I’ve posted about Twitter before, but clearly it’s time for a recap. Lately I’ve been letting people double their chances at winning my giveaways by linking to them on Twitter. And every time I extend this offer, I have several people saying in my comments that they don’t know what Twitter is all about. Well, allow me to tell you all about it!
I absolutely LOVE Twitter. Twitter is microblogging — in 140 characters or less you can let people know what you’re doing, link to a cool post, ask a question, or respond to another “tweet”. (Although I confess that sometimes I have a hard time finishing a thought in 140 characters. I’m pretty sure the fault is mine, not Twitter’s, but don’t look for me to be more concise anytime soon!)
When you get set up with an account, you will want to start “following” people. You will be surprised how many follow you back. Once you get a network established, it’s really a lot of fun! You can reply to another person (and even if they don’t follow you, they will see your reply.) Replies are public. All of your followers will see your replies. You can direct message another person, and those are private. Only the person you send it to will see it. But if that person doesn’t follow you, Twitter will not allow your direct message to go through. This is the time to switch to email!
This video — Twitter in Plain English — is a great demo if you want a more tangible explanation.
There are many applications which make Twitter more accessible so you don’t have to go to the website. I’m a fan of Twhirl which is a pop-up on my desktop. This way I don’t have to interrupt what I’m doing to check the Twitter website. Twhirl is always open beside my web browser, and my computer dings whenever a new tweet comes through. Which isn’t distracting at all. Okay, so sometimes I have to turn if off when I have a deadline to meet. But I love the conversations that develop. On the days that I’m too busy to read blogs, which are becoming more and more frequent, Twitter is my link to the blogosphere and the outside world. It’s a great social outlet. Just like blogging, the more informative and entertaining your tweets, the better.
In addition to the community, Twitter is a great way to promote your blog. I love it when people tweet their new posts. I often follow the link to see what they have to say. I even have a plugin set up that sends a tweet whenever I publish a new post on my WordPress blogs. Just remember, if it’s all self-promotion all the time, your tweets will get old fast. TwiTip has a great article this week about 4 constant Twitter Mistakes You Should Avoid. Like blogging, if you contribute to the community and be approachable and authentic, you’ll be well on your way to winning friends and influencing people! (Wasn’t that a book or something?)
So let me know if you decide to try it out! You can follow me at www.twitter.com/dcrmom.
OK! Thanks a ton for the help with Twitter. I have an account now. I even have a follower.
I do have one question. What is the deal with Facebook? How is it different than Twitter? Just from looking around I like Twitter better. Seems easier.
I am new to all this.
Oh thank you for this post! I actually followed you twit link to this that’s why I am here
I heard about Twitter when it first cam out about a year ago (a year ago or so) but I hesitated on joining. I am not one that jumps on new things right away. I wait and let others try it.
Well… I saw how all you ladies were enjoying it and so I joined. I am glad I did
Aloha,
Liza
A Maui Blog and Liza’s Eyeview
I love twitter! I think you were my first follower…or vice versa!
But I”m a tweet deck fan. I think you should try it…it’s got more options than twhirl…
I didn’t really “get Twitter” – until I got Twhirl!! THAT makes it SO much better!! Now it’s the first thing I turn on in the morning when I open the lap top!!——there are a whole bunch of friends just waiting there to say “Good Morning”………and “Pass the coffee!” LOL
~Tidymom
Cindy, Facebook is much bigger, more of a homepage plus followers. You upload pictures and all sorts of stuff. They are different. I have both, but I don’t do much with Facebook. I’m on Twitter ALL the time.
I love Twitter. It is one of the first things I turn on when I log into my computer. I have followed some wonderful people!
You got me hooked with your 1st twitter post and now I am addicted. I am twittering at the post office, just got signed up for twitpics so I can twitter on vacation. It’s great! I just have to figure out how to make new friends and I am sure I’ll be on it all day long. Thanks!
Stumbled this–great post!
Great post about twitter which I LOVE! To OP about facebook, there is an application in fb where your twitter status goes to fb. That way the whole world knows what you are doing! LOL!
Okay, I held out on Twitter for a LONG time. Then I say how much fun you and Megan, et al, were having on it and I finally caved. I really like it and it is not the time sink I thought it would be. In fact, it’s easier for me to manage than Facebook.
Where I struggle is this idea that my tweets need to be “informative and entertaining.” I pretty much strike out on that level – something to work on maybe? In my copious free time? *snort*
Anyway, I think I need to get me one of them thar Twitter apps. I’ve been going web only and it’s easy to lose track.
Great post, Jo-Lynne! Very timely for us Twitter newbies.
Hey Jo-Lynne,
Wonderful post. I’m really enjoying twitter too. Can I ask: Which plug-in are you using in wordpress for tweeting your blog posts? There are a few, and I’m not computer-savvy enough to figure out which would be best.
Thanks!
Steph – Great question. I should have mentioned that! DUH! It looks like it’s called Twitter Tools. You can also tweet from your Dashboard in WordPress!
I have to admit that I’m not as into Twitter as I thought I would be. I like Facebook much better. But then again, I’m not on the internet much during the day because our computer at work is still on dial up and I can’t take up a phone line to blog and twitter while I’m supposed to be working. Merry Christmas to you and your family!