As part of MuseumNext’s continuing research in to social media, we asked 361 people who work for museums what they think the popular social media website Twitter should be used for, within the context of the sector.
The word cloud above gives a quick glimpse at the answers we received, these can be read in full below. I think these give a fascinating insight in to how museum professionals view Twitter and wider social media in 2011.
Which answers stand out to you?
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Museums should use Twitter…
Funny one liners, to retweet interesting things their visitors have said, to let people know about events/exhibitions, to show people the human side of museums!
Museums should use Twitter…
To spread the news about what’s next. I want to be informed of new projects that I might be interested in so I can see it.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting talks, exhibits, and other events. Contests are fun too!
Museums should use Twitter…
Talk more about the exhibitions and museum’s collections, to help improvement of the advertising work and media campaigns in the museums, give helpful information of the museum and interesting data of the collection…
Museums should use Twitter…
Current issues in the sector & at their venue, upcoming events etc…
Museums should use Twitter…
To better connect with users to engage the audience to reach new publics to disseminate the museums daily life (not just events)
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote exhibitions and special offers.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engagement with visitors and non-visitors, content distribution (collections knowledge), promotions of events/exhibitions.
Museums should use Twitter…
To engage with the public and promote the institution and events.
Museums should use Twitter…
New information, links to discussions referred to the museum
Museums should use Twitter…
Updates on interesting things going on, advocacy, general fun
Museums should use Twitter…
Education, increasing visitorship, announcing programs and exhibitions, Q&A, outreach
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote activities, events and engagement. To help the public feel more engaged with the institution, to make them feel they are ‘part’ of the institution
Museums should use Twitter…
Enagament, promotion,
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote events
Museums should use Twitter…
Timely information about events & offers and niche exploration — behind-the-scenes discoveries and engagement with departments that visitors might not otherwise see
Museums should use Twitter…
Calls to action - visit, participate, spread the word & Invitations to engage - opine, interact, feel a part of it
Museums should use Twitter…
To reach more people, to promote their services, their ideas and their cultural offer. To encourage people to visit and see the wonders of what is inside all the various buildings that many people never enter.
Museums should use Twitter…
Stay in touch with their audiences express themselves keep their audiences updated with all the stuff going on, the news etc
Museums should use Twitter…
To reach the public about their ideas/missions/events/art/etc
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting what has to offer, links that relate to exhibitions, humor, staying visable to the public
Museums should use Twitter…
Fun, behind the scenes, up to date exhibition information, interaction, etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
Announcing events/new exhibitions and featuring collection.
Museums should use Twitter…
Information, education, entertainment, news, events.
Museums should use Twitter…
Almost any aspect of their public-facing provision; to promote and display their collection; to provide a platform for information exchange; to publicise events and initiatives etc
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging with the public in a way that showcases their knowledge while asking for the input and enthusiasm of people who have visited, people who plan to visit, and people who are unable to visit.
Museums should use Twitter…
Listening creating a relationship not promoting itself
Museums should use Twitter…
Communicate what is happening -events & exhibitions and also provide people with interesting information about the Museum’s work & collections
Museums should use Twitter…
Announcing events, sharing publicity and related online content
Museums should use Twitter…
They should use Twitter or new media technology for to keep up with the times, to inform their exhibitions, events, new services to audiences of museum.
Museums should use Twitter…
Showing more personal side…unfortunately some museums claim to be open to this but they aren’t. The twitter and the reality don’t go along sometimes.
Museums should use Twitter…
Letting people know what they do, promoting what’s on, news
Museums should use Twitter…
Notification of programs, news items related to exhibition themes, and links to interactive functions on the main museum/gallery website.
Museums should use Twitter…
Fun facts, behind-the-scenes, quick updates
Museums should use Twitter…
Informal engagement with the public!
Museums should use Twitter…
Pictures and brief information
Museums should use Twitter…
To approach content of value
Museums should use Twitter…
To actively engage with a further set of users, to get feedback and to promote events, exhibitions etc
Museums should use Twitter…
Information, Event Information, fun
Museums should use Twitter…
Casually keeping people connected with the museum between visits
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion, Information, Support, Networking
Museums should use Twitter…
Inform visitors & potential visitors of events, exhibitions and behind the scenes snippets of information.
Museums should use Twitter…
To extend the ways in which it can supply all kinds of information to the public, not just events and exhibitions.
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote the Museum and its events
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote new exhibitions and events they are holding To highlight to potential new visitors, what they can experience in the museum or gallery.
Museums should use Twitter…
Connecting with collections, sharing important views
Museums should use Twitter…
Exhibitions, Programs, Special Events, behind-the-scenes
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting upcoming events and exhibitions; special offers, coupons etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote their exhibits and programs and also to promote their mission. The museums/galleries who use twitter most effectively not only self promote, but also promote other institutions/artists/causes that as a follower, I also find interesting.
Museums should use Twitter…
Discussing ideas, sharing the collection, generating interest in special events and programs.
Museums should use Twitter…
This question is fail. It entirely depends on the institution, its customers, its values. Suggesting there is one answer, or that there is one mode of use for ‘museums’ is not only nieve but would lead to largely useless data.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion, insights, pictures, videos, cultural news
Museums should use Twitter…
Talking and listening
Museums should use Twitter…
Current and upcoming activity both in public and behind the scenes.
Museums should use Twitter…
Inside scoop
Museums should use Twitter…
Advertising specials, special exhibits, upcoming events
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting collections (unique artifacts and stories about them) and events, exhibitions, etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
To tell people snippets of info, to inform people of forthcoming events and exhibitions, to answer questions and queries, to engage in debate
Museums should use Twitter…
Marketing and information
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing information about their collections/exhibits or other things visitors to the museum may be interested in
Museums should use Twitter…
I like it when museums highlight an artifact or otherwise provide educational content in their feed. My favorites are Smithsonian American History & @SuetheTRex from the Chicago field museum.
Museums should use Twitter…
Communicating with audiences. engaging in debates and discussions.
Museums should use Twitter…
Event promotion, letting the public know what’s in the archives
Museums should use Twitter…
A museum could use Twitter to get some opinions on contemporary matters. Maybe not just to promote events. But I’m a museum professional which may colour my views.
Museums should use Twitter…
Raising their profile, attracting traditional press coverage, publicizing events especially to hard to reach audiences
Museums should use Twitter…
All communication!
Museums should use Twitter…
Advertising events Reminding people of their existence Local businesses will follow and promote. Shows your not a dusty museum!
Museums should use Twitter…
To engage their audience
Museums should use Twitter…
Telling people about stuff in their field, not necessarily restricted to their own shows & events; publicising others’ interpretations (photos, press, blogs, sketches) of museum stuff.
Museums should use Twitter…
It’s a great way to publicise new events/exhibitions.
Museums should use Twitter…
Updates for events
Museums should use Twitter…
Highlighting individual artefacts. Advertising new exhibits.
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing the wealth and depth of collections
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote events etc but also to share information and interesting articles, links etc. Some of the most interesting things I’ve found online have been Twitter links from museums/galleries etc or museum-related people.
Museums should use Twitter…
Understanding sector issues and sharing insights - and on a lesser level, to promote its work
Museums should use Twitter…
On the specific knowledge they have
Museums should use Twitter…
To interact with its visitors!
Museums should use Twitter…
Outreach, marketing, advertisement of upcoming events, retweet things of interest for their relevant sector (contemporary art, history, ethnography…)
Museums should use Twitter…
To get people excited about the amazing collections and the work we do.
Museums should use Twitter…
To extend their offer beyond physical walls. To engage with thier audiences, old and new, and to demonstrate thier willingness to take on feedback from their visitors in a public arena.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion interaction with visitors collect visitors views to inform programming
Museums should use Twitter…
I’d like to see more engagement with collections and archives - dialog between the Twitter community and museums. Museum twitter feeds which are only marketing (events, shop advertisements, etc.) don’t interest me very much; they show that the people who are tweeting are far removed from the collections and/or are not allowed to explore/experiment with Twitter.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion, Trivia, art related topics.
Museums should use Twitter…
To publicize its program and to learn more about their users
Museums should use Twitter…
Engagement and interaction with followers and fans and not just promotion
Museums should use Twitter…
Unusual events, participation with audience
Museums should use Twitter…
Easy information
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing relevant links with other following museums. Also to inform followers about upcoming events, programmes…
Museums should use Twitter…
Museum-restaurant menu. Openings.
Museums should use Twitter…
To communicate with a niche audience, or niche topic, to give insider information to the museum…
Promoting new exhibition, collections & research, retweeting interesting information about things that relate to their collections and research, promotions
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion, spread of knowledge, news, activity updates
Museums should use Twitter…
Talk about new exhibits, events, behind-the-scenes stuff, specials.
Museums should use Twitter…
Get feedback from the public, do live interviews between artists/curators/etc and the public, promote their exhibitions and work, post pictures and video of works in development
Museums should use Twitter…
What’s on (brief) & web links to relevant/cutting edge research, conferences, ideas concerning content of the museum and also web links to discussions about museum practice generally.
Museums should use Twitter…
Show some of exhibitions
Museums should use Twitter…
Education and outreach, advertising for events and offers. public information about its programming, history and collections
Museums should use Twitter…
Promote the social discourse on art
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting Exhibits and research, giving promos or discounts for Twitter followers and retweets
Museums should use Twitter…
To share contents (delivering) and to dialogue with users both onsite and offsite (recieving). Twitter is a powerful return way.
Museums should use Twitter…
Behind-the-scenes information highlights of new content on web
Museums should use Twitter…
Tell me what’s going on
Museums should use Twitter…
Informing the public about ongoing or upcoming programs and events
Museums should use Twitter…
Education first, promotion second.
Museums should use Twitter…
Talking about art
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote events, help other museums, spread the word, etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
Because it connects them directly to people who want to be connected with them.
Museums should use Twitter…
It must give information to us regularly
Museums should use Twitter…
Everything possible
Museums should use Twitter…
I believe museums are effectively using twitter to communicate special events and exhibits, however I do think there needs to be more emphasis on visitor involvement.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engagement
Museums should use Twitter…
Event notification, general news, and facts about museum content
Museums should use Twitter…
Low key conversations with constituents
Museums should use Twitter…
Connecting with the public and other museums.
Museums should use Twitter…
I think an ideal museum twitter account would be as much about reaching out to the public as a means for the public to get in touch with the museum, to ask a question, make a suggestion, etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote their museum and tours, and to draw attention to significant events/anniversaries associated with their subject
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing and spreading information, promoting events/exhibitions, keeping in touch with the public.
Museums should use Twitter…
Helps provide a direct link to a certain demographic. Free advertisement for programs, exhibits, etc. Connect to your supporters
Museums should use Twitter…
Interaction with people! Also not just self promotion, tho that should be a part. Promote events and shows relative to the audience and not just the main things already promoted.
Museums should use Twitter…
To help create a platform for dialogue with audiences that are interested in that particular museum and museums in general.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting programmes, sharing perspectives, inviting ideas and communication from supporters and visitors, real and virtual
Museums should use Twitter…
To encourage discussion, to promote events, to interact with other institutions
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion of exhibitions and events; news about artists and the art world; updates on the collection (acquisitions and other interesting facts).
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote their exhibitions, research, etc
Museums should use Twitter…
Education!
Museums should use Twitter…
Twitter is a great way to share upcoming events, new developments, exciting discoveries, new acquisitions, and more. As a library/archives/museum professional, I think twitter is a great way to spread information to people working in the same areas in regards to professional development, best practices, collaboration, etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
To interact, comment about the museum but also contribute to broader conversations - not just listing exh & events from said museum.
Museums should use Twitter…
In my opinion, the museum uses social networks to promote their exhibitions, activities and especially for bringing to public education and culture.
Museums should use Twitter…
Tell stories from it’s collections
Museums should use Twitter…
Conversing with the public and keep the dialog going.
Museums should use Twitter…
Info on new exhibitions or acquisitions, upcoming events, special projects. Loathe tweets on individual objects tweet for sake of tweeting.
Museums should use Twitter…
Good question - publicising events, conversing with keen supporters, a starting point to further interaction. But my own thoughts are that it’s also a lot to do with peer-to-peer networking - twitter’s a bit like a giant open extranet that allows museums, galleries, cultural institutions (and those that work in them) to learn from and converse with one another.
Museums should use Twitter…
Involvement and dialogue w/ public.
Museums should use Twitter…
Dates of exhibitions and stuff related
Museums should use Twitter…
To tell us what’s going on, maybe even let us behind the scenes. New exhibitions, events, talks, classes, unseen paintings and curators thoughts and favorite paintings and why they love what they do. The products they sell and why and what inspired them to make or buy it. Let us into a world not many get to see, hear or know.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promoting, conversing, gathering ideas
Museums should use Twitter…
Send information, special things for twitter followers, photos
Museums should use Twitter…
To public its activities and events
Museums should use Twitter…
Conversation
Museums should use Twitter…
Fast Communication
Museums should use Twitter…
To share great articles about their museum/gallery or other institutions that they respect. Promote events and special deals. Share images from events and general PR. To communicate with patrons and create a dialogue.
Museums should use Twitter…
For promote its programme and stimulate the visit of new people: for inform them.
Museums should use Twitter…
Updates on events, jobs alerts and oppurtunities for volnteering.
Museums should use Twitter…
Everything. Marketing, engagement, education, and fun!
Museums should use Twitter…
Conversational tool, signposting, bringing to life artworks / museum pieces, showing personality of people who work there, driving sales
Museums should use Twitter…
Dispersing exhibition news, networking, communicating with fans, linking to content.
Museums should use Twitter…
For engaging audiences with objects in the collections and promoting events, learning, exhibitions. Also for asking for for opinion and feedback
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing, engaging with its community both in terms of visitors and other museums/attractions
Museums should use Twitter…
Quotes, thoughts, should let artist run it
Museums should use Twitter…
For promotion and gain more public
Museums should use Twitter…
Time sensitive information about programs & events, e.g. cancellations or changes to posted info Announcements & reminders Engaging with followers
Museums should use Twitter…
By using Twitter museums show they are open to talking about ideas in a public forum. Museums are thinking spaces, and so is Twitter.
Museums should use Twitter…
Events, exhibits, “real people” mentality
Museums should use Twitter…
Additional information and create relationships with guests.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engagement, dialogue and access - above using it as a marketing tool.
Museums should use Twitter…
To Communicate
Museums should use Twitter…
Project updates, event listings, exhibition promotion
Museums should use Twitter…
Communicate to constituents
Museums should use Twitter…
Announce their exhibitions, events etc. Ask and answer questions
Museums should use Twitter…
Exchanges with the population on various topic related to the museum.
Museums should use Twitter…
To get more connected by people, to be known worldwide
Museums should use Twitter…
Highlighting collection items and exhibits, special offers/discounts, putting a human face on the institution (interacting with followers)
Museums should use Twitter…
Talking with audience; asking for audience’s input
Museums should use Twitter…
Information, generate interest, goodwill and a stake in the institution in a direct way that is difficult to do with conventional marketing
Museums should use Twitter…
The events they have or new things
Museums should use Twitter…
Communicating about events and information related to the collection, inviting participation with online interactives
Museums should use Twitter…
Curate the web: show me things I wouldn’t see. Link out, don’t EVER just promote your stuff. I can’t physically access most of the museums I follow, so when it’s promotional it’s terrible.
Museums should use Twitter…
Relevant connections between artifacts/objects and the news of the day; answering folks’ questions; sharing humorous content, and especially sharing photos and video.
Museums should use Twitter…
Connecting not advertising. Making the organization seem human and relatable.
Museums should use Twitter…
Talking to visitors, gathering feedback, interaction is essential, news and occasional exhibition/event updates (but less of this, I am capable of visiting your website)
Museums should use Twitter…
Behind the scenes news, promotions, to offer an idea of what goes on in the running of a museum and to impart specialist knowledge of what they have on show
Museums should use Twitter…
To post interesting and breaking news
Museums should use Twitter…
Annonucements, engaging visitors outside of the building
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging visitors
Museums should use Twitter…
Giving the news about an exhibition or confrences of the artists, mostly event news. if we know the schedule on-line, we could go there easily,
Museums should use Twitter…
Keeping in touch with its visitors. Creating an arts interested community.
Museums should use Twitter…
Building membership, fundraising, advertising programs and events and to gain more general interest
Museums should use Twitter…
Depends on the museum or gallery. I think that Twitter can be used both for audience engagement (see Brooklyn Museum’s Firstfans) to get individuals through the door. But it can also be used like Sue the T-Rex, or more notably the Bronx Zoo Cobra, to add a bit of online social engagement that can be engaged from afar. Or in the case of Jerry Saltz making us all feel better about knowing how to use technology .
Museums should use Twitter…
To communicate with their spectators.
Museums should use Twitter…
Profile raising, sharing information about its activities (not just marketing but collections/ volunteering/specialisms etc
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote their activities and have interaction with their audiences.
Museums should use Twitter…
Reaching a new audience Letting the audience interact with the museum Show that museums aren’t dusty old-fashionned institutions but part of the modern society Spreading an information quickly and to a large international audience
Museums should use Twitter…
Customer service, announcements, and engage visitors in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
Museums should use Twitter…
Events, their opinion on things, art news
Museums should use Twitter…
Communicate and share
Museums should use Twitter…
Two way communications and news or events publication
Museums should use Twitter…
Sharing educational messages, passing on information about the collection or mission, promoting events, lectures and openings.
Museums should use Twitter…
Information, fun, education
Museums should use Twitter…
Co-curating - This could be from selecting objects or providing folksonomies/public tags to curatorial interpretation. I’ve not seen twitter being used in this way in the UK yet.
Museums should use Twitter…
Marketing, generating conversations, clever gimmicks e.g tweeting as a character from your museum
Museums should use Twitter…
Let me know about special exhibitions or offers
Museums should use Twitter…
A great way to get their work out there (and also extending the “visit” to the web, for those who can’t necessarily visit in person), and an especially wonderful way to actually have a conversation WITH users.
Museums should use Twitter…
Interacting with patrons to make them feel welcomed and part of the institution’s community. Showcasing collections and special events.
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote missions, to promote special events, to socialize with supporters.
Museums should use Twitter…
Current events, exhibition highlights, general facts about collections.
Museums should use Twitter…
Connecting with the audience
Museums should use Twitter…
Talk about global cultural life and supports (not only exibitions)
Museums should use Twitter…
Raise awareness of their exhibitions and collections; to engage with audiences, personally and as segments; ask questions of the audience; seek quality assurance; etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
Informations, breaking news, backstage scoops,
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging with both visitors and non-visitors. Word of mouth is a powerful thing on Twitter.
Museums should use Twitter…
Highlighting benefits and special events
Museums should use Twitter…
Museums should be on twitter to expand opportunities for participation of people in cultural events
Museums should use Twitter…
inform and educate people
Museums should use Twitter…
Interact with audiences, promote internal and externally related events and developments, see what other institutions are up to to keep up with things.
Museums should use Twitter…
Behind the scnes information, stay in touch with visitors/fans, promote their events
Museums should use Twitter…
Notice of events, exhibitions, behind-the-scenes, content that isn’t available on main website
Museums should use Twitter…
Extra programming info, announce special events, highlight artists in the current shows
Museums should use Twitter…
Link to blog entries, post interesting information from their database, advertise upcoming events, connect with visitors in an informal setting.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging with their audience and other institutions, directly communicating with their members and fans
Museums should use Twitter…
Education and outreach
Museums should use Twitter…
Behind the scenes updates, news, offers, to build relationships with customers, feedback
Museums should use Twitter…
Publicity, information, wider cultural issues
Museums should use Twitter…
Interacting with audiences, whether they visit the museum or not. Interacting, sharing information in a way that might not be possible in a physical museum.
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion of it’s collection. Connecting and supporting other museums. Informing a wider audience of it’s existance.
Museums should use Twitter…
Communication with the public
Museums should use Twitter…
Enhance visitor experience and showcase collection
Museums should use Twitter…
To inform followers about the ins and outs and to get into contact with (potential) visitors.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engagement, promotion, fundraising
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote the activities of the organisation.
Museums should use Twitter…
Stuff you don’t read in the artpapers. And one on one contact.
Museums should use Twitter…
Para conversar con artistas y público
Museums should use Twitter…
Information abouts events, collections and so on
Museums should use Twitter…
Extending their communication with the audience
Museums should use Twitter…
To publicize their activities and connect with the public
Museums should use Twitter…
Informing, promoting, reminding, entertaining.
Museums should use Twitter…
Mainly as a news feed - informative snippets publicising new acquisitions, events, publications, special offers, etc
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote what it is doeing
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion of events, dialogue of topics/cultural ideas, witty repartee…
Museums should use Twitter…
To announce events, new exhibits, bits of information that people may not otherwise know about an artist, object, or the museum itself.
Museums should use Twitter…
Besides marketing, museums can use twitter to speak to their audience by uploading pictures of busy crowds, museum displays, and interact with followers with quizzes and other means. Twitter can’t do it all, but it can add an extra entryway.
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging constituents in a discussion around art, what their organization is doing, and the future of the art world
Museums should use Twitter…
Events, offers, news of exhibitions, new research
Museums should use Twitter…
Museum information and to the museums branch or sector related information
Museums should use Twitter…
Publicising events
Museums should use Twitter…
Because we live in a conect society so, the museums must to be conecte with us
Museums should use Twitter…
Telling people what they’re about
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion of activities, promoting collections, bringing something interesting into the world
Museums should use Twitter…
Outreach, education, announcements…
Museums should use Twitter…
Networking, marketing etc.
Museums should use Twitter…
Behind-the-scenes, personal experiences & news. No sales, please. If I am following you, it is because I am already interested!
Museums should use Twitter…
To promote culture
Museums should use Twitter…
Promote museum activities/membership to a younger demographic
Museums should use Twitter…
Engaging people about events/the museum/gallery in general, not just broadcasting. Help people get the most from a visit. To get feedback from visitors.
Museums should use Twitter…
Advertisement. Communicate to a broader audience
Museums should use Twitter…
Promotion, connecting with others in the field, and highlighting new exhibits.
Museums should use Twitter…
Revenue generation
Museums should use Twitter…
Promote exhibits
Museums should use Twitter…
Extension of the museum program. Share what’s on, link to good online resources, talk to people who are interested.
Museums should use Twitter…
To highlight events or local activities, share deals, keep up to the minute with weather or other events that might change hours or cost
Museums should use Twitter…
Announcement of eventss, information about new exhibitions and research results
Museums should use Twitter…
To inform their events to the potential visitors.
Museums should use Twitter…
For Communication with people who are interested in visiting the museum, for promoting events and sharing impressions from the museum /behind the scenes…
Museums should use Twitter…
Educating/informing the Twitterati about the types of cultural/scientific work they do: info about the collection, research, exhibits, behind-the-scenes, and events (in that order).
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