UpTweet, the upstart social media site, has officially announced its launch after months of development. Similar to Reddit, UpTweet is a general-purpose online social news and discussion site where users can submit and read posts categorized by their specific interests. However, what sets UpTweet apart is its complete integration with Twitter.
To use UpTweet, a Twitter account is required for posting and commenting. Every post and comment made on UpTweet is immediately published on the user's Twitter account as well. This integration allows conversations on UpTweet to take place simultaneously on Twitter, bridging the gap between Twitter's 140-character limit and in-depth discussions found on forums and lengthy blog posts.
In addition to its integration with Twitter, UpTweet introduces another significant feature: integration with Bitcoin. Each time a user's post is retweeted on Twitter or "uptweeted" on UpTweet, a small payment is added to the user's on-site wallet account. Currently, the payout rate is set at 0.0001 BTC per uptweet, subject to potential adjustments based on UpTweet's advertising revenue.
While integrating Bitcoin with social media has been attempted before with limited success, recent developments, such as the Bitcointip bot on Reddit, have shown promise. UpTweet aims to complement Bitcointip by offering a per-retweet reward system, allowing users to earn Bitcoin by pleasing the masses rather than relying on large tips from individual users.
UpTweet's marketing strategy differs from most other Bitcoin-related services, which typically revolve solely around Bitcoin. UpTweet treats Bitcoin integration as a complementary feature and targets a broad audience. The site covers mainstream subjects such as entertainment and music, and UpTweet has already run ads in Times Square to attract users. The goal is to introduce users to Bitcoin indirectly through UpTweet's Twitter integration, making Bitcoin more "mainstream."
Founder Brian Santos shared his thoughts on UpTweet and the future of Bitcoin and social media in an interview:
Introduction: Brian Santos, the founder of UpTweet, is a digital artist, software developer, and marketing analyst based in Florida. He has a background in coding and building social networks and has been involved in Bitcoin since early 2011. Besides UpTweet, Santos also owns Bitcoin-related projects and operates the Bitcoin Tees and memorabilia site bitcoinpride.com.
The Idea behind UpTweet: Santos conceived the idea for UpTweet about three years ago when he first encountered Twitter. He recognized the potential of Twitter as a powerful marketing platform and wanted to create a system that removed its limitations while maintaining a fully integrated Twitter experience.
Target Audience: UpTweet aims to cater to everyone, offering a dynamic experience with categories covering various topics. Ideal users include bloggers and reporters seeking a platform to share their work with a broader audience. UpTweet's integration with Bitcoin provides an additional incentive for users.
Marketing Strategy: As UpTweet is
still in its early stages, marketing efforts are focused on establishing a core
group of users, preferably Bitcoin enthusiasts. The goal is to create a devoted
and intelligent community that helps maintain the site's quality while earning
Bitcoin rewards.
Bitcoin Introduction: Many new users may be unfamiliar with Bitcoin. UpTweet's strategy is to provide an organic experience with the currency, gradually introducing users to Bitcoin through the existing community's support and engagement.
Fraud Prevention: Currently, UpTweet does not hold any Bitcoins on its server. All payouts are manually verified by the staff before depositing Bitcoins into users' online wallets. Measures are in place to prevent manipulation and ensure only legitimate users receive payments.
Future of Twitter: Santos
believes Twitter will become the dominant social media