Meet the Twitterati
Published Thursday January 26th, 2012
Who to follow on NB social media and why
At this point in the social networking game, it's no secret that Twitter is a heavy hitter.
If you're not on Twitter, you're missing out on up-to-the-second (not minute - that would be too slow) updates about everything from international news and celebrity gossip, to political intrigue and local restaurant reviews.
But out of 300 million users worldwide, how do you know who to follow and how to customize your own Twitter experience? The reporters at Here did some digging among the province's most influential Tweeps and found out how you can get the most bang for your proverbial Twitter buck.
Arguably the Twitter granddaddy of them all, Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside (@bradwoodside) reigns supreme on many people's lists of their favourite accounts to follow. The Cap City's municipal leader isn't even a bandwagon jumper - he's been tweeting his thoughts for years, back when only a handful of his constituents were using the site.
"I was on Facebook and didn't like that, so I deactivated it and got on Twitter. I recall politicians saying when they started using Twitter, and I was on it quite some time before that," Woodside told Here.
The mayor's Twitter persona will have you believe he's more than a politician with seven terms under his belt: "Love music, politics, travel, dolphins, Lennon, Laughter, and Peace" is written in his bio section beside a profile picture showing the grinning mayor in casual clothing.
"I follow just about everybody in and around the Fredericton area."
To be exact, Woodside follows a staggering 7,056 people and has close to 10,000 following him. He says he responds to as many tweets as possible, including criticism, and recognizes it takes a large chunk of his time because his communications staff have never touched his account.
"I think I've got about a 95 per cent return in terms of inquiries that have been made to me...My account is completely me, and no one has ever tweeted but me. I think if you followed me on Twitter and saw some of my spelling, you'd figure out it's me."
Woodside recognized the advantage of being a tweeting politician a long time ago, and routinely recommends it to other mayors across the country.
"It's not only a good information and political strategy for me; I communicate with people I never would have. The power of Twitter is it gives people an opportunity to be heard and express themselves. I have a lot of followers and I do read the majority of my tweets."
Robb Clarke (@robbclarke) is another Twitter enthusiast from Fredericton, and his 724 followers know it. He still remembers the day he joined Twitter: Christmas Eve, 2008. He's won contests and even scored his current job through social networking, so it's not surprising Clarke says he'd like to see more locals taking advantage of the site.
"Twitter is becoming more and more popular within N.B. but it's still not as widely used as Facebook by any means. It's the more tech-savvy generation that's using Twitter more, especially those using smartphones. I really wish more local businesses would get on board. It's a great way to generate traffic and interest so long as there's engagement."
Ryan "Crash" Barton (@crashola) is known to most Frederictonians as a radio DJ for 105.3 The Fox. He said his three-year-old Twitter account, however, helps him become more than just a smooth voice streaming from your car radio.
In the Hub City, officials are also hip to the language of tech-savvy citizens. Moncton's mayor George LeBlanc (@GeorgeLeBlanc) is an avid tweeter, who posts regular updates live from games, community events and launches. Much like Woodside, LeBlanc engages with residents on the site, and posts about council decisions and new city initiatives.
To boot, LeBlanc uses the site to promote the city to high-profile Canadians in the arts scene, and doles out invitations to visit the Hub City.
Moncton's Sean "Crawdaddy" Crawford (@TheCrawDaddy) is another local who boasts a healthy list of followers. With over 2,300 potential readers, the C103 shock jock rattles off tweets a little too risque for terrestrial radio airwaves.
Down in Saint John, Chelsea Donaldson (@chelsdonaldson) and Barb Crawford (@barbbarbbarb) are known as fashionable accounts to follow for local sales, events and new business openings.
With files from Victoria Handysides
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Moncton:
@musicnerddotca - Music reviewer Ken Kelley
@bonesPOP - Marc Xavier LeBlanc, aka DJ Bones
@MuddyRiverDerby - Muddy River Rollers
@BrokenCoast - Adam Gould, president of Broken Coast Media Group
@Nadine_Lipton - Blankets for Moncton organizer Nadine Lipton
@denisduquette - Denis Duquette, fashion photographer
@AaronBillard - Hip minister at St. John's United Church
@StGeorgeMoncton - St. George Street businesses
Saint John:
@culbersontwit - Dan Culberson, photographer
@kurtpeacock - Kurt Peacock, Saint John-based stats and city issues
@Melnortonsj - Councillor Mel Norton
@cityofsaintjohn - Official city business news
@ParamountUptown - Save the Paramount theatre campaign
@weavves - Chris Weaver
@jasonwantcookie - Jason Ogden, Penny Blacks musician
@_brilliantsugar - Fashion blogger
Fredericton:
@TheFWordNB - Fredericton focus, food, facts
@RossNeilsen - Ross Neilsen, musician
@chaf - Chafic Haddad, photographer and blogger
@capitalcomplex - Capital Bar
@theblue_door - The Blue Door restaurant
@alyciamorehouse - City of Fredericton's climate change coordinator
@fton_drivers - The Cap City's worst drivers
@hibouphoto - Kandise Brown, photographer
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Whether you're interested in politics, news, fashion or entertainment, we're confident there's a prolific New Brunswick Twitter account out there for you.
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