And the Winner Is: Twitter’s New Polling Feature

Twitter is entering the world of polling. In the past, Twitter has allowed users to ask a question and track answers using various methods, including hashtag tallying, tracking votes, or retweeting or to “favorite” their vote. Now, users will be able to select your answer from the two choices provided, just like any other polling or survey feature on other sites.

How It Works

Creating a Twitter poll is very simple. On the website, once you have clicked the tweet button, simply select the “add poll” icon. Then type your question (up to 117 characters). Next, type your first poll option and your second poll option in the option boxes provided (20 character each). Then click “Tweet.” Your poll remains active for 24 hours.

When using the Twitter App, Tap your “Tweet” or “What’s Happening” (depending on your device) button. Then choose the “add poll” icon. Then, simply follow the directions above.

It is important to remember, Twitter only allows for two answers to your poll. Therefore, you cannot list all of the presidential primary candidates in one poll, for example. Also, Twitter polls do not allow for photos to be included.  

When voting in a Twitter Poll, simply click or tap your answer. A checkmark will appear next to your choice, and you will receive notice when there is a final result. Voting is private and individual votes are not shared publicly.

Followers can retweet your poll, and their followers can then vote from their feed.

The Benefits to Your Feed

The general idea surrounding pools is to improve engagement between companies and their customers or potential customers. If people are engaging with you on Twitter, they are likely to be kept in the “know” when you post other important information.

Another benefit to polling is to allow your customers to voice their opinions on your business decisions. It can be utilized as the step prior to beta testing a new product or service. For instance, if a company making widgets is looking to make a new and improved widget that can be used with a digital device, a poll can be tweeted to help the company determine if there is a real world want and need for this improved widget.

Other benefits of this new poll feature would be learning about your client base beyond the basics of doing business. Learning about your client base allows you to better market to them. Are your clients typically very conservative? Are they more interested in television or music? Are they cat people or dog people? These types of questions can be answered through unassuming polls addressing current events, pop culture, or comedic anecdotes. Cased on these answers, you can learn if your clients will respond better to light-hearted advertising, advertising addressing serious issues and concerns, or a spokesperson with whom they can recognize and identify.

Finally, by allowing pools to be retweeted and answered through a retweet, you are able to reach a larger audience and engage with others that may not have known your company or your brand prior.