For six hours, @MLB goes private.
This is a first ever that I’ve seen. The official Twitter account of Major League Baseball (@MLB) has gone to private status for six hours (starting at noon Eastern today) for several contests for their loyal followers.
So what exactly is going on? Here are the tweets MLB had public before they went private.
- Last call! Get on the
#MLBMembersOnly list by following us. RT so your friends don’t get stuck waiting in line when we go private.- The doors are closed and the
@MLB account is officially private and we want to reward YOU. The next SIX HOURS are all about
Following, the account tweeted out instructions for followers that were able to get in before the deadline to tweet out specific messages. So far, they’ve given out prizes like All-Star Game tickets, Opening Day tickets, free year subscription to MLB.TV and gift cards to their online shop.
- Ok, so we got 2 $300 MLB Shop giftcards for 2 winners. Tweet “Um,
@MLB, how bout you give me 1 of those $300 MLB giftcards?#MLBMembersOnly“
This is a very unique thing but at the same time, could alienate some followers that were not aware and now don’t have a chance to follow. Especially with a big account like this in the middle of a hot playoff chase in September, the timing of this is kind of strange. But today is Thursday, so there aren’t a lot of games going.
Other than the timing, the idea is great. I love when official accounts offer prizes for contests like this. It really connects fans and offers them a chance to get something that they normally wouldn’t think they’d win. So kudos to you @MLB and your contests for the next several hours. I hope you pick me!
“This is a very unique thing but at the same time, could alienate some followers that were not aware and now don’t have a chance to follow.”
I’m just confused here, how would this alienate anyone? If they’re “followers” they are already “following” the MLB account.
There are people that don’t have a Twitter account but still go to several public Twitter sites just to get their news. So for those who don’t have a Twitter but like to go to @MLB now can’t see. It may entice them to sign up, or it might make them feel left out.