Twitter political parody accounts 101

(LIN) — That didn’t take long.

Anyone looking for real-time updates from the first lady’s new hairdo can now follow along at @FirstLadysBangs . Although the initial hype around Michelle Obama’s bangs has somewhat settled down, this account lives on to portray a day-by-day rundown on what it’s like to be the first lady’s hair.

This account, while not managed by Michelle Obama, offers witty one-liners from the perspective of her bangs to more than 2,000 followers.

A few bang philosophies:

I love this country. You guys look at the Administration like it's the cast of "Friends." Michelle's Rachel, Barack's Ross, Biden's Joey...

— Mrs. Obama's Bangs (@FirstLadysBangs) January 28, 2013

 

I just feel like America would be a lot happier if all sad news stories were replaced by lighthearted reports on me.

— Mrs. Obama's Bangs (@FirstLadysBangs) January 28, 2013

 

Obama is not redistributing wealth. He is redistributing hair. In 2nd term, @ davidaxelrod loses his moustache, while Michelle gains ME!

— Mrs. Obama's Bangs (@FirstLadysBangs) January 26, 2013

 

So you want to create a political parody account? Here are a few tips on how to make it successful:

1. Timing is everything. During the debates, while most of America may have mentally jotted down memorable statements to talk about the next day at work, social media aficionados went straight to Twitter and spun up accounts for @firedbigbird (now defunct) and @BindersofWomen.

In the same way, @FirstLadysBangs was created immediately after the first lady debuted her new Twitter account @FLOTUS with a photo of her new ‘do, featuring the bangs.

2. The account must be curated by someone with a broad sense of humor.  Whoever is tweeting on behalf of facial hair or bangs needs to be able to tactfully respond to questions, comments and remarks on news happening on the same day. This means seeing the world – in this case – as the first lady’s bangs. And being available for most of the day to tweet from this perspective.

3. Know when to fold ‘em. These parodies are usually a fad. Just look at @AxelrodMustache . The account was created to bring awareness to a fundraiser. The bet (in real life) was based around electoral votes, but once elections were over and the results were in, Axelrod lost, the ‘stache got shaved, the handle stopped tweeting and people stopped following.

So in the end, who really cares what Michelle Obama’s bangs have to say?

It’s not in the zingers @FirstLadysBangs tweets, it’s that the account plays to the first lady’s fun, outgoing character. The first lady is in a great place to have someone create an account about her hair rather than something negative about her.

Besides, according to @FirstLadysBangs, we’re just “ONE NATION UNDER BANGS,” after all.

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Social Agenda is biweekly feature following politicians on social media sites and across the Internet. Follow  @onPolitix on Twitter   or like  onPolitix on Facebook.