4,000 Is the New 280

For better or worse, it seems like every day we have a new Twitter update to discuss. Lucky for you, we’re here to help separate the noise from the news for marketers, and one recent change has caught our eye in a big way — the introduction of long-form tweets. Or perhaps we should say longer-form tweets?

Back in 2017 BE (before Elon), Twitter expanded its character count from the original 140 characters to 280. Today, tweeters are preparing for a world with 4,000-character tweets.

From the get-go, Twitter’s appeal was its brevity, which has allowed brands like Netflix and Chipotle to shine. So we can’t help but wonder how brands who have excelled in the short game will embrace this newfound freedom. 

Our advice? Lean in to the features of Twitter that distinguish it from other platforms where long-form content is the norm (think LinkedIn and company blogs). Embrace its more casual and playful tone and use of visuals and humor. And be creative with your options. For instance, instead of just sharing a link to your thought leadership article, try tweeting the post in full. Follow it up with a thread of the individual main points to keep followers engaged. Experiment with your strategy to find the mix of tweet lengths that works best.

TL;DR: Twitter is planning to expand its character count from 280 to 4,000 next month. Time to start thinking about how you can fit (much) longer tweets into your thought leadership strategy while remaining true to your audience.

Metaversatility

How far away is the metaverse? If you ask CES attendees, it's closer than you think! While many still see it as an abstract concept, showcases at the world's largest tech event demonstrated how the virtual world is moving from the ideation phase to execution. Check out three CES examples  suggesting the metaverse will someday have real-world business applications for us all:

• Sensory Technology: As of now, you can move through the metaverse and view it with a virtual reality headset or even access it simply through your browser. But new sensory tech displayed at CES allows you to feel (and smell) the new environment, opening up a world of possibilities for interpersonal connection.  
  
  
• Microsoft Retail Education Center: Inside the metaverse exists a virtual, collaborative world called Dentsu NXT Space. Taking up residence here, Microsoft has created a virtual storefront allowing users to test out new products, place an order and have them delivered in the physical world.
  
  
• LinkedIn Lounge: Also existing in the Dentsu NXT Space, LinkedIn is really putting the social in social media. The LinkedIn Lounge allows brands to meet in the metaverse, logging in with their professional identities to network, recruit, and engage with potential customers. 

For now, many big brands are still focused on flashy experiences — like concerts and NFT fashion shows — but activations like the NXT space show more potential business uses of the universe. You probably won't have your 2024 planning meeting in a metaverse board room, but we won't rule it out in the decades to come.

TL;DR: CES showcased the potential business application of the metaverse. Take note and begin exploring how the metaverse can benefit your brand.

ICYMI