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Christian, Homeschooling Mom of 2, Photography Lover, Southerner, Blogger, Encourager, and Prayer Warrior. I love sweet tea, my Nikon, cooking, & traveling.
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Showing posts with label twitter tutorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label twitter tutorials. Show all posts
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tutorial Thursday: Using Twitter For Marketing
7:00 AM | 
Posted by
Meghan
Twitter is a great tool to use for marketing your business or brand. Some aren't sure how to use it and would if they only knew how. So, I wanted to put together a short list of how and why you should use Twitter to market.
1. When creating your Twitter account, make sure your username goes with your business or brand. You want to reflect what you're trying to market.
2. Make it professional looking. Create a background for your Twitter page. Also, make your profile picture your logo. There are many sites out there that have Twitter backgrounds to use for free if you don't want to make a custom background.
3. Make your profile according to your business/brand. Put the website link in there, what your site is about, etc. You want people to read more about you and your brand and be interested.
4. Follow people that are relevant to your business/brand. Dont just follow someone just to follow them. You want to "network" and appeal to those who might have an interest in your business.
5. A big "No, No" in the Twitter world are automatic direct messages once someone begins following you. People really don't like to be spammed with a link to your site and how they need to visit your business as soon as they find an interest in you. Form a relationship, then mention your business/brand. Just focus on making friends and getting to know them before trying to network your brand. It will come. Be patient. :)
That's it! Have fun using Twitter. But do beware, it is very addicting.
1. When creating your Twitter account, make sure your username goes with your business or brand. You want to reflect what you're trying to market.
2. Make it professional looking. Create a background for your Twitter page. Also, make your profile picture your logo. There are many sites out there that have Twitter backgrounds to use for free if you don't want to make a custom background.
3. Make your profile according to your business/brand. Put the website link in there, what your site is about, etc. You want people to read more about you and your brand and be interested.
4. Follow people that are relevant to your business/brand. Dont just follow someone just to follow them. You want to "network" and appeal to those who might have an interest in your business.
5. A big "No, No" in the Twitter world are automatic direct messages once someone begins following you. People really don't like to be spammed with a link to your site and how they need to visit your business as soon as they find an interest in you. Form a relationship, then mention your business/brand. Just focus on making friends and getting to know them before trying to network your brand. It will come. Be patient. :)
That's it! Have fun using Twitter. But do beware, it is very addicting.
Labels:
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tutorial Thursday: Twitter Hashtags & Lists
12:00 AM |
Posted by
Meghan
Dani suggested there be a tutorial on Twitter hashtags and lists. What a great idea! So, here we go...
by Twitter Icon
HASHTAGS
What is a hashtag?
Hashtags add additional context and metadata to your tweets. They're like tags and labels only added inline to your post. You can create a hashtag by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag. Opt-in by following @hashtags to have your hashtags tracked.
How to use hashtags?
by Twitter Icon
HASHTAGS
What is a hashtag?
Hashtags add additional context and metadata to your tweets. They're like tags and labels only added inline to your post. You can create a hashtag by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag. Opt-in by following @hashtags to have your hashtags tracked.
How to use hashtags?
Start using hashtags in your tweets, preceding key words. Do a little research first to find out if the subject you're tweeting already has an established hashtag.
Track other tweets on the subjects you're interested by browsing/searching at Hashtags.org, TwitterGroups, TweetChat, TweetGrid, etc.
A few tips though:
1. Use sparingly. Don't overdo the hashtags. Use them when they will add value, not clutter up your tweet or add annoyance.
2. Focus on your update/status first and then add the hashtags. So, the idea is to join two words together using each word capitalized. For example: American Idol, a hashtag could be #AmericanIdol
Lists
What are Twitter Lists?
Twitter lists is an effective way for you to put together users into groups so you can keep up with what they are up to or tweeting about. The groups would look something like this: @meghantucker/christianmoms
How do I create a Twitter List?
1. Log into Twitter
2. Click on "new lists" (right below the search box) A window will then pop up and you should answer those questions.
3. Once you've created your list, you're ready to add members. You can search for people to add to your list. Or you can add people to the list from their profile page by clicking on the list button and checking the lists/boxes you want them to appear in. Another way to add users to your list is from any "following" page. Once you're on their page and youre either "following" or will show "follow", click on the "lists" button to the right.
Finding and following lists:
1. Listorious Listorious is a third-party site that maintains a categorized directory of Twitter lists. You can search or browse through lists by category, and find the most popular lists.
2. TweetMeme Lists TweetMeme also finds the most tweeted about Twitter Lists.
That's it! You're now a hashtag and list pro! So, start using them!
Was this tutorial helpful to you? Please let me know! Do you have tutorials you'd like to see here? Please comment or contact me and I'll see what I can do :)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tutorial Thursday: Make Your Twitter Experience Worth It (Twitter 101 Part III)
12:00 AM |
Posted by
Meghan
"I hear so much about Twitter, but I am not sure how to go past and use it for more than updating my status. Help!"
It's the common question these days. What is Twitter? Look here for our first session in our Twitter 101 class :) Maybe all the acronyms have you confused and you need a list to print out and keep handy - click here But today we'll focus on Making the Most with Twitter.
1. Use your photo for your profile picture/avatar. People love to see who they are "tweeting" with. It is the first thing people see when they look at your profile to see if they want to follow you or are following you. Make sure the picture represents the account. People warm up better to a photo rather than a stock photo or a brand logo.
2. Complete your profile. I will not follow or want someone following me if the profile isn't complete. Just weird to me. Include your real name, timezone, website, and bio are all filled out and relevant to you, the owner of the twitter account. Twitter is about getting out and chatting with people and being in the "know". So unless you're highly attractive to the MOB then don't protect your tweets.
3. Be interesting with your tweets. Don't take the "whats your status now" too seriously. You will bore your readers and we dont want that to happen :)
4. Ask Questions. I know Twitter is one of the first places I go to ask people things or have questions answered about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! It's fast, extremely up to date, and everything is in real time. No more waiting around for someone at a help desk online or waiting for the news to give you answers, just ask on Twitter. Also, ask your friends questions!
5. Find people to follow. Use Twitters search tool to find people you'll connect with. Invite others from other social networks to join you on Twitter. Find who your friends are following and follow them as well.
6. Follow back. When someone follows you, proper Twitter etiquette is to follow back. Check out their profile first and if they seem remotely interesting to you or you have something in common, follow them back! I make sure to say hi to all my new followers and use their Twitter handle to do so.
7. Use TweetDeck or HooteSuite. I personally prefer TweetDeck over HooteSuite but its all out of what you personally like better. Using one of these will make your Twitter life much more easier to manage and more fun as well. There are also iPhone and other smart phone apps for these as well.
8. Remember your etiquette. Retweet those comments that need to be retweeted, thank the person when your tweet has been RT'd by them. Also, have an opinion, but don't go overboard. Remember Twitter is supposed to be light, fun, and drama free. Keep it that way! If you see someone not using Twitter for the way it was meant to be used, report them or block them. You dont have to put up with reading their stuff.
Twitter is something I've really gotten into over the past year and is an awesome tool! So many are intimidated by it, and I hope my posts today and the previous "Twitter 101" sessions have been helpful.
Stay tuned for more...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tutorial Thursday: Twitter Acronyms (Part II of Twitter 101)
12:00 AM |
Posted by
Meghan
Ever wonder what some of the acronyms and words mean on twitter? Look no further, here is your Ultimate Twitter Glossary!
Before starting, what is your twitter handle? Mine is: @meghantucker or you can click on the "T" icon to the right. Lets follow eachother!
# sign
The hash sign is used to mark a word as a keyword, which denotes a “hashtag”. More on hashtags further down the list.
@ reply
The @ sign is used to indicate that you are replying to a specific username. For example, if DickCheney tweets a question about font tags, you will reply with @reply DickCheney “nobody uses font tags anymore, try CSS” or something of the sort. Remember that when you use @reply it is visible to everyone – for private communications use a direct message.
140 character limit
Twitter messages are meant to be short. Most people don’t even go up to the 140 character limit when posting a tweet. This is the reason for utilities like URL snippers, which we’ll get to.
Block
The act of blocking a particular user name from following your tweets. You block someone by clicking on their profile and choosing “Block” on the right sidebar.
DM
This stands for direct message, which is the Twitter equivalent to e-mail. You may only send direct messages to those following you. To do so, click on “Direct Message” on their profile and type out your message, again only up to 140 characters. Automatic direct messages can be set up to thank someone for following you using a free service such as TweetLater. Keep in mind that you cannot send Direct Messages to people that are not following you, even if you are following them. This is Twitter’s built-in spam protection.
FAV
You can favourite a tweet by typing FAV in all caps plus their username. This will automatically favourite the last tweet from that user.
Feed
Your posts on Twitter are commonly referred to as your “Twitter feed”, or “timeline”.
FollowersPeople who follow your updates.
GET username
Retrieves the most recent tweet from that user.
HashtagsHashtags, such as #BSG for “Battlestar Galactica”, denote groupings on Twitter for popular, commonly referenced items. You can follow updates on hashtags in real time at Hashtags.org They were developed as a means to create groupings on Twitter. In order to have hashtags tracked, start following @hashtags on Twitter. It will follow you automatically and your use of hashtags will be tracked. They are used to track specific events in real time.
Locking Your ProfileYou can “lock” your profile so that only friends can see your updates by scrolling down to the bottom of your “Settings” tab on the Twitter website and clicking the box beside “Protect My Updates”. This may deprive you of followers who would have otherwise followed you based on keywords in your posts and isn’t advised for general use. You would only want this if you wanted to use Twitter, but need to avoid public communication for a specific reason. Even celebrities have public profiles on Twitter.
NUDGE usernameReminds one of your friends to update.
off-TwitterA variant of “offline”, usually used when someone wants to share something with someone privately.
RT/Retweeting
This stands for retweeting, the process whereby you repost someone else’s Twitter post on your feed. The proper form for this is: RT #usernameyouarerequotingfrom “text of the retweet”. You are specifying that it is a retweet and putting in the full username so others on your list can choose to follow them if they like it.
Twactor
Someone who impersonates another person on Twitter.
TwittcrastinationUsing Twitter to procrastinate.
TwaddThe act of adding someone as your friend.
Twaffic
Traffic on Twitter.
TwaggleA bunch of followers.
TwaigslistTo sell something via Twitter.
TwaitingTwittering while waiting for something.
Tweeps/TweeplesA cluster of friends on Twitter. Frequently used to address all of your followers at once, e.g.”Morning, Tweeples!”.
Tweet-backBringing a previous tweet back into the current conversation.
Tweeter
A Twitter user.
TweeterboxSomeone who Tweets too much.
TweetardSomeone acting like an idiot on Twitter.
Tweetheart
Another way to refer to friends on Twitter.
TweetIn
A group of users agree on a set time to Twitter to each other.
Tweets
A collection of posts on Twitter.
Twerminology
Lingo used on Twitter. See this Glossary.
Twhepard
Twitter employee that restores your lost followers if you have lost them due to a technical glitch.
Twhiner
A Twitter user who posts a high number of negative items.
Twike
To ride a bicycle while Twittering. Don’t ask for a how-to.
Twis
A “dis” of a fellow Twitterer. Not a good idea since everything on Twitter is public.
Twittectomy
The act of unfollowing someone on Twitter.
Twitterific
Something awesome related to Twitter.
Twittering
To send a Twitter message.
Twitteritas
Ladies who use Twitter.
Twitterject
To insert your tweet in an ongoing conversation between other people on Twitter.
Twitterlooing
The act of Twittering from a bathroom.
Twitterphoria
What you feel when something good happens on Twitter, like being followed or retweeted.
Twittermob
Similar to a “flashmob”, this is a bunch of people who descend on an often ill-prepared location based on a Twitter message.
Twitterstream
The Twitter timeline, both your own and the public one.
Twittfessional
A confession made on Twitter.
Twittosphere
The community of Twitter users.
Twittworking
Networking with other Twitter users.
Twoogle
Twitter as the human version of Google, since you can post a question and get instant results.
Twoops
Sending a private message to Twitter by accident.
Twoosh
A full 140 character Twitter message.
Twurvey
A survey conducted over Twitter.
Twype
Typing a Twitter message.
WHOIS usernameGets profile information for a Twitter user.
Before starting, what is your twitter handle? Mine is: @meghantucker or you can click on the "T" icon to the right. Lets follow eachother!
# sign
The hash sign is used to mark a word as a keyword, which denotes a “hashtag”. More on hashtags further down the list.
@ reply
The @ sign is used to indicate that you are replying to a specific username. For example, if DickCheney tweets a question about font tags, you will reply with @reply DickCheney “nobody uses font tags anymore, try CSS” or something of the sort. Remember that when you use @reply it is visible to everyone – for private communications use a direct message.
140 character limit
Twitter messages are meant to be short. Most people don’t even go up to the 140 character limit when posting a tweet. This is the reason for utilities like URL snippers, which we’ll get to.
Block
The act of blocking a particular user name from following your tweets. You block someone by clicking on their profile and choosing “Block” on the right sidebar.
DM
This stands for direct message, which is the Twitter equivalent to e-mail. You may only send direct messages to those following you. To do so, click on “Direct Message” on their profile and type out your message, again only up to 140 characters. Automatic direct messages can be set up to thank someone for following you using a free service such as TweetLater. Keep in mind that you cannot send Direct Messages to people that are not following you, even if you are following them. This is Twitter’s built-in spam protection.
FAV
You can favourite a tweet by typing FAV in all caps plus their username. This will automatically favourite the last tweet from that user.
Feed
Your posts on Twitter are commonly referred to as your “Twitter feed”, or “timeline”.
FollowersPeople who follow your updates.
GET username
Retrieves the most recent tweet from that user.
HashtagsHashtags, such as #BSG for “Battlestar Galactica”, denote groupings on Twitter for popular, commonly referenced items. You can follow updates on hashtags in real time at Hashtags.org They were developed as a means to create groupings on Twitter. In order to have hashtags tracked, start following @hashtags on Twitter. It will follow you automatically and your use of hashtags will be tracked. They are used to track specific events in real time.
Locking Your ProfileYou can “lock” your profile so that only friends can see your updates by scrolling down to the bottom of your “Settings” tab on the Twitter website and clicking the box beside “Protect My Updates”. This may deprive you of followers who would have otherwise followed you based on keywords in your posts and isn’t advised for general use. You would only want this if you wanted to use Twitter, but need to avoid public communication for a specific reason. Even celebrities have public profiles on Twitter.
NUDGE usernameReminds one of your friends to update.
off-TwitterA variant of “offline”, usually used when someone wants to share something with someone privately.
RT/Retweeting
This stands for retweeting, the process whereby you repost someone else’s Twitter post on your feed. The proper form for this is: RT #usernameyouarerequotingfrom “text of the retweet”. You are specifying that it is a retweet and putting in the full username so others on your list can choose to follow them if they like it.
Twactor
Someone who impersonates another person on Twitter.
TwittcrastinationUsing Twitter to procrastinate.
TwaddThe act of adding someone as your friend.
Twaffic
Traffic on Twitter.
TwaggleA bunch of followers.
TwaigslistTo sell something via Twitter.
TwaitingTwittering while waiting for something.
Tweeps/TweeplesA cluster of friends on Twitter. Frequently used to address all of your followers at once, e.g.”Morning, Tweeples!”.
Tweet-backBringing a previous tweet back into the current conversation.
Tweeter
A Twitter user.
TweeterboxSomeone who Tweets too much.
TweetardSomeone acting like an idiot on Twitter.
Tweetheart
Another way to refer to friends on Twitter.
TweetIn
A group of users agree on a set time to Twitter to each other.
Tweets
A collection of posts on Twitter.
Twerminology
Lingo used on Twitter. See this Glossary.
Twhepard
Twitter employee that restores your lost followers if you have lost them due to a technical glitch.
Twhiner
A Twitter user who posts a high number of negative items.
Twike
To ride a bicycle while Twittering. Don’t ask for a how-to.
Twis
A “dis” of a fellow Twitterer. Not a good idea since everything on Twitter is public.
Twittectomy
The act of unfollowing someone on Twitter.
Twitterific
Something awesome related to Twitter.
Twittering
To send a Twitter message.
Twitteritas
Ladies who use Twitter.
Twitterject
To insert your tweet in an ongoing conversation between other people on Twitter.
Twitterlooing
The act of Twittering from a bathroom.
Twitterphoria
What you feel when something good happens on Twitter, like being followed or retweeted.
Twittermob
Similar to a “flashmob”, this is a bunch of people who descend on an often ill-prepared location based on a Twitter message.
Twitterstream
The Twitter timeline, both your own and the public one.
Twittfessional
A confession made on Twitter.
Twittosphere
The community of Twitter users.
Twittworking
Networking with other Twitter users.
Twoogle
Twitter as the human version of Google, since you can post a question and get instant results.
Twoops
Sending a private message to Twitter by accident.
Twoosh
A full 140 character Twitter message.
Twurvey
A survey conducted over Twitter.
Twype
Typing a Twitter message.
WHOIS usernameGets profile information for a Twitter user.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tutorial Thursday: Twitter? What?
12:00 AM |
Posted by
Meghan
Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.
Why use Twitter?
1. Gives immediate look on news, events, what people are talking about, often before any news outlet shares it.
2. Marketing tool. Whether you are a big business owner, small business owner, or want to use it for personal use only to keep in touch with friends, family, or your favorite celebrity. Most people are on twitter! This makes it easy to connect with them to help spread the word about your site, your creations, thoughts, ideas, and keep in touch with family/friends.
3. Twitter can be your "water cooler" (I didnt create this metaphor, but it fits great!) It gives me a chance to break and chat with people anything and everything. Sometimes its serious, sometimes its marketing to help get the name of my site out there, sometimes its just to chat.
How to get started on Twitter?
1. Go to http://www.twitter.com and sign up. I have two set up. One for myself and one for my site/business. (Note: Grab your names before someone else does, even if you dont plan to use it for a while).
2. Set up your profile. There are all kinds of ways to personalize it in "Settings". (Note: Make sure to include your website and info about yourself since people on Twitter like to know these things).
3. Upload a photo of yourself or your business if you're setting up a business account.
4. Build Your Network: Twitter will allow you to import e-mail lists, contacts from instant messaging services, and you can find your friends on their search engine. The best way to build a list of interesting people is to go to the Twitter search engine at search.twitter.com and plug in your interests.
What does it mean to "follow" someone?
“Following” someone is the same thing as adding them as a Facebook friend, except that they don’t see your updates unless they choose to follow you as well. Generally the best way to get followers is to add people based on your interests, as most people will follow you once you start following them.
Once you start following someone, their updates, or “Tweets”, will appear in your “timeline”, or your Twitter feed. If you find someone is getting on your nerves with too many senseless Tweets, go ahead and remove them by going to their profile page on the Twitter site; you may do this by clicking on their name. Click the arrow beside “Following” just below the top of their profile page and then click “Remove”.
To post your messages, or “Tweets”, go to your profile page and type your tweet into the box provided. Applications like the ones referenced [URL="http://www.squidoo.com/twitterapps"]here [/URL]make the process a bit easier and remove the need to visit the website to make your updates.
How do I get more followers?
Use the search tool to search for people with similar interests as you (digital scrapbooking, blogging, traveling, cooking, photography, etc)
(NOTE: The more you tweet, the more followers you'll get.). People love to hear from you and people love to connect. I try to aim for a few tweets per day at least.
What do I tweet about?
Ask yourself this question: "Do I find this interesting, or would I?" If you say yes, then tweet about it. People dont really want to know that you're at McDonalds for lunch.
Tweet Accomplishments Sparingly: If you went live with a new site or posted an article on a blog, that is exactly what Twitter is for. If you have over twenty new posts a day on your site, tweet only the more interesting one.
Don't Tweet Confidential Stuff: Tell someone that you’ll go “off-Twitter” if you need to talk about something that you don’t want the world to know about. Remember that your tweets are searchable unless you have locked your account.
Snip Your URL's: Use [URL="www.tinyurl.com"]TinyURL[/URL] to shorten your lengths to something more manageable. Most Twitter users snip their URL’s regardless of their size just to keep them readable. You can also set up many of the Twitter clients available (google: "twitterclients") to automatically snip any URL that is entered.
Profanity: Two words..."Just don't"
Ok-now what questions do you have? I'm here to answer. I'll post another tutorial in a few with the "glossary" of Twitter.
I want to be cool and know what Twitter is, help me!
Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now.
Why use Twitter?
1. Gives immediate look on news, events, what people are talking about, often before any news outlet shares it.
2. Marketing tool. Whether you are a big business owner, small business owner, or want to use it for personal use only to keep in touch with friends, family, or your favorite celebrity. Most people are on twitter! This makes it easy to connect with them to help spread the word about your site, your creations, thoughts, ideas, and keep in touch with family/friends.
3. Twitter can be your "water cooler" (I didnt create this metaphor, but it fits great!) It gives me a chance to break and chat with people anything and everything. Sometimes its serious, sometimes its marketing to help get the name of my site out there, sometimes its just to chat.
How to get started on Twitter?
1. Go to http://www.twitter.com and sign up. I have two set up. One for myself and one for my site/business. (Note: Grab your names before someone else does, even if you dont plan to use it for a while).
2. Set up your profile. There are all kinds of ways to personalize it in "Settings". (Note: Make sure to include your website and info about yourself since people on Twitter like to know these things).
3. Upload a photo of yourself or your business if you're setting up a business account.
4. Build Your Network: Twitter will allow you to import e-mail lists, contacts from instant messaging services, and you can find your friends on their search engine. The best way to build a list of interesting people is to go to the Twitter search engine at search.twitter.com and plug in your interests.
What does it mean to "follow" someone?
“Following” someone is the same thing as adding them as a Facebook friend, except that they don’t see your updates unless they choose to follow you as well. Generally the best way to get followers is to add people based on your interests, as most people will follow you once you start following them.
Once you start following someone, their updates, or “Tweets”, will appear in your “timeline”, or your Twitter feed. If you find someone is getting on your nerves with too many senseless Tweets, go ahead and remove them by going to their profile page on the Twitter site; you may do this by clicking on their name. Click the arrow beside “Following” just below the top of their profile page and then click “Remove”.
To post your messages, or “Tweets”, go to your profile page and type your tweet into the box provided. Applications like the ones referenced [URL="http://www.squidoo.com/twitterapps"]here [/URL]make the process a bit easier and remove the need to visit the website to make your updates.
How do I get more followers?
Use the search tool to search for people with similar interests as you (digital scrapbooking, blogging, traveling, cooking, photography, etc)
(NOTE: The more you tweet, the more followers you'll get.). People love to hear from you and people love to connect. I try to aim for a few tweets per day at least.
What do I tweet about?
Ask yourself this question: "Do I find this interesting, or would I?" If you say yes, then tweet about it. People dont really want to know that you're at McDonalds for lunch.
Tweet Accomplishments Sparingly: If you went live with a new site or posted an article on a blog, that is exactly what Twitter is for. If you have over twenty new posts a day on your site, tweet only the more interesting one.
Don't Tweet Confidential Stuff: Tell someone that you’ll go “off-Twitter” if you need to talk about something that you don’t want the world to know about. Remember that your tweets are searchable unless you have locked your account.
Snip Your URL's: Use [URL="www.tinyurl.com"]TinyURL[/URL] to shorten your lengths to something more manageable. Most Twitter users snip their URL’s regardless of their size just to keep them readable. You can also set up many of the Twitter clients available (google: "twitterclients") to automatically snip any URL that is entered.
Profanity: Two words..."Just don't"
Ok-now what questions do you have? I'm here to answer. I'll post another tutorial in a few with the "glossary" of Twitter.
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