I started using Twitter a couple of years ago when I first started blogging. I do believe that if used properly, it can be a great source for discovery and networking. I am writing this article for people that may be new to Twitter (and some that have been on it awhile) to give some advice that will help you in your quest to network on Twitter. No, I am not an expert in Twitter, but I have some experience with it and have manged multiple Twitter accounts (currently I have 4).
Before I get into my list, I want to say that Twitter has become more and more “spammy” and there are tons of “make money on Twitter” scams out there. I am not into that scene at all. Yes it is ok to promote your site and throw links out, but I try to also engage in conversation as well, as a matter of fact, if you don’t mix in re-tweets, replies and basic tweets with your promotional tweets, I will usually get tired of it and unfollow you.
Twitter Must Do’s:
- Use Your Name! I first started out on twitter as “thefencepost” because I owned a fence contracting business and I wanted everyone to know what I did, not who I was. I have since sold that business and had to change twitter “handles” so I could promote myself and be more personal. I believe, just like on your blog, putting a personal touch on it will benefit you. I couldn’t fit my whole name so I used my first initial and last name (harder to spell it than it is to say it). But if you want to create a “brand” for yourself then don’t go for a name like “seo master” or “blogger43546″ (been seeing a lot of those lately!) try to fit your name or your brand. I do like handles that use a site name to build brand for it too (like @problogger, or @BloggingTips) because they have clearly already branded that name as themselves.
- Upload a Pic! I really hate when I get a follow from someone that hasn’t even taken the time to upload a pic or gravatar or anything and the stock twitter bird is still there. It only takes a minute, upload a pic!
- Bio! It is there for a reason, fill it out. Tell me something about yourself, what do you do, hobbies, addictions (I am addicted to my blackberry) etc… This part is SO important, if you haven’t filled out a Bio, I usually won’t follow you unless you are ESPN or Nike or something like that where it is obvious. And please, please, please DON’T use the words “Guru, Expert, Evangelist, or Coach” anywhere in your bio.
- No Shortened Links on your profile! This is a dead giveaway that you plan on spamming me with affiliate links.
- Use a desktop app like Tweetdeck or Seesmic to keep up with your twitter account, it really makes it so much easier. There are many Twitter Apps to choose from but those two are my favorites.
- Stay away from all the “get free followers” sites if you can, the followers you get will have nothing in common with you. I have been using TweetSpinner lately and it finds followers based on targeted keywords that you choose and it doesn’t send out tweets under my account that are spammy. I like it so far.
These are some basics to help get you started, if I missed something feel free to add it below in the comments.
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
This is great advice. I get annoyed when I see all other users breaking these tips. As for tip 4. I never thought about the shorten links. It does make sense. I always did it so I could track clicks. But there are better ways to track web traffic from twitter. I just went to my twitter bio and changed it =)
January 5th, 2010
This is great advice Keith. I’ve heard people say not to share too much personal information about yourself on Twitter & after yesterday I can now see why.
January 5th, 2010
Great tips Keith. I had to use AussieSire because someone was already using Sire. I go by that name because more people know me by that online than my real name offline. I do use my photo though.
Tweetdeck is a must. Must look into my Bio. Can’t even remember if I set one up.
January 6th, 2010
Wait, I don’t use my name. I have an account under my name, but Bloggertalk started to get more followers so I just stuck with it.
January 6th, 2010
It really does make a difference (at least to me) because there are so many spammers these days. It just ensures people know you are genuine and not a bot.
January 6th, 2010
Your Twitter name is very recognizable by your readers, that is good.
January 6th, 2010
BloggerTalk is a brand too, for your forum – isn’t it called blogger talk?
January 6th, 2010
It’s a brand. I’m just funning with ya.
January 6th, 2010
Great tips Keith,I got away from twitter for awhile, not that I’m back I need to find a good app, is Tweet Deck your favorite? I was using tweet something or other months ago, however have forgotten the name. Thanks again!
January 6th, 2010
Thats some excellent, straight-forward tips! A lot of folks try to approach twitter (and other social media types) from an old-school advertising perspective, which just doesn’t work. This is a new era in advertising and it requires us to be personal, genuine and connected. Thank you for sharing!
January 6th, 2010
I forgot all about TweetSpinner, used it ages ago but haven’t looked into it for quite sometime (if it’s the same one I’m thinking of). Going to check it out again now.
Great tips Keith.
Karl
January 6th, 2010
Another thing to remember is to make sure you are having two way conversations on Twitter… check out your replies, direct messages, etc. and respond to people who are interested in you. It proves that you are not just a bot, spammer, or self-serving Twitter member, but someone who actually does believe in communication, which should help build more loyal followers.
January 6th, 2010
Great tips that I agree with, except #5. I drank the Kool Aid and was an early adopter of TweetDeck, and then Seesmic Desktop… but for the past three months I’ve relied near-exlusively on twitter.com and greasemonkey scripts to improve that experience. But that’s me.
January 6th, 2010
I mainly like the desktop apps because I manage multiple accounts…
January 7th, 2010
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