5 Fun Things to Do with Twitter

Anyone who knows me well enough has probably already heard me rave enthusiastically about the fun I'm having on Twitter. This social network is relevant to us as writers since it's a no-cost chance to promote our work, do research, and connect with people who share our interests.

In an article from Saurage Marketing Research's Key Findings, I learned that:

• Six % of American adults use Twitter.
• Young adults (18-29) use it most (14%), followed by those aged 30-49 (7%), 50-64 (6%), and 65+ (4%).
• Hispanics (18%) use it more than African Americans (13%) and Caucasians (5%).
• Urbanites (11%) use it more than suburbanites (8%) and rural dwellers (5%).

Depending on whom your writing serves, that demographic may be more or less likely to use Twitter. But once you're on, every demographic that's represented there is easy to target.

Once you're set up with a Twitter account (which involves choosing a moniker that defines you at essence--mine is @audaciouseditor--and crafting a tiny biographical statement that links people to your blog or website), here are five ways you can have some fun.

1. "Tweet This" Buttons. On the top right of the screen, next to your name, there is a down arrow. From the drop down menu, choose "Settings." At the bottom of the page, choose "Resources." Click through next to "Tweet Button." Here, you can generate the html code for a button saying, "Tweet this," which you can dump into a newsletter article or blog post. The beauty of customizing such buttons is that you can craft a tempting tweet, which will attract other Twitter users to want to explore the link they see on the Twitter wall. When a reader likes an article you wrote, he or she will hit this button and in seconds it will be posted.

2. Widgets. Still in the "Resources" area, you can click "Widgets." This solution creates a small box with moving parts, which can be displayed on your website or blog (stick it to one side) or even on your Facebook page. A widget scrolls recent posts on Twitter. These posts either come from you exclusively, a list of your favorite tweeters, or any search phrase/key word you think is relevant to your readers. You control the appearance and dimensions. If you're following a group of experts on behalf of your community, this enhances your role as a resource and insider.

3. Hash Marks. Attaching the hash mark (aka the "pound" key, which looks like this #), to any word or phrase enables you to search that word/phrase in all posted tweets. This introduces you to tweeters you wouldn't necessarily have met otherwise, who share your interests. For instance, you might try searching #MEDITATION or #TRAVEL or #QUOTE. You can then follow anyone whose posts you like, or retweet them to your own followers. This is terrific for research. And if you want new people to follow your activity, include a hash mark phrase at the end of your own posts. You can even set up a special event where a group of people can have a real-time conversation using an agreed-upon hash tag.

4. Automated Scheduling. There are a number of services--both free and for pay--through which you can schedule tweets ahead of time. This is good for product launches or just to make the most economical use of your time. It keeps you engaged with the Twitter community on a regular basis even at times you are disconnected from your computer or mobile devices. SocialOomph.com or HootSuite.com are two such services. Remember that posts have to be 140 characters or less. Prep your posts with live links, and shorten those links using tinyurl.com or bitly.com. Spend an hour developing a list of reusable tweets and inputting them once a week.

5. Mentions. On your home page, you may notice a button below the tweet box that reads "@mentions." This enables you to see which other users are mentioning you and circulating your posts or posting about you. Be sure to send them a thank you. Twitter is a conversation held in real-time and in public. A rule of thumb is to post your stuff 20% and other people's stuff 80%. Thanking keeps it alive. Mention other people offering information and opportunities that your own followers may enjoy. And understand that this act of altruism also will help you to build your list of followers. Every time you use the "at" sign--@--before a twitter name, your posts appear on that person's wall, exposing you to a whole new group of potential readers.

Tweet


Stephanie Gunning is a publishing consultant based in New York, N.Y. Her book Audacious Creativity is available both in paperback and Kindle editions.