Here’s to the end of a spectacular year here at Metter Media. 2015 gave us some of the best Twitter moments, funniest Snapchat stories, and the greatest dance moves to ever be on YouTube. Here, we gathered some of our favorite articles of the year, highlighting special moments, special people, and the hard work that goes into creating connections every day on social media.
In this week’s #MMSocialReport – Apple Music comes out with an exclusive Star Wards radio station, you can now buy your very own emoji, and we get a look at the top internet searches from the past year.
This week in social media, Spotify lets you share your Year in Music, Mashable brings climate change into focus with Snapchat Discover, and WIRED sheds light on Christmas characters from around the globe. (Hint: #Krampus isn’t the only Christmas monster!)Continue reading
What did we learn this week in social media? The Twitter world is becoming a safer place, thanks to the introduction of its new Safety Center, and Instagram is improving its search features for the web. Flipagram just scored some massive funding, and just for funsies this Friday, a few unproductive things you can do with Google. Enjoy!
This week in the #MMSocialReport, social media seeks to fill the gaps left by traditional media. Whether that’s offering new ways for people to connect, utilizing networks to provide disaster-relief information, or promoting artists and businesses who would otherwise fly under the radar, the significance of social media grows with every innovation. We’re happy to be along for the ride.
As much as we complain incessantly about #Boston, you’ve picked a good city to call home while you’re in school. And one thing we’re really good at is social media. Our Mayor (@marty_walsh) hosts #TwitterChat(s) regularly, we’ve won various awards for the city’s social media prowess, and here’s a protip: if you know who to follow on Twitter, that’s enough to be “in the know” in this city.
So here’s a good list to get you started (subscribe to it here):
@BostonTweet
@OnlyInBOS
@universalhub
@BostInno
@ConciergeBoston
@BostonAttitude
@BostonReview
@morisy
@steveannear
@Fara1
@dbernstein
@HeyRatty
@senatorjohn
@TheBostonCal
@BostonTweetUp
@BriteBoston UPDATE: Inactive since 2015.
@CityOfBoston
Mayor: @marty_walsh
Food Trucks: @bosfood
Bikes: @bikeboston
@DoITBoston
@BostonGlobe
@BostonDotCom
@DigBoston
@MetroBOS
@BetaBoston
@WBUR
@wgbhnews
@BostInno
@BostonMagazine
@TheImproper
@cambridgechron
@7news
@CityOfBoston
@UniversalHub
@MassDOT
@BostonPolice
@BostonFire
@BEMSincidents
@BU_Tweets
@EmersonCollege
@Northeastern
@BostonCollege
@Suffolk_U
@UMassBoston
@BerkleeCollege
@EmmanuelCollege
@Harvard
@MITstudents
@SimmonsCollege
@MassArt
@TuftsUniversity
@SMFABoston
@allstonratcity
@YourAllstonBri
@BrightonMainSts
@SomervilleCity
@MissionHillMass
@JP_02130
@thefenway
@YTfenwaykenmore
@kendall_square
@cambridgeUSA
@WelcomeToDot
@DTownBostonBID
@HelloGreenway
@go_centralsq
@onthebar
@thedrewstarr
@petemfboyd
@hiddenboston
@mysecretboston
@mcslimjb
@bostonmixdrink
@eaterboston
@blumie
@boloco
@ZagatBoston
@TheWriteStuffSK
@lmennies
@thrillistboston
@RestoWeekBoston
@BostonChefsNews
@BostonChefsJobs
@backbaymemoirs UPDATE: Inactive since 2015.
@centralsqpigeon UPDATE: Inactive since 2016.
@lukeoneil47
@BDPizzaBrighton UPDATE: Inactive since 2015.
@The66bus
@TomBradysEgo
@iamchrisscott
@bostonmo
@AllstonPudding
@DigBoston
@Vanyaland617
@SoundofBoston
@BDCwire
@Boston_Calling
@together
@boweryboston
@LostinSound_org
@mmmmaven
@MASSEDMC
@lawnond
@GlobeMusic
@mfaboston
@ICAinBoston
@amandapalmer
@mideastclub
@zuzubar
@TheSinclair
@paradiserockclb
@GreatScottROCK
@Brighton_Music
@middlesexlounge
@The_Wilbur
@hob_boston
@ttthebears UPDATE: TT The Bears has closed as of July 2015.
@goodlifebar
@mbta_alerts
@mbta_bus_alerts
@MBTA_CR
@MBTA
@MBTATransitPD
@bikeboston
@Hubway
@Uber_BOS
@HailoBoston
@Lyft
@Bridj
@mettermedia
@haveyoumetter
@discolyssa
@saraherib
@kciccolini
@jasminejamboree
@angelabray
@heshi393
@sierraunsworth
Who are your essential Boston tweeters? Let us know in the comments!
Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.
For those who are unfamiliar, @BDCwire is like a younger, more hip version of Boston.com. (They’re actually related, so it makes sense.) You’ll find tweets about Boston’s alternative music and nightlife scenes, culture, and lifestyle, which is one of the main reasons it’s on our who to follow on Twitter list. @BDCwire not only publishes great content, but also rocks it on Twitter! We got some tips from Michelle Buchman (@michelledeidre); follow her example.
Find more A&E Twitter accounts at our list of Who to Follow in Boston!
2. Don’t be afraid to use humor! Of course, this depends on the organization, but don’t be scared to inject some humor and sarcasm into your social media accounts. Companies can share their favorite GIFs and memes, too. It shows your account isn’t stiff and serious 24/7.
3. Use pictures as much as possible. Tweets with images almost always have higher engagement than those with just text. Now that Twitter supports GIF uploads, you have no excuse. I like using giphy.com (a search engine for GIFs) to find ones that fit stories we share for @BDCwire.
4. Take advantage of Twitter’s free analytics. Now that Twitter has opened up its analytics to everyone, you have no excuses. Users can check analytics.twitter.com to find out how many impressions, URL clicks, engagements, and more things their tweets are getting. Use this tool to figure out what’s working well and how your account can improve.
5. Make the most of your profile and header photos. Use your creativity and take advantage of the new Twitter profile. The header image size is great to display your logo, interests, a favorite photo, etc. Don’t just settle for a generic wallpaper – think outside the box.
Concert reviews, local artists, record stores, music tech startups – all the things music lovers like to know about. If we were to recommend one Twitter account to stay in the loop with such things, locally, it would be @SoundofBoston.
They’re on our list of Twitter accounts to follow because they not only provide a TON of info, but are also great at interacting with and sharing content from other relevant accounts. All that together makes for one useful source! (SO helpful for anyone new to the city, too!)
After noting a few thoughts from Knar Bedian, also known as @live_hye and the person behind the @SoundofBoston account, we’re inspired.
Find more A&E Twitter accounts at our list of Who to Follow in Boston.
1. Choose no more than three topics to tweet about. People should be able to quickly understand what sorts of information/value your account will offer.
2. As Gary Vaynerchuk says in his book, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, it’s not all about promoting your own site/posts. More often than not, your account should provide entertainment or useful information that fills in the space between your “right hooks,” or the tweets in which you ask your followers to check out your content or respond to your calls to action.
3. When you want your followers to take an action, make sure there’s a call to action! For example, “Sign up here,” or “Retweet,” or “Respond with a story.”
4. Engage with others and understand your audience. Twitter should not be your soapbox. Knowing the prime time to tweet is important.
5. Starting a tweet with a Twitter handle means the tweet will be directed to that person, and it WON’T show up on your followers’ feeds. If you don’t mean to have a conversation with someone, use a space or period before Twitter handles when starting tweets with a name to make sure it shows up on your followers’ feeds.
In Boston? Around Boston? Love music? 
@AllstonPudding is one of the area’s prime music blogs, and its Twitter feed is flooded with show announcements, artist interviews, photos, and RTs of totally relevant things. @AllstonPudding actually offers more than just article links… like free stuff! Want to go to a local show for free? Check out their feed for ticket giveaways.
Inspired by their ways? Daniel Schiffer (@dschiffty) and Chanelle Diaz (@chanellediaz13) are behind the account, and shared their top five Twitter tips with us!
Find more A&E Twitter accounts at our list of Who to Follow in Boston.
1. Hashtags are a tool. Make sure to use them to your advantage (and don’t overdo it).
2. Twitter is a platform for conversation so it’s very important to interact with your followers: retweet, tweet at them, etc.
3. Tweet frequently! With the amount of accounts people follow, it’s very easy to get lost in your followers’ feeds.
4. Stay true to your audience by maintaining a consistent image/brand.
5. Keep Twitter fun and upbeat, especially with an account and following like ours.