Twitter is quickly becoming the hottest new media tool on the planet. Oprah and Askton Kutcher have over 1 million followers, and even I have over 1500. It’s cool, it’s fun, and it’s not that hard.
You get 140 characters to say what’s on your mind, but before you get started Twittering, you need to set yourself up for success.
Here are 7 easy way to get your Twitter on!
Sign up using something close to your name as a login. I use @philgerb because few can spell Gerbyshak. Don’t be too cutesy, as just like an e-mail address, folks will judge you if you’re hotsweetie57, folks will think you are a spammer or just as bad, they’ll judge you as a goof and not take you seriously.
Customize your avatar – An avatar is the first thing folks see when you follow them, so take some time to make your avatar your own. Upload the same picture of you you’re using on LinkedIn, Facebook and anywhere else your profile exists online. If you haven’t customized your avatar, it’s hard to see if it’s really you…or someone who hijacked your login/brand to pretend to be you.
Add a link in your profile – If you have a blog or a website, here’s where you’ll link to it. If you don’t, link to your LinkedIn profile, Squidoo lens, or something else that gives folks a little MORE information about you.
Include something FUN in your one-line bio – You only get 160 characters to talk about yourself, so make it FUN and interesting! Mine is “Red wine lover in the Brew City, enjoys new/social media, sports, and a good biz book. Milwaukee-baby!”
Customize your Twitter background – You could do just a simple background, as long as you change it from the default. Or you can make it really pop, and create something completely custom. For a very simple tutorial on how to do this, check out how to do a custom twitter background at http://www.twitip.com/custom-twitter-backgrounds/ or hire my favorite designer Jesse Petersen for $100 or less.
Use search to follow conversations – to search for mentions of your Twitter handle, your last name, and any topics you’re interested in. Just go to http://search.twitter.com and search for what you want.
Use @ username when responding to someone, or talking about someone (example: use @philgerb whenever talking about me)
NEVER check protect my updates – If you want folks to follow you, you can’t protect your updates or folks can’t sample what you’re saying.
What are YOUR best tips to get your Twitter on?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
With twitter like blogging altough amplified you must be present.
I am finding many new followers that I know have no intention of ever tweeting. They are just joining because they feel that is the current thing to-do.
If you wish to have twitter be an effective tool you must tweet, if you wish to have your blog be effective you must blog, if you wish for your book to sell you have to write it!
Twitter is a great tool, that has increased my knowledge and connections. follow me @TeamBuildingNY only if you intend on writing.
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All great points Michael! Showing up OFTEN is a great recipe for success. I just followed you, and I have no idea why I hadn’t sooner.
Consistency leads to success, for SURE!
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The thing with twitter is there are so many ways that it can be used and the majority will be down to the individual how they use it. However personally heres how I like to use twitter and how I conduct myself.
Be yourself, never second guess what people want you to tweet about, tweet about stuff that interests you and interact with people.
By interacting I mean “normal” conversation not just lots of links to your “get rich quickly” products or your “get 1,000s of followers in just 7 days” scheme.
Twitter to me is an extension to a conversation you would have at a party or down the pub. Twitter is also a door opener, you can then build upon your relationship via email etc., where you are not limited to 140 characters.
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Great points Richard! It’s all about normal conversation…140 characters at a time.
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing!
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Hi Phil .. I too liked Richard’s points .. be yourself, comment and converse with like minded twitters ..
Thanks – great ideas on Twitter ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
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