If you’re new to Twitter, here are some helpful Twitter tips, how-to’s, and netiquette to consider.
These tips may help you make good use of the microbloging tool and help you avoid some common errors made by new Twitter users.
Twitter Tips
• To promote a link for someone, or ‘re-tweet’, structure it like this: RT@user message, link. Example: RT @BullHunter Great article on: www.seanrasmussen.com. Everyone accepts the ‘RT’ prefix as a re-tweet and by using @user (without a space between the @ sign and the username), not only will the user see that they’ve been re-tweeted (because your tweet will appear in their ‘replies’ section), but others can click right on their name to learn more about them.
• If you want to speak with someone directly, you can either direct message them (if they’re also following you) for a private discussion or you can write to @username and they’ll see the message on the public timeline and in their Twitter replies. @messages are seen by anyone on the public timeline.
• If you run out of space for a link, (140 characters doesn’t go all that far!) consider using a link shortening service like Tinyurl.com or Bit.ly. Bit.ly is a great option because if you sign up for an account, you can go back later and see how many people actually clicked on a link.
• If you use a tool like SocialOomph for doing direct replies to new Twitter followers, don’t try to sell to them in that initial email. It’s often obvious that it’s an automated message but if you go for a sale in first contact, you’ll more than likely get ignored.
• If someone follows you and they look like a good potential customer, follow them back. If they give you a chance and don’t see reciprocity, they’ll more than likely tune out after a while (unless you’re someone famous).
• When un-following someone, be aware that they may be using a program that notifies them of this. If you’re planning to add someone, plan to keep them (if you want them to keep following you.).
• Add a hashtag (the number sign on the keyboard) to a post for popular topics, especially niche words or current events. By doing #topic in your Twitter update, you’ll be likely to be found by people searching for information on that topic.
• Utilise the Twitter search feature to find new people to follow by searching for your niche or keywords related to it. You’ll find people talking about that topic and by following them, you could find a new potential customer. They may not buy from you today but as you build rapport with them (or interest them with your contributions to discussions) you may eventually coerce them to a URL where they could buy or at the very least, opt in to receiving direct communication from you.
• Make your profile interesting. You don’t have much room to grab someone’s attention but there’s enough room to make an impression.
• Add your picture. People prefer tweeting a person rather than a logo.
• Use a Twitter badge on your blog. It’s available in your account and is some code you can grab and put on your website or blog to you’re your most recent tweets. This can pique the curiosity of people visiting your blog by letting them learn more about you and / or follow you on Twitter.
This isn’t an exhaustive list about Twitter uses for online business. There are now books published entirely devoted to the subject, even. But these Twitter tips can help you get started, appeal to the public, and you may even start seeing some sales as a result.
If you want to follow me on Twitter, feel free to check out my Twitter profile!
See you at the top of Google!
Sean Rasmussen
SEO Australia Pacific
AussieSEO.com © 2007 - 2010
These are outstanding tips, Sean. I will try them all out.
.-= Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Genetically Modified Foods – Are They Worth the Risk? =-.
Glad you got benefit from it Wal. Did you retweet the post
Regards – Sean
Thanks Sean. It’s not easy to work out these things on your own. Yes, I did retweet this on twitter. But I haven’t been structuring it the way you describe here. How do you actually do that? When I hit the retweet button, I don’t see the opportunity where you can actually type anything?
.-= Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..Green businesses in South Africa =-.
Hi Lina
The information in the article on structuring, is more related to manually adding a retweet to Twitter. However, if you use the retweet button, a tweetmeme box should appear and you can edit the information in that box before tweeting.
Regards – Sean
Hi Sean,
These are great Twitter tips. What about Follow Friday though? Do you use it? Is it just for telling other people who you think is worth following? And if it is, how do you avoid offending the followers you don’t recommend?
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Learn and Earn – It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint =-.
Thanks again for your twitter tips Sean,
I was wandering what what the RT, @ & # was for and this blog has been very helpful. There are a variety of automated twitter tools available however I read in the twitter rules & best practices that they are not liked by twitter so I am not sure whether or not they are worth using. I see SocialOomph is a particularly popular one but are there anymore that would be recommended?
There are lots around Jeremy, do a search on Google and you will find plenty to check out. SocialOomph is my favourite and one I highly recommend
I LOVE Socialoomph and they are constantly adding to their product – eg facebook now as well. Tweetspinner is another program – but you are limited to the number of accounts you have. Socialoomph is DEFINITELY the best value for money (maybe I should check for an affiliate program
)
I am with you there on SocialOomph Jayne
Here’s their affiliate page: http://www.socialoomph.com/affiliates
Great tips, thanks Sean.
Hey Sean,
Some great tips and hints here, to keep in mind. And as soon as I get some followers and a blog, something to write about and passion, I’ll be all set! *LOL*
Cheers,
Pete
Sounds like you have thought of all the ingredients Pete, now to put them all together and bake the cake
Hi Sean
This is another great article for me as I am a new tweeter, twit or whatever I am called !
Most of the points you have written about I didn’t have a clue so I am away to go and follow all those people who are following me and I have not responded to.
I am grateful to learn about this as social sites are very important. It is amazing just how many are out there.
Also, I need to get the Twitter link to my blog. I am just going to tweak my Twitter account so I don’t look like a Twit.
Blessings
Elly
.-= Elly´s last blog .. =-.
Glad the article gave you some direction with Twitter Elly, happy Twitter tweaking
This is good Sean.
I’m really trying to get my head round all this stuff. It’s mostly a jargon thing I think.
This article on Helpful Twitter Tips has helped me yet again.
It is great to read and then go and experiment.
Many thanks
Geoff
Helpful Twitter Tips – awesome post Sean,
I am newbie twit, and always used the re tweet button. I didn’t know you can manually add a retweet to Twitter. A lot to learn and practice here! I thought Twitter is easy.. Looking forward to learn more!
Thanks,
Ada
.-= Ada Leucuta´s last blog ..Starting strength and vertical jump training =-.