Tweeter Tips

Ok, so I’ve been slacking, my bad. I’m still new to this blogging thing, have some patience and give me a break!

Now then:

Here’s an interesting blog post by Wayne Porter called “Twitter Tips And Cycles” where he discusses the power of Twitter and how to use it correctly (without dying in the process)…

In the post Wayne shares these relevant Tactical Twitter Tips:

• 1. Try to avoid over-use of the @symbol, although it is o.k. for “micro-conversations” to break out- they will happen. You can also use brackets like [@wporter] or send a direct message.

Also note that the #symbol in the middle of a Twit is very different than the @symbol at the beginning.

• 2. Don’t tweet every single blog post or photo upload, etc. unless you know your audience really well.

Try not to break Twitter, it can do that all on it’s own (except in the case of major Apple news days), save the ‘every little thing I do is magic’ for FriendFeed. On that note: Use Twiddict For Those Inevitable Twitter Downtimes

• 3. Avidly look for interesting people outside of your normal network so you are exposed to new ideas.

On the other hand, don’t turn into a Twitter ho

• 4. It is o.k. to emit some “noise”, after all part of the medium is to be fun, but avoid sending so much noise that people stop following you. You will develop your own “style” as you go along. Be human.

Unless you’re not human, in which case, don’t you have something better to do? Like take over the world?

• 5. Look at your blog posts and tweets and see if you can correlate jumps in your “follower” growth or a trend in the “types” of followers to other activity in media.

This is an interesting point, give them what they want and they’ll keep coming back.

• 6. You do not have to follow every single person on your list. You should frequently review new followers and see if you can find interesting people, and even if you don’t follow them, you can certainly stop by their blog or page.

This is just common courtesy, again see #3.

• 7. Ensure your Twitter URL points to a site or page where potential people evaluating whether to follow or reciprocate with you. This way they can get more information about you and make a better decision. They are about to make an investment in their time so help them make it.

Just make sure the page you point to is useful to them, don’t waste this valuable opportunity on a sales page.

• 8. Occasionally reach out and spend some social capital by helping or simply a “thank you”. For example, thank someone who inspires you with their writing, or someone who helps you out, that you admire, or you find contributing to the commons. Sometimes they will respond in surprising ways.

Keyword here: Occasionally. Don’t be a beggar.

• 9. Find technically advanced users or resources that will teach you how to effectively handle all of these emerging technologies like a pro.

Ok, here it is, you knew it was coming right? PLUG: www.thirtydaychallenge.com and @Ed_Dale

• 10. Be genuine, be polite and have fun.

Really? This is tip worthy? Like making everyone silly enough to follow me hear every thing I feel like saying isn’t fun! I might get a God complex from this.