We recently set out to survey UK Architects who are on Twitter to find out how they used Twitter and what for. We wanted to find out how long Architects had been using this platform for, how often they tweet, who they followed and what they like and dislike about it. We received a total of 117 responses which by no means make the results representative of all architects but it does give some interesting insights into how Twitter is currently being used by Architects.
Key Findings:
- 65% of Architects surveyed had been using Twitter for over a year. Only 2 out of the 117 respondents had been on Twitter for less than a month.
- Most Architects use Twitter to keep up with the latest industry news and network with industry peers. Only a handful of responses stated they used Twitter to promote their blog and for business development.
- When asked ‘Who do you follow?’ most selected Other Architects, Practices and Publications. Other unprompted answers included Journalists and Consultants. Product Manufacturers, Clients and Directories coming in as least followed.
- 95% of Architects do find Twitter useful, primarily for the reason that it’s quick and easy to share information and keep up with the latest news.
- 99% of Architects surveyed stated that they would provide a recommendation if asked.
Here are the results of the survey presented as an infographic:
NOTE: Some questions allowed multiple and unprompted answers.
What are your thoughts on the survey results? Any surprising or unexpected findings? Do you recommend any architects that are doing a great job online and that people should follow? Or are you an architect that never got a chance to fill out this survey but would like to share your experiences? Leave us a comment below, we would love to get a discussion going.
Very interesting post. I can’t believe that Architects don’t follow clients so much – is it telling that they use it to talk to their fellow architects predominantly? As a charthered architect working in a Business Development Role for a Main Contractor it is fundamental that you know what your existing and future clients are up to – maybe they do it already but through more conventional forms e.g. meetings / telephone calls.
Thanks for leaving a comment Stephen.
I agree, I am not sure if Twitter is the place to communicate with clients as 140 characters is not enough and confidentiality reasons, but it’s clear that most use it to keep up with the latest news and developments in the industry in real time.
I’m hoping we get some comments from Architects themselves and if the survey matches their own behavior or objectives of using Twitter.
It’s great that you guys have taken the opportunity of the #AJtCn100 to conduct a survey on twitter, and getting this many respondents is a great success.
Some of the answers are to be expected – people who have used twitter for longer will be more likely to answer surveys, and few twitter users answering a survey will say it isn’t useful!
On the other hand, some of the other answers are very interesting. 49% of respondents follow manufacturers, eh? I wonder if they know that? And I wonder if they’ll notice the respondent’s willingness to recommend…
Thanks for the comment Su,
I think Product Manufacturers are predominantly using Twitter to broadcast news stories rather than engaging with Architects or any of their followers to gain feedback for further product development. Not saying that all PM’s broadcast, but the majority of the ones I follow certainly fail to engage at all.
I thought it was interesting too Su and reminded me of your own blog on how to market to architects which was also excellent.
Great work! But these points should ve highlighted at the next crossroads:
– Twitter have a quite steep threshold to getting to enjoy it, unlike Facebook or LinkedIn. How does this play out connected to the architects/AEC-industry?
– What is the degree of interest (followings) on other Twitter-accounts than architects/AEC? The proactive and creative architecture individual easily get fruits from following a wide spectra of Twitter-accounts. This will generate projects, publicityand build skilld/knowledge.
http://blog.bassbanan.no
harald
Its like you learn my mind! You seem to grasp a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I feel that you simply can do with some p.c. to force the message house a little bit, but instead of that, that is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
Great insight! The company I work is a manufacturer of washroom products and I have recently set up Twitter with our agency. Architects are one of our key target audiences this will help us improving our Twitter activity. I am also planning a dissertation on B2B using social media.
Just came across this and, even though it’s a few years old, I found it very interesting.
Any plans to update?
Hi Helen, it’s on the list 🙂
It’s certainly a great topic worth investigating again. Glad you found it useful.