Last night, it hit me: Twitter’s retweet with comment feature is a game-changer. I was excited about it before, even though it didn’t make our Q1 social media updates a few weeks ago. (Ed. Note: It has been added!) But I didn’t grasp how much of an effect it would have.
Last night, I was watching my favorite show, Mad Men, while following the #MadMen hashtag. Talking to people all over the world and experiencing a show from other peoples’ points of view while it’s airing takes your experience to another level. (It deepens your emotional connection with the characters and encourages you to watch the show live, but that’s another blog post.) I enjoyed reading others’ tweets and gained a new perspective on some of the characters’ actions and scenes.
And that’s when it hit me. I loved seeing people add their own insight to others’ thoughts and contributing to the conversation. While browsing the hashtag stream, I could instantly view a conversation instead of only seeing a reply or straight retweet (because there usually wasn’t room to comment on a retweet before). Previously, you would have to click to view the conversation, interrupting your stream (and experience). Now it’s all right in front of you waiting to be viewed and shared.
What’s the big deal? Engagement. As brands (and people), we all want other people to engage with us. That’s why this update is so big. Retweeting a tweet with an added comment increases impressions and engagement, including followers. Check out the analytics on two tweets I retweeted and added a comment to during the show. My reach and engagement is much higher than if I had simply retweeted these tweets, because I was able to add information for my audience.
I’m not suggesting you only retweet on Twitter, but this phenomenon makes sense. Social media is all about getting social with others no matter how hard we try to prove otherwise. Twitter’s retweet with comment feature allows us to engage with others while adding our own insight. It combines the best of both worlds: engagement and original content.
This update is almost as epic as Peggy’s entrance into her new employer last night — drunk, donning shades indoors and enjoying a smoke. Yet another way to change the conversation….
Join the Conversation on the Retweet with Comment Feature
Have you used the retweet with comment feature?
Will this feature encourage you to retweet more?
Are you on Twitter more, less or the same as you were a year ago?
p.s. We’d love to hear from you on Twitter! Tweet us @jaimeshine with your thoughts on this update, Twitter in general or anything else you have on your mind.
CCC’s Tweeting Queen,
Jaime
clearly conveyed communications 
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