How to Get ReTweets: The Presentation

Posted on Jun 2nd, 2009
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The internet has accelerated social communications and memetics more than it has fundamentally changed it (though it has altered some of the selection pressures on individual memes, namely around memory retention and expression). It has also, through mechanisms like Twitter and specifically ReTweets, made the exchange of cultural units much more open to quantitative analysis and testing. Through the keyhole of ReTweeting I believe it is possible to get a glimpse of the answers to the larger question of why and how humans spread information in a way that was never before possible.

I’ve studied characteristics from pre-web memetic channels (like urban legends, rumors, slang, oral tradition and proverbs) and many of the traits I found there I’ve also found when looking into ReTweets. Namely concepts like communal recreation, social proof, information cascades, knowledge gaps, novelty and utility.

I’ve found myself telling the Snow Crash story a lot recently to explain what I see as the true power of what I call viral marketing science. Here’s two versions of it.

Being that I come at this opportunity from a marketing background, I look to this analysis to build a framework for repeatably creating contagious memes, so this presentation from PubCon Austin aims to do just that for ReTweets.

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View Comments to “How to Get ReTweets: The Presentation”

  1. Glen Gilmore Says:

    Nice presentation, Dan: crisp, statistically-rich, and helpful. You are a true authority on “How To Get ReTweets” because you exemplify a core principle of social media – you consistently share good content.

    Thanks for always sharing great stuff!

    http://Twitter.com/TrendTracker

  2. Grace Says:

    Despite the fact that Twitter is taking over everyone else’s lives, I’m just not too into Twitter yet, so I don’t even have the Retweet button up yet. But I’m going to soon– I’ve read so many articles on how Twitter can help your blog, it’s not even funny anymore.

  3. Mat Says:

    Isnt there a fair chance that twitter ma vanish as quickly as it appeared? The next big thing is just always around the corner remember.

  4. Paul | TweetFurther.com Says:

    I love this stuff. Thanks for presenting us with the hard data. I’ve just finished building a viral Twitter tool, and may have to think about building in some facilities to measure this kind of viral reach – not sure how just yet :)

    Paul Hancox (@paulhancox)
    TweetFurther.com

  5. Dereck Says:

    Men, this twitter thing is going out of hands. I can understand the concept for business, but really I still refuse to use it in my social life.

  6. Christina Bledsoe Says:

    You do always provide great content Dan, thank you :) I could always use help when it comes to social networking.

  7. ronaldredito Says:

    Hey man, you are a genius. I am thinking how I could get out my blogs to the world and get a higher ranking for my site. I believe your Re-Tweet discussion will help me.

    http://ronaldredito.org/

  8. ronaldredito Says:

    Hey man, you are a genius. I am thinking how I could get out my blogs to the world and get a higher ranking for my site. I believe your Re-Tweet discussion will help me.

    http://ronaldredito.org/

  9. 8 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Get Your Tweets Retweeted | drivinMedia Says:

    [...] well as those that are least commonly retweeted. This according to Dan Zarrella’s ‘How to get Retweets’ [...]

  10. Let’s face it – Twitter has changed the way we signpost content Says:

    [...] follower is likely to be looking at their Twitter streams makes sense if you want maximum impact. Research (on RT timing) suggests this is around lunchtime. Of course, Twitter is global so do bear in mind [...]

  11. Let’s face it – Twitter has changed the way we signpost content « My Blog Says:

    [...] follower is likely to be looking at their Twitter streams makes sense if you want maximum impact. Research (on RT timing) suggests this is around lunchtime. Of course, Twitter is global so do bear in mind [...]

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