12 Tips For Twitter Beginners
I get a lot of questions from beginners about twitter, and stumbled upon this article originally published on 12 Most (written by Susie Newday). If you’re looking for tips and tricks on how to start using your twitter account, read the 12 steps below for some great advice. Additionally, this can give you some useful reminders on how to optimize your twitter presence more effectively.
I tried Twitter for the first time when it was less than a year old. Someone on an online forum was raving about how much they loved it, so I joined. Honestly, I could not understand the attraction. A week or two later, I gave it up because I still did not “get it.”
Fast forward three years to when I started blogging. Twitter was already popular and any self respecting blogger was on Twitter. So I opened another account and started tweeting. It wasn’t easy to catch on and there was a bit of a learning curve, but suddenly, a few weeks later, I found myself addicted.
Although Twitter has been around since 2006, there are still many people out there who are not yet tweeting and for whom the attraction of twitter is still a conundrum. Here are 12 useful tips for the Twitter newbie or wannabee:
1. Choose the shortest Twitter handle you can
Tweets are 140 characters long and your Twitter name is part of those 140 characters. You want to leave room for your own messages as well as making it easy for people to reweet your tweets.
On the other hand, if the name people will remember and associate with you is a bit longer (like mine), the extra few characters may be worth it.
2. Get an avatar
When you join twitter, the avatar that comes standard is the dreaded Twitter egg. Get rid of it as soon as possible and replace it with a picture of your own. For personal accounts a face avatar is probably best. Brands usually use their logos. Try to make your avatar something people will remember.
3. Leave room for retweets
One of the things people want you to do with their tweets is to retweet (RT) them. When you retweet, the whole tweet gets published along with the original tweeter’s Twitter name and the letters RT in the beginning of the tweet. That means if your tweet was 130 characters, your twitter name can’t be more the 8 letters long including the @ sign. The general rule is to make sure you leave space for at least 20 characters.
* Bonus tip: If you do run out of room and there is a part of the original tweet that is not necessary, you can put PRT (partial retweet) in the beginning of a retweet to save some space.
** Bonus tip 2: Use a URL shortener like Tiny URL or Ow.ly to shorten links in tweets.
4. RT (retweet) wisely
Don’t forget that whatever you RT ends up on your Twitter timeline. If you retweet 20 links in the span of 3 minutes, your followers are going to have a lot of noise on their timeline. Retweet comments or links that you really like or think have value.
5. Find followers
Until you have followers and are following enough people, not only is Twitter going to be boring, your comments and links are not getting to a very big audience. A good way to find people who might interest you is to look at who the people you follow are following.
You also do not have to follow everyone who follows you. There are differences in opinion as to whether proper etiquette is to follow anyone who follows you (aside from obvious spammers of course) — in the beginning it might be tempting but later on it might get noisy. There are ways to deal with the noise though. (See build lists below.)
6. Interact
There are celebrities and famous people who only tweet their links and comments and don’t interact. That might work for them but won’t for most people.
Generally speaking, the point of Twitter is to interact and by doing that you are able to grow your potential audience exponentially. People with whom you have interacted are more likely to retweet something you would like tweeted. They are also potential offline contacts as well.
7. Don’t be afraid to interrupt, jump in and give your two cents
Unlike in real (offline) life, on Twitter it is not only NOT rude to jump into a random conversation, it is actually expected. It’s kind of the point of Twitter.
8. Be careful where your @ goes
When you are tweeting someone or replying to a tweet, your tweet will start with the Twitter name (including the @ sign) of the person you are tweeting to. In this case, only the person you are tweeting or someone who is following both you and the person you are tweeting will see your tweet.
If you would like other people to be able to see and join your “conversation,” write your comment first and then put the person’s Twitter name in the middle or the end of your tweet. That way, it is open to anyone following you.
9. Learn your options
You have quite a few options when you tweet. You can just tweet, which basically means you are posting an update that all your followers can see.
You can tweet to someone specific. You start the tweet with that person’s Twitter name (which starts with @). That tweet will only be seen by the person you are tweeting or people who are mutual Twitter friends.
You can tweet to someone specific but put words in front of the person’s Twitter name. Anyone can then see that tweet.
You can tweet multiple people at once by using all their names with a space separating each of them
You can retweet.
You can reply to a tweet.
If more than one person is mentioned in a tweet you can reply to all.
You can block a user who is a spammer or someone you don’t want.
You can block a user and report spam.
You can send someone who is following you a DM (direct message). (If you are not following them back, they will not be able to reply to you through a direct message.)
These are the basic options. There are more. Take time to learn them.
10. Build lists
Once you have more than a handful of followers, there is no sane way to keep up with Twitter unless you have lists. The lists are useful to help you break down people in different groups like friends, people who followed me, family, clients, funny people, fellow niche bloggers and so on.
The best time to start making lists is when you are first starting out. You can create groups and add people to the lists as you follow them. Make sure you realize that lists are public unless you mark them as private.
Another good tool to get the most out of your lists is a platform like TweetDeck, Hootsuite or Seesmic. All those platforms let you see a few columns simultaneously and make it easier to follow the action. All the platforms have pluses and minuses so research them before you decide which is best for you.
11. Be careful of opening links in direct messages
This is probably a no brainer, but there are lots of spammy direct messages. As in email, sometimes direct messages get hacked as well. So unless you know a link is okay, don’t open it in your direct messages.
12. Twitter is addictive
Plain and simple, Twitter is addictive. Now, before you jump in, this is your last chance to run away.
Proficiency in any skill is not built overnight. Twitter requires an investment in time, to learn the ins and outs, find quality people to follow as well as to grow your own followers.
I’m not sorry that Twitter is part of my life. In fact I find it to have many advantages, both personal as well as professional. I don’t think you’ll be sorry either. (After all, where can you get answers to almost any question in a matter of seconds at any time of the day?)
How many of you are Twitter addicts? How many Twitter newbies?
Are there any other tips you would give people who are just starting to use Twitter?
Make Them Care About You: How To Improve Your Message
In today’s world it’s so easy to take shortcuts in your everyday work. Whether it’s sending out a notice to a list of contacts, or just sending simple notes to friends: we all are guilty of taking the easy route.
WHAT TO DO?
Effort is key. Whether you’re looking to make contact/pitch/converse with a new client, prospect or lead: it’s important to build and cultivate relationships. Everyone is saturated with emails/tweets/Facebook messages that lack any form of personality or personalization. It’s become so easy to quickly scan something that comes our way – or even worse, just plain delete the communication because there’s no emotion connection attached to the message.
Let’s all remember that even though we can hide behind the comfort of our screens, there’s more to online communication than simply pushing out messages and content. The way we communicate may have changed, but the way we retain and process information has very much stayed the same.
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE?
1. Make sure you’re avoiding mass emails at all costs – take the time to personally address your emails, regardless of the content remaining the same. IT MATTERS.
2. Reference a touch point with the person you’re communicating to. A message is always well absorbed when common ground is established first.
3. Be human. No one likes impersonal emails, messages or content. The computer didn’t generate this, YOU DID – so reflect that in your writing (it will be appreciated).
4. Make sure you’re relevant. Don’t waste people’s time! We’re all busy, so make sure the message is something the reader will be interested in. This will improve your credibility in the long run, making your communications “must-read” material.
5. PROOF READ. You have no excuses for spelling mistakes. On that note, please disregard any spelling errors in this blog. Seriously though: it’s effort, people.
Start to put these tactics into action, and watch your communication skills soar. It may be difficult and a bit taxing at first – but as any good business person knows: ALWAYS GIVE MORE THAN YOU GET.
Client News: At The Same Time Book Launch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JULY 30, 2012
WORLDS APART: 3 COUPLES EXPOSE THEIR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH EXHIBIT, ‘AT THE SAME TIME’
‘At the Same Time’ is an innovative and revealing group photo exhibition highlighting the personal relationships of six artists from the LGBT community. The exhibit will be accompanied by the launch of their new publication of the same name, which contains a compilation of content from their past exhibitions.
TORONTO, ON – On August 10, 2012, Steven Beckly and Dylan MacNeil (Toronto, ON), Ted Kerr and Zachary Ayotte (Brooklyn, NY), and Colin Quinn and Oisín Share (Manchester, UK) will draw and expand on a variety of photographic traditions through exhibition at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA).
The six artists have simultaneously discovered the nature and development of their romantic relationships from three different parts of the world. Private exchanges emerging from domestic, romantic, and sexual dimensions of relationships are openly explored, uncovering a collection of personal narratives and intimate realities.
This exhibition arrives on the heels of PRIDE celebrations the world over, and aims to pull the curtain away and expose the reality of same sex relationships in today’s culture. Karen Stanworth, Director at the CLGA comments: “As each couple has curated the photographs, their distinctive perspectives on the subject matter have emerged. I’m looking forward to seeing what Steven and Dylan bring to the Toronto installation of the photographs. We’re also pleased that the book will be launched at this final venue for the photographs.”
Join the ‘At The Same Time’ artists on August 10, 2012 from 7:30-10PM at the CLGA (34 Isabella St., Toronto, Ontario). The exhibition will run until September 24, 2012 and copies of the ‘At The Same Time’ publication can be purchased online for $25.00 at http://atthesametime.bigcartel.com or in person at the exhibit.
About the Artists:
Zachary Ayotte is an artist based in Edmonton. His work has been exhibited internationally. www.zacharyayotte.com
Steven Beckly is a photo-based artist living and working in Toronto. His work has been exhibited and published internationally. He has been collaborating with partner Dylan MacNeil for the past three years. www.stevenbeckly.com
Ted Kerr is a writer and artist from Edmonton. Currently living in New York City, he is attending the New School and working with Visual AIDS. Kerr was a founding member of Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival, and HIV Edmonton’s first Artist in Residence. www.tedkerr.org
Colin Quinn and Oisín Share are Irish-born artists, currently based in Manchester, UK. Their visual project, “Quinnford + Scout,” is a photo-documentation of their development as a couple. Their work has been exhibited and published internationally. www.quinnfordandscout.eu
For more information, interviews or high res photography, contact Cory Stewart
PLUS: WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO GLAD DAY BOOK SHOP!
ENTER HERE
App Attack: Flixel – Make Your Photos Come To Life!
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to share a new and exciting app with you all. So, I’m really making up for it this time, with a very very cool tool called Flixel!
If you’re familiar with Instagram, you know how exciting it is to change the focus on your photos, and apply a unique filter. Flixel allows you to make your photo come to life with a very fun and user friendly interface that highlights what you want your viewers to see. Check out the quick demo video:
Also check out a couple finished product samples from Flixel’s Press Kit:
At the moment, Flixel is only on iPhone. Find it in the app store and have some fun with it!
Have an app you think I should look at? Want to be reviewed? Leave a comment and let me know!
What Happened at Social Mix 2012: Part Deux
For those of you who were following the earlier post: What Happened at Social Mix 2012, here’s the run down part two! I’ll preface this post by saying some of the following pictures are (a bit) blurry – sorry ’bout that, snapping photos while listening and tweeting proved to be challenging!
The first two speakers hit the stage after lunch!
Gini and Geoff spoke a lot about measurement and use of data to discover the true value of our digital efforts. It was amazing to see how many people were not aware of Google Analytics. Gini did a fantastic job stressing it’s importance, and rightfully so – Google Analytics is necessity online.
Next up, Tim Burrows from the Toronto Police. Tim really stole the show with great laughs, and candid conversation. It’s safe to say that Tim definitely improved all of the attendee’s perception of the Toronto Police force.
Scene stealer, Tim Burrows
Next came a quick briefing on The Remix Project – a fantastic initiative helping youth in Toronto to flourish in a variety of artistic positions while providing coaching and mentoring.
Finally, yet another scene stealer hit the stage to close out the conference – Film Friday’s Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary’s insights and outlooks on business and social media were so enlightening and refreshing.
He made one statement that I thought was incredibly bold, yet compelling:
Gary’s site has tons of videos and keynotes that are worth watching, check it out here.
FInally, 2 of my favourite pics from the day:
Me and speaker/online buddy Amber Mac
Cool vintage taxi parked outside of The Fairmont Royal York during the conference.
Hope you enjoyed the brief rundown, and I’ll definitely recommend that you attend this conference next year. It was worth it’s weight in gold due to it’s fantastic speakers, content, and level of engagement.
All in all, a ton of fun – and just what the name Social Mix should entail.
What’s Happened So Far At Social Mix 2012
We’re about halfway in to Social Mix 2012! So far, I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Amber Mac’s keynote, Matt Hixson from Tellagence, a panel about Social for small business and the people from Dell. The turnout is fantastic – and the content is legendary!
Here’s some screen grabs of my insights so far. I always take notes at conferences via twitter – that way I’ll always have them, and they’re shared with all my followers so they can learn along with me!
Amber Mac speaks of her childhood
Amber showed a cool video of her young son playing angry birds before being able to speak!
Great suggestion
More to come later, it’s almost time for the next set of speakers to hit the stage.
Cats, Dogs, and Why You Shouldn’t Send That Email
Everyday I probably get around 200-250 emails. This may seem like a lot to some, but for me it’s the norm. Recently I came across some interesting information about the amount of money a company loses from non-work-related emails, and was astounded! Businesses lose $650 BILLION a year due to unnecessary emails. Shocking, right?
Check out this inforgraphic that’s meant to guide you through the decision-making process the next time you plan to hit ‘send’.
Do you think we send out too many useless emails? Share in the comments!
Resumevolution: Tips For What’s Wrong On Your Resume
Over the course of the past few years – so many things have changed in the resume writing process. If you ever took one of those torturous ‘resume writing’ classes in high school, college, or university – chances are that what you’ve been taught has already become obsolete. As of late, there have been some fantastic examples of stand out resumes that really set the bar much higher than it has ever been before. Creativity and innovation will definitely help you stand out in a pile of boring living-obituaries (for lack of a more dramatic term). Remember: we all have to embrace the disruption, and become competitive in new spaces if we want to succeed! Below you’ll find some fresh and inspiring examples of great resumes rearing their heads online.
Writers note: There are some workplaces and jobs where these may not be viewed as an appropriate format. However, if this is how you’d consider your personal brand to be represented on paper, perhaps the job isn’t for you.
THE RESUMES
Paolo shows amazing visuals to demonstrate his extensive knowledge and expertise. It’s good to have the traditional bits of a resume merged with image. Plus, his website rocks.. click image to visit.
Karina May demonstrates her work as a content editor. She used VISUAL.LY, a free inforgraphic service.
Michelle Magoffin’s resume has a LOT of content, but also a great amount of personality. She also offers the opportunity to scan the QR code on the image to access a traditional CV. Click on the image to see a larger size.
Hopefully these inspire you to shake up your resume a little bit to become a more competitive player in your job hunt. Do you have any other examples of great resumes? Share links in the comments.
Quoting Disruption: Words To Live By
From time to time, I look to inspiring quotes to help motivate and recharge. I thought today I’d share a few of my favourites with you – so you too can benefit from some words of wisdom! Let me know your favourites, and feel free to share yours in the comments!
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” - Winston Churchill
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” - Bill Cosby
“Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” – Napoleon Hill
“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” – David Frost
“Most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown.” – Ross Perot
“It’s not enough to just give it a whirl; you’ve got to give it a whirl with purpose and direction.” - Eric Ries
“The person who says something is impossible should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” – Unknown
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been” – George Eliot
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs
