Posts filed under 'Twitter 101'
Avid and successful twitter users use hashtags to categorize their tweets. Putting a hashmark or pound sign (#) and then a keyword which relates to your tweet, will allow you and others to search for that later. This is good when multiple users are tweeting about the same subject.
Let’s say for instance that you wanted all of your tweets and re-tweets about The Big Tweet (TBT) to be indexed for you and others in the future. Anytime you posted something about The Big Tweet you would want to include “#TBT” in your tweet. Others following The Big Tweet will do the same, creating an easy way to find tweets relating to The Big Tweet by including the same hashtag.
#followfriday is a very popular hashtag. It’s used to recommend new tweeters for your followers to begin following themselves, on you guessed it, friday.
Hashtags can also be used to track real-time events and create groupings. Experiment with hashtags for yourself and see what you can find.
You are also able to track hashtags with Hashtag.org. This allows you to search for certain hashtags or keywords and will show you real time tracking of tweets using yoru specified hashtag. Get started with Hashtag.org by simply following @hashtag.
March 27th, 2009
Adding pictures to your tweets can be simple and easy, with various online programs and software. While you can always add a pictures URL to your tweet, this often takes up a good amount of your allotted characters, which doesn’t leave you space for a caption or description. There are a few options out there to help you shorten the URL length for any picture, giving you as many free characters as possible.
TwitPic is a very common and well-liked photo adding service. TwitPic allows any Twitter user to upload images from their desktop which are stored on TwitPic’s server and given a very shory URL. Use TwitPic’s built in posting template to complete your tweet and have it broadcast to your followers.
Many other add-ons and programs use TwitPic and similar services/programs to generate shortened URL’s for your image tweets. TweetDeck for example has this function built in to allow users to add images and also shorten longer links, giving those always needed characters to you for describing your link or image.
Upload a photo for yourself to see how everything works. It’s simple and easy to use…
March 19th, 2009
If you’re going to be an active twitter user, you’re going to need to re-tweet. Re-tweeting is re-broadcasting someone’s tweet that you find particularly useful or entertaining.
While there is no command for a re-tweet, it’s common practice to put “RT”, space, “@”, then the original tweeter’s handle and their tweet.
- ex: RT @The_Big_Tweet: check out this hilarious picture of my pet rat!
Re-tweeting helps you network and market better. When multiple users re-tweet your tweet you’re going to get more exposure, and hopefully acquire some new followers. You can also ask your followers to re-tweet something for you if you’re really looking to spread the word!
March 6th, 2009
There are a few main ways to communicate with twitter, all of which can be used to network. Each type of communication has a different privacy level. Knowing who can see which posts helps you communicate properly and effectively.
Tweet - A tweet is the most basic and most publicly open way to communicate with twitter. When you’re on your twitter home page you’ll see prompt: what are you doing?.
Enter what ever you wish to share freely here and press enter. You’re 140 character or less blurb will be shared instantly with anyone and everyone who is following you. This means you might not want to share that your extra spicy bean burrito is burning on the way out too…unless you don’t mind everyone indulging in your bowel movements.
Reply - Fairly self explanatory right? Replies allow you to comment and communicate directly with other twitter users. Simply preface a users handle (screen name) with the “@” symbol and type up a message or response in the same field you would normally tweet in.
- ex. @The_Big_Tweet What a great website! I owe you my first born child.
Your followers will still be able to see your replies. But while the privacy on reply’s isn’t any different from a tweet, it is a bit more personal because it is directed at a particular user. Be sure the person you are replying to is following you as well, otherwise they won’t get it!
Direct Message - A direct message is exactly that, a message which goes directly to a specified user. This message will be seen by that member only. This private message can be used to pick fun of other users without them knowing! Create a Direct Message by simply putting the letter “d” and a space before your desired recipient’s handle. Then write your message.
- ex. d The_Big_Tweet the strip club was crazy last night but what was up with that monkey on a leash?
Most likely, this is a statement you wouldn’t want others to read. Ideally, Direct Messages are intended for you to speak with friends and fellow industry specialists.
March 5th, 2009
If you’re going to be using twitter, you’re going to need to learn the lingo. Check back in from time to time as this Twictionary will be continually growing. Hell, these aren’t even real words. Come up with your own clever twitter terminology and share it with the world!
- Tweet – a twitter submission or posting, limited to 140 characters.
- Tweeps – a group of twitter users that follow each other. your bad-ass online crew.
- TweetUp – a public meeting between two or more tweeters.
- Tweople – twitter users, twitter people.
- Tweeting – the act of posting on twitter.
- Tweeter – an active twitter user.
- Twoogle – getting near instantaneous answers to questions by simply tweeting.
- Tweetheart – that special tweeter that you can’t wait to hear from.
- Twoops – an accidental tweet, direct or private message.
- Twoosh - a perfect tweet of 140 characters on the first try.
- Twittering – same as tweeting; posting on twitter.
- Twitterer – same as tweeter; an active twitter user.
March 5th, 2009