks next week.Design
Business / Digital Marketing
@melmcg
@gambollingsylph
@heartblankies
@feshine
@kate_wooding
@pocopinaAnd finally, @tictocfamily is our official twitter account. Say hello today and join in the conversation.
By Andy Bright
Published: 9 April 2009
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Should agencies Tweet?
Interesting discussion on Econsultancy (see the comments on this article) about whether agencies should Tweet as an organisation (i.e. from a corporate account) or just rely on their staffers. Interesting because the tictocfamily Twitter account started to be used regularly this week, just before the discussion on Econsultancy broke out.
I'd imagine that although lots of our staff are on Twitter, and do tweet about stuff that happens here, they probably have different followers to the company Twitter account. Maybe when it's had time to get a sizable number of followers we'll do a comparison.
Do you think anybody is ever going to be interested in our company Twittering??
By Kate Wooding
Published: 25 March 2009
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Digital marketing works, and here's the proof
Comic Relief's website saw a 100% increase in traffic to its Red Nose homepage which the organisation has attributed to digital marketing initiatives. The campaign used social media initiatives including networking websites, blogs and Twitter to publicise the site, and gain appeal from people who didn't watch the TV show when aired.
Red Nose fact :
Over 50 million Red Noses have been bought over the years – remember The Hands Nose, The Tomato Nose, The Colour Changing Nose, The Shaggy Nose and The Nose That Grows?!
By Melanie Russell
Published: 23 March 2009
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Don't get namejacked
Look, it's not as if Twitter has taken over the world or anything, and we promise that we can blog about other things. But this week we thought we'd broadcast a Public Service Announcement. Do yourself a favour. Go reserve your name, or your brand or organisation's name on Twitter. Do it now. Even if you think the whole thing is a complete waste of time and will disappear in two weeks. Because if you're wrong, or if you change your mind, and then you find out that someone else has taken your name already, you'll kick yourself. But more worryingly, they could be pretending to be you and sending out stuff on the web that has nothing to do with you or your brand/organisation. Don't say we didn't warn you...
There are lots of stories of people (famous ones usually) finding out that someone has got to their name first on Twitter - Shaq O'Neal, David Bowie, Richard Hammond, even the Dalai Lama has been caught out!
Here is some great advice just in case you do have to deal with a Twitter impersonator.
And here are some great lists of (real) celebs, charities and retailers already on Twitter. Feel free to add any you know of.
And if you are thinking of Twittering, here is a great top ten tips from eConsultancy. OK, end of Public Service Announcement.
By Kate Wooding
Published: 6 March 2009
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Brandtweet
Not only is tictoc all aTwitter, but we think it's worth our clients (and every other organisation) thinking about using Twitter too. It won't be right for everyone, and it's not everyone's cup of tea, but plenty of organisations are already Tweeting. And they're not Tweeting for the sake of it - they're using it to spread the word, build relationships, communicate directly with their audience, achieve their objectives, and make money!
For example:
- Dog's Trust tweets regularly and has already rehomed a dog using Twitter
- Dell is using twtqpons to give its Twitter followers exclusive discounts - they've already made $1m on products sold via Twitter
- Wiggle bike shop use it to tell their followers about new services, and newsflashes - they've just been voted Mail Order Company of the Year by 220 Triathlon magazine and I bet they got their Twitter followers to vote!
- Stephen Fry is telling people about the t-shirts they can buy from his site - and after he tweeted about it he got so many visitors to the site that it crashed!
- Companies in the States like Comcast, Zappo's, and Dell have been quick to see the potential of Twitter as a way to directly engage with dissatisfied customers and sort out their problems.
So, before you dismiss it as a fad, think about how you could use Twitter to offer something to your customers and potential customers.
By Kate Wooding
Published: 13 February 2009
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Best Twessed
One of our very own tictocers, Drew, was voted Best Dressed Man at the Edinburgh Twestival yesterday! The dress code was tartan, tweed and feathers and he accessorised his outfit with a parrot. Which just goes to show that it's not only the designers who cut a dash! Sartorially-speaking.
By Kate Wooding
Published: 13 February 2009
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