TWITTER FOLLOWERS
TOP 1,000

Sarasota, FL:    The City of Sarasota now has more than 1,000 followers on its Twitter site, www.twitter.com/cityofsarasota, after launching it less than six months ago.  “We’ve really had a lot of success with it,” said Public Information Officer Jan Thornburg.  “People are using Twitter to stay in touch with what’s going on with the City of Sarasota.”  The 1,000th follower signed up this morning.

The City of Sarasota was one of the first municipalities in the region to incorporate Twitter into its communications plan, tweeting news releases, City Commission election results, holiday closings and much more.  By adding Twitter as a communications tool, the City is tapping into a different user base.  “This is exciting because we’re reaching a new group of residents who prefer to get their information via Twitter,” said Thornburg.  “Approximately, 15 to 20 percent of the City’s followers list themselves as Sarasota residents.   And of that number, about 25 percent are first time Twitter users who signed up just to follow the City of Sarasota,” said Thornburg. 

The City of Sarasota launched its Twitter site on February 23, 2009 and now is being used as a model for governmental entities throughout the state and the nation.  “I’ve received a lot of phone calls and emails from counterparts wanting to know the secret to our success,” said Thornburg.  “Sarasota residents tend to be technologically savvy, civic minded and they crave information about their municipality.  Twitter is a good fit.”

Messages, known as Tweets, are limited to just 140 characters.  To learn more about Twitter and to register for City of Sarasota tweets, visit the City’s homepage and click on the Twitter icon or visit www.twitter.com/cityofsarasota.  There is no cost to register.

For more information, please contact:
Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com