Twitter - http://twitter.com - is the fast growing social networking (?) and micro-blogging (?) service, which having been quickly adopted by key influencers in the blogging and online marketing world, is now being used ever more widely by 'regular' online content publishers, their followers and the public at large.
This is now a must-have tool if you're publishing content, undertaking online marketing, or looking to keep up with the latest trends in anything web related.
In a nutshell, Twitter allows users to post regular updates (otherwise known as 'Tweets'), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.
Updates are displayed on the user's Twitter profile page, or alternatively through a desktop Twitter messaging application, such as Twhirl or Tweetdeck (more on these later), to other users who have signed up to receive them ('Followers').
The aim of this article is to give you more of an idea about how to use Twitter, for valuable engagement and maxium effect, while avoiding the white noise that Twitter can also create if used incorrectly.
I call this 'Using Twitter, the Smart Way'.
First, to get you up to speed, it's worth checking out the Twitter in Plain English video below, from the folks over at Common Craft. This will give you a general outline of how Twitter works and how it is most commonly used.
So, Why Should I Use Twitter?
As i've mentioned, if used smartly Twitter is a great online tool for engaging with key influencers in your niche and also with your own target audience.
It is immediate, it is fast and it is extremely effective.
Twitter is also valuable as a way of posting, sharing and recording your own ideas and links, as you have them or come across them (the ones you think others would benefit from hearing about that is!). Think of it almost as sharing your notepad.
Other Advantages
Twitter helps you cut down on newsletter and RSS feed clutter and gets information in front of your eyes with more immediacy (especially if using a desktop application)
Shows you as a keen follower/adopter of the latest tools and apps to your peers and general website audience
Helps you get your name known with those that matter (to you)
I suggest using your name as your twitter account name, but that's your call.
Next, you need to find people that are worth following, by using the Twitter search. Click 'Follow', once you're on their profile, to follow their 'Tweets' / posts.
Here's some suggestions (by no means definative) to get you off the starting blocks. These fit well with SubHub's readership, but should also have pretty mass appeal:
It's worth checking out the friends of those i've listed above as well. Read their profiles, visit their sites and add them, if you feel they'll bring value to your Twitter experience.
Step 2 - Download a Desktop Client I suggest Twhirl for light users, or TweetDeck for those who want to make frequent use of Twitter and build up up a following that needs more careful management.
Twhirl makes it really easy to follow others and post to Twitter. This downloadable desktop application works and looks in many respects like an instant messenger, whereby as soon as anyone you are following sends a 'Tweet', it shows in Twhirl and also flashes up in a small bubble in the corner of your desktop, for quick and easy reading.
When I first started using Twitter as a light user, I wouldn't have been able to use it in any kind of truly useful way without Twhirl.
Once you've downloaded Twhirl, add your Twitter account information in your settings (you can add more than one Twitter account if you wish) and away you go! I'll let you know the four key methods of Twitter communication / engagement in a moment.
TweetDeck
As mentioned, I suggest you use TweetDeck once you've built up a following (I moved across to TD when I reached 100 or so followers). At a certain point users find that Twhirl becomes harder to manage, requiring a need to think about grouping people, according to what they do or their relationship to you, with replies and direct messages filed seperately.
TweetDeck provides all the functionality to adequately manage posts, groups of followers, replies and direct messages, however many followers you may have.
The first time you use TweetDeck you will be asked for your Twitter username and password.
TweetDeck, like Twhirl, is an Adobe Air based application, allowing it to be used on Windows and Mac's.
As well as using the likes of Twhirl or TweetDesk to follow and engage with others, I suggest using these apps almost like a live bookmarking and ideas service.
Step 3 - The four key methods of Twitter communication / engagement
Ok, so you're set and ready to go. Before people will be prepared to follow you (barring those that add anybody), you need to start 'Twittering', i.e. posting or reposting 'Tweets' (hope you're keeping up with the terminology!) that others will find useful and that relate to your niche or your interests.
- For general posts, simply either log in and type your Tweet in the message box on the Twitter website, or use the message box in your desktop app (140 characters is the maximum length of message).
-To reply to someone, use the '@' symbol, then their Twitter username, e.g.
@subhub Hello, I love SubHub.com!
Bear in mind that this reply can be seen publically, by your followers and the followers of who you are replying to.
- To 'Retweet' / repost a Tweet from someone else, use 'RT', a space, the '@' symbol, then their Twitter username, e.g.
RT @subhub Hundreds of free articles can be found at http://www.subhub.com
- To send a private direct message to someone, use 'D', a space, then their Twitter username, e.g.
D ramskill Hello, I love SubHub.com!
That's all there is to communicating and engaging through Twitter . . .
Step 4 - Don't forget to tell others that you have a Twitter account!
Now you've started following people yourself and you've begun Twittering, it's now time to post about your Twitter accounts' existence (www.twitter.com/yourusername) on your website or blog, email friends/collegues/relatives that share your interests and generally get people to follow you (remember: you don't necessarily have to follow them back).
Don't forget to link to your Twitter account on any other social sites you use, such as Facebook (most of them have functionality to add a link to your Twitter account or even take live feeds from it).
Step 5 - Remember the importance of Twitter Etiquette!
A surefire way for Twitter users to unfollow you very quickly is if you spam, don't respond to replies or direct messages, act obnoxiously or fail to bring value to their overall experience by Twittering about 'stuff' that is of no use to them.
Think of your audience at all times. Act as you would if you were dealing with them face to face in a business situation, or sitting down for coffee with them. Respect is key.
Most importantly, remember that new people are viewing your Twitter profile constantly, and making a decision about whether to follow you, based on the Tweets and replies they see.
By all means Tweet about your website, blog, service or product, but also try and add value by making this just a part of your communcation. If you come across a website or service that could benefit others Tweet about it. You'll soon build up a positive reputation as someone worth following and recommending.
What you give is what you get back. Apply that mantra and you can't go far wrong!
That's it. You're set!
You now know how to use Twitter, begin following others and build up your own posse of followers. Most importantly you now know how to use Twitter effectively to communicate and engage with others.
So . . . now for the sexy stuff! The Twitter tools . . .
The following is a list of the key sites I have used, and continue to use, to enhance my Twitter experience:
Hopefully, i've given you enough information to fuel your imagination and make you want to get started with Twitter and its associated apps and services.
In this new web 2.0 world, immediate access to information, and easy engagement with those that post it, is a necessity.
(right-mouse click and 'save target as' to download to your desktop)
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