Who doesn’t love a good anecdote involving the introduction of new technology to someone who is completely unfamiliar? Always a crowd-pleaser, and this time was no different as Twitter was more than entertained.
Enter Tim, who is the head of security for The National Cowboy and Heritage Museum – often referred to as “The Cowboy.” When the museum temporarily shut its doors in response to health concerns from COVID-19, Tim was “asked to take on the additional duty of social media management,” and although completely unfamiliar with Twitter, he accepted the challenge with excitement – as he recounts in his very first post.
Hello, my name is Tim and I am the head of security for The Cowboy. I have been asked to take on the additional duty of social media management while the museum is closed. I’m new to this but excited. My team will also continue to protect and monitor the museum. Thanks, Tim Send pic.twitter.com/bPiXD9DoAd
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 17, 2020
From his adorable profile picture to his formal sign off, “Thanks, Tim,” we are thankful for this more-than-needed distraction and moment of levity.
And this first post was just the beginning of the Tim Show, as he continues to work on his social media skills – even imploring assistance from his grandson, Lucas, who gave him the inside scoop on hashtags.
Unfortunately, it was quickly discovered that instructing someone to use a hashtag isn’t as simple as one might think, as Tim demonstrated when he literally used the word “hashtag” in his post ending with “Hashtag John Wayne. Lucas, my grandson, told me to use hashtags. Thanks, Tim.”
This is the hat and eyepatch the Duke wore in the movie True Grit. They are part of our Exhibition about the 2 True Grit. Lots of interesting props and clothes. I’m told I can’t try it on. Hashtag John Wayne. Lucas, my grandson, told me to use hashtags. Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/yNO3RP4uA4
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 17, 2020
Tim must also be working on his toggling skills because he accidentally posted a Google search as a tweet, writing “twitter tips, please.” But, in case followers were confused by this, he followed up to correct his mistake, posting, “Sorry, I thought I was Googling that. Thanks, Tim.”
Twitter tips, please
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
Sorry, thought I was Googling that. Thanks, Tim
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
How precious.
Tim continues with a string of tweets featuring various historical artifacts and information, seeming to get the hang of this twitter thing – even accurately using hashtags – admitting, “Thanks for all the tips, Friends. Realize I have been doing the hashtags wrong. I need to use that pound sign from the phone. I’m learning!”
Yes, you are Tim, and we all couldn’t be more proud!
Thanks for all the tips, Friends. Realize I have been doing the hashtags wrong. I need to use that pound sign from the phone. I’m learning! Here’s his costume from True Grit from 1969 courtesy of John Wayne Enterprises. #HashtagJohnWayne Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/AZu7EidGu2
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
Undoubtedly, one of Tim’s best posts highlights his understanding of ‘engagement’ in the context of social media marketing. “Seth in marketing told me that asking questions on the social media is good the ‘engagement.’ Let’s get engaged! LOL! Thanks, Tim I’m very happily married to Tina though.”
Here’s a sculpture by Frederic Remington called The Bronco Buster cast in 1918. What do you guys think of it? Seth in marketing told me that asking questions on the social media is good for “engagement.” Let’s get engaged! LOL! Thanks, Tim I’m very happily married to Tina though pic.twitter.com/lMTxUpfTeJ
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 20, 2020
Tina is one lucky lady, Tim. Maybe one of your next posts will include a picture of the two of you!
The comedic relief continues as Tim attempts to share a link – or as he refers to it, a “web address” – of a virtual tour, but cites, “it’s a long address so get a pen and paper ready,” and ends with his latest tweet including a picture of a clock and a caption reading, “Someone suggested I post a Tick Tock.”
I’m wearing a lot of hats now. Here are some hats I can’t wear. They're behind glass. Seth in Marketing told me I could share this web address of a Virtual Tour of The Cowboy. It’s a long address so get a pen and paper ready #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim https://t.co/8DFS8Kv4lr pic.twitter.com/zLisrehjhl
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 20, 2020
Someone suggested I post a Tick Tock. It's from our Warhol and The West Exhibition.
Roy Rogers Alarm Clock c 1951 from The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc TC526.36 #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/FTz9Gp5bZH— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 21, 2020
Although it’s more than obvious he is brand spanking new to Twitter, the social media community has accepted him with open arms. From his debut on March 17, his posts have been liked over 20K times and people are beyond eager to respond in hopes of helping Tim with best practices and tips.
Maybe Tim did know a little bit about “engagement” after all…
As we all hunker down in our homes, anxious to get back to our lives, we at least have Tim to help distract us from this time of uncertainty and fear surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day stuck indoors is another day of posts from Tim that we can look forward to.
Oh and, when the COVID-19 crisis is over and the museum is open, you better believe Seth from marketing is going to have some serious shoes to fill!