Business Ventures
Elon Musk is a leading entrepreneur and the founder of Tesla Inc, SpaceX and other amazing ventures. His active presence on Twitter is dominated by his business sense, as he uses the platform to occasionally to reveal company updates and to interact with Tesla and SpaceX customers. For example, he announced the launch of Tesla’s autopilot semi-autonomous driving feature on Twitter. Musk’s tweets not only provide an important promotional platform to reveal key updates, they also effectively gauge investors’ reactions to potential new products.
Alongside business innovations, Musk has also expressed his strong support of sustainability and the need for a renewable energy-based economy. His tweets often ask followers to take note of global climate change and climate action efforts. Through these initiatives, Musk is actively trying to shape the public perception of sustainability.
To do this, Musk employs a wide network of followers on Twitter to bring visibility to his company and its products. Musk’s online presence has often been encouraged by various news outlets, who have pointed out that his tweets have increased value for Tesla, as investors have been able to gain insights into the Tesla brand that they wouldn’t’ve known otherwise.
Brand Promotion
Musk also uses Twitter as an effective tool to promote the brand of his companies. Musk is well known for his tweets, especially his entertaining quips and frequent jokes, which has brought a lot of attention to him and his companies.
Along with jokes, Musk also frequently speaks about the products of his company. He publicizes the advancements of Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company, and Solar City in his tweets. Even though the updates are usually very technical in nature, his strategy allows him to showcase his companies’ capabilities and visibility of their products.
Therefore, Musk’s participation in Twitter has always been for the sake of his companies. For instance, he has supported clear goals for his companies such as the goal of Tesla Motors to transition the world towards sustainable energy. Similarly, the goal of SpaceX is to make it possible for humans to live in outer space. As a result, Musk’s tweets have often been beneficial not just for brand recognition, but also to spread awareness of a cause he supports.
Crowdsourcing
Musk is also known for using Twitter as a platform for crowdsourcing information. On multiple occasions, Musk has asked followers to send suggestions or direct messages with a variety of issues ranging from engineering flaws to possible solutions.
Musk has also used Twitter to state that they are hiring and to ask job seekers to outline their qualifications and interests. Having job seekers from all over the world contribute to the discussion is undoubtedly a time and money-saving approach for Musk.
Other times, Musk has asked Twitter for advice on developing the concept of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use with The Boring Company’s tunnel system. He has even asked for opinions on what color car Tesla should choose for its new fleet. Through these requests, Musk is crowdsourcing crucial data from all over the world.
Criticism
Musk’s active use of Twitter has also aroused criticism from varied sources. His active communication on the platform has raised doubts among many when he has revealed financial and technological information on the platform.
For example, after the announcement of Tesla’s new Model 3 in July of 2017, Tesla’s stock soared nearly 8%. While this announcement was a successful attempt at promotional purposes, some investors have suggested that Musk is manipulating stock prices, as he is aware of the market power of his words.
Additionally, many of his tweets have been taken down for often being exceptionally inappropriate or for crossing the lines of human decency. Such tweets have been widely viewed as being unprofessional and not appropriate for someone of his status.
Social Media Strategy
Nevertheless, Musk’s extensive use of Twitter can also be seen as an intelligently executed social media strategy, as it has allowed him to stay in the public’s eye and gain exposure for his companies. This strategy has allowed Musk to engage and interact with the global population, giving him an active and loud platform to advance his products and causes.
Public Perception
Thus, Musk’s active presence on Twitter has additionally provided him the opportunity to spread awareness about his passions for renewable energy and sustainability, influencing the public perception of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Being a successful entrepreneur and business leader, Musk’s words can have a strong impact on people’s opinions. His strategies on Twitter are not only designed to benefit his business but also to challenge people’s ideas about taking action for the betterment of the planet. He usually tries to provide practical solutions and call out the need to prevent the global climate crisis.
Political Engagement
From a political standpoint, he always emphasizes the importance of elimination of fossil fuel based transportation by pointing out the urgency to switch to electric-based systems, in his tweets. Further, his tweets emphasizing the need for renewable energy to tackle climate change and global sustainability, reflect his efforts to engage the public in critical environmental issues.
Moreover, he has used Twitter to call out the need for governments to make long-term policies that would promote green energy incentives, and make it easier for the citizens to access green energy solutions. This offers a platform to promote dialogue and discussion of green energy solutions as an alternative to traditional energy sources, which bring sustainability to the forefront.
Unique Voice
Through his active presence on Twitter, Musk promotes his business and personal interests. His tweets reflect his left-leaning libertarian views, which emphasize the idea of a limited government and support of greater environmental protection.
Apart from his political views, Musk’s tweets often make news because of his unique voice that stands out among the rest of the Twitter crowd. His tone is generally positive and humorous, but some of his outspoken views and tweets have been subject to criticism. It is certain that his presence on Twitter makes him very influential.
