Amongst the many things one misses in this post-Stonch portion of of the history of the information superhighway is Jeff Bell's optimism - you know, the optimism that shined through the pessimistic grouchiness which itself was framed by a cheery glint of sunshine? No? Me neither. Well, he's doing very well and seems the happy lad these days and even got a short interview posted in the UK's Morning Advertiser this morning about his use of Twitter as a means to get the message to the right people about his London pub, The Gunmakers:
Since setting up the pub Twitter account six months ago, Jeffrey Bell, licensee of private lease the Gunmakers Arms in Clerkenwell, has amassed more than 600 followers, despite only advertising through a small Twitter feed on the pub’s website’s homepage. He said it was not the quantity of customers booking through Twitter that makes it worthwhile, but the quality. “The people who follow me on Twitter tend to be enthusiastic about good food, wine and ales,” explained Bell. “They come for a really good knees-up.” As many as “three dozen” people book a table through the network each month. Bell has found Twitter to be an effective way to spread word of changes such as new menus or events.
Twitter is a funny thing. I think you have to be sensitive to how it works to pull off the success Jeff has found. Jeff does not really need 60,000 followers. He needs those 600 fans of what he is doing in establishment, the people who actually pay the bills. His Twitter feed is just a tiny 140 character window on the reality of The Gunmakers. It's not always the case. I am not sure I needed to know Mark Dredge had waaaay too much last night - a school night even - but that is his call, his life, between him and the HR staff at his job who follow his Twitter feed. Others have used the inherent short sharp shock to express a moment's frustration, using the easy access and focus to crap on a badly organized trade event, as tellingly as a shive neatly placed amongst ribs. Twitter can be cruel but - interestingly for the small world of beer - for all the brutal effect snapping at something via Twitter, it does not seem to attract the same sort of tone accusation that can pop up in blog comments. Is it that old "relax - it's only haiku" principle? Or is it that we all have time for a well placed kick? Whatever it is, it conveys a certain immunity as long as the wag does not become the crank.
Message? Twitter is fine if you are conveying something honest and good. But it is not likely to make the unfortunate and needy look better. And might make your dud idea the focus of some easily provided honestly earned criticism.
