Why do we retweet?

By Alina Popescu on March 11th, 2010 in Social Media & Communities

When we tweet something, a thought, a piece of information, we expect two things: starting a few conversations and getting retweets. Both are valuable, but while the first goal implies our community, the retweet part implies reaching out to more people and getting more views and opinions on what we have just sent into the Twitterverse.

So saying retweets are important is a bit of an understatement. And while we all try to read tips and tricks and find new strategies to have more retweets, I thought a road back to the basics of it all might help. And I asked myself: why do people retweet? And here’s a list of reasons I found:

they find the tweet funny
they’ve been through a similar situation – positive or negative. I should add here that when it’s a negative review, they tend to retweet more, compared to positive reviews of products and services
they are interested in the topic and their community shares the interest
they find your take on the matter unique and intriguing
they are your raving supporters and like to promote your work
they find it easier to add a quick comment to the retweet than post a longer comment on your blog
they return favors

And now let’s get the comment-party started! What about you? Why do you retweet? Why do you think your followers retweet your articles and news?

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Tags: community, retweets, social media, tweeting, twitter, twitter analysis

This post has 7 comments

Bograma
March 11th, 2010

I have to start by saying I never looked to be retweeted. I RT because I like what I read, I sometimes consider it has a real value and I want others to read it.
Brad Shorr
March 11th, 2010

Hi Alina, Excellent list: I RT for all those reasons. A couple other reasons:
1. To spread breaking news
2. Because I’ve been asked: from time to time my online friends ask for an RT for one reason or another, and I’m usually happy to oblige.
.-= Brad Shorr´s last blog ..For B2B Twitter Content Ideas, Start with Customers and Work Back =-.
Joanna Young
March 11th, 2010

To spread the word, to pass things on… it’s also a simple way of highlighting a tweeter when you’re too lazy to do follow fridays any more (like me)
Finola Prescott
March 12th, 2010

I think you covered them – and I second Joanna’s comment about supporting in other – probably better, I think – ways to followfriday.

In general though I try not to RT or tweet things that are outright negative – controversial, or some bad news but only when it’s really important. I prefer to share thought provoking and positive things.
.-= Finola Prescott´s last blog ..Pat Charles =-.
Alina Popescu
March 12th, 2010

Hi Brad! Yeah, the spreading of breaking news is a major reason. As for being asked, i guess that would go into the broader category of favors, so I should be naming it making and returning favors

Oh, Joanna, so true! Several retweets of valuable posts can easily replace a #FF mention!
Alina Popescu
March 12th, 2010

Bograma, that’s the way it should be. Retweet because you find something interesting or valuable for your followers. But getting retweets is important to those interested in spreading a message. And knowing why it happens and helping it happen naturally is something worth looking into .

Finola, there’s a lot of positive tweeting going on, at least from what I’ve noticed. But negative aspects need their fair share of attention. Not to make them appear more important than they are, but to identify and try to improve them
Matthias
March 16th, 2010

I do retweet because I understand Twitter as a communication and sharing system – I want to tell other people about things I really like and read. The Internet is an important medium thatonly can work with connection and sharing.
.-= Matthias´s last blog ..Apple iPad – Der neue Verkaufsschlager? =-.