Here is how Twitter can be used as a public relations tool:
- Follow the news. Twitter is an invaluable news source. Many national publications – such as the Associated Press – and local news agencies around the country release breaking news and links to other stories on Twitter.
- Interact with members of the media. Twitter is great for building relationships with journalists. Databases like Media on Twitter and Cision allow you to see a list of Twitter handles for members of the media. When you follow journalists, it is important to wait before starting a conversation. This allows you to see who is using Twitter to interact and find story ideas, and who is tweeting strictly to promote their own content.
- Crisis communication. When handling a crisis, it is important to be proactive and put forward a timely statement addressing the problem. Twitter gives you the ability to respond to a crisis quickly and frequently. Using search tools on Twitter, it is easy to see how people are reacting to a crisis and helps you issue an appropriate response.
How have you used Twitter as a public relations tool?
