Tweet Nothings? How to Use Twitter Effectively

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Top 10 Do’s from the #140 Characters Twitter Conference

Tweet Nothings? How to Use Twitter EffectivelyI attended the #140 Characters Twitter Conference last week in Los Angeles. Lest you think not much can be discussed about a platform in which there is so little space for discussion, I’d like to inform you that the conference was two full days with over 100 presentations! The really amazing part is that I saw almost every single one of them. In real time. If this sounds like your thing, the event organizer Jeff Pulver holds these events often (catch the next #140conf next week in Detroit).

While I’m sure many of you are avid Facebook users (currently at 500 million active accounts), on the whole, people still seem to hold out on Twitter (with roughly 100 million accounts and a mere 18 million active users). I’d like to invite those of you who have been reluctant to join into the Twitter flock. Maybe some of the information below will make it all seem more possible to spread you wings and fly with us…yes?

For those flying the friendly skies already I hope to add a little insight to your journey. There was a lot of information but I put together a Top 10 Tweet List from #140conf LA. Because brevity is what flies on Twitter.

Do…

1. Listen. If you are a brand (and everyone is a brand!) on Twitter it behooves you to listen to what is being said about you. Social media (not just on Twitter) is a lot more about listening than almost anything else. The insight you gain from tuning in is worth its weight in gold.

2. Engage. Twitter is similar to a networking event in that engaging in a conversation with the people who are there makes a big difference. If you go to the event and make like a wallflower or only talk to the people from your own company you’ll miss out on the potential that is there for you.

3. Be consistent. You can be yourself with all your myriad interests but have a message that you are consistent with so people know what to expect from your content. Have a through-line or theme.

3. Post quality content. It isn’t about how many followers you have on Twitter it is about how engaged they are with you. Post content that is of value to your followers and they will be engaged with your content, your message and with you.

4. Be trustworthy. With the proliferation of unverified media (Wikipedia) and proliferation of untrustworthy behaviors people are buzzing about transparency, trust and authenticity. All this to say be honest about who you are and what you do to the best of your ability. Post information that you have checked out yourself – check the links and read the articles you refer them to your followers.

5. Tweet! Almost every single profession was represented at the #140conf from psychics, to actors, to teachers and street musicians. Twitter was helping each and every one of them expand their business and give better service. Yes – Twitter is for you.

6. Take advantage of real time. Twitter shines when used to gather information that is happening right now. The “real time web” was the buzz word of the day but it is extremely important during a natural disaster to know what is happening, where, with who – in real time.

7. Create a legacy. Communication on social networks leaves a trail people can follow and helps us connect not only with our community at large but also with our family and friends. Sharing photos of our family, checking in throughout the day and sending a thoughtful note are all part of our legacy.

8. Use social media for social good. I think one of the most impressive presentations was given by Tim Kring, the producer of Heroes. He created the conspiracy for good, a transmedia campaign which raised money for 5 libraries (10,000 books!) and 50 scholarships to girls – all of this in Zambia.

9. Cross-pollinate. Follow people outside your immediate realm of influence and see if there are connections you can make. Promote those who are in other fields who are making a difference by commenting on their work. Do this and watch your community flower.

10. Be responsible about what you share. Just because we have a piece of information doesn’t mean it is ours to share. In light of the recent spate of suicides resulting from information leaked out on social networks it is important to be aware of the power of our words. We all have a responsibility to protect and care for each other – that is what community is about. In the name of community building let’s be thoughtful about what we share, how we share it and what our intentions are behind our words. Words have power – we have the powerful choice of how to use them.

we heartsters – do you tweet? Share you Twitter Handle and and let’s talk trending topics, hashtags and follow Friday in the comments!

Adorable Twitter image courtesy of Design Mirkkua via Smashing Magazine.

Author

  • jpal

    Jennifer Palais clears chaos and brings order to offices, business systems, schedules and minds, and is known as an organizing expert and coach. Her approach is 10-years in the making: Inspirational, well informed and practical. It is a process filled with fun, joy and discovery.

13 Comments

  1. You have me convinced. I’m still learning but I must say that once you start consistantly tweeting it becomes easier and direction comes to you.
    I don’t really think of myself as a whiner but I’ve learned how to get a company’s attention when I need them to right a wrong. So far I’ve had Bank of America give me back my old interest rate, UPS address a delivery concern and, most recently Hertz partially reimbursing me for a loss that occurred in a whirlwind of service errors. Without constant tweeting I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere with these companies (I tried–as one always should–to have my concerns addressed in the traditional “talk to a mgr” way). Tweeting is like telling an audience of millions your trevails rather than just your circle of friends (and what company wants that).
    And, on the other hand, it’s really nice to let the companies who give you good service know that, too. I’ve gotten lots of sincere thank-yous from providers of great service.
    @jpal great introduction. BTW, folks, I’ve learned of some great follows through Jen. When I started tweeting I had no idea who to look for or where to start, I say “start with Jen!”

  2. @sherrishera You are a rock star consumer rights champion on Twitter! I bow to you my lady! You are far from a whiner – you are using this platform to get your voice heard. And it works. That is why I love social media so much – because of the transparency no one can hide. You were able to use the power of the multitude to bring justice. Very poetic – not a single whine.

    I have been following you and I love that you give a big high five to the great service providers out there. Gives us all great leads. I think you have found a niche of sorts for yourself…? Is there a blog in the works? ;)

  3. I think every person who uses Twitter should read this list! I don’t know how many people I’ve dropped from my “follow” lists because they stopped reading at “Tweet a lot” and skipped “Post Quality Content.” Seriously folks, don’t RT everything you read, the rest of us don’t care!

    I’m going to have to start stalking the WHT members for new Tweeps. I bet y’all have good stuff to say!

  4. @jpal LOVE THIS POST! I was fortunate enough to join Jennifer at this conference & it was a great experience. As an avid Twitter user already, I think this list should be called the Twitter Commandments! Thanks for compiling this info Jen!

    I can wait to meet all of you in real-time :)

    I’m @lowimpactbetty! Can’t wait to further our conversations into 140 characters!

  5. I have a Twitter account, but never use it. Mainly because I didn’t really understand the purpose…Plus I was mainly following friends and I was like “I can do this on Facebook….what is the point?” But now, I have a better understanding of it. I may try to use it again. Thanks @jpal for the info!

  6. I’m totally Twitter > Facebook! I love Twitter so much, it’s such a great Internet tool for companies/brands/blogs/yourself! This is a great list to follow @jpal. I have so many twitter pet peeves it’s not funny :) This is kind of rude but I stopped following an actual friend of mine because her tweets were beyond excessive to the point where it’s like, whyyyyyy!?!

  7. @mandabear @Monica and I were tweeting during the whole #140conf – on the back channel and with each other on DM. We are addicts like you @mandabear!

    I’ve heard of so many people who have stopped following friends or other accounts in general because of excessive tweeting or other peevy behavior online…having said that there really are no hard and fast rules per se… but guidelines are helpful when you are starting out and a middle road can’t hurt!

    It is funny though because people don’t always behave the same online as they do in life so you may find the ones you love you don’t love to follow so much ;)

    I find it fascinating to observe these differences and just how communities work in general.

    @lipglossandspandex I look forward to seeing you on Twitter! newbies welcome!

    @Cori I’m glad to have shed a little more light on Twitter. I’ve met some amazing friends there, and built a wonderful community who I learn from and contribute to which grows daily. Honestly, I use it as a resource for critical business and world information all through the day because the people I follow are leaders in their fields – and because of the “real-time” nature of the web I’m going to get the most up to the minute news and information there from the people who are actually making the news. I find it thrilling…much more than getting information second hand from somewhere else.

  8. Another great post from Miss Palais. Social media is arriving to a step in its evolution where the real, the authentic and the interesting is going to stand out from the noise. Teh noise will always be there, but technology is starting to allow us to find what’s relevant. In the end there will be two almost separated webs into one perhaps ??

  9. Another great post @jpal! Even though I’m not a big tweeter. I’m passing it along to my nieces who live on it! LOL!

  10. @jpal – this list couldn’t have come at a better time for me! I often wonder about the fine line between too much information and not enough information. To tweet or not to tweet? This def. helps answer that question a bit better!

  11. @stef So glad this was helpful for you!

    One thing I try to remember is that it can be difficult to get humor across online (unless you are Conan!) I love to joke around and use irony but if I don’t know the person/people very well I’ll err on the side of clarity.

  12. @seb You make such thoughtful points about social media. Technology allows us to find the relevant information online as well as on our social networks…where will it all lead? Back into the “real world” is my guess. Geo-location!

    @Pamela Irene thank you for passing along to your nieces! Would love their feedback!

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