A timeline can be an effective way of storytelling and simplifying stories that can be complicated or have many layers. Here is an example – presenting the Elon Musk X Twitter Saga in a timeline format.
The Elon Musk Twitter timeline is an interesting one and one of the reasons being that the real-life tale in itself was dramatic.
A chronological arrangement of events in the order of their occurrence – Oxford Dictionary
Humans have made sense of everything through timelines, whether it’s their own evolution and history, the relation between Game Of Thrones and House Of Dragon, and even the more-so confusing Elon Musk X Twitter Saga.
A timeline is a textual or graphical representation of what happened and leads to the conclusion like a line of falling dominos, enabling the reader or viewer to draw meaning or value of an often complicated story.
The professional use case applications of timelines are not just restricted to historical studies, and natural sciences, it is in fact one of the most effective tools for storytelling.
Storytelling has been deeply embedded in communications and marketing, especially as the ‘human need’ to be entertained transforms into the ‘human entitlement’ to be entertained.
No viewer or consumer would provide seconds (not even 6) to a brand that simply states product features, but when it is weaved into a story, they just might give you a few hours. When you have their attention, the next step is to make sure the story is communicated effectively, this is where timelines come in and business storytelling becomes effective.
It is already validated that viewers are naturally inclined towards timelines, whether it’s going through their favorite artist’s discography or actors’ filmography; understanding the chronology of the universe, or absorbing the timeline of Star Trek. Various viewers, whatever their interest may be intellectual or leisurely, everyone is into tracking timelines.
The effectiveness of timelines stems from the categorization of information and the organized structure it provides to any story. It makes the communication effective enough for the viewer to recall important information, and also to connect the series of events.
For instance, if a consumer wants to research a product they love and the brand has a graphical representation of the inception of the idea and major changes over the years in the form of a blog, such as this article by Nestle presenting the continuance of Maggi in India. It will trigger a deeper connection between the brand and the consumer and help generate consumer loyalty.
Now that the significance is outlined, acing this format is another challenge that can be overcome through a few simple steps that include clear language, fact-checking, and answers to a few simple questions – what, who, where, and when. Apart from the conclusion, these questions need to be answered through a natural progression of the timeline that fits into your larger business storytelling strategy.
To elaborate further on this we’ll go through the timeline of Elon Musk acquiring Twitter, to give you a representation of what has been discussed. The richest man on Earth acquiring a social network that holds USD 237.8 Mn daily active users has far more real-world consequences than what can be imagined. Social media’s impact on the real world has always been tangible and the acquisition holds monumental prominence in the digital industry.
To better understand the topic and give you a gist of what has been written about, here is the timeline of the Twitter and Elon Musk acquisition deal:
December 21, 2017
Musk expresses interest in buying
How much is it?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2017
March 14, 2022
Elon Musk becomes the largest shareholder of the company with a 9.2% stake with a deal closed at an estimate of US 3 Bn, surpassing the shareholdings of a few of the largest shareholders such as Vanguard Group, BlackRock Fund, and Jack Dorsey
March 25, 2022
Musk advocates free speech on the platform and seeks public opinion on its adherence
Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?
April 5, 2022
Ex-CEO Parag Agrawal announces Musk’s appointment to the board
April 11, 2022
Musk refuses to join the board on the day scheduled for his official acceptance of the chair
Elon has decided not to join our board. I sent a brief note to the company, sharing with you all here. pic.twitter.com/lfrXACavvk
— Parag Agrawal (@paraga) April 11, 2022
April 14, 2022
Musk reveals that he made an offer to buy Twitter to solely own it. The letter sent to SEC confirmed the statement was filed with SEC on April 5, and amended on April 11
I made an offer https://t.co/VvreuPMeLu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 14, 2022
April 25, 2022
Twitter Inc announces a definitive agreement to be acquired and wholly owned by Musk upon completion of the transaction valued at 44 Bn USD, at the rate of 54.20 USD per share
April 26, 2022
Musk expresses that his vision for the platform and the objective to sustain cannot be achieved in its current form, and decides to privately own the company, and officially announces the deal
🚀💫♥️ Yesss!!! ♥️💫🚀 pic.twitter.com/0T9HzUHuh6
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2022
May 13, 2022
Elon Musk announces temporary hold on Twitter deal citing the problem of spam and fake accounts inflating the actual number of users on the platform
11 July 2022
Musk discontinues the acquisition, stating that the platform failed to provide information on spam and fake accounts, according to a motion filed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP on behalf of Elon Musk
July 8, 2022
Twitter appoints a US-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP, to sue Elon Musk and get the transaction completed
July 18, 2022
SEC publicly releases a notice dispatched to Elon Musk in June in relation to the Twitter deal, the note states that he failed to respond to comments issued to his legal counsel as of the date of the letter
August 5, 2022
Twitter files a motion in the court of Delaware making counterclaims to Musk’s reasons for terminating the Twitter deal, calling his claims “implausible and contrary to fact”
October 5, 2022
Twitter Inc announces Musk filed a letter with SEC to close the Twitter deal, and the deal would be closed at the original price
Twitter issued this statement about today’s news: We received the letter from the Musk parties which they have filed with the SEC. The intention of the Company is to close the transaction at $54.20 per share.— Twitter Investor Relations (@TwitterIR) October 4, 2022
October 27, 2022
Elon Musk enters Twitter HQ as the sole owner after the deal is closed.
Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in! pic.twitter.com/D68z4K2wq7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2022
Draw inspiration from this timeline format in storytelling, pay attention to where it’s applicable for you and get cracking on a relevant topic to your audience’s interest.
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