Connecting with the Audience

Connecting with the Audience

There have been several articles and academic studies dealing with the ability of people to connect through online communication. We also have heard how people have built their “micro-brand” through connecting with a broad audience. There is discussion about how creating a transparent online profile will help attract new fans and followers. This will help with the “microcelebrity” creating a brand, but how does a nanocelebrity create and maintain a relationship with their audience.

It really is a simple as being an expert in a niche and narrowcasting that information to the stream. The beauty of service like Twitter is that you could be a niche expert in two field and use two different Twitter account to express your expertise. It also help to respond to every question that is posed either to you or your area of expertise. However, it is also important not to be perceived as “spamming” the channel with useless information. Therefore, a sense of balance is needed.

Because there are fewer “barriers of access” in the microblogging channels, people can access one another with virtual ease. The individual could ignore other users. However, ignoring another user should be a last resort. An annoying individual could still have useful information every so often. Also, ignoring an individual could prevent you from dealing with situations that you would have been otherwise aware of. Remember, even the small comment can add something to the conversation and you maybe able to use the information to gain knowledge in your field.

Shane Tilton

Dr. Shane Tilton is an associate professor at Ohio Northern University. He was awarded the 2018 Young Stationers’ Prize & twice awarded Outstanding Adviser honors from the Society for Collegiate Journalists in 2015 (Outstanding New Adviser) and 2018 (Outstanding Adviser). His published works include the role of journalism in society, the role of new media systems on culture and the pedagogy of gaming. His work on social media and university life earned him the BEA 2013 Harwood Dissertation Award.

View All Posts by Author

A Narrative of My Professional Service

SxSW 2019

Henry Jenkins discussed the actions that fandoms take to perform their enjoyment of their favorite mediated content. The best example of a fandom that performs passionately their enjoy of an intellectual property are Star Wars fans.

Jenkins’ Five Levels of Fandom Activity