Twitter jargon is only one aspect of Social Media that Legal Professionals need to master. My Project Social Media presents my thoughts regarding the impact of social media marketing on the practice of law. See my page to for more information.
What other new twitter jargon is there that a Legal Professional needs to know?
Tweet
Tweet: a noun referring to a single twitter post. It is also used as a verb. The term was created by twitter users not twitter.
Retweet or RT
Retweet or RT: Retweeting is the act of reposting someone else’s posts and giving them credit. RT’s help messages work their way around twitter. Sometimes they are important and sometimes of dubious importance. It does suggest that you respect, approve, or appreciate the ‘importance’ of their thoughts and content. It is very flattering to be retreated and will give you and your post a much wider audience.
@messages
@messages: At the beginning, there was no way to send a message to anybody else on twitter. You could just post status updates. Users started to add th @ symbol to the beginning of an account name as a way to send a public message or to refer to someone on twitter. Twitter is set up to show you only the messages between people you are following. If you are following Sam but not Fred, you will not see any messages between Sam and Fred. Alternately, if you are following both, you will see both between them. Note: It is assumed that when you start a tweet with a @ symbol you are sending a message to an individual. If you want to mention that individual in a post so that all can see, do not begin with the @ symbol. The solution is easy. Begin with anything else. (.@kpstrongman) (Period @kpstrongman).
DM or direct messaging
DM or direct messaging: Though twitter is public by default, twitter does have a private message option. They are called direct messages or DM’s. They are also 140 characters. The interesting part is that the recipient has to be following you. They can DM you but you can’t DM them. To have an effective conversation you both must follow each other. Note: for eDiscovery make sure you as specifically for direct messages sent regarding the case. Tip: Twitter has a feature that sends an email when someone DM’s you (See notifications). Leave it on because twitter does not notify you when you have a DM any other way.
**Why the picture of flowing water? Twitter is a constant flow of information and communications.
About the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator. He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment. He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.
© 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.