My Twitter tips go beyond a simple “how-to.”
I want to help the Twitter newbies and those who aren’t using the site effectively. Why? Because I love Twitter and when you’re in love, you want to share it.
Twitter provides tremendous opportunities to make connections and have some fun, but you have to know what you’re doing.
Here’s what I wish I’d known about Twitter from the get go.
1. NICHE: If you don’t have a purpose for using the site, you’re wasting your time. My goal was and still is to feel a sense of community with other writers. To that end, I generally follow writers, literary journals, bloggers similar to me, some local tweeters, and publications focused on Jewish life. Celebrities? Nope. News organizations? Absolutely not. When I want the headlines, I read the paper or a news site. When I want to know what one of the Kardashians thinks about anything–well, that will never happen.
I’m not suggesting you only follow people you agree with or who are exactly like you. My category of “writers” for example includes people from all walks of life, not just people who write in the same genre.
2. MAKE LISTS: If you don’t use lists, you’re missing the tweets you really want to see. Keeping the people you follow unlisted is like storing your forks in your sock drawer. It’s too much trouble to find what you’re looking for and wastes a lot of time. Start those lists. And use them! (If you don’t know how, finish reading this post then go direction to PART TWO.)
3. UTILIZE THE “LIKE” FUNCTION: When I’m reading tweets, I “like” the ones I want to check out later. Later might be weeks away–that’s fine. People appreciate the RT of their links whenever you can get to it.
4. KNOW HOW TO RT: Please commit this one to memory. When you start a tweet with the @ sign like this—> @NinaBadzin–ONLY the people who follow BOTH of us will see that tweet. That type of tweet is called an @reply. So when you’re RTing someone’s link as a nice gesture (and you should do that regularly on Twitter or you’re COMPLETELY missing the point) then it’s not all that generous to write a tweet like this—>@NinaBadzin wrote a must-read post about the ins and outs of Twitter.
Wrong! It should look like this—>A must-read post by @NinaBadzin about the ins and outs of Twitter. Another option—>.@NinaBadzin wrote a must read post about the ins and outs of Twitter. Notice the . in front of the @–That little . makes all the difference. HOWEVER, don’t start throwing a period in front of every @. (See below)
5. KNOW WHEN TO START WITH @: We’re getting down to the nitty-gritty of Twitter etiquette. There’s a time for a less public tweet. If you’re thanking someone for a RT or giving a specific response to an article/post, then an @reply is totally acceptable. Sometimes it makes sense for just the people who follow both of you to see that tweet. There’s nothing wrong with using the @reply (I wish people would use it more often), but understand that if you’re trying to promote someone’s post, then you must stick a word or a period before the @. (See #5)
6. KNOW WHEN TO DIRECT MESSAGE: Nothing irks me more than a long personal conversation on the public feed. Like I said above, a few Tweets back and forth are appropriate and expected. (I absolutely do this.) But an endless back and forth is unnecessary. If you have that much to talk about, take it to the Direct Message function or exchange email addresses.
7. KNOW WHEN NOT TO DIRECT MESSAGE: Do NOT auto-DM the people who follow you with seemingly friendly notes like, “Thanks for the follow. I hope you enjoy my tweets and let’s connect on Facebook.” I suppose people who do this think it makes Twitter more personal. It doesn’t. Authentically interacting makes Twitter more personal (responding to general questions, RTing someone’s tweet).
8. BIO AND PHOTO: Speaking of spambots, make sure to fill out your bio as thoroughly as possible. Upload a picture. Most people avoid following the eggs.
9. KEEP YOUR HANDLE (Twitter name) SHORT AND CLOSE TO YOUR NAME: LISTEN TO ME–keep your handle short and don’t make it cutesy. When people RT your link, your handle counts against the 140-character allotment. And if you want a certain tweet RTed, you always want to keep it well under 140 anyway. (Your handle, the RTer’s handle, plus the actual link count against the 140.) Therefore, if your handle is anything like @NinaIsaWriterPleaseLoveHer, then you’re never getting retweeted. It’s never too late to change your handle. Go to the help section on Twitter. The name change directions are there. You won’t lose followers. WHY NO CUTESY NAMES? I think writers (aspiring and published) should use their real names. Names like @writergirl or @lovestowrite are generic and forgettable. Be YOU, not your blog’s name, or the name of your interests.
That’s all I have! I hope it helps you maximize your relationship with Twitter.
(Go to Twitter Tips: Part Two)
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107 Responses
What a fun post. Informative and useful, yet still full of your personality. Love it.
Thank you!! 🙂
Thanks for the follow. Sign up for my Facebook and newsletter feeds so that we can become fat friends.
I once received an auto-DM that was almost identical to that. I remember it because of the ‘fat’ friends line. Needless to say I automatically followed them and was rewarded with millions of dollars from the inheritance they asked me to help secure.
I need serious hepl Nina….supposed to be helping an organization make a presence on Twitter…maybe we can make a phone date?
Fabulous tips. I’m linking up to this post for my bloggy roundup on Business 2 Blogger’s blog!
Thanks, Nina, for the tutorial! Kiss and tell all you want! Do you offer private tutoring for those of us who are uber FBers but training-wheel Tweeters?
OMG, I just tweeted about your blog post and began with a .@ninabadzin. Was that good form, bad form, informed, uniform???? Help, I need @NinaBadzin Twitter 101!
Excellent form!
So many thoughts on this fab post!
First, I only learned about the position of the handle last week (which you know), and I had been wondering WHY people had been using . so that makes sense.
Can I add that people need to know when DMs really should be an email convo? If you need to send 4 or more DMs in succession to get across 1 point, send an email!
I have already admitted my failure at lists. And I had never heard that 10% rule, though it makes a lot of sense.
This post is so helpful! I just went through and cleaned out my celebrity follows…hahaha. Because you’re so right! Plus, Lil Jon posts annoying tweets on a regular basis.
Okay, Nina, obviously Twitter is a cheater because I thought I had the fabulous love relationship with T! This is a fabulous post!
Great tips! Going to share this on my writing FB page. Oh, and RT of course! 😉
Jill! Twitter is SUCH a cheater! I wrote my VERY FIRST blog post about that!
https://ninabadzin.com/2010/11/18/am-i-cheating-on-twitter/
Actually, I think I’ll add that link to the bottom of the post! 😉
Thanks you, Nina! I’m most definitely a Twitter newb and while I’ve figured out much of what you mentioned, several items were really informative (Hootsuite? Tweetdeck? Both news to me!). I keep meaning to make lists but the Twitter site is usually so clunky and full of technical errors that I wind up giving up. Huh. Maybe I should use Hootsuite. Or Tweetdeck.
Thanks again!
Hi! I’ve never used Tweetdeck but people swear by it. Good luck!
I grovel at your feet. I think I’ve got most of this down (mostly because your previous tutorials), but Hootsuite and Tweetdeck are still beyond my reach.
Anne, once your book goes all Twilight (Anne’s book–LIES BENEATH–is coming from Random House everyone!) then you will HAVE to switch to Hootsuite or Tweetdeck. Or at least you’ll have to get really serious about making lists. We’ll do a session. Sigh. My work is never done. 😉
Awesome post! I just learned so much. Thank you!
Lisa Kilian
If I tweeted I would retweet this. Who knew you would be such a twitter guru – helping those in need? Another great post – and to think you were this coherent with no sugar in your body! Maybe you are more addicted to twitter than sugar? I would never make you give that up cold turkey though!
Awesome and right on the money!! Thanks!! 🙂
This is great, love the info and I needed it, off to work on my lists, my socks and forks are completely unorganized.
Thank you so much for this list! I found it through a RT by @MTDLBlog. I’ve always wondered about lists, so I guess now I need to go educate myself!
Thanks for this! I admit, I’ve been pretty committed to Facebook, but I’m trying to “date” Twitter. Normally, I’ve felt like an idiot! So this is really helpful. Appreciate your sharing such helpful (and thorough) info.
Cathy, it takes time. Remember I started in February 2010. You’ll make a few blunders we all do.
Awesome post. I’m going to RT this all over the place. And people should know: you’re even more than just plain nice. And, um, P.S., Would you do a follow-up on how to make lists?
Coming later in the week! 🙂
Very good points. I’m all for the DM instead of letting us all see what is going on. I also am not drawn to those that get on and slam things from personal life….That’s just me.
Totally agree–Twitter isn’t a journal.
Definitely good advice – and I’ll admit I’ve been guilty of the lame Auto DM – thanks for the follow etc. – after a bunch of people did that to me when I first started Twitter. So naturally, I thought you were SUPPOSED to do that.
Now, I want to go back and apologize to everyone for being so lame. But I’d have to make a list: People I Auto DM’d.
Instead, I guess I’ll just live with the shame and vow to never make the same mistake again.
Thanks, Nina!
It’s a learning process for all of us. And there isn’t just one way (despite my voice of “authority” in this post.) I’m sure people out there insist those auto-DMs are good. I’m definitely not one of them! 😉
Great post!! and RT as I respond to this!
Terrific post, Nina. You’re a terrific writer and have a very personable voice. I’m definitely a newbie but learning more all the time. Don’t get lists — yet. Maybe I can prevail upon you at some point to walk me through? Lots of mazel.
Hmmmm. Unfortunate word echo on “terrific” from last post. More proof I need an editor.
I bow to your wisdom.
Yes, I did the whole conversation thing once. Okay, maybe twice. Lost my head for a moment. Do I need to write on the chalkboard 100 times, “I will not have a conversation on Twitter”? 😉
Love the tips and I agree 100% with all of them.
Oh, good Kate already asked and you answered. I’ll be watching this space for the tutorial on lists. This is really embarrassing, but I’ve been listed by quite a few very nice people and have no idea how to list them–or any of the rest of my followers.
Thank you, thank you! What a great post. Nobody tells you this stuff. Like the .@ retweet. I’ve been doing it wrong all this time.
I do agree about those long public/private conversations. And little cliquey chatfests. DMs are there for that.
And people who tweet 19 tweets in a row. I guess if I had lists, I would be able to weed them out of my feed? I sure need that tutorial.
Thanks. You are the queen of my Twitterverse.
Anne–you’ve absolutely helped me with the blogging. So glad I can return the favor. More info on lists coming in Twitter Tips: Part Two! 🙂 . . . probably Wed or Thursday.
Wow! There’s so much I didn’t know! I still don’t have people on lists. Gotta get around to that some day.
I wish I knew those things when I started, too! I have yet to get off of the Twitter site and list my people. Must do.
Nina, I have to say, Twitter is a world too complex for me. It’s like calculus, and while I can learn it, I don’t know that I have the time or patience. I am what I call “twittilliterate” (©Jana Llewellyn. I can make up my own Twitter words even though I don’t understand it, right?)
The truth is, Twitter sometimes seems to take more time and effort than its worth. While I recognize it’s important if you want to be a social media maven, I’m more an Emily Dickinson stuck in this technological world. I know that I have probably offended other bloggers who have tweeted my posts, because usually, all I do is blush and say “Thank you,” yet don’t think to return the favor. This goes for follow-friday, too. I didn’t know what the hell it was and now that I do, I can’t really think of people whose tweets I read regularly, or who I haven’t already encouraged others to follow. So while calculus is interesting and all, I feel like the only way to get the most out of Twitter is to be sort of addicted to it. And I’m more addicted to facebook. It feels more organic to me.
But I am grateful for your lesson here, and I’m going to put it to use. (Whenever I’m on Twitter, which is rarely, because it hurts my brain. This inelegant comment is a testament to that.)
Jana–Twitter is not for everyone. I totally get that. For me it’s been well worth the time, I’ll be more specific about that in PART II.
Thanks Nina.
This is great. I’m going to keep it and read it through a few times. I still find a lot of this confusing, especially the whole lists thing. Just don’t get it.
Thank you for that list! You’ve cleared up a few things that have been confusing me about Twitter. It all makes more sense now.
Oh, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I’ve got most if Twitter down but would love a walk-through on lists and favorites! Also thanks for the starting and RT’ing info about only those who see! This is really a godsend!
Thanks so much again Nina!!
I’m with jenni – I know nothing about twitter but am so proud of you for such a popular post!!! xo
no one asked about lists. I don’t understand the list thing at all.
It’ll be in my next post! 🙂
THANK YOU, NINA! This is exactly what I needed to learn what the Twitter revolution is all about, rather then just throwing tweets into the world with the hope they’ll simply land and stick somewhere. Can’t tell you how much I really really needed this.
A must read post for me from @NinaBadzin: THANK YOU!
I saw this via Neilochka and am just now reading it. Lots of great points. I’d add a very big note on the use of RT’s.
New Twitter and Tweet Deck(you can adjust this function in Settings) and I think Hootsuite all do the swirly RT. The small avatar over the larger avatar of the person they’re RT’ing. It is MANDATORY to use the swirly RT as opposed to putting the letters RT in front of a tweet for three.5 reasons.
1. It doesn’t matter how long your handle is. The swirly RT lets you have your 140 plus your handle.
2. It eliminates people reediting your tweets. Some people will take your lovely tweet, reedit it to make you look foolish or mean and send it out.
.5 It also eliminates people sticking I AGREE! Or RIGHT ON! or whatever little note they think is important in front of a tweet. AN RT MEANS YOU AGREE WITH A PERSON. Save us all the editorializing.
3. Many of us use Favstar.com. As Twitter gets more and more popular, more and more people use Favstar. It’s an automated system that saves your most RT’d tweets, lets you be seen by their community, which is huge, and allows you to see/meet new people you might be interested in. They DO NOT recognize the RT unless it’s a swirly one.
I’m done. Finally!
Suzy! Thank you! I’d never heard of the “swirly” RT or that site. (I use Hootsuite . . . but I haven’t manually changed any settings. I’ll check it out!)
Hilarious…you’re so right on neen. This is definitely a great NinaBadzin Twitter 101!!
Great post, had to share it to friends and family who ask me to explain the ins and outs of Twitter and how to Tweet. Yeah, sure…..I’ll just keep sending them to this post. Thanx!
Thanks Engrid! It IS hard to explain the ins and outs. And this post only scratches the surface.
I took a break to go make some lists…but how do i get people ON to the lists? ???
Hi Michelle! The directions to get them on the list are in part two! It’s the post after this one. 🙂
I know I’m late in commenting on this post, but I arrived her as a result of part III. Anyhow…I don’t think I agree with the part about lists showing how many people actually read your tweets. I, for one, didn’t start making lists until just recently and that was because when the list feature came along, I was already following so many people, I just didn’t feel like taking the time to separate them into lists. Also, most of the people who chat with me and @ reply me on Twitter, don’t have me listed. In fact, the ones who *do* list me, have never replied to a thing I’ve said…or tweeted, rather. For the longest time, I’ve been content to scroll down the Twitter feed, comprised of everyone I follow, and I’m sure others are still doing the same. Now that I have lists, though, my Twitter practices will likely change.
Also, I’d always wondered what that period was before the @ symbol, and it always annoyed the editor in me! I’ve been on Twitter for over 2 years now and somehow that alluded me, but I’m glad you’ve made me wiser to it now! And just recently, I figured out on my own that putting a few words before the @ reply would make the tweet visible to everyone who follows you. Gosh, the little things that escape us along the way…
Thanks for this post! I’ve enjoyed it!
Hi Ashley! Thank you so much for your comment. I wrote this post a bit ago and although I still stand by my thought that a person with a thousand followers should be listed more than 20 times, you’re right that’s not a hard, fast rule, nor does the list count need to be 10%. I also agree that sometimes the people who list you are not the ones interacting with you. I’m guessing that SOME of the ones really talking to you often probably have you on a private “favorites” lists.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. 🙂
You’re welcome! And I agree as well. Someone with over a thousand followers, probably should be listed more than 20 times. Also, I’ve been looking out for the 10% thing now that you’ve put it in my head. 🙂
Thanks so much for this! I’ve been trying to figure out the .@ thing forever!
Happy to help!
We’re such a superstar, Nina. I need to get up with tweetdeck or something like that. I didn’t start listing people, and now I’m horribly behind. As soon as I get the mss turned in, I’m going to make sure I’ve followed all of your wonderful advice. You rock!
I VERY recently joined twitter (thanks for being my 3rd follower!) and your twitter series made it seem doable. Otherwise it was just a confusing list of @#11http:// –incomprehensible stuff. I’m still learning but with the help of your advice, at least I know a few things like how to retweet–After a few spazzy attempts I remain fearful about tweeting but I’ll get there. Thanks!
–Laura
Laura! You’re doing great. And if you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂
Thanks, I found this really useful especially tips on retweeting. Never even thought about lists! Thanks for advice
PiP
Lists take a ton of time to arrange if you’re following a lot of people, but it’s 100% worth it once you get it all set up. Good luck! Glad the post helped. Nina 🙂
Wow! Clearly I need to work on my Twitter skills and etiquette. Thanks for explaining so many little things, Nina.
This is so helpful. THANK YOU!
Love these Twitter Tips. I’ve read a lot of articles and even took a course on tweeting, but this is the best and most comprehensive. Thanks
Thanks so much!
Also downloaded TweetDeck. Thanks for the helpful info.
I did NOT know about the @ thing. How did I not know that? Thank you!
I used to not reply too much on Twitter, fearing that I might annoy others who are not interested in what my classmate and I are talking about, until I’ve read somewhere something similar to what you posted ( When you start a Tweet like this—> @NinaBadzin–ONLY the people who follow BOTH of us will see that Tweet. )
Yup, the @reply thing helps a ton, but too much back and forth of that still isn’t how you want your twitter stream/profile to appear to people who are deciding whether or not to follow you. Just keep it mixed up and it shouldn’t be a problem. (Mix of RTs, original stuff, @replies)
How did I not know about that @ thing? I can’t believe you are nailing me 6 months in! Why didn’t anyone tell me about this — until you and Julie did on the same day?! So happy to be reding this series. On to part II.
Thank you a million times over for sending me these tips. I will be utilizing the ones that aren’t over my head right away and checking back as I figure out what this twitter thing is.
Muchas Gracias.
Thanks so much, Nina, for this series about Twitter. It’s sooooooo helpful.
So glad it’s helping! It’s my pet subject. 😉
Hi Nina, Can you help me with making a list. I have only used twitter for a few months. Thank you!!
Hey Robyn,
The “how to” for making lists is in part 2, but let me know if you have questions that can’t be answered in that post!
https://ninabadzin.com/2011/02/17/twitter-tips-part-two/
Nina 🙂
Hi Nina, Yes sorry I should have read the whole four parts before asking my question. Your articles were most helpful. I’ve only been a twitter user for a few months so I sometimes feel like a little fish lost in a huge sea of other fishes who speak a foreign language. But I am slowly but surely figuring it out. I use the “people watching” metaphor where I just sit back and try to see what everyone is doing, how they phrase their tweets, who they talk to and so forth…When you talked about the “Lists” that was HUGE for me. I didn’t really know what they were for and how useful they could potentially be. Thanks again…Robyn
Robyn,
Your approach to learning the Twitter “lingo” and the how-to is exactly how it should be done! Makes sense to see what others are doing well (or not) as you slowly jump in. Definitely tweet now and then too, though, or it’s really impossible to get followers.
Good luck and always feel free to come back with questions. Nina 🙂
Wow thank you so much for the tips! I’m new to Twitter and I have been a little worried about my cyber etiquette–it’s a culture of its own. I didn’t even know lists existed, and I’m especially glad you cleared up the @mention/RT business for me…maybe I’ll tweet about it. 🙂
I found your blog searching for ‘twitter how to thank followers’ – I’ve been trying to glean from others on how best to utilize twitter – your articles a great – clear and no-nonsense. I am grateful. Peace!
Jay Seidle recently posted..Taking Initiative With God
I’m so glad the articles have helped, Jay! Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks. I so appreciate you trying to give us newbies a Twitter 101 course. Unfortunately, I am so new to Twitter I did not understand any of this post. 🙂 The positive side is it is making me realize that I need to spend some serious time figuring this Twitter thing out. Lori