• Follow VPR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vprnet
• Follow the #VPR Twitter hashtag: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23vpr

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a "social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send and read other users' updates called "tweets," which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length." There's more about Twitter on Wikipedia.

Why is Vermont Public Radio on Twitter?

Because there are conversations happening on Twitter and we want to be a part of them: conversations about VPR, NPR, Vermont, public media, politics, culture, and even what's happening down the street.  Twitter gives us one more venue to connect directly and personally with you to share what we want to share...but to also listen to what you have to say.  Remember, these conversations on Twitter are public - so anyone can follow, learn, or join in the discussion.

How is Vermont Public Radio participating in Twitter?

That's the part that's still evolving: if you have suggestions and feedback, we want to hear them. We want to suggest content - VPR content or anything relevant - in the way that many media organizations do on Twitter.  Some followers really appreciate that: they appreciate the convenience of Twitter, they enjoy hearing suggested content from VPR staff and contributors, and they expect VPR to help cultivate conversations as much as we produce radio and web content.

That seems pretty much in line with many major media organizations, but it's missing something.  If you email VPR you receive a prompt, personal reply from us.  If you stop by the studios you receive a warm greeting from Jean Ferguson at VPR's front desk.  And if you call VPR a real person answers the phone or calls you back. This is Vermont: many of us know each other and we like to do things in a personal way. That's how VPR is and that's the spirit of Twitter, too.  So for VPR, it's not enough to just have the "VPRNET" account because you'd never be sure who the person is behind the Tweet.

So here's the approach we propose (again, we're open to suggestions):

1. The Official VPR Twitter account, http://twitter.com/vprnet, will remain a curated feed of suggested content from VPR, VPR Classical, NPR, partner programs and stations, local happenings, or any other information we want to suggest to our followers.  The suggestions will come from staff, volunteers, listeners - anyone.  Some will come from email, some will be ReTweets.  This feed will largely, but not exclusively, be maintained by our Online Manager, Jonathan Butler (@jonathanpb).

2.  The personal touch will be provided in the same way it always has been - by staff.  More and more VPR folks are on Twitter, including President and CEO Robin Turnau, Communications Producer Michelle Jeffery, Director of Music Programming Cheryl Willoughby, Senior Producer Franny Bastian, and Online Manager Jonathan Butler.  We'll respond to comments, provide listener support, and just generally be the personal faces of VPR on Twitter.  It's what we do offline, it's what we'll do online.

3.  #VPR. That's the hashtag we've adopted and we want you to use it, too.  Do you want to share a driveway moment?  Comment on something you heard on-air? Find other VPR listeners on Twitter?  Whatever it might be, post to Twitter and use the #VPR tag.  We want you to drive the conversation as much as we do.

We hope you'll help us refine our approach.  What are we doing well and what could we do better?  Send us an email or let us know on Twitter (and use the #vpr tag).

As always, thanks for your support, thanks for listening... and thanks for following.