Musk’s suggestion for leaders: Write your tweets yourself

Twitter CEO Elon Musk is against hiring communication professionals for managing the social media accounts of legislators and chief executives.

New Delhi | Updated: 15 February, 2023 5:26 pm IST
Twitter CEO Elon Musk speaking at World Government Summit in Dubai via video link.

Billionaire Elon Musk, one of the top innovative and entrepreneurial persons of our times, has a piece of advice for political and business leaders. “Post tweets in your own language and voice,” suggested the Twitter boss.

Arguably the most successful entrepreneur ever, Musk is against hiring communication professionals for managing the social media accounts of legislators and chief executives.

“I recommend that government officials and leaders should speak in their own voices. Do the tweets yourself as you do other things and convey your message directly,” he told a gathering at the World Government Summit 2023 in Dubai, UAE on Wednesday.

Musk, who sometimes posts dozens of tweets every day in what many see as “unconventional style” – often accompanying memes and satires, said that leaders established personalised communication relations with audiences when they write and post tweets themselves.

“If you read a press release from a corporation, it really sounds like propaganda. So I would encourage CEOs, and legislators, to speak authentically. Sometimes, they are concerned about criticism, but I think having some criticism is fine. It is not that bad,” Musk said.

Giving an example of his social media experience, Musk said, “I am constantly attacked on Twitter and I don’t mind it. As a form of communication, it is great.”

A majority of Indian politicians and chief executives have long been known for hiring high-paid professionals to manage their social media activities – which often look mechanical and lack a personal touch.

Market watchers say only a handful of Indian business leaders like Mahindra and Mahindra’s Anand Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra’s Uday Kotak, and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani handle their social media accounts themselves.

A Delhi-based communication and marketing specialist, who doesn’t wish to be named, agreed with Musk’s suggestion but underlined some “hazards” that come along with such a practice.

“Musk is right to say that when leaders their tweets themselves, it does create a personal touch. But since everyone is not a communication expert, sometimes they post some tweets which end up harming their reputation as well as business,” he said.

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